There’s gotta be something liberating about knowing that the world’s going to end — the freedom of knowing there’s nothing left to lose. And if it’s all going down the tubes anyway, why not experience something you never would have considered doing, something that’s always, ahem, scared you to death? Danger abounds here in Florida (we’re America’s Australia!), so there are plenty of ways to get your fill of thrills, and hopefully not fill your shorts in the process. Here are five of ‘em.
Shark diving
You’ve seen it on the travel and nature shows — crazy people getting into an aluminum cage and being dropped into the middle of a feeding frenzy, and even crazier people diving without a cage among reef or lemon sharks. And maybe, in spite of yourself, you wondered if you’d do the same thing given the chance. Well, there’s no time like the present, especially if there’s not going to be a future, and there are plenty of captains in the Sunshine State willing to help you face your fears, whether you want to see these ancient, misunderstood creatures from the relative safety of the cage, or go all-in on the free-range option.
Skydiving
Skydiving is on a lot of bucket lists — it might be the most popular answer to the question, “What’s one thing you want to do before you die?” And yes, statistically skydiving is quite safe, but that doesn’t make it any less terrifying. In Florida, you can do a tandem jump — in which you’re strapped to an instructor — with less than a day’s training. There are facilities all over the state (Skydive City in Zephyrhills and Jump Florida in Plant City are the closest), and most offer group rates in case you can talk your friends into ending the world with a rush along with you.
Gator hunting
Obviously we’re not endorsing trophy hunting here, but if you’re the kind of person who enjoys bagging your own meat in the wild, the state frees up 6,000 harvest permits each year for a season between August 15 and November 1, allowing each permitted hunter to take two animals. Facing down these prehistoric beasts on their own turf has got to be an adrenaline-filled experience, and they make great chili; guides are available all over the state.
Swimming with barracuda
A personal note: Something about these slender, toothy, vicious-looking fish unnerves me much more than any shark — if I’m snorkeling and a big one comes around, I’m out. I’ve been told a million times that they rarely bother swimmers, and I never wear anything shiny when I’m in the water, but my blood still chills when I see one hanging there above a reef or under an overhanging mangrove. But it it were my last summer on Earth, I might be tempted to head south and try to make friends.
Looking for Florida panthers
This one’s a bit of a gamble, as none of the companies that lead “panther tours” into the Everglades and surrounding areas seem to guarantee that you’ll actually see a Florida panther in its natural habitat. But if you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to see one of these rare and endangered creatures in the wild, as opposed to behind cage bars or plexiglass, a seriously increased heart rate is definitely guaranteed.
This article appears in May 17-24, 2018.