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| Bowditch Pointe Beach Park |
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North Fort Myers Beach. This is an unspoiled, wide sandy beach park with 17 acres on the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay. Between the Bay and the Gulf lies an upland pine forest. As you enjoy the quiet whisper of a seaside breeze look for the wildlife of this area. The park includes restrooms, showers, changing rooms, picnic tables, grills and a boardwalk to the beach (239) 275-8726.
» Bowditch |
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| Bay Oaks Recreation Center |
2731 Oak Street, Fort Myers Beach. It is the only full size gymnasium owned and operated by Lee County Parks & Recreation. Year round residents as well as seasonal guests and visitors enjoy many hours playing in this free facility. Whether the activity is weightlifting, tennis, aerobics class, basketball, ping-pong, line dancing, computer classes, tumbling, Spanish lessons, painting class, tae kwon do or yoga, Bay Oaks has something for all ages. Bay Oaks also offers a variety of staff lead programs and events like (239) 765-4222.
» Bay Oaks
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Lover’s Key State Recreation Area
Located on Lover’s Key, this beach is ranked as one of the top ten in the nation. The beaches are some of the wildest and most visually interesting on this part of the coast. There are no lifeguards on duty. It features access to Estero Bay, Gulf of Mexico and a barrier island that visitors reach by tram. A small admission fee includes the round-trip tram ride to the secluded beach. The park is known for its excellent shelling, nature trails, bird watching, and fishing. It has picnic areas, canoe rentals, restrooms, rinse-off showers and a snack bar. The bay side has a boat ramp, volleyball areas and more picnic areas. |
| There are guided kayak tours through Estero Bay and to Mound Key. Boat tours on the Estero Explorer include a daily morning fishing trip and two backbay ecology trips. Park rangers are taking cyclists on a three-hour tour of Black Island the first Friday of each month. Participants must bring his/her own bike. Wide tires are recommended since the trail to be traveled is not paved. There is no charge for the tour. (239) 463-4588. » Visit the website |
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Lover’s Key - Mound Key Archaeological State Park
Accessible only by boat, this island is located just off the southern tip of Estero Island on Estero Bay. Framed in forests of mangrove trees, the shell mounds on Mound Key rise more than 30 feet above the waters of Estero Bay. The highest point for miles around, the 125-acre island is almost all an artificial creation, resulting from nearly 2,000 years of human activity. The first Indian inhabitants arrived on Mound Key about A.D.100. Guided tours are available through Calusa Coast Outfitters Educational Tours at (239) 332-0709. For more information on Mound Key, contact the Koreshan State Historic Site at (239) 992-0311.
» Visit the website |
Fort Myers Beach - Lynn Hall Memorial Park
Located at the foot of the Fort Myers Beach Sky Bridge. Lynn Hall Memorial Park and Pier provides families with a full day’s activity. The 560-foot pier stretches into the Gulf of Mexico and is a fine spot for fishing or enjoying sea breezes. Here, you will meet the comical pelican as he searches for his favorite meal… fish. The park facilities will meet all of your needs. You will find outside showers, bathrooms, a playground for children, covered picnic areas and a nature kiosk with information about local plants, animals, and land formations. Metered per hour parking. (239) 338-3300. » Visit the website |
Fort Myers Beach - Ostego Bay Foundation
Inside you will find many exhibits about the beach, the estuary, storm water runoff, pollution and other fresh water inflow issues. Salt-water aquariums and touch tanks introduce you to local flora and fauna.
The mission of the Ostego Bay Foundation is to promote understanding, preservation, and enhancement of the marine environment, through education, research and community involvement (239) 765-8101.
» Visit the website |
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Sanibel - J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge
Sanibel Island. The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a refuge for native and migratory birds and resident amphibians, reptiles and mammals. It is not a "park" with the expected tourist attractions and exhibits, but rather a 6,000-acre sanctuary where a visitor can see large numbers of birds and reptiles in their natural habitat. On any given winter day, a novice birder can easily see over 50 species of birds, several alligators, perhaps a crocodile, and raccoons. |
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| For the expert birder, there are over 200 species that have been seen in the refuge, ranging from the reclusive mangrove cuckoo to the ubiquitous white ibis. At the Ding Darling Center of Education volunteers operate videotape that explains the background of the refuge and what can be seen there. The refuge itself consists of a 5-mile road, easily traveled by car, bicycle or foot that wends through the mangrove forest while passing large open water areas. Preserve closed on Friday. (239) 472-1100. » Visit the website |
Useppa Island
- no bridges, no cars, no crowds - a historic private island retreat located on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast between Captiva and Pine Island. Useppa is a storybook setting with picturesque white cottages, pink pathways and lush vegetation. In the 1920's Useppa was the sport fishing Mecca for the rich and famous. Publishing magnate Barron Collier built a large home on the island to accommodate his wealthy and influential friends for their tarpon fishing trips to the area. |
Names such as Rockefeller, Dupont, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were all visitors to the island. Today the Collier Inn serves as the main clubhouse for this private island. The only way to visit Useppa is to be a member or Collier Inn guest, or take a ride at Captiva Cruises, (239) 472-5300.
Your narrated cruise to Useppa will take just over an hour, leaving you two hours on the island to dine and see the sights. |
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| There is a small historical museum featuring the Calusa Indians who once occupied the island. Cruises are available Tuesday through Sunday 10:30am to 3:30pm
» Visit the website |
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