Learn to Sail in Palm Coast

Scuba diving and snorkeling are great ways to stay active and explore the oceans around you. Throughout a scuba or snorkeling expedition, you may see a wide variety of fish, crabs, starfish, lobsters, eels, aquatic plants, and other ocean life. Get to know four of the best places for scuba diving and snorkeling around the Palm Coast. more Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach Located about three hours down the coast from our dealership is Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach. This is a great spot for beginner divers who want to scope out sea life before diving in. From the shore, you can see all kinds of fish and sea creatures. After you get your bearings, go over to the site called Cable Crossings. Here, you can admire a natural reef that features mini caves. Peanut Island Snorkel Lagoon Peanut Island Snorkel Lagoon is located just north of Fort Lauderdale, along the east coast of Florida. Making this trip from the Palm Coast is well worth the drive since you're in store for some great views of underwater wildlife. This island is only accessible by boat, making it one of the best snorkeling and scuba spots in the Palm Beach area. Beginners can get comfortable in its calm and shallow waters before diving deeper. During your dive, you're likely to see manatees, vibrant tropical fish, and all kinds of invertebrates. If you don't have access to a boat, go for a day trip with the Peanut Island Snorkel Cruise. The staff ensures that you see the best views of all the sea life and schedules tours for optimal viewing times. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is a few hours down the coast from our dealership, and it is an optimal spot for exploring underwater life. This park features large rock outcroppings that create a reef that you can view from the edge of the water. What you see depends on what time of the year you visit. You may spot varieties of crabs, shrimp, snappers, and sea urchins. If you're lucky, you may also see green turtles, loggerhead turtles, stingrays, and Caribbean squids. The Princess Anne Wreck Experienced divers love exploring the Princess Anne wreck. In fact, it is one of the top wreck dives in the United States. This 340-foot car and passenger ferry sits at the bottom of the ocean and is home to all sorts of marine life. It is located offshore from the Palm Beach Inlet. Trained divers can explore the ferry's open rooms, intact staircases, and other open areas of the wreck. Divers who aren't trained in wreck diving can enjoy the sights of the nearby coral reef. You may see parrotfish, barracuda, Atlantic spadefish, and even a shark or two. With proper training, you can eventually venture into the depths of the wreck. Florida has some amazing scuba and snorkeling opportunities. Before exploring any of these sites, make sure you are properly trained and equipped to ensure your safety throughout the dive. Once you're all set, get ready to see some captivating ocean life. Photo by Richard Segal from Pexels

Now that spring has arrived, it's time to spend some time in the great outdoors again. If you live near Palm Coast, Florida, there are many gorgeous parks that you can visit that offer stunning landscapes and convenient amenities. Here are a few examples. more 1. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a Florida State Park that lies just outside of Palm Coast. The park offers 425 acres of coastal scenery that features diverse landscapes, including the tidal marshes of the Matanzas River, coastal shrubs areas, a hammock consisting of lush oak trees, as well as boulder-strewn beaches caused by the prolific outcroppings of coquina rock in the area. It is for its formal gardens, however, that this park is best known. The 20 acres of formal gardens, which surround a massive, roughly 300-year-old oak tree, can be found within the hammock. These gardens feature both native and exotic plants from the far-flung corners of the world. At the park, visitors can amuse themselves with various activities, such as birding, wildlife viewing, and cycling or hiking along the various trails on offer. To view the maritime hammock, as well as a coastal-shrub landscape, take a hike along the 1.7-mile Bella Vista trails. Visitors can also enjoy some recreational fishing in the waters of the Matanzas River. 2. Princess Place Preserve Princess Place Reserve boasts 1,500 acres of pristine landscape that's located at the junction of Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas River. Apart from its beautiful landscapes and a prolific wildlife community that consists of bobcats, white-tailed deer, raccoons, barred owls, armadillos, and many more, the preserve also features one of the oldest homesteads in the county, namely Cherokee Grove. The homestead consists of a hunting lodge that was constructed from local materials like cedar and cabbage palm trunks, as well as stables, a tennis court, and the first in-ground swimming pool in the state. At the preserve, visitors can explore the natural surroundings, as well as the cultivated grounds, through various hiking trails. As the preserve also offers miles of equestrian trails, it is a popular destination for horse-enthusiasts. In addition, the salt marshes along the Matanzas River allow for various water activities, including fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. 3. MalaCompra Road Beachfront Park The 36-acre MalaCompra Road Beachfront Park is located along the beachfront of Palm Coast and, like Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, boasts an expansive outcropping of coquina rock. Various trails wind through the diverse landscapes of this park that include an ocean-shrub community, a gorgeous stretch of beach, and a maritime oak hammock. Although visitors cannot swim at this park, they are allowed to fish or go out for a paddle. Other activities include hiking and bird or dolphin watching. Or, you could opt to just spend a few hours bathing in the sun. Palm Coast and the surrounding areas are home to stunning natural parks that offer diverse landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, and convenient amenities. Dust off the winter blues this spring by visiting these lovely and easily-accessible parks in the area. Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Palm Coast, Florida, is an ideal place for a family vacation, and there are lots of beautiful beaches and fun parks in the area. Here are some of the best hotels for having fun and relaxing with your family, even when you have small children. more Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa You can visit Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa for an unspoiled beach and casual luxury. One-, two, and three-bedroom suites are available, and the balconies have views of the ocean and the golf course. There's an indoor pool and two hot tubs, and kids will love the 91,000-square-foot Fantasy Pool complex. It has a lazy river and several slides. You can eat at the Ocean Bar & Cafe, Loggerheads, Atlantic Grille, or Delfinos. You'll get high-speed internet access, a minifridge, a coffeemaker, a desk, and an in-room safe. Some rooms also have kitchenettes, full-size kitchens, washing machines, dryers, and dining areas. This place has eight tennis courts, a marina, a gym, beach towels, and lounge chairs. On Thursday and Sunday nights, you and your kids can enjoy s'mores next to the fire pit. You can also swim with dolphins, rent a bike, try the nine-hole putting course, go fishing, or take a guided tour of the nearby Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. At Kids Crew, children from 4 to 12 can enjoy fun activities while you get some adults-only time with your spouse. The Silver Sands The Silver Sands has been open since the 1950s, and it has a charming, old-fashioned feel. The property has two cottages and three suites, and it's on Anastasia Island about 30 minutes away from Palm Coast. It covers almost two acres, and it offers direct access to the beach. This place is filled with dunes, wildlife, and peaceful scenery. You and your family members can go hiking, swimming, fishing, or surfing. You can also explore nearby St. Augustine or just relax on a private patio. Amenities include Wi-Fi, towels, chairs, beach umbrellas, kitchenettes, toiletries, and hair dryers. Some units have full kitchens, washing machines, and dryers. Devil's Elbow Fishing Resort This fun resort is in St. Augustine around half an hour away from Palm Coast. It has charming waterfront cottages with full kitchens, a heated swimming pool, docks for boats, boat rentals, and a bait and tackle shop. The beach is only a short walk away, and you can hire a local guide if you don't feel like operating a boat. You and your kids can enjoy porches with rocking chairs, Wi-Fi, cable TV, a DVD player, a gas grill, towels, a coffeemaker, a dishwasher, a toaster, dishes, silverware, and a garbage disposal. If you have a large family or you're traveling with lots of friends, you can choose the duplex cottage. It's two complete cottages under one roof with a lockable door in the living rooms connecting them. The beautiful beaches near Palm Coast make it an excellent place from your next family vacation. The amenities these hotels provide can help you and your kids stay comfortable and have fun. Photo by Thorsten technoman from Pexels