The Florida Adventure Safety Checklist: The Exact Apps and Resources We Use Before Every Trip
Updated: Sep 23
One of the questions we get asked most often is:
"How do you know it's safe to go?"
The truth is, there are very few guarantees when you're exploring Florida.
Whether you're heading to a spring, kayaking a river, spending the day at the beach, or paddleboarding on the Gulf, there are always factors worth considering.
As a family, we've chosen not to let fear stop us from having adventures. But we also don't believe in showing up unprepared.
Before almost every outing, we spend a few minutes checking conditions so we can make informed decisions.
Here's the exact process we use.
Step 1: Check the Weather Forecast
This is always our starting point.
Florida weather can change quickly, especially during summer when afternoon thunderstorms are common.
We pay attention to:
Rain chances
Thunderstorm forecasts
Lightning potential
Temperature
Hour-by-hour forecast
Our favorite resources:
Accuweather
Weather Underground
MyRadar App; I especially love this for real-time lightning notifications.
If thunderstorms are expected during the time we'll be on the water, we often adjust our plans. I don't mess around with lightning!
Step 2: Check Wind Conditions
Wind affects far more than people realize.
Strong winds can make kayaking difficult, create rough conditions for paddleboarding, increase wave action at the beach, and impact visibility on the water.
For Gulf adventures, this is one of the first things we look at.
One rule of thumb we've developed over the years: for family kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach days, we generally prefer winds below about 10–12 mph.
Once sustained winds start climbing much above that, paddling becomes more work, water conditions often become choppier, and the overall experience can be less enjoyable....especially with young children.
That doesn't mean we automatically cancel plans if the forecast is higher. Wind direction, location, and the activity all matter. A protected spring can be perfectly comfortable on a windy day, while an exposed Gulf beach may feel much rougher.
The wind forecast is simply one more piece of information we use when deciding where to go and what activities make sense that day.
Our favorite resource:
We'll often compare several forecast models before deciding whether conditions look comfortable for our family.
Step 4: Check Tides
Tides dramatically affect many Florida activities. We literally plan our days around them, and even look at monthly tide charts to plan our entire month! :D
Depending on the destination, tides can impact:
Shark tooth hunting
Shelling
Sandbars
Beach walks
Fishing
Kayaking routes
Resources we use:
Tide charts
NOAA tide predictions
One thing we've learned over the years is that there isn't a "best" tide...there's only the best tide for the activity you're planning.
For shark tooth hunting and shelling, we often prefer lower tides because more of the beach is exposed, making it easier to spot treasures that would otherwise be underwater.
That said, an incoming tide can be fantastic too. As water moves toward shore, it often brings in fresh shells, sea life, and other interesting finds.
Tides can also completely change the experience at certain destinations. One of our favorite examples is Midnight Pass near Sarasota. When the tide is strongly coming in, the current can create a natural lazy-river effect that kids and adults absolutely love.
The more you explore Florida, the more you'll realize that tides don't just affect the water level....they can completely transform an adventure.
Step 5: Check Recent Conditions
Step 5: Check Recent Conditions
Photos can sometimes be misleading.
A spring may be crystal clear one week and significantly darker after heavy rainfall. A beach may have erosion, seaweed, jellyfish, or other temporary conditions that aren't reflected in older photos.
We've learned this lesson firsthand.
On a recent road trip through Florida's Panhandle, we visited Morrison Springs expecting the crystal-clear blue water we'd seen in photos. Instead, the spring was dark brown from recent rains and runoff.
We still enjoyed visiting and learning about the spring, but we decided not to swim because the conditions were completely different from what we had expected.
That experience reinforced an important lesson: the most helpful information is often the most recent information.
Before visiting somewhere new, we often check:
Recent Google reviews
Visitor photos
Recent social media posts
Local community groups
The park website, or county website
This gives us a much more accurate picture of what to expect before we make the drive.
Step 6: Check Wildlife Activity
Florida is home to incredible wildlife.
That's part of what makes exploring here so special.
It's also why we pay attention.
Depending on the destination, we may check for:
Alligator sightings
Jellyfish reports
Red tide updates
Wildlife advisories
Park alerts
Resources we monitor:
Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC)
State park alerts
Local news reports
Recent visitor reports
Also, I ALWAYS chat with park rangers when we arrive at a place. I ask them if there's anything we need to particualary watch out for. They are so helpful, and the NICEST people!
This doesn't mean avoiding nature. It means understanding what may be present before arriving.
Step 7: Teach Your Kids
This may be the most important step on the list.
Our kids know water and wildlife safety.
They understand that Florida's rivers, springs, lakes, and beaches are natural environments.
We talk about:
Rip currents
Boating safety
Wildlife awareness
Staying with the group
Listening to park rules and lifeguards
At the start of EVERY adventure, we pull them aside and review the rules, AGAIN. Must follow directions, must listen the first time they are told to do something, etc.
Knowledge helps build confidence.
And confidence helps kids enjoy outdoor adventures safely.
Our Philosophy
People often ask whether news stories about wildlife encounters change the way we explore.
The answer is yes...and no.
They remind us to stay informed.
They encourage us to pay attention.
They reinforce the importance of preparation.
But they don't stop us from experiencing the places we love.
For 11 years, we lived in Colorado, where it wasn't unusual to see bears in our neighborhood. We shared the landscape with mountain lions, bobcats, rattlesnakes, and other wildlife.
Now we live in Florida, where the wildlife looks a little different.
The common thread is that we've always been drawn to beautiful, wild places.
We don't believe in being reckless.
We don't consider ourselves fearless.
We simply believe that preparation is one of the best ways to build confidence.
The goal isn't to be fearless.
The goal is to be prepared.
Florida is full of incredible adventures. A little research goes a long way toward helping your family enjoy them safely.
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