As the summer days get hotter, finding ways to cool off and connect as a family become more important. In Florida, we are blessed with a wealth of options. Beaches, springs and rivers surround us. In recent years, a new option has been added to that list – a day at a local lagoon!
Lagoons are a recent trend, brought to the United States by Metro Development. The first lagoon built in the United States was in Wesley Chapel at the Epperson development in 2018. It was so successful, Lagoons were built at other Florida communities including Southshore Bay in Wimauma in 2022, Mirada in San Antonio in 2023, Brightwater in North Fort Myers in 2025 with additional Lagoons planned for Angeline in Land O’ Lakes and Seaire in Parrish in coming years. These large artificial swimming lagoons are managed by the team at MetroLagoons. “It’s
an immersive getaway right in their backyard,” explained David Heaton, MetroLagoons Vice President of Operations.
While these large resort-style amenities were created for local communities, what many may not realize are these lagoons are also open to the public to enjoy. For the price of a ticket, you can cool off and enjoy one of the largest swimming pools in the country, complete with a swim up bar and water activities. “It’s a day at the beach without driving all the way to the beach. No jellyfish, sharks or red tide,” shared Heaton.
A perfect balance is struck between the host community and the public. “We do a lot of community events and host them at the property. We’ll do movie nights during the week. We’ll do seasonal events during Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July. Launching fireworks over these properties is absolutely breathtaking,” Heaton said. Residents are often offered designated seating areas for these activities, allowing them to feel at home with their neighbors while allowing the public to enjoy the experience as well. They also keep a close eye on attendance, limiting ticket sales on peak days so everyone can enjoy the lagoon without overcrowding.
The lagoon experience has much to offer. Small children enjoy playing in the sand, wading and splashing in the shallow areas and playing in the kids splash zone. Those looking for a bit more adrenaline will enjoy the water slide, large water obstacle course, as well as exploring the lagoon on paddle boards or kayaks. Those who prefer more low-key activities have options too. “The swim-up bar is wildly popular. Just to be able to cool off on a hot Florida day, sipping your cocktail or frozen drink in the water is a plus,” Heaton shared.
Those looking for exclusivity and luxury by the water can find that as well. “Each property has our Cabana Cove area, where you can rent your cabanas. It has its own designated swimming area and bar with large screen televisions. You can scan a QR code, and your favorite cocktail or frozen drink is hand delivered right to you. It’s really the best way to have that kind of privacy, exclusivity and top-notch level of service when you visit,” shared Heaton. Cabana Cove offers both traditional cabanas with comfortable seating and loungers as well as Aquabanas that float right on the lagoon.
Above all, a day at the lagoon lets you leave your worries behind and focus on a cool day on the water. Whether it’s spending time as a family or treating out-of-town guests to a fresh slice of Florida, the lagoon experience offers something for everyone, turning an ordinary Florida afternoon into a resort-style escape just minutes from home.
Enjoy a Day of Lagoon Life
Planning your lagoon day starts at www.metrolagoons.com. You can pick the right lagoon to fit your needs, purchase admission tickets, add splash passes for water activities, and reserve seating lagoon side or even a cabana or Aquabana in Cabana Cove.
Guests should bring their towels and sunscreen, but leave the coolers at home. Each lagoon offers a wide variety of food and beverages to enjoy on your lagoon day. Be sure to check the
FAQ about what to bring to enhance your day and what to leave at home.
“The swim up bar is wildly popular. Just to be able to cool off on a hot Florida day, sipping your cocktail or frozen drink in the water is a plus.”
“It’s a day at the beach without driving all the way to the beach. No jellyfish, sharks or red tide.”