To those coming from cooler climates, the warm temperatures of Florida winter feels like paradise. Often the overnight low temperature hovers in the 50’s (℉) in Orlando, while the average daytime temperature stay in the mid 70’s (℉) providing the perfect weather to enjoy a day on the water. There’s nothing like sending a sun soaked selfie to your friends and family as they deal with the cold winter weather back home. These fun water activities in Central Florida will have your whole family making memories this winter in the bright, sunny, warm Florida weather. 

WATERPARKS

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

1534 Blizzard Beach Drive, Orlando, FL 32836
Located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Blizzard Beach is home to water slides, lazy river, children’s play areas and the world’s tallest, fastest free fall body slide, Summit Plummet. Tickets can be booked through https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ 

Island H2O Live! Water Park

3230 Inspiration Dr, Kissimmee, FL 34747
Located near Margaritaville Resort in Kissimmee, Island H2O Live! is open weekends and holiday weeks. This technology inspired water park allows you to customize your day with wearable RFID technology to pick the music and lighting on the water slides and capture photos throughout the water attractions. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.sunsetwalk.com/island-h2o-live-water-park/ 

Discovery Cove

6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL 32821
Located near SeaWorld, Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort where you can swim with dolphins, snorkel among coral and tropical fish, interact with small animals and birds, enjoy unlimited food and beverages while relaxing in a tropical beach paradise. You won’t even believe you’re still in Orlando. Tickets can be purchased at  https://discoverycove.com/orlando/ 

Aquatica Water Park

5800 Water Play Way, Orlando, FL 32821
Located near SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica was rated the Nation’s Best Outdoor Water Park by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2021. Aquatica features wave pools, water slides, kids play area, and the famous Dolphin Plunge where you will zoom by real, live Commerson’s dolphins. Tickets can be purchased at https://aquatica.com/orlando/ 

Universal’s Volcano Bay

6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
Located near Universal Studios Orlando, Universal’s Volcano Bay is a vacation within a vacation. Using unique wearable technology, all the rides at Volcano Bay feature a virtual line, allowing you to swim, shop, dine, or relax until it’s your time to ride. Tickets can be purchased at www.universalorlando.com

WATERSPORTS

Orlando WaterSports Complex

8615 Florida Rock Rd, Orlando, FL 32824
Located near the Florida Mall, Orlando Watersports Complex is one of the largest cable wakeboard parks in the USA. Enjoy a day at the aquapark bouncing, sliding, and swimming on the inflatable, floating obstacle course. Wakeboard, waterski, or wakesurf behind boats or through the cable system. Feel the thrills of doing tricks on the ramps and obstacles in the lake. For more information visit https://www.orlandowatersports.com/ 

Nona Adventure Park

14086 Centerline Drive, Orlando, FL 32827
Located near the Orlando International Airport, The Nona Adventure Park is a family friendly watersports adventure park designed for pros and beginners. Wakeboard, waterski, kneeboard on two cable system tracks or play, jump, climb, or bounce on the inflatable floating obstacle course. Climb 60 feet in the air on the climbing tower, high ropes course and climbing walls.  For more information, visit https://www.nonaadventurepark.com/ 

Buena Vista Watersports

13245 Lake Bryan Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
Located minutes from Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resorts, this tropical playground offers jet ski, boat, paddle board, and kayak rentals on Lake Bryan. Buena Vista Watersports also offers wakeboard and waterski lessons, wild inner tube rides, and pontoon and boat tours. Relax or play volleyball on the sandy beaches. For more information visit https://www.bvwatersports.com/

NATURE ACTIVITIES 

Wekiwa Springs State Park

1800 Wekiwa Cir, Apopka, FL 32712
Located in Seminole County, Wekiwa Springs are the closest natural springs to Orlando. Enjoy spending the day kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, scuba diving, or boating along the crystal clear blue rivers. The springs stay about 72℉ year round because they are fed by the underground rivers.  Wekiwa Springs State Park is approximately 14 miles from downtown Orlando and can be accessed within about 25 minutes. For more information, visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/wekiwa-springs-state-park 

See Protected Manatees 

Due to the consistent warm water temperatures of the springs, manatees seek refuge in the springs from November- March. Seeing the manatees is a favorite, unique thing to do in Florida in the winter. 

Crystal River

1502 SE Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, FL, 34429
Book a manatee tour at Crystal River through Real Florida Adventures which will provide round trip transportation from Orlando or Kissimmee. Crystal River is approximately 88 miles from downtown Orlando and can be accessed within about an hour and forty-five minutes. For more information, visit https://realfloridaadventures.com/ 

Blue Springs

2100 W. French Ave., Orange City FL 32763
See the manatees from a relaxing boat or kayak tour from Blue Spring Adventures at Blue Springs State Park. Blue Springs State Park is Approximately 33 miles from downtown Orlando and can be accessed within about 50 minutes. For more information, visit https://bluespringadventures.com/ 

BEACHES 

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches. Located within a short driving distance of downtown Orlando, a trip to Florida isn’t complete without a day at the beach. Head East to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean or head West to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic Ocean offers more active waves and is great for surfing or boogie boarding, while the Gulf of Mexico offers gentler waves and more tranquil waters. 

The Space Coast

The beaches on Florida’s Space Coast are the closest beaches to Walt Disney World, and are home to Kennedy Space Center. The Space Coast encompasses 72 miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches including the Canaveral National Seashore, Sebastian Inlet State Park, Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Indialantic, and Melbourne beaches. Popular Cocoa Beach is approximately 60 miles from downtown Orlando and can be accessed within about an hour and ten minutes. 

Daytona Beach

Daytona is known for being the birthplace of NASCAR racing, after drag racing along the beach in the 1940s became popular. Today you can still drive and park on the sand to enjoy fun in the sun on the beaches in Daytona. Daytona Beach is approximately 55 miles from downtown Orlando and can be accessed in about one hour. 

St. Pete / Clearwater

Known for its sugar white sand due to the high quartz content, the Clearwater beaches are the closest beaches on the Gulf of Mexico to Orlando. Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island State Park, Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Redington Beach, Madeira Beach, Pass-A-Grille Beach, Fort DeSoto State Park, St. Pete Beach, and Treasure Island are all popular beaches outside of Tampa Bay. Clearwater beach is approximately 110 miles from downtown Orlando and can be accessed in about two hours.

Please always verify directly with the business or local government to confirm operating hours, policies, activities available, and visitor information as things may change.

For other fun and exciting things to do in Florida and coupons on your favorite experiences, check out our see and do page and our deals page!