South Florida is a paradise for wildlife lovers. With sea turtles and manatees to birds, butterflies, and alligators, the area offers some of the most accessible and diverse wildlife experiences in the state. Whether you’re a local, a family visiting, a nature photographer, or just love the outdoors, these spots provide both free activities, like nature preserves and aquariums, and guided wildlife tours.

Stretching from Boca Raton to Jupiter and the Everglades, these locations are perfect for day trips or longer wildlife excursions. You can find boardwalk trails, observation towers, and even guided kayak or airboat tours that put you right in the middle of Florida’s natural beauty. Most people think that the manatees in Florida are only on the west coast, but we’ll share where to see manatees in South Florida too.

Map of South Florida Nature Parks and Wildlife

Best Places to See Sea Turtles in South Florida

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (Boca Raton)

Get Directions to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

• Type: Coastal nature center and marine education facility
• Cost: Free
• Location: Boca Raton
• Best For: Families, coastal wildlife, nature walks

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a coastal nature preserve in Boca Raton featuring aquariums, educational exhibits, and a scenic mangrove boardwalk overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Visitors can see several resident sea turtles housed in outdoor tanks while learning about marine conservation and coastal ecosystems. There are daily aquarium feedings and ‘resident sea turtle talks’, with times listed on their events calendar. The staff is very friendly and happy to answer any questions you may have.

The nature center also includes walking paths, observation areas, and exhibits focused on Florida’s marine wildlife. While the former sea turtle rehabilitation facility closed to the public in 2025, the center remains one of the most accessible places in South Florida to learn about sea turtles and coastal habitats.

Local Tip

Walk up the mangrove boardwalk behind the center to reach Jacob’s Outlook. From there you’ll have a four story view of additional wildlife sightings, with occasional manatees in the Intracoastal Waterway.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center (Juno Beach)

Get Directions to Loggerhead Marinelife Center

• Type: Sea turtle hospital and marine conservation center
• Cost: Free (donations encouraged)
• Location: Juno Beach
• Best For: Education, conservation, families

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is one of the most well known sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation facilities in Florida. Visitors can observe injured turtles recovering in outdoor tanks while learning about conservation efforts protecting Florida’s sea turtle populations. The Tortuga Cafe upstairs on the mezzanine offers a small selection of lunch items and snacks. It’s open from 11am to 3pm daily.

The center also features educational exhibits, research programs, and easy access to nearby beaches that are important sea turtle nesting areas along Florida’s Atlantic coast. Plan on spending an hour or two, enjoying the facility and checking out the gift shop.

Local Tip

Combine your visit with a walk along nearby Juno Beach or the Juno Beach Pier, where coastal birds and marine life are often visible. Picnic areas are available for a nice afternoon by the ocean.

Butterflies and Tropical Wildlife

Butterfly World (Coconut Creek)

Get Directions to Butterfly World

• Type: Butterfly park and tropical bird aviaries
• Cost: Paid attraction
• Location: Coconut Creek
• Best For: Photography, families, garden lovers, couples

Butterfly World in Coconut Creek is the largest butterfly park in the United States, featuring thousands of butterflies flying freely in lush tropical gardens. Visitors can explore several aviaries filled with butterflies, hummingbirds, and Gouldian finches (our favorite!) while walking through botanical gardens and indoor conservatories that leads to the outdoor vine maze.

One of the best parts of Butterfly World is the lorikeet encounter. A dozen or more, friendly lorikeets will fly close by and eat right out of your palm. The overall peaceful atmosphere make it one of the most unique wildlife experiences in South Florida.

Local Tip

Visit earlier in the day when butterflies are most active and lighting conditions are best for photography. Also, if you want butterflies to land on you, wear bright colors! For more about Butterfly World South Florida, including ticket discounts, check out our tips to plan a perfect day there.

Where to See Manatees in South Florida

Manatee Lagoon (West Palm Beach)

Get Directions to Manatee Lagoon

• Type: Manatee viewing center
• Cost: Free
• Location: West Palm Beach
• Best For: Easy wildlife viewing, families, relaxing

Manatee Lagoon is one of the most reliable places in South Florida to see manatees (especially during the cooler months). The animals gather near warm water along the waterfront, making them easier to observe from the upstairs viewing area.

The center also includes educational exhibits about Florida manatees and conservation programs aimed at protecting these threatened marine mammals. Staff is engaging with guests of all ages, which helps keep the experience interactive and fun.

Local Tip

Manatee sightings are most common between November and March, when colder ocean temperatures encourage manatees to seek warmer water. During off-peak season (spring/summer) it’s rare to see a manatee in the lagoon.

Clear Kayak Manatee Tour (Jupiter)

Get Directions to Clear Kayak Manatee Tour at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

• Type: Guided kayak wildlife tour
• Cost: Paid tour
• Location: Jupiter
• Best For: Close wildlife encounters

Clear kayak tours in Jupiter run by Get Up And Go Kayaking, offer one of the most immersive ways to see manatees in South Florida. Beginning at the Jupiter Inlet lighthouse and museum, you’ll paddle through one of the most serene spots in the area. The calm waterways allows visitors to watch marine life swimming beneath the transparent kayak. In addition to manatees, tours frequently spot fish, rays, seabirds, and other coastal wildlife throughout the mangrove lined waterways of the Indian River Lagoon.

Local Tip

Morning tours often provide calmer water conditions and better underwater visibility. There is virtually no shade during the outing, so be sure you apply sunscreen, or wear a hat to prevent from burning in the Florida sun.

Guided Paddle Boarding Manatee Tour (Jupiter)

Get Directions to Guided Paddle Boarding Manatee Tour

• Type: Guided paddle board wildlife tour
• Cost: Paid tour
• Location: Jupiter
• Best For: In the water activity, close wildlife encounters

Try a private, guided paddle board tour around Jupiter Island for a peaceful way to explore South Florida’s coastal waterways. While searching for wildlife in the Indian River Lagoon with a local guide, it’s common to spot manatees, rays, fish, and coastal birds in their natural habitat. The clear, shallow waters around Jupiter Island make it easier to see marine life below the surface, while the surrounding mangroves provide a scenic backdrop for this relaxed outdoor experience.

Local Tip

Morning tours typically have calmer water, before the winds and currents strengthen (which can paddling a bit more challenging). This activity is beginner friendly and has guides that are happy to help navigate you.

Everglades Wildlife Experiences

Everglades Airboat Tours (Weston)

Get Directions to Sawgrass Everglades Airboat Tour

• Type: Everglades airboat tour
• Cost: Paid tour
• Location: Weston
• Best For: Alligator sightings and Everglades landscapes

An airboat tour offers one of the most iconic wildlife experiences in Florida. Skim along the Everglades marshlands at speeds up to 40mph. Tours allow visitors to see alligators, birds, and native plants in their natural environment while learning about the ecosystem from experienced guides.

Local Tip

Tours leave every 30 minutes from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Morning tours usually offer cooler temperatures and increased wildlife activity.

Check Times & Prices

Loxahatchee River Kayak Tour (Jupiter)

Get Directions to Loxahatchee River Kayak Tour

• Type: Guided river kayaking
• Cost: Paid tour
• Location: Jupiter
• Best For: Scenic paddling and wildlife spotting

The Loxahatchee River is Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Kayaking through cypress swamps in Riverbend Park provides opportunities to see turtles, birds, fish, and occasionally alligators in a peaceful natural setting. A guided tour is the best way to navigate through the Cypress Forest, hosted by experienced locals, on and off shore. The river creates a canopy, giving you a feeling like you’re paddling through another world.

Local Tip

This tour is best suited for visitors comfortable paddling for several hours, as you’ll be in the kayak for about about two hours. Bring a waterproof bag (dry bag) for your valuables, and don’t forget a water bottle.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Gardens

Flamingo Gardens (Davie)

Get Directions to Flamingo Gardens

• Type: Wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden
• Cost: Paid attraction
• Location: Davie
• Best For: Families and wildlife photography

Flamingo Gardens is a wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden that houses rescued Florida animals including dozens of flamingos, peacocks, alligators, and birds of prey. The lush gardens feature native plants, walking trails, and wildlife exhibits focused on animals found throughout Florida. Be sure to hop on the tram for a 20 minute ride around the property, it operates every thirty minutes.

Local Tip

Plan at least two hours to explore both the wildlife exhibits and the botanical gardens. Bring a camera, or make sure there is plenty of room in your phone, because the wildlife you see here is beautiful!

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Final Thoughts on the Best Places to See Wildlife in South Florida

South Florida offers incredible opportunities to see wildlife, from sea turtles and manatees to lorikeets and butterflies. Whether you explore free wetlands, have a paddle board adventure, or take a guided Everglades tour, these locations are definitely some of the best wildlife experiences you will find. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, drink a lot of water, and soak up the Florida sunshine! For Floridians looking for an escape from the heat, check out 20 must have products to keep your outdoor space in Florida cool from heat and humidity next.