By Sal DiBenedetto, Licensed Real Estate Broker · The DiBe Group, brokered by eXp Realty · Updated October 2026

Southwest Florida packs an incredible amount into a short drive. From Estero, you can reach white-sand Gulf beaches, cypress swamps, the edge of the Everglades, two Major League Baseball spring training parks, historic winter estates and charming waterfront towns, most of them within an hour. That variety is one of the biggest reasons people visit, and one of the biggest reasons they end up moving here.

This guide covers the whole region: Lee County (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and Estero), Collier County (Naples, Marco Island and Everglades City) and Charlotte County (Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte). For a closer look at our hometown, see our separate guides to things to do in Estero and Estero activities and recreation.

Quick Picks: The Best of Southwest Florida

Beaches

The Gulf beaches are the headline attraction, and each one has its own personality. Hurricanes Ian (2022), Helene and Milton (2024) reshaped parts of the coast, and some facilities are still being rebuilt, so check status before you go.

Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island is the region’s classic beach town, with wide, gentle sand and a lively vibe. Recovery from Hurricane Ian has been long, but the island continues to rebuild. The town broke ground on a new pier on August 21, 2026. The roughly 1,000-foot, $14.4 million structure is expected to be finished in late summer 2027. Fort Myers Beach is also the departure point for the Key West Express ferry.

Lovers Key State Park

Just south of Fort Myers Beach, Lovers Key is a favorite for its quiet, natural shoreline, kayaking and wildlife. Entry is $8 per vehicle. Since the hurricanes, the beach tram and food concession have not been operating, so bring your own food, water and a beach cart for the walk.

Bonita Springs Beaches

Bonita Beach is the closest Gulf beach to Estero. Parking at Bonita Beach Park has been closed, so plan to use other public access points along Hickory Boulevard. Farther south, Barefoot Beach Preserve offers a protected, undeveloped beach with nature trails and a $10 parking fee.

Naples Beaches

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in North Naples ($6 per vehicle) is consistently rated one of the best beaches in Florida, with shaded picnic areas and calm water. In the city of Naples, the beaches are lined with historic homes. The iconic Naples Pier is being rebuilt at a cost of about $23.5 million, with work that began in January 2026 and an expected completion around 2027.

Sanibel and Captiva

Sanibel and Captiva are world-famous for shelling, with beaches covered in shells after winter storms and low tides. The Sanibel Causeway has been fully open since December 2023, and the islands have steadily reopened. Expect a toll on the causeway, paid parking at beach access points and heavy traffic in peak season, so go early.

Nature, Wildlife and Parks

Beyond the beaches, Southwest Florida has some of the most accessible wild places in the state. Many have boardwalks that make them perfect for all ages.

The Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands

Everglades City, about an hour and 15 minutes south of Estero, is the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands area of Everglades National Park. A new visitor center opened there on December 15, 2025. Boat tours, kayaking, airboat rides and fresh stone crab in season make it a memorable day trip.

Paddling the Great Calusa Blueway

The Great Calusa Blueway is a 190-mile marked paddling trail through Lee County’s coastal waters and rivers, including Estero Bay and the Estero River. You can paddle a few hours from Koreshan State Park or plan multi-day trips through the back bays. Mound Key, a Calusa archaeological site in Estero Bay, is reachable only by boat or kayak.

History and Culture

• Edison & Ford Winter Estates (Fort Myers): The riverfront winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, with a museum, laboratory and botanical gardens. Adult admission is about $28.
• Koreshan State Park (Estero): The preserved settlement of the Koreshan Unity, a utopian community founded by Cyrus Teed in the 1890s.
• Mound Key Archaeological State Park: Believed to be the capital of the Calusa people, who ruled much of South Florida for centuries.
• Naples Zoo: A 43-acre, AZA-accredited zoo with a historic botanical garden setting.
• Downtown Fort Myers River District: Historic brick streets, galleries, restaurants and the monthly art walk.
• Downtown Naples: Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South for galleries, boutiques and dining.

Sports and Entertainment

Southwest Florida is a big sports market for its size, and spring training is one of the highlights of the year.

The Everblades have been one of the most successful teams in minor league hockey, winning Kelly Cup championships in 2012 and three straight from 2022 to 2024. Games at Hertz Arena are an affordable night out and a favorite with transplants who grew up with hockey up north.

On the Water

Living or vacationing in Southwest Florida means spending time on the water. Options range from a sunset cruise to serious offshore fishing.

• Fishing: Snook, redfish, tarpon and trout in the back bays; grouper and snapper offshore. A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for most anglers.
• Dolphin and sunset cruises: Tours run from Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sanibel.
• Key West Express: A high-speed ferry from Fort Myers Beach to Key West, perfect for a day or overnight trip.
• Kayaking and paddleboarding: Rentals at Lovers Key, Koreshan and many marinas.
• Boating: Cape Coral’s canal system, Estero Bay and Charlotte Harbor give boaters endless routes to the Gulf.

Day Trips and Nearby Towns

• Naples: About 30 minutes south, with upscale shopping, dining and beaches. See our Naples overview.
• Punta Gorda: About 45 to 55 minutes north, with a 2.4-mile Harborwalk along Charlotte Harbor and a walkable historic downtown. See our Punta Gorda overview.
• Cape Coral: Canals, waterfront restaurants and a laid-back pace about 40 minutes northwest.
• Everglades City: Airboats, stone crab and the Ten Thousand Islands.
• Babcock Ranch: A solar-powered planned town in Charlotte County, worth a look for its town center and trails.
• Marco Island: Beaches, boating and shelling about 50 minutes south.

Golf in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida is one of the great golf destinations in the country, with a huge concentration of courses in Lee and Collier counties. Many of the best courses are inside private country club communities, where golf may be bundled into membership or included with the home. Others are semi-private or fully public, which makes it easy for visitors and new residents to play.

• Public and municipal courses: Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Naples all have public options with reasonable rates, especially in summer.
• Semi-private courses: Many clubs open tee times to the public during the off season.
• Bundled golf communities: In parts of Estero and Bonita Springs, every homeowner is a golf member. That can be a great value for golfers and an unwanted cost for non-golfers, so read the community details carefully.
• Practice and fun: Topgolf Fort Myers and driving ranges across the region make it easy to work on your swing or entertain non-golfers.

If golf is a big part of your plans, our Estero gated community guides explain how membership works community by community.

Family-Friendly Things to Do

• Naples Zoo: Animal encounters and a boat ride through the primate islands.
• Manatee Park: Free viewing platforms on winter mornings, with parking fees.
• Beach days at Lovers Key and Delnor-Wiggins: Calm water that is ideal for little swimmers.
• IMAG History & Science Center: Hands-on exhibits and an aquarium in Fort Myers.
• Spring training: Affordable lawn seats and close-up access to big league players.
• Everblades hockey: Family-friendly promotions, theme nights and fast-paced action.
• Estero Park and Recreation Center: Playgrounds, sports fields and a dog park close to home.

Free and Low-Cost Things to Do

Some of the best experiences in Southwest Florida cost little or nothing. A sunset on the Gulf is free, and so are many of the boardwalks, community parks and downtown art walks.

• Watch the sunset from any public beach access, a nightly ritual for locals and visitors alike.
• Walk the Six Mile Cypress Slough boardwalk for a small parking fee.
• Stroll the Punta Gorda Harborwalk or downtown Fort Myers along the Caloosahatchee River.
• Browse farmers markets, including Thursday mornings at Coconut Point in season and Sundays at Three Oaks Town Center in Estero.
• Explore Koreshan State Park or Estero Bay Preserve for just a few dollars per vehicle.
• Attend free outdoor concerts and events hosted by local cities and shopping centers, especially in winter.

Food Experiences You Should Not Miss

Southwest Florida’s food scene is built around the Gulf. Try a grouper sandwich at a waterfront spot, order fresh Gulf shrimp, and look for stone crab claws during Florida’s stone crab season, which runs from October 15 through May 1. Everglades City is famous for stone crab, and many restaurants across the region feature it in season.

Beyond seafood, the region has strong Italian, Cuban, Latin American and farm-to-table restaurants, plus a growing craft brewery scene in Fort Myers and Naples. Our Estero dining guide lists local favorites close to home.

Beach Etiquette and Sea Turtle Season

From May 1 through October 31, loggerhead and other sea turtles nest on Southwest Florida beaches. During nesting season, fill in holes you dig, knock down sand castles, remove beach furniture at night and turn off or shield lights visible from the beach. Hatchlings follow the brightest horizon to the water, and artificial light can lead them the wrong way. Marked nests should never be disturbed. Shorebirds also nest on beaches in spring and summer, so give posted areas plenty of room.

Things to Do for Active Adults and Retirees

Southwest Florida has one of the oldest median ages in the country, and the activity calendar reflects it. Many residents are retired or semi-retired and spend their days playing pickleball, golfing, boating, volunteering and taking classes.

• Pickleball: Courts are everywhere, from community clubhouses to public parks like the Estero Park and Recreation Center.
• Lifelong learning: FGCU Academy (formerly the Renaissance Academy) offers non-credit courses, lectures and trips for adults.
• Clubs and social groups: Newcomers clubs, hobby groups and service organizations help transplants build a social circle quickly. See our Estero newcomer hub.
• Volunteering: Parks, preserves, museums, hospitals and wildlife organizations all rely on volunteers.
• Arts and performances: Theater, symphony and lectures fill the winter calendar in Fort Myers and Naples.
• Fitness on the water: Kayaking, paddleboarding and walking the beach at sunrise are daily habits for many locals.

If you are planning a move, think about which of these matter most to you. Some communities are built around golf, others around pickleball and social clubs, and others around boating. The right fit makes it much easier to enjoy everything the region offers.

Shopping Destinations

Southwest Florida has excellent shopping for a region of its size. Around Estero you will find Coconut Point, Miromar Outlets, Gulf Coast Town Center and Bell Tower Shops. Naples adds Waterside Shops, Mercato and Fifth Avenue South. Our Estero shopping and dining guide pulls it all together.

What to Do Each Season

Red tide, a naturally occurring algae bloom, is most common from about September through January and can cause coughing and dead fish on the beach. Check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s red tide status map before a beach day.

Rainy Day Ideas

• Catch a movie at Regal Coconut Point 16 or Regal at Gulf Coast Town Center.
• Bowl and play arcade games at 810 Billiards & Bowling at Miromar Outlets.
• Tour the museum and laboratory at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.
• Visit the IMAG History & Science Center in Fort Myers or galleries in downtown Naples.
• Hit golf balls under cover at Topgolf Fort Myers.
• Wait it out: most summer storms pass within an hour or two.

A Three-Day Southwest Florida Itinerary

1. Day 1 – Beaches and sunset: Morning at Lovers Key, lunch in Bonita Springs, afternoon at Koreshan State Park, and sunset on Fort Myers Beach.
2. Day 2 – Islands and wildlife: Drive to Sanibel early, see Ding Darling (not on a Friday), shell at low tide, and have dinner on Captiva.
3. Day 3 – Swamps and Naples: Walk the Corkscrew Swamp boardwalk in the morning, then spend the afternoon and evening in downtown Naples on Fifth Avenue.

Local Tips for Enjoying Southwest Florida

• Start early. Beaches, parks and boardwalks are cooler, quieter and better for wildlife in the morning.
• Respect lightning. Florida leads the nation in lightning. Leave the beach or water when storms approach.
• Budget for parking. Most beaches charge for parking; Lee and Collier county residents may qualify for parking permits.
• Protect wildlife. Keep your distance from manatees, sea turtle nests and nesting birds.
• Watch the tropics. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Our hurricane center has prep guides.
• Shuffle your feet. The “stingray shuffle” helps avoid stepping on stingrays in shallow water.

Thinking About Living in Southwest Florida?

Many people discover Southwest Florida on vacation and decide they want it every day. Estero is an especially good base because it sits in the middle of the region: about 20 minutes to the beach, 15 minutes to the airport, 30 minutes to Naples and minutes from shopping, healthcare and FGCU. Learn more in our Estero, Florida guide and newcomer hub, or browse Estero homes for sale.

Things to Do in Southwest Florida FAQ

Prices, hours and reopening dates change frequently, especially for hurricane-affected parks and piers. Confirm details with each attraction before you go.