In north-central Florida, Gainesville sits between springs that run as clear as glass and forests alive with birdsong. Just minutes from downtown, Paynes Prairie spreads into a vast wild plain, where bison graze, flocks of sandhill cranes fill the sky, and as many as 2,000 alligators bask along its waters. It’s a rare mix of small-city life and wild Florida just outside one’s door.

These freshwater sanctuaries are famous for one thing: manatees. In winter, the springs turn into warm-water refuges for hundreds of them, offering a rare chance to experience the gentle giants (from safe distances!) Clear, turquoise water flows past turtles, otters, and schools of fish — making it one of Florida’s most iconic wildlife hotspots.

Fed by a deep freshwater spring, the Weeki Wachee River is a winding ribbon of emerald water shaded by cypress and palm. Kayakers share the slow current with manatees, turtles, and fish, drifting past banks lined with wading birds. At its headwaters, the famous Weeki Wachee Springs State Park keeps a decades-old Florida tradition alive — underwater mermaid performances in the clear, 74-degree waters that flow straight from the Earth.

Off Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sanibel is a barrier island where wildlife comes first. Mangroves, tidal marshes, and beaches protected by the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge provide habitat for dolphins, manatees, and over 245 bird species. The island’s position in the Gulf causes waves to deposit an extraordinary variety of shells, with 250+ of species scattered across its beaches year-round giving it the name “Seashell Capital of the World.”