Southwest Florida: 5 insider tips in the Sunshine State of the USA

Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island, dubbed the “Seashell Capital of the World”, is only a 50 minute drive from Fort Myers and is a shell collector’s paradise. With more than 400 species of clams washing up along the breathtaking sugar-sand coastline of 19 km, visitors can look for clams, tulip clams, and the very rare ones. Looking for brown speckled junonia.

Once you’ve all finished, there is so much more to discover in this subtropical paradise. Choose from the many kayak, paddleboard or boat tours and visit them The JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a must see, the largest mangrove system in the United States.

Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers

As the name suggests, this Fort Myers destination is as romantic as it gets. The two mile long white sand beach is fine for most visitors, especially when the sun goes down. But those who venture beyond that will be rewarded with breathtaking nature trails that stretch up to five miles and are almost certain to experience complete seclusion (aside from the company of incredible wildlife).

Stroll through the beautiful butterfly garden with zebra longwings, swallowtails and many other types of butterflies. See an abundance of birds including herons, herons, and ospreys, and keep an eye out for the gopher tortoises chewing on the lush vegetation. You can take breakthroughs to shorten the trail to a 4.2 mile walk, but keep walking towards the freshwater pond and maybe even catch some alligators sunbathing and swimming.

Manatee Park, Fort Myers

Also known as “manatees” because of their seagrass diet, manatees flock to the warm Gulf waters during the winter months, which is the best time to catch them from November through March. Manatee Park in Fort Myers offers the best chance to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, either from the boardwalk or by renting a kayak on the Orange and Caloosahatchee Rivers – a chance to get up close and personal with the manatee immerse yourself in the manatee world. Note that due to the changing temperatures, you may not be able to see manatees as they are not in captivity.

Tin city, old Naples

Naples is notorious for its shopping and fine dining. If you leave Fifth Avenue behind, however, you’ll discover colorful and historic Tin City right on the water. Once a local fishing center, this corrugated roof section is now home to 30 independent restaurants and boutiques, where you can purchase a variety of items, from antiques and handcrafted jewelry to designer clothing and swimwear.

As for food, try one of Pinchers’ renowned crab dishes, delivered fresh from the dock to your table every day. Or grab a table with a view at the Riverwalk Restaurant and experience authentic Florida seafood while watching the dolphins play in the bay.

Tigertail Beach and Sand Dollar Spit, Marco Island

Marco Island is connected by a bridge from Naples. With skyscrapers and suburban streets, it’s not easy to see at first glance how this developed island is home to some extraordinary natural wonders. But head to Tigertail Beach and you will find some of Florida’s most breathtaking beaches. Divided in two by a lagoon, you will find a beach bar on the inner beach that sells sandwiches, beer and wine, as well as a selection of sun loungers. For avid bird watchers, there is also a two-story observation tower. In fact, Tigertail Beach is considered one of the premier bird watching spots in southwest Florida, where you can see everything from pelicans and bald eagles to ringed plover and plover.

For those looking for a more secluded spot, wade through the warm lagoon waters (if you aren’t brave enough to step on the muddy lagoon floor, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard) and you’ll find a much more natural and peaceful beach setting with unspoiled beauty Sand and turquoise sea. This secret three mile stretch is called the Sand Dollar Spit and features a stretch of milky sand wilderness where you can watch birds, crabs and dolphins up close, shoot grenades and, as the name suggests, find sand dollars.

Note: Best to translate to Sand Dollar Spit at low tide.

See similar https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/southwest-florida-hidden-gems/

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