Orange City, FL Outdoor Activities

The red and black ship cuts through the waters of Matanzas Bay, its sails waving in the wind. On deck, members of a pirate crew call one another by names such as Oly Mackarel, Jaybird, Anastasia, Clipper, and Dirty James as they cavort between bow and stern, dazzling their audiences. Their ship, the Black Raven, was designed as a floating live performance theater—and accommodates more than 120 passengers as a crew of performers in full buccaneer dress produce interactive and dynamic plays in the spotlight. The actors work the crowd with a variety of rehearsed but unscripted skits, geared toward audiences of all ages, and may change their performance to engage specific audience members.

The Indian River Queen is a 99-foot boat that can comfortably take on up to 230 people. It has played host to every kind of event, from weddings, field trips, cocktail parties, and eco-tours to the filming of the movie Out of Time starring Denzel Washington, as mentioned by PRWeb. After the boat’s film debut, Penny Sheridan Flaherty recognized the Southern-style paddle-wheel boat’s star power and took over ownership. Since then, both owner and boat have celebrated an array of special occasions from the Indian River Queen's decks.

The plush riverboat’s main deck comes equipped with all the amenities, including air conditioning and a full-service bar complete with Beck's Dark beer, Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey, and Patrón tequila. Live music and the ship's second full-service bar are tucked onto the second deck. Though both the main and second deck are outfitted with large viewing windows, the top-level deck is where guests can truly soak in idyllic views of the Indian River and the Indian River Lagoon, along with their manatee and dolphin inhabitants.

On Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, public cruises ferry passengers lazily down the river as they dine on catered food from Black Tulip Restaurant. If needed, owner Penny is also the boat's party planner, and she can provide a comprehensive list of party services including videographers, fresh flower arrangements, and live music performed by steel-drum bands or the crew harmonizing on water jugs.

At HART, Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, instructor Shannon Norris calls upon 30 years of riding expertise to guide students on instructional trots. In groups of six or fewer, they glean essential techniques for balance and safety and learn about steering methods to prevent horses from running off at the first sound of the ice-cream man’s bell. Norris also ensures that students practice barn safety, grooming, and general equestrian care. Lessons take place on the center’s open arenas and grass paddocks, which border a wildlife preserve that allows pupils to bond with the natural environment.

At Ace of Hearts Ranch, more than 23 acres of sandy trails, grassy paddocks, and pine woods shelter riders as they explore the surrounding area during trail rides and eco tours. The property features bucolic landscapes as well as gems such as a log cabin, five ponds, and an island gazebo. The friendly staff offers guided tours of the local flora and ecosystems as well as boarding for horses.

At each of five Surf and Ski Water Sports locations, staffers equip tourists and locals alike with ocean and river rentals and beach necessities. While some take advantage of boats and jet skis to glide along the water, others watch from atop surfboards or seated in beach chairs situated beneath the shade of giant umbrellas.

Inland Ocean isn’t your typical farm. There aren’t any cows grazing the fields or scarecrows baking in the sunlight. Instead, there’s a 400-foot-deep well at the center of the property that pumps pure water into a network of large ponds. The business stocks those ponds with organic, locally raised fish—fish that the staff cares for from the time they’re eggs to the day they shed their training fins and get released into the Inland Ocean waters. Visitors can stop by for a day of catch-and-release fishing or just to feed the fish. They can also pick up dinner after browsing Inland Ocean’s live tanks, all stocked with fresh pompano, redfish, and tilapia that can be cleaned to order.