For outdoor enthusiasts who aren't really into fishing, try boating or some of the other water activities on any of the 50 freshwater lakes and 43 rivers in Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida. Lake Kissimmee is a 35,000 acre lake, which is part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, and runs into the Kissimmee River. The lake has many public boat ramps located around it, including Joe Overstreet Boat Ramp and Lake Cypress Boat Ramp. While boating, you may see bald eagles, white tailed deer, bobcats and turkeys. Watch out for alligators if you decide to ski or swim.

Lake Tohopekaliga (a.k.a Lake Toho) is a 19,000 acre lake, which is also part of the Chain of Lakes, with many boat ramps surrounding the lake, including Whaley's Boat Ramp, Southport Marina, Granada Boat Ramp and Partin Triangle Boat Ramp. The Southport Marina also offers a general store and storage for your boat if you have one.

If you'd like a more thrilling ride, try an airboat ride on Lake Tohopekaliga. Boggy Creek Airboat rides last 45 minutes at 45 mph and you may see alligators, bald eagles, blue herons, egrets, anhinga (sometimes called a water turkey or darter), gulls and ducks. The boat is large and the fan is noisy, but they provide earmuffs and safety glasses. They also offer one-hour night tours through the swampy areas, looking for alligators and other critters.

You can book a two-hour or a half-day boat tour on Lake Tohopekaliga at Aquatic Wonders, and ride in a 30-foot covered pontoon that holds 6 people. Look for bald eagles on the Eagle Watch Tour; view the sunset, birds and scenery on the Sunset Sounds Tour; go back to the days of riverboats and Seminole Indians on the Rivers in Time Tour; or take a night cruise looking for alligators on the Gator Watch Tour. There are seven different tours to choose from, as well as a Maritime Wedding Chapel where you can be legally married by the captain of the boat.

The smaller sister lake, East Lake Tohopekaliga is a 12,000 acre lake with public boat access at Chisholm Boat Ramp. This is short list compared to all the lakes in the Kissimmee area, but the resources below will give you access to additional information about the lakes and rivers in the Kissimmee area.

Resources:

• Aquatic Wonders Tours, 101 Lakeshore Blvd., Kissimmee, Florida (407) 846-2814
  
• Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, 3713 Bait Court, Kissimmee, Florida (407) 348-4676
  
• Southport Marina, 2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee, Florida (407) 233-5822
  
• For boat ramp addresses, visit the Kissimmee visitors bureau.

This bit of real travel advice for boaters visiting central Florida was contributed by Sharon Lea Hill.

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