Guide to Florida

Florida History and Culture

Florida’s history is shaped by centuries of exploration, cultural exchange, and natural abundance, creating a destination where Indigenous heritage, European influence, and modern American culture exist side by side. Long before Spanish explorers arrived in the sixteenth century, Native American peoples including the Calusa, Timucua, and Seminole thrived across the region, leaving a legacy that remains woven into Florida’s identity today.

Spanish, British, and later American rule each influenced the state’s architecture, traditions, and coastal settlements. Historic districts such as St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the continental United States, showcase centuries-old forts, churches, and colonial streets, while communities throughout the Florida Keys and Gulf Coast reflect Caribbean and Latin American influences.

Today, Florida’s culture is as diverse as its landscapes. Cuban heritage is celebrated in Miami's vibrant neighborhoods, Gulf Coast fishing villages preserve long-standing maritime traditions, and arts, music, and cuisine draw inspiration from across the Caribbean and the Americas. A Florida and wider USA yacht charter offers the opportunity to experience this cultural diversity from the water, pairing visits to historic waterfront towns with fresh seafood, lively festivals, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle that has defined the Sunshine State for generations.

Exploring Florida by Yacht Charter

Florida’s West Coast runs from Georgia to Miami and boasts the sheltered waters of the Intracoastal Waterway that are ideal for big game fishing. Dubbed the ‘Magic City’, the energetic megalopolis of Miami radiates a multitude of superlatives that have ensured it remains one of the world’s most exciting destinations. Famous for its Latin influences, Art Deco architecture and illuminated nightlife, it is home to a wide variety of restaurants and bars amongst its hipster scene as well as several fantastic museums and art galleries. The renowned South Beach continues to attract the wealthy and beautiful in their droves and following its makeover, downtown Miami now plays host to an enclave of cool clubs and resorts in the growing Wynwood and Design districts.

In contrast, the Gulf Coast emanates a different feel, incorporating wild cruising grounds, abundant wildlife and a range of outdoor activities to choose from. In the far south, you can explore the breathtaking wonders of the Everglades through the winding creeks and in the shallower waters by tender, marvelling at the lush lands and myriad wildlife species as you go. Just offshore, the shifting sands of the Ten Thousand Islands are a wild and stunning area perfect for exploration by charter yacht.

Further north, the coastal cities of St Petersburg, Tampa and Naples offer opportunities for relaxed dining and shopping, as well as great cruising. This coast is also protected by a line of barrier islands, such as the beautiful Sanibel and Captiva, that have been protected and sympathetically developed with extensive nature reserves. Home to the Palm Beach International Boat Show, Fort Lauderdale is a world-renowned and easily accessible superyacht destination. Its pristine, old-school glamour has long attracted the world’s wealthiest travellers who each year take their superyachts to the exclusive port and enjoy a few days of cultural events, world-class golf courses and classically high-end dining.

Florida’s close proximity to the Bahamas also makes it a fantastic starting point for a Caribbean yacht charter, so contact your yacht charter broker to start planning the perfect itinerary.