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Black Hammock Adventures | Airboats and More

Admittedly, I am not the most adventurous person you’ll ever know.  Maybe that comes from tipping over in a canoe, cautiously watching dozens of alligators from a canoe in the middle of a lake, or a startling encounter with a snake along a park trail.  So, when I decided on an airboat ride for the latest Florida adventure, let’s just say I was a bit apprehensive at first.  However, it turned out to be one of my most favorite outdoor activities – ever – thanks to Black Hammock Adventures.

Black Hammock | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

The Airboats

Located on Lake Jesup in Oviedo, Black Hammock Adventures has been providing airboat rides for more than 15 years.  Their boats are approved by, and the captains licensed by, the U.S. Coast Guard.  Needless to say, they know what they are doing.

After purchasing tickets in the gift shop, it was down to the dock to wait for boarding.  Airboat rides leave every 30 minutes, so you will not wait very long for your excursion.  Our boat had a grand total of seven, which included six passengers and the captain.  It could easily have seated another nine passengers.  The captain started with a brief safety review, informed us of the noise and the need to wear the provided ear protection, and offered a short background of the lake.  Then we were off on our adventure.

Black Hammock Airboats | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

Picking up speed, we glided gracefully along the smooth waters of the lake.  The bright sun and blue sky created the perfect conditions, although there was a chill in the air.  Needless to say, the weather was on our side.  Since the boat wasn’t at capacity), we could see the wildlife and fauna on both sides of the boat.

The first part of our excursion took us off the main lake and into a cove of sorts.  Idling along the shoreline, we saw osprey flying overhead and alligators in the water – one sunning himself on a log, another lazing nearby, a limpkin just beyond.

Just hanging out | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

If I walk away slowly, maybe he won’t see me! | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

After a leisurely ride along the south shore, we picked up speed and headed across the lake to the north shore.  Making our way across the marshes and several quick airboat turns, we ended up in another part of the lake with an abundance of wildlife.  Great blue herons waded along the shore, anhingas perched, drying off their wings, ducks skimming across the water, and, of course, more alligators lazed on or near the shore. Lake Jesup is said to have one of the densest populations of alligators in the state.

Great blue heron | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

Photo by Floridiana Magazine

American alligator | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

After meandering along the shore, we head back across the lake to the dock.  For someone who was apprehensive at first, I felt a little disappointed when we disembarked.

Dropping off our ear protection, we were led back to the gift shop for the grand finale – a “close encounter” with a small gator.

My new best friend?

Other Things to See and Do

If you’ve never been to Black Hammock, don’t think it’s something you drive out to, take your airboat ride, then turn around and leave.  There is much more to do and see.  Free exhibits include a parrot jungle, an alligator viewing area, and Hammy – a 12-foot alligator born in 1968 and weighing in at around 600 pounds.  His personal bio says he was the one selected from over 100 alligators to retire at Black Hammock.

Parrots at the Parrot Jungle | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

Happy gators! | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

Meet Hammy | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

After seeing all of the alligators, if you’re craving some “gatorlicious appetizers,” head up to the Black Hammock Restaurant.  Of course, there’s much more to eat that just gator!

Gator meat! | Photo by Floridiana Magazine

Our spur-of-the-moment trip to Black Hammock made for a perfect day.  From the airboat ride, to lunch at the restaurant, and a drink at the Lazy Gator Bar, this is one adventure that will be repeated.

Please take a moment and watch our slideshow below of more of our trip to Black Hammock.

Oh, and be sure to like us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Manatee Viewing Center at Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Station

When I think of seasons in Florida, I think of only two:  summer and winter – or beach season and manatee season.  While beach season may extend through more than just the summer, manatee season runs from November to March.  If you’re adventurous enough to brave the colder temperatures, you can experience some amazing sights of these gentle giants.

Big Bend Power Station

In the shadows of the TECO Power Plant in Apollo Beach, manatees can be seen swimming lazily in the discharge canal, a state-designated manatee sanctuary.  When the water in the bay drops to below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, manatees find their way into these warmer waters.  On a recent visit on a cold January day, hundreds of manatees could be seen from the observation deck.  Since the water was very low, their backs could be seen above the surface and looked like stepping stones across the canal.  Occasionally, they would roll or flip their tails or come up for air, but don’t expect a lot of activity from the manatees.  They rest anywhere from two to 12 hours a day.  During that time, they will rise to the surface every seven to 20 minutes to breathe.  When they are awake, those breaths are taken every three to five minutes.

It is estimated that there are more than 6,000 manatees currently in Florida waters, up dramatically from the hundreds recorded when they were considered endangered in 1973. These mammals weigh about 1,200 pounds and average about 10 feet long as adults. As plant-eaters, they consume about 15 percent of their body weight in aquatic vegetation every day.

Signs along the boardwalk provide illustrations of fish and birds you might also see.  While we were there, we were treated to views of tarpon swimming just below the surface of the water, a shark jumping, and an osprey carrying seaweed to its nest nearby.

Rays Touch Tank

In addition to the manatees, visitors also get a close up view of cownose rays and southern Atlantic stingrays. Reach in and touch them or just watch as they glide past, thanks to a partnership with the Florida Aquarium.  A fun fact about these rays is they are actually the mascots for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team and are here during the team’s off-season.

Other Things to Do

While at the Viewing Center, make sure to stop in the education building for additional information about the manatee and its habitat or stop in at the butterfly gardens. There is also a self-guided nature trail where you can see native plants and coastal water birds.  If you plan to walk the trails, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Hours of Operation

The Manatee Viewing Center is open every day from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. from November 1 through April 15.  It is closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and closes early on Christmas Eve. There is no admission fee.

How to Get There

If you are on Interstate 75, take exit 246 west on Big Bend Road and travel about two and a half miles.  When the road makes a sharp curve to the left, the Viewing Center will immediately be on your right.  There is a parking lot next to the center, but if it is full you will be directed to an overflow lot about a mile away.  From there you can walk along a trail or catch a shuttle bus back to the center.

 

 

 

Manatee Viewing

Whenever I see manatees in their natural settings, their beauty and mystery never cease to amaze me.  I’ve seen them playing in the Gulf of Mexico just offshore of Englewood Beach and I’ve seen them in springs and canals. And each time is like the first.

Here are a few of my favorite manatee viewing areas:

Blue Spring State Park, Orange City:  Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge and during the colder months of the year, hundreds of these gentle giants can be seen in the spring.  There are numerous observation areas along the spring run, as well as a boardwalk that goes to the spring itself.   Please visit my earlier blog post on Blue Spring State Park to learn more.

Hanging out in the spring run at Blue Spring State Park

Manatee Springs State Park, Chiefland:  Manatee Springs is one of the state’s largest springs and is also a National Natural Landmark.  Water from the spring run flows into the Suwannee River before it meets the Gulf of Mexico. Watch the manatees from the boardwalk or from the shoreline.

From the shore at Manatee Springs

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville:  A manatee observation deck overlooking the Haulover Canal provides the perfect spot to watch the marine mammals. Another area close by is across the bridge to the boat ramp.  I actually saw more playing there than at the observation deck itself.  Again, most of the manatees can be seen during the spring and fall when the weather is a little cooler.

Mom and calf at Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (from the boat ramp)

Other places you might want to visit for manatee viewing:

  • Fanning Springs State Park, Fanning Springs
  • Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River
  • Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach
  • Lee County Manatee Park, Ft. Myers

A few pointers boaters at Manatee Springs

The best time for viewing aggregations of manatees is from November through April when they are finding their way into the warmer waters.  Water activities are suspended in the state parks during the winter season because of the manatees.

Enjoy the view!