Florida Villas – Kayaking on Holiday - Alligators
Florida is renowned for its waterways, so if you’re staying in a Florida villa for your holidays, here is what you need to know about kayaking and alligators.
Renting Florida villas
If you are staying in one of the many Florida villas available for tourists across the Sunshine State, chances are you will consider going kayaking. Kayaking is huge in Florida, thanks to the marshes, swamps and lakes that the State is built on. No matter where your Florida villa is located, chances are there will be a kayaking tour on offer in the area.
Get close to nature
But many of the tourists who rent out Florida villas have never been kayaking before and are unaware of the risks. Kayaking is an amazing experience, and a chance to see Florida from an entirely new perspective. It’s a chance to get close to nature and can be exhilarating. It’s worth remembering that the risks are small and if you are aware of your environment and prepared, there is no reason why you shouldn’t have a fantastic experience.
Alligators
Perhaps one of the biggest fears for tourists staying in Florida villas across the state is alligators. They often hit the headlines and are a major attraction for tourists. Everyone knows the chances of being attacked by a shark, like being struck by lightning is low – as is being eaten by an alligator! But the fear factor can blow the risks out of proportion. If you are renting one of the Florida villas in the State, chances are you will see alligators – whether it’s in the wild or in a zoo, but remember like Australians who live with all manner of predatory creatures, Floridians have learnt to live with the reptiles.
Florida villas on the waterfront
Alligators and humans have shared the marshes, swamps and waterways of Florida for centuries – the State receives 10,000 alligator-related complaints every year. Alligators pop up in the pools of Florida villas and under cars. Many residents buy Florida villas on the waterfront – increasing the interaction between humans and alligators.
Live together
Most Floridians have learned to coexist with alligators, but the potential for conflict always exists, but it is extremely rare that humans are killed by the creatures. To give a perspective, between 1973 and 1990, 127 alligator attacks on humans were documented with five fatalities. This is a small percentage when you consider the mishaps from water skiing, scuba diving, boating and other water-related accidents.
Water sports
Florida contains approximately 7,500 freshwater lakes and tens of thousands of acres of marsh and wooded swamp. Many of these areas attract people for a variety of water-related activities, including kayaking. To ensure the time you spend in or around water doesn’t result in conflicts with alligators:
- Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas and ensure you always swim with a partner.
- Don’t swim at night or dusk.
- Do leave alligators alone – don’t harass or try to touch them.
- Don’t feed or entice alligators or throw fish scraps into the water.
- Do enjoy seeing and photographing wild alligators – they are an important part of Florida’s natural history and integral to its ecosystems.
Florida is the top destination for attractions, sights and scenes. Florida Villas Direct offer first class accommodation in and around Disney and The Gulf Coast, where white sands and emerald waters await you. All our Florida villas are privately-owned and looked after by local management companies. Standard features include air con, master bedroom en-suite, cable TV and fully equipped kitchens with washer dryers. Let our experience and knowledge of Florida assist you in booking your holiday home. Call us on 44 (0)1798 345900.