TRAVEL of guided kayak tours from The Apollo Beach Visitor Centre , which navigate the Canaveral National Seashore to allow guests to discover local wildlife including dolphins , sea turtles and manatees , while also seeing wading birds and some breathtaking scenery , all while donating back to the planet and pledging to maintain the environment .
Mr Ready had ( now deemed purposely ), as part of this adventure planning , failed to confirm that the trip was in fact 90 minutes ’ long and involved far more activity than anticipated . Sensing my either abject fear or complete lack of fitness , but sensitively portraying his reassurance based on each of us having one small Ready to navigate with , Eric had in fact sensibly opted for Hobie Pedal Kayaks , which are kitted with foot pedals - and actually really easy to use ! This meant that the attempt to navigate miles of scenic Floridian waterways was , in fact , not mission impossible after all and actually proved a serene family bonding experience .
Safe , easy to navigate and under expert guidance at all times , the trip was a gentle bob along ( so gentle my co-captain Jaxon had a nap !) in which we followed wild dolphins and observed manatees too ( the unexpected manatee kayak ramming was apparently a first for Eric , but that is a Ready story for another day …). Manatee chase notwithstanding , we would wholeheartedly recommend it for families of all levels of water skill ( and fitness ).
Back on dry land , it wasn ’ t long before another water based activity for the early evening , the Dolphin Discovery Tour by The Marine Discovery Center ( 116 North Causeway , New Smyrna Beach , FL 32169 / marinediscoverycenter . org / boat-tours ).
Located a short 18-minute drive away ( but allow more time in case the bridge at Flagler Avenue is raised to allow boats to pass !), The Marine Discovery Center has been informing and educating locals , school children and tourists alike for some 25 years about the amazing biodiversity of the Indian River Lagoon . Tagged as the most biologically diverse estuary in North America , it boasts more than 4,000 species and spans 156 miles down Florida ’ s east coast offering one of the most incredible settings to watch the estuary ’ s wild dolphin population .
Embarking on the Two-Hour Dolphin Discovery Tour (£ 28 adult , £ 16 child ), we were skillfully navigated to the edge of the estuary and treated to multiple dolphin sightings along the way - including a pod of mum and twin babies - truly a oncein-a-lifetime experience and thoroughly recommended .
Ravenous from a day on the water , we headed straight for dinner at Third Wave Café & Wine Bar ( 204 Flagler Avenue , New Smyrna Beach , FL 32169 / thirdwavensb . com ) to be met with a queue snaking out the door and down the street !
Priding itself on a commitment to sustainability and global flavours , and a menu fusing Southern coastal tradition with global influence , Third Wave is quite unlike any other place we have been !
The frontage , with its colonial style deck , offers arty artisan coffee shop vibes , yet navigating to the rear is like entering a treehouse narnia with outdoor bars built around creeping tree branches and tables under canopies aside open fire cooking - it was fabulous !
Under the stewardship of executive chef , David ‘ Dave ’ Moscoso , who has channelled his father ’ s Ecuadorian and Spanish heritage with his mother ’ s Maryland farmgirl upbringing , Third Wave delivers culinary flavours that boast European and South American ancestry with a staunch commitment to fresh , local produce , boat- / farm-to-table food miles and a contemporary approach to cookery .
Standout dishes include the house artisan bread finished with olive oil , Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic glaze ; the wild Alaskan king salmon , sustainably caught from reserve stock and served with a caramelised mirin glaze , kimchi cabbage , rice and pan butter ; the sellout Australian Wagyu short rib , braised in Cabernet and served with Yukon mash ; the house Neapolitan pizzas , made with hand-stretched dough made from Italianmilled blue flour before being oak-fired to perfection ; and frankly anything off of the daily changing ‘ from the smoker ’ list - if it hasn ’ t already sold out !
Dessert was proffered as a simple ‘ tres leches ’ cake . It was simply divine . Soft , milky , rich in vanilla and served with lashes of whipped buttercream - it was so good we ordered more , while drinks hit the mark with a range of house cocktails and a considered ( and substantial ) wine list . Don ’ t miss the Third Wave Margheritas , made with Espolon Blanco , Cointreau , organic lime and agave ( or jalapeño infused agave if you want an extra spice hit !), and the Espresso Martini made with Titos , fresh local roast espresso , Café Borghetti and house simple syrup - the perfect end to a NSB stay !
The Readys were guests of Visit New Smyrna Beach ; for more information on how to plan your perfect New Smyrna Beach holiday bursting with water activities , beach vibes , arts , outdoor activities and fabulous dining , visit : www . VisitNSBfl . com .
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