Outdoors and on the water within 15 miles of Coral Gables — Coconut Grove, Miami and Key Biscayne included — nearest first.
10 things to do · Updated September 2026
10 places within 15 mi
Swimming hole
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
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 · Coconut Grove · 0.9 mi
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.
On the water · Miami · 5.5 mi
Underwater 'Atlantis' cemetery-reef in 40 ft via Tarpoon Lagoon or Divers Paradise (Crandon Marina; also shallow snorkel trips).
On the water · Miami · 5.5 mi
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).
On the water · Miami · 5.5 mi
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 · 5.5 mi
90-min Star Island / Millionaire's Row bay cruise.
On the water · Miami · 5.5 mi
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.
On the water · Key Biscayne · 6.9 mi
Private boats to Nixon Sandbar / Stiltsville; Getmyboat lists pet-friendly rentals.
Beach · Miami Beach · 9.9 mi
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
Mangrove trails to the Sandspur Island sandbar; Friday sunset paddles, monthly full-moon tours, Sunday SUP yoga.
On the water · Hollywood · 21 mi
The easy way to bar-hop the Intracoastal. Dog policy conflicts between sources (site says service animals only) — call.
On the water · Homestead · 22 mi
'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.
On the water · Homestead · 22 mi
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.
Beach · Dania Beach · 24 mi
Rock ledges and jetty; lobstering at night in season (permit + gauge).
Beach · Dania Beach · 24 mi
The local checks; small, uncrowded, learner-friendly on windswell.
Swimming hole · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
The one 'spring' on the southwest coast: 85°F mineral pool, spa vibe. Closest true spring to Fort Lauderdale.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
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.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
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.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
The Grove rentals, 9 am–8 pm. Calm freshwater lagoon inside the park.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
90-min narrated New River / Millionaire's Row cruise; 4-hr BBQ dinner & show cruise ~$70–80. Touristy, fun once.
On the water · Fort Lauderdale · 29 mi
2-hr catamaran sunset sails and snorkel-sail combos; November sunsets with cool air are the best of the year.
