Boating Lifestyle in Florida

Lakes and Rivers

Perhaps you’re more interested in a less touristy spot to enjoy the water. Maybe you want a spot where you can take your boat out and forget about everything except having a great time. Luckily, Florida is full of beautiful lakes and rivers on which you can enjoy the pleasures of fishing, watersports, and fun times with family and friends. 

It is a tall task to list every lake or river that you can enjoy in Florida, but some of the best include Blue Cypress Lake and Lake Okeechobee to the south. Lake Okeechobee, or Big O as some call it, in particular is the largest lake in Florida and is considered one of the best bass fishing spots in the entire state. 

Up to the north you have Lake Talquin, and you can move east and fine the largest river in Florida, St. John’s River. St. John’s River flows for 310 miles and feeds into several different lakes. There are plenty of marinas, awesome fishing spots, and amazing restaurants near the water. Fun fact: the St. John’s River actually flows north. It flows nice and slowly, making it one of the more relaxing “lazy rivers” you can find. 

Finally in central Florida, there are several clusters of amazing lakes that you can visit. You have Lake Apopka near Orlando and Lake Kissimee, east of Lakeland. The Kissimmee chain of lakes contains beautiful clear water and lively hiking trails to explore nearby. You can really get a clear taste of the atmosphere and vibrant ecosystems that Florida lakes have to offer. 

As always, with most bodies of water in Florida, watch out for alligators!

And how can one talk about Florida and not mention all of the breathtaking national parks across the entire state? Of course, there’s the Everglades, spanning 1.5 million acres and containing a robust variety of wildlife. It’s perhaps one of the top destinations in Florida that you can tour and explore the vast ecosystem. You can also find your way up north in the Apalachicola National Forest, where you can find numerous hiking and biking trails as well as several places to take a quick swim. Read more about the best state parks in Florida. 

Depending on what time of year it is, there are also annual events that are always fun to take part in. For instance, there is the annual Florida Water Festival held in St. Petersburg. At the Florida Water Festival, which is free to attend, everyone has the opportunity to learn about the water cycle while listening to live music and even more fun activities. 

During holiday season in south Florida, there is the Winterfest Boat Parade. The parade kicks off the holidays in grand fashion, showcasing extravagantly decorated boats floating along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway. You can even vote on the winners for several contests!

What Types of Fish Can I Catch?

With all the fishable water that Florida has to offer, there are an abundance of different species that are just waiting to be caught by expert anglers. Fishing in Florida is a “can’t miss” opportunity. 

If you love bass fishing, Florida is definitely a destination for you. The bass in Florida are big and plentiful, attracting anglers from all over the country. There is, of course, more big game to catch than just bass. Throughout Florida’s vast waters you can find some feisty Tarpon. Although they aren’t exactly much for eating, Tarpon are always nice to be able to can add to your collection. In the warmer salt waters, you can also find some acrobatic sailfish, which happens to be the official state saltwater fish. Those are just a couple of the best fish to catch in Florida, along with redfish, kingfish, and groupers!

Where to Eat in Florida

Any time you’re attempting to get a good lay of the land, you just have to look out for where the great eating places are. It’s no secret that you can find delectable seafood throughout the state of Florida. But what some people don’t know, or at least don’t talk about, is the wide variety of dishes that you can find wherever you may go. All along just about every body of water you can find delicious restaurants with creative decor and awe inspiring waterfront views. 

If you’re feeling a bit fancy, there are fine dining options such as Vue on 30a in Santa Rosa Beach. Or, if you just want some great quality seafood, there are options like the famous Cap’s on the Water in St. Augustine or Alabama Jack’s in Key Largo. No matter where you decide to try, you can expect top shelf food and a warm, inviting atmosphere. 

Where to Buy a Boat in Florida

When you look out across almost any body of water in Florida, you can see dozens, sometimes even hundreds of people having an amazing time on their boats and personal watercrafts. It can be tempting, as always, to want a boat of your own. Fortunately, there are a large number of places to buy a boat in Florida. Some of the best options include:

Buying from your local boat dealership: There are over 500 boat dealerships in Florida, so chances are you aren’t too far from one no matter where you are! These dealerships will have a large selection of boats and a wide variety of boat brands. You can find a knowledgeable salesperson to answer any questions you may have to make sure you get the most out of your purchase. 

Buying from a private seller: Perhaps you know someone personally who is selling their boat, or maybe you went on an online marketplace and found a great boat to buy. Either way, you can likely easily find a boat to buy in Florida from one of your many fellow Floridians.

Buying a boat at a boat show: Boat shows are a great option to buy your boat from, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of boat you want to buy! Boat shows in Florida bring in dozens of dealerships that will have their boats on display for you to compare and eventually buy.

Boat Shows in Florida

If you live in Florida or in bordering states, be on the lookout for any boat shows that take place near you! Every year, Florida is the top state for boat registrations, so it makes sense that so many boat shows are held in the state!

You have so many boat shows in Florida to choose from every year, such as the Miami International Boat Show, the Fort Myers Boat Show, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the Naples Boat Show, and the St. Petersburg Boat Show.

Boat shows are a great opportunity to learn more about boating and to see new boats from most of your local dealerships. You have the chance to see boats from different manufacturers (some of which may debut a new line at a particular show). You’ll also see many different styles of boats from pontoons, fishing boats, and even ski boats. This allows you to find out your needs and compare each type of boat to find the one that is the best fit for you.

Most dealerships will have awesome deals, and you can even find financing and decide to purchase a boat at the show! If you’re new to boat shows, check out our Boat Show Guide so you can have all the tips and tricks you need to have a great experience the next time you attend a boat show in Florida. 

Boat Loans in Florida

If you are deciding to purchase a boat so that you can take advantage of everything Florida has to offer, you might be looking for loan options. Luckily, getting a boat loan in Florida is not difficult, and it’s a big step in the process of starting a new lifestyle. 

To find out your budget and desired terms, you should utilize an online boat loan calculator. You can plug in a purchase price, desired down payment, and your target interest rate to find out what your monthly payment would be. This gives you a great idea of the terms you can look for that will fit your budget. 

Once you have a budget in mind and found the perfect boat, you can submit a credit application. A lot of dealerships offer financing at the dealership. You could also try to use your local bank or credit union, but they aren’t always experts with boat loans, and they could come back with less-than-favorable terms. 

The best option for most customers is to use a company that specializes in boat loans. They know the industry in and out and can find you competitive rates and terms, where others might not.

Where You Can Store Your Boat

If you already have a boat or plan on owning one soon, you need to think about where are are going to store it. Luckily, Florida has many great places to store your boat, depending on your specific needs and location. Some popular options include:

Marinas: The state of Florida contains some of the best marinas in the country. A marina provides a safe and convenient place to store your boat in the water. Many marinas offer amenities such as fueling stations, electrical and water hookups, and repair services. Most of the time, you’ll also have convenient locations for picking up quick snacks or extra safety equipment for your trip out. 

Dry Storage Facilities: A dry storage facility is a good option if you prefer to store your boat out of the water. This way, you can benefit by keeping your boat safe from weather elements. These facilities often offer secure storage, launch and retrieval services, and maintenance services. 

Private Docks: If you happen to own waterfront property and plan on using your boat frequently, storing your boat at your own private dock would be your best option. This way, your boat is always within reach for you, and you can take it out at your leisure. 

Boatyards: A boatyard is a good option if you need to store your boat for an extended period of time. These facilities often offer maintenance and repair services, as well as storage options.

Self-Storage Facilities: A self-storage facility is an affordable option for storing smaller boats and personal watercraft. These facilities may have outdoor or indoor storage options, and they have additional amenities such as security and access controls.

When choosing a storage option, consider factors such as cost, location, security, and accessibility to find the best fit for your needs.

Florida is one of the more unique and vibrant states that we have this country. With so much water, both on the coast and inland, you can never run out of ways to have fun fishing, swimming, or boating. If you’re in the market for a new boat and you need a boat loan, feel free to contact us or apply, using our free online credit application. First Approval Source can find loans for customers with different credit profiles. Finding boat financing doesn’t have to be difficult, let the experts take care of it.