Southwest Florida Insider

Experience the water adventures of Southwest Florida

Planning a summer water adventure in Southwest Florida? The Sunshine State offers a vast variety of water activities for those seeking an adrenalin thrill or a relaxing experience. Southwest Florida Insider shares some water activities that vacationers can indulge in when wondering what to do in Southwest Florida.

Shelling and Sightseeing

Southwest Florida boasts of countless shelling tours that take travelers out on a boat around dawn or dusk, providing an incredible natural backdrop for a shelling experience. Shelling Tours in Sanibel Island or Marco Island offers the services of shelling professionals that have access to locations that only a handful of collectors are aware of. The Cape Romano shelling and sightseeing tour, for instance, is a 2-hour long tour designed for every age group. This family-friendly Gulf Coast boat tour from Marco Island will showcase the famed Dome houses and then stop at a private beach to collect some of the most exotic seashells on the Gulf Coast.

Kayaking and canoeing

Kayaking is a fabulous way to experience the wildlife of Southwest Florida, from mangrove swamps, back bays, aquatic preserves, wildlife refuges, creeks, bayous, and rivers to manatees, dolphins, alligators, and birds of numerous species. Kayak enthusiasts can paddle through rural Old Florida scenery along creeks with otters and alligators or in saltwater where dolphins and manatees are common.

Some of the popular rentals and guided tours include Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Naples; Up a Creek Kayak Tours, Naples; Estero River Outfitters, Estero; Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Marco Island; Everglades Area Tours, Chokoloskee; and Gaea Guides.

Dolphin & whale-watching

The Sunshine State has some popular inhabitants that attract a lot of visitors every year. The bottle-nosed dolphins and manatees are a highlight for wildlife lovers. The dolphins, one of the most playful and intelligent creatures on the planet, can be spotted close to the shores of Naples and Marco Island. Travelers can also spot the West Indian manatee, also known as sea cows, that love the warm shallow waters around Southwest Florida. A cruise or kayak trip can offer travelers an opportunity to view these amazing creatures.

Some of the wildlife tours that travelers can choose from are Dolphin & Eco Tours, Cool Beans Cruises, Pure Florida Sightseeing, and Sunset Cruises, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center Eco-Cruises and Kayak Tours, and Marco Island Water Sports Dolphin, Shelling, and Wildlife Cruises.

Fishing

Southwest Florida’s coastline is lined with mangroves that act as a breeding ground for baitfish and sportfish while the shallow back bays provide the perfect location for a variety of fish. Well known for its calm sea conditions, shipwrecks, and artificial reefs, SW Florida is a premier destination for battling big saltwater gamefish. For those looking to catch redfish, snook, snapper, shark, trout, grouper, and mackerel among a thousand fish species in the Gulf waters, opting for a fishing charter is a brilliant choice.

Travelers can choose fishing charters and offshore adventure tours such as H2O Offshore Adventures LLC, Paradise Charters, Native Fins Charters, and Good time Charters.

Cruises

Southwest Florida offers some of the most exquisite cruising options in the world. From anchoring on lovely white sandy beaches, shelling expeditions, visiting countless islands and keys, watching dramatic sunsets, eating at exquisite restaurants, and observing the incredible bird and marine life, a cruise can prove to be an experience of a lifetime.

Water lovers can opt from a vast array of cruise options such as Southwest Florida Dolphin & Eco Tours, Naples Princess, Southwest Florida Yachts, and Fort Myers Dinner Cruise.

Why Southwest Florida Insider?

With the most insightful and carefully-curated content on the sights to see, events to attend, cuisines to try, places to stay, and exciting nightlife options, Southwest Florida Insider is where travelers can find all they need to know about Southwest Florida.

If Southwest Florida is on your bucket list, it’s time to buy that ticket and tick off those checkboxes.