Pompano Beach, FL Outdoor Activities

At the age of 5, Captain David Ide had already navigated the back canals of South Florida in his own 8-foot motored dinghy. Over the years, the sea tugged at him even more; he amassed fishing knowledge by talking to locals on the docks during his family's annual trips to the Bahamas, and at the age of 15 he began working on the fuel docks at Lauderdale Marina. The following year, he was asked to compete in his first professional fishing tournament. Though he sometimes still competes, Captain David spends most of his time aboard the US Coast Guard-licensed _Lady Pamela II_—leading drift-fishing trips around South Florida's natural reefs and shipwrecks,

The 41-foot custom-built and tournament-ready Hatteras boasts a 15-foot beam, air-conditioned bridge, and refrigerators, as well as ample electronics for detecting fish and any ghost ships before they rise from the ocean. At this vessel's helm, Captain David pilots passengers armed with rods, tackle, and various types of bait out to distances of 2, 10, or up to 20 miles from shore on extended daytime and nighttime trips. Groups may hunt in search of small targets such as tuna, snapper, grouper, and mahi-mahi, or larger quarry such as broadbill swordfish and hammerhead or bull sharks.

For the past three decades, the Davis Tours fleet of buses and motorcoaches have ferried tour groups to scenic locales, from the island landscapes of Key West to the killer-whale tank of the Miami Seaquarium. Their staff can plan entire custom trips, from transportation to meals, or they can simply furnish groups with a bus. The prepackaged tours, meanwhile, whisk groups through the Florida Everglades in an airboat or off to a Brazilian dinner theater show with unlimited sangria.

South Florida's waters teem with fish whose visual splendor rivals the tropical landscape above—mahi-mahi with chartreuse sides, grouper covered in glimmering bronze scales, and sailfish with long, flowing dorsal fins. Manning a 46-foot Hatteras sport-fishing yacht, Fish On Board Charters' captains take passengers on fishing charters to catch these eye-enthralling trophies. On 4- to 6-angler trips that range from half-day outings to all-night swordfishing, they utilize both offshore trolling and bottom-fishing techniques. The boat's amenities—including an air-conditioned cabin, an entertainment center, and restrooms—keep passengers comfortable between hook sets. Crewmembers clean anything caught, as well as supply all bait, tackle, and ice. Water is available, and alcoholic beverages are welcomed so long as they're not shared with squids younger than 21. In addition to fishing trips, captains also charter scenic cruises along South Florida's tropical coastlines.

Winning Ways Golf Development designs programs for amateur golfers who want to take their game to the next level. They pair duffers with touring golf professionals, who then walk 18 holes together during playing lessons that provide instant feedback on subject such as golf strategies, game management, and various shots. They also provide separate pregame preparation sessions that cover how to prepare mentally and physically before a round, and post-game evaluations that recap strengths and opportunities for improvement.

State-of-the-art facilities at Sapphire Stables host riding lessons, summer camps, and birthday parties, teaching riders of all abilities how to ride and care for horses. Situated next to Tradewinds Park, Sapphire Stables has access to miles of trails in addition to its 1-acre riding arena. Here, the stable's instructors cement bonds between rider and steed during lessons that teach how to groom, tack up, and ride a horse without training wheels. Pupils choose between the styles of English or Western riding techniques, but before doing so, they must demonstrate mastery of fundamentals including balance and control.