Autism Friendly on the Emerald Coast of Florida

I love living on the Emerald Coast of Florida. I get to spend my time living at the ultra slow speed of beach living with a little bit of urban life thrown in for good measure. While I don’t get the same laid-back feeling I have when spending time on my favorite Hawaiian Islands, I the time I get to spend having fun in the sun here on the Emerald Coast. Of course, it also helps that there is always something amazing for my boys and myself to do when the weather is nice. 

You may be surprised to hear it does get cold on the Emerald Coast. It can be quite chilly beginning in December and that lasts until February. And then there are times when we are shocked by a second winter during March. So, to say we embrace the warmer temperatures during the rest of the year is not an understatement! 

Today, I am sharing some of our favorite autism friendly things to do on the Emerald Coast of Florida. I know your family will love exploring and having fun on the Emerald Coast of Florida as much as we do! 

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Autism Friendly on the Emerald Coast of Florida

The Gulfarium

One of my favorite places to visit on the Emerald Coast with my boys is The Gulfarium. We love checking out all the exhibits and seeing the different animals. 

They recently opened their new dolphin oasis and they are welcoming some manatees soon. 

Have you always wanted to kayak with manatees? You can do exactly that in Crystal River! Check out the Instagram story I did about kayaking with manatees in Crystal River. It may be exactly what you need to see to decide this adventure needs to move to the top of your vacation list. 

When you’re planning your trip to the Emerald Coast with me, you need to understand that The Gulfarium is not a huge aquarium. Yes, there is a ton to see and do. However, it’s fairly small. But that’s a good thing. 

Since they are so small, they are willing to work with autistic families like ours. A simple phone call or email from me will ensure your autistic child is accommodated during your visit. 

During one of our recent visits, I was worried that my youngest son would lose it during a dolphin encounter. But they were more than willing to discuss how they could support him while we were with the dolphins. 

To encounter the dolphins from the shore, you only need to be at least 5 years old. If you want your family to enter the water to splash and play with the dolphins, you need to be at least 8 years old. Keep this in mind if you decide this amazing place needs to be at the top of your list of autism friendly things to do on the Emerald Coast. 

Since The Gulfarium shares a parking lot with the Okaloosa Island Pier, you can head over to the pier after visiting with the animals. It is a tranquil place to be, as you check out the gorgeous views of the Emerald Coast. 

To see more of The Gulfarium, check out my Instagram post here. 

The Sea Turtle Conservation Center

The Sea Turtle Conservation Center is over in Navarre Beach. During your visit, you will find a phenomenal conservation program! 

They rescue sea turtles and many other aquatic animals. One of the sea turtles you will meet is Sweet Pea. What a rough life she has had until now. First, she lost a flipper to a fishing line. Then she was run over by a boat, which broke her shell. She is unable to return to the ocean because she can’t survive in her condition. So, she will forever live here at the center. 

Allow me to book a hotel stay for your family, so you can enjoy an unforgettable vacation in Navarre Beach. There are plenty of amazing public beaches in the area for your family to check out. 

Head over to the Navarre Pier to enjoy the impressive views or watch people fishing. There is a nominal fee to walk along the pier, but it is worth it for the experience. When we have visited the pier in the past, we have spotted dolphins, sea turtles, and rays. 

This is one of my favorite beach areas for a weekend getaway with my boys. I know Navarre Beach will turn into one of your favorites too! 

Autism Surfs

If you happen to be in the area during the summer. Check out Autism Surfs. They are a nonprofit organization that provides free surf lessons for autistic children. We have enjoyed several sessions. They try their best to aim for safety and if the water is deemed unsafe they will cancel the event. My oldest son has had a ton of fun out in Navarre Beach!

Emerald Coast Science Center

The Emerald Coast Science Center is another small attraction. However, it is still one of the best autism friendly things to do on the Emerald Coast of Florida. 

Inside the science center, you will find quite a few animals, as well as interactive science exhibits. While all the exhibits are interesting, your kids may prefer to spend most of their time in the robotics, space, and experimenters lab exhibits. 

The local kids are usually here for field trips with their school. I can make sure your visit doesn’t coincide with those field trips to ensure your autistic child doesn’t get overstimulated. 

Oh, and visiting here will only take an hour or two of your day. So, it is perfect for a quick visit before spending the rest of the day at the beach or the pool. 

Fort Walton Beach Water Activities

If you want to avoid the crowds at Destin, head over to Fort Walton to experience all the water activities there. Yes, there is still a lot of construction taking place in Fort Walton. However, it’s worth the slight inconvenience since the goal is to make the area better than ever before! 

One of my favorite things to do in Fort Walton with my boys is snorkeling. There are a couple of snorkeling tours in the area if you don’t want to attempt this on your own. You may even be interested in taking a dolphin-watching tour. 

For snorkeling, I recommend taking this tour here, if your child is a swimmer. If your child doesn’t swim, or your child isn’t interested in being in the water, check out this dolphin tour here.

These are my favorite autism friendly things to do on the Emerald Coast of Florida. My boys love spending time with me, as we visit these places and have fun everywhere we go. Allow me to plan your trip to the Emerald Coast of Florida, so your family can make a few memories in this beautiful destination as I have with mine.