Clermont, FL Outdoor Activities

Safari Wilderness Ranch's exotic wetland animals freely roam 260 acres of grassy plains, girded by an 850-square-mile watershed. Accredited by the Zoological Association of America and licensed by the USDA, the ranch is an agritourism project dedicated to teaching about endangered species through hands-on safaris. Wandering zebra and watusi-cattle herds coexist harmoniously with waterbuck and lost cable guys as explorers ride by on trucks, horse-drawn carts, and camels. An outdoor aviary flutters with nearly 100 colorful, playful budgie parakeets who will munch millet seeds from the palm of a hand, and a lemur habitat allows guests to feed the ring-tailed primates grapes.

A famous tautologist once said that nothing pairs better with a crawfish festival than crawfish. This thought-provoking maxim is an apt summation of the Ocala Crawfish Fest, an annual celebration of Louisiana-style cooking and live music. In an interview with Ocala.com, festival organizer Deb Cone described the event as an opportunity to combine kids-education fundraising efforts with casual, laid-back fun. As she put it, “We wanted to do something for the entire community where you don't have to dress up.” Attendees can throw down blankets or lawn chairs and kick back to musical stylings that are as Cajun as the cuisine that is being served up, all while reveling in the knowledge that their merriment is helping the independent education facility Hale Academy.

Paradise Power Sports sailing-savvy team deploys patrons onto New Smyrna Beach's waterways atop boat and jet-ski rentals. Aquatic adventurers can board 18-foot bay scouts, 14-foot flat boats, and 16-foot speed boats, or Yamaha and Sea-Doo jet skis, and skim through the causeways past green wetlands and out onto the Atlantic. Vessels such as the 25-foot Sea Fox—equipped with fish-finder technology and GPS—are ideal for fishing excursions, while the 18-foot Sweetwater Pontoon and 24-foot Fisher Pontoon provide slower-paced aquatic recreation. Patrons can embark on trips solo or under the guidance of experienced captains, many of who are fluent in tuna.

Seven generations ago, Doug Hicks's ancestors settled near the waters of New Smyrna Beach. Today, Hicks captains his own boat throughout his family's splashing grounds, leading fishing trips through Mosquito Lagoon, Tomoka Basin, and other native waters. With nearly 20 years of experience under his life preserver, Captain Hicks helps his passengers sniff out schools of tarpon, redfish, snook, and trout disguised as ordinary sea bass. The captain also helms chartered outings for activities ranging from tubing and wakeboarding to bar-hopping along the shore.

As the sun dips below moss-cloaked oaks, Fun Cat Sailing’s gleaming white catamarans glide slowly down the coast of Ponce Inlet. Crews settle into benches that circle around open decks and salute the sunset with a glass of wine, while more industrious sailors help the captain trim the sails. The sunset cruise is one of Fun Cat Sailing’s three leisurely itineraries. During the day cruises, passengers and curious submarine captains can scour the sunlit surface of the calm waters, taking in the picturesque beauty of the sea or searching for dolphins. Catamarans can accommodate up to 30 passengers at a time, and small cabins provide a break from the sunshine.

The roughly 5-kilometer Survivor Mud Run challenges athletes from around the country with 20 mud-soaked obstacles, including monkey bars, tire courses, giant slip 'n' slides, and net climbs. A team of licensed contractors builds all the obstacles, ensuring stability throughout. The dirt-drenched course allows participants to put their stamina, physical fitness, and mental determination to the test in a much more fun and safer way than challenging a Central African chimpanzee to a staring contest. Adrenaline and sheer force of will boost runners over walls and beneath low-slung wires in the mud-filled trenches, leading them to the finish line where a post-competition party awaits with beer, music, and food. After each race, announcers honor the top three male and female participants in each age division, bestowing a special distinction upon the runner who was brave enough to don the wackiest costume.