On the water
Biscayne National Park Institute
Reef snorkel $115; sail-paddle-snorkel $209; Boca Chita lighthouse cruise $83; Stiltsville tour $70; evening bay cruise $65 from Nov. The best-value way to see the park.
Outdoors & On the Water in Coconut Grove, FL
Outdoors and on the water within 15 miles of Coconut Grove — Coral Gables, Miami and Key Biscayne included — nearest first.
10 things to do · Updated September 2026
10 places within 15 mi
Swimming hole · Coral Gables · 0.9 mi
Local spring substitutes
South Florida has no natural springs — they all sit north of Orlando. Local stand-ins: the spring-fed Venetian Pool in Coral Gables (1924 lagoon pool, $23, closed Mondays), the atoll pool at Matheson Hammock, the Snyder Park dog lake, and Peanut Island's snorkel lagoon.
On the water · Coral Gables · 0.9 mi
Kiteboarding & wing foiling
Miami Kiteboarding (IKO; $200/hr private, 3-hr $650) and Miami Kiting. Season starts with November's fronts (steady 15–25 kt); Sept–Oct are for light-wind lessons and foiling. Adventure Sports USA teaches on Pompano/Hillsboro beaches — closest to home.
On the water · Miami · 5.3 mi
Neptune Memorial Reef & Key Biscayne reefs
Underwater 'Atlantis' cemetery-reef in 40 ft via Tarpoon Lagoon or Divers Paradise (Crandon Marina; also shallow snorkel trips).
~$90–110On the water · Miami · 5.3 mi
Cable wake parks
Ski Rixen (Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield — the original US cable park, Wibit aqua park), Miami Watersports Complex (Amelia Earhart Park), Shark Wake Park (Okeeheelee, WPB).
$50–60/2 hrOn the water · Miami · 5.3 mi
Sailing lessons
Fort Lauderdale Community Sailing / LYC (basic keelboat, Wednesday-night racing), Blue Water Sailing School (Bahia Mar; ASA liveaboard courses incl. Bahamas passages — Nov is prime), Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Palm Beach Sailing Club.
On the water · Miami · 5.3 mi
Island Queen Cruises
90-min Star Island / Millionaire's Row bay cruise.
~$30 (Groupon ~$25)On the water · Miami · 5.3 mi
Balearia ferry to Bimini
Fast ferry ~2 hr each way, roughly Wed/Fri/Sun; passport required. Snorkel the Sapona wreck and Radio Beach. Book November for the smoothest crossings.
Day trip from ~$199 round tripNo dogs
On the water · Key Biscayne · 6.1 mi
Key Biscayne sandbar charters
Private boats to Nixon Sandbar / Stiltsville; Getmyboat lists pet-friendly rentals.
~$500–800Ask
Beach · Miami Beach · 9.6 mi
South Beach (1st–5th St)
Fires only on strong N-NE swell after fronts, but it's a scene when it does.
On the water · North Miami Beach · 16 mi
Oleta River
Mangrove trails to the Sandspur Island sandbar; Friday sunset paddles, monthly full-moon tours, Sunday SUP yoga.
On the water · Homestead · 22 mi
Pompano / Fort Lauderdale wrecks
'Wreck capital of Florida': Lady Luck (324-ft tanker with underwater art), Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, Rodeo 25, Tenneco Towers, SS Copenhagen. South Florida Diving Headquarters (night dives, lobster trips, a Halloween dive), Pompano Dive Center, Scuba Monkey.
~$85–100 two-tank
On the water · Hollywood · 22 mi
Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi
The easy way to bar-hop the Intracoastal. Dog policy conflicts between sources (site says service animals only) — call.
All-day $38, evening $25Ask
On the water · Homestead · 22 mi
Everglades airboats
Sawgrass Recreation Park ($31; private sunrise or 'Red Eye' night boat from $325) and Everglades Holiday Park (from $30, Gator Boys show). Further out: Billie Swamp Safari on the Seminole reservation (airboats + swamp buggies; more wild) and the Tamiami Trail operators (Coopertown, Gator Park, Everglades Safari Park, Miccosukee). Mornings or nights in Sept; anytime in Nov.
From ~$30No dogs
Beach · Dania Beach · 25 mi
Dania Beach jetty / Mizell-Johnson
Rock ledges and jetty; lobstering at night in season (permit + gauge).
no (beach)
Beach · Dania Beach · 25 mi
Pompano, Commercial Blvd, Vista Park & Dania piers
The local checks; small, uncrowded, learner-friendly on windswell.
Swimming hole · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
Warm Mineral Springs
The one 'spring' on the southwest coast: 85°F mineral pool, spa vibe. Closest true spring to Fort Lauderdale.
No dogsOn the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
Sea Experience
The easy one: 2-hr glass-bottom boat + snorkel trip and two-tank dives off Fort Lauderdale beach; Discover Scuba for first-timers. Walkable from Coral Ridge.
~$45–55 snorkel
On the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
Las Olas Isles canals
Minutes from Coral Ridge. SUP/kayak plus mini powerboats; sunset paddles past the yachts in Oct–Nov are the sweet spot. Many outfitters allow dogs on boards on request.
From $30 for 90 minAskOn the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
Hugh Taylor Birch lagoon
The Grove rentals, 9 am–8 pm. Calm freshwater lagoon inside the park.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
Jungle Queen Riverboat
90-min narrated New River / Millionaire's Row cruise; 4-hr BBQ dinner & show cruise ~$70–80. Touristy, fun once.
~$30–35
On the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
Tropical Sailing / Spirit of Lauderdale
2-hr catamaran sunset sails and snorkel-sail combos; November sunsets with cool air are the best of the year.
~$60–90
Nothing else within 15 mi