Seaplane community & opportunities

Florida

Florida is one of the most seaplane friendly states in the United States, and has the largest number of SPA members in the country.

Opportunities to fly seaplanes are everywhere in Florida from great salt water flying in the Florida Keys to amazing amount of inland lakes in Central Florida to salt and fresh water flying in both the northeast and northwest (panhandle) of the state.

Florida boasts numerous seaplane training schools including Jack Brown’s, Florida Seaplanes, Jones Brothers, Adventure Seaplanes and several others.

Flying in South Florida can be more difficult as the inter coastal waterway is controlled by various local governments and development along the waterway makes it difficult to safely operate seaplanes in it.

Lake Okeechobee is open as are the countless lakes in the interior of central Florida.

Things can be a little more restrictive as you fly in the northern parts of the state, but there are still plenty of great seaplane flying opportunities.

Florida SEAPLANE FACTS

  • There are over 7,700 lakes in Florida over 10 acres, and there are over 3 million acres of lake water in the state which adds up to almost 4,700 square miles of fresh water lake area.
  • Florida has the forth largest natural lake in the United States, Lake Okeechobee which has a surface area of over 448,000 acres ( 700 square miles) and is open to seaplanes.
  • There are more seaplane pilots in the state of Florida than any other state.

Get more info on Flying Seaplanes in Florida

Join the Seaplane Pilots Association

and help protect and promote water flying

Significant bodies of water
that are open include:

Lake Okeechobee, the forth largest natural lake in the United States. Lake Thonotassa, largest lake in Hillsborough County.

Significant bodies of water
that are Closed include:

Citrus County is not very seaplane friendly. The two neighboring cites of Maitland and Winter Park in central Florida have ordinances that prohibit seaplanes from operating on water within their cities.

Downloadable Resources

  • CERTIFYING A SEAPLANE BASE IN FLORIDA - GUIDANCE

    Thuis document provides guidance on filing for and certifying a seaplane base in the state of Florida. Certifying a Seaplane Base Florida.pdf Adobe Acrobat Document 1.4 MB
    Download
  • DRY TORTUGAS SPECIAL USE PERMIT ~ REQUIRED TO VISIT FORT JEFFERSON BY PRIVATE SEAPLANE

    Fort Jefferson is an amazing salt water seaplane destination, and one that is visited far to infrequently by our salt water flying members. The Fort is located within the Dry Tortugas National Park though and you must fill and and file this Special Use permit and pay the $100 fee before you can visit this destination. Application-for-Special-Use-Permit-10-93 Adobe Acrobat Document 73.6 KB
    Download

Report an Advocacy
Issue or Event

Have a seaplane advocacy issue or event in Florida? Please tell us about it below, so we can publish it and work the issue if needed.

Florida Field Directors

  • Northeast Florida Field Director

    This position is open. If you are interested in being Field Director for Northeast Florida please email steve@seaplanes.org for more information.

  • Northeast Florida Field Director

    This position is open. If you are interested in being Field Director for Northwest Florida please email steve@seaplanes.org for more information.

Florida State Officials

  • Rick Scott

    Florida Governor
    Office of Governor Rick Scott State of Florida The Capitol 400 S. Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
  • Senator Bill Nelson

    Florida Senator
    716 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
  • Senator Marco Rubio

    Florida Senator
    284 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510