10 Outdoor Activities in Southwest Gulf Coast That You Shouldn't Miss

April 25, 2022 Velvet Champine

Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast contains a constellation of enticing coastal gems. Stunning beaches, including Ft. Myers Beach, Tigertail Beach and Pensacola Beach, fringe the Gulf, down the I-75 from Tampa to Naples. Sanibel Island’s shelling attracts thousands. Cape Coral’s waters are paradise for flyfishing. Golfers adore spectacular courses in Marco Island and Naples. Glorious sunny days and deliciously warm turquoise waters beckon in this often overlooked corner of the Sunshine State.
Restaurants in Southwest Gulf Coast

1. Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

1590 Goodlette Rd N, Naples, FL 34102-5260 +1 239-262-5409 [email protected] http://www.napleszoo.org/
Excellent
52%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,630 reviews

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

This historic tropical garden and nationally accredited zoo features wildlife experiences to inspire people of all ages to respect, value and help conserve wildlife and our natural world. Visit today to enjoy your favorite animals like lions, monkeys, and giraffes. Ask those questions you've always wondered about at the Meet the Keeper Series. Be fascinated by rare creatures during premier wildlife shows. Cruise through islands of monkeys, lemurs, and gibbons. Watch our professional staff hand-feed American alligators while dispelling popular myths. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the organization that sets the highest standards for wildlife care, education, and conservation.

Reviewed By Q5114VCpatriciat - Naples, United States

Great animal exhibits ~ my grandson luved feeding the giraffes ~ informative shows were great .....but I especially enjoyed the boat ride around the monkey island !!!..... Fun day for all !!!

2. Bowman's Beach

1700 Bowman's Beach Road, Sanibel Island, FL 33957 239-472-6397 https://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/listing/bowmans-beach/37876
Excellent
53%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,042 reviews

Bowman's Beach

Reviewed By Markclo1 - San Antonio, United States

Our family has been coming here for the last decade and its just beautiful here. Bowman is a wonderful beach, beautiful white sand, awesome blue ocean. There is tonnes of space on this beach. They have great facilities as well, only downside is that its a long walk from the parking lot to the beach, only a problem if you have small children like us. There is a park which are kids enjoyed too, we saw turtles, everywhere is very clean. I dont mind paying for parking when the facilities are well maintained like this. There is no doubt that red tide has had an impact on the wildlife in South West Florida, there seem to be less birds and fish than previous years, we are seeing that everywhere

3. Clam Pass Park

465 Seagate Dr, Naples, FL 34103-2413 (239) 252-4000 http://www.colliergov.net/index.aspx?page=458
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,130 reviews

Clam Pass Park

Reviewed By podrozniczka60 - New Jersey, United States

To enter and park we had to pay $8 fee. Large parking lot. About a kilometer walk on a lovely boardwalk to get to the beach or instead of a walk a comfortable ride on a trolley or rather a form of an extended golf cart quickly transporting people to the beach. Very efficient service, not much wait, no additional fees. The trolley stops near the restaurant by the entrance to the beach. The beach itself is lovely, wide, the golden sand is delicate, beautiful shells. We did not see any picnic tables or natural shade but most visitors have their own beach umbrellas. The beach extends to the Clam Pass itself. Best place for fishing is not in the pass but from the bridge about half way between the parking lot and the beach. We had a great beach day, impressed with the beauty of the area.

4. Bonita Springs Public Beach

26082 Hickory Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134-3779
Excellent
58%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 910 reviews

Bonita Springs Public Beach

Reviewed By alwaystripin - Estero, United States

This is a great place to catch the sunset. Just remember that parking is limited so you may want to get there a bit early. There is a beach bar right there, probably good pizza or burger but we got the fish which was just ok. Still, there is a nice picnic area with grills and tables and the beach is very clean. Love going there for the day or sunset.

5. Barefoot Beach Preserve

503 Barefoot Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 +1 239-252-4000 http://www.colliergov.net/index.aspx?page=455
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,565 reviews

Barefoot Beach Preserve

Reviewed By costaricacouple - Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

When my wife and i went last week things have changed a lot since i was last there, The ride down the the road was amazing with all the million dollar homes, and their landscaping, When you get to the little toll both to pay your almost there, plenty of parking, bathrooms,showers,The beach it self was breathtaking ,My wife found some nice shells, the water is clear, This beach would be great for any one that is in the area,Barefoot is one of our favorites.

6. De Soto National Memorial

8300 De Soto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL 34209-9748 +1 941-792-0458 http://www.nps.gov/deso/index.htm
Excellent
61%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 749 reviews

De Soto National Memorial

Reviewed By DOOR_COUNTY_FANS2015 - Brazil, United States

We've visitied the Memorial a couple of times, walking the trails through the mangroves and watching the short movie about DeSoto's travails after landing here in the early 1500's. Good for families.

7. Cape Romano

South of Marco, on the Gulf, only by boat, Marco Island, FL
Excellent
65%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 326 reviews

Cape Romano

Reviewed By emmamazing

We went for a jet ski through the mangroves and it was so cool to see these ruins out in the middle of the water. We honestly thought it was from a Star Wars movie!

8. Venice Beach

101 The Esplanade S, Venice, FL 34285-2110 (310) 396-6764 https://www.laparks.org/venice
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,306 reviews

Venice Beach

Reviewed By Lechien513

Yoga on the Beach with Elin (twice in the am and once in the pm), drum circle at sunset, volleyball at 4:30, clean restrooms, lifeguards, and beautiful sand! Who could ask for anything more? Parking has never been an issue for me but many travel by bicycle. I love the mat halfway to the water for those in wheelchairs but I wish it went all the way to the water.

9. Cape Coral

5819 Driftwood Pkwy # A, Cape Coral, FL 33904-5963 +1 239-574-0806 http://www.capecoral.net/department/parks_and_recreationhome/yacht_club_community_center/index.php
Excellent
49%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 987 reviews

Cape Coral

Reviewed By 662jet - Cape Coral, United States

This is a beautiful small city where nearly every home has access to the Gulf of Mexico right in their back yard. If you love to go boating this is the place for you. The cost of visiting or especially living is very very reasonable. The people are nice and very friendly. The coldest winter temperature is not very often below 50 degrees. Swim year around, citizens grow oranges, grapefruit, avocados, mangos, bananas, tangerines, lemons, limes and mangos right in their back yard. This place should be called paradise.

10. Peace River Wildlife Center

3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy, Punta Gorda, FL 33950-6312 +1 941-637-3830 [email protected] http://prwildlife.org/
Excellent
75%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,016 reviews

Peace River Wildlife Center

The Mission of the Peace River Wildlife Center is to contribute to the survival of native Florida wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation and education. The Center and our gift shop is open to the public for tours everyday from 11a – 4p and our hospital accepts wildlife intakes from 8a – 5p everyday, 7 days per week, 365 days per year including all holidays. We do not charge an admission fee but donations are greatly appreciated and needed to support our mission. Your donations and gift store purchases go directly to the care of our wildlife patients and residents. The PRWC does not receive any federal government support. The costs involved in maintaining these educational displays and to feed almost 120 permanent residents and more than 2,500 patient admissions annually is nearly $80,000 per year. All of the Peace River Wildlife Center’s expenses are met through donations, our recycling program, gift shop sales and small grants. PRWC’s mission is carried out primarily by volunteers

Reviewed By MNDoodles - Stillwater, United States

A donation of only $5.00 per adult provides a great opportunity to see many birds being very well cared for, birds who can’t be released into the wild due to various past injuries. We saw bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, barred owls, white and brown pelicans, osprey and many other birds in well maintained and comfortable enclosures which give visitors an up-close look at these beautiful creatures. The volunteers were very helpful and answered all my questions. 82 per cent of all birds brought to the refuge are eventually released back into nature and those who can’t be released serve as refuge ambassadors for their species to help educate young and old alike. The gift shop is awesome; all proceeds go to help care for the birds. We loved this refuge and highly recommend a visit when in Punta Gorda.

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