South West

Part of the West Coast is South West Florida sitting with the Florida Everglades National Park on both its south and east borders and with the Gulf of Mexico to its west. The communities are both large and small varying in nature and design within this expanse of land and water. Captiva Island, for example, is a haven for lovers of the good life while Naples Beach is a conservative bastion. Siesta Key, a barrier island has a magnificent sandy beach and Fort Myers has the character of old-time Florida.

There are several good South West Florida beaches. Crescent Beach, Aptiva Island, Naples Beach, Marco Island and the lovely Sarasota Beach at Siesta Key offer ample evidence of the fine sand beaches in the area. The broad Siesta Key Beach is lively at most times of the day and year. People know the beaches at both Captiva Island and Sanibel Island for swimming, playing and the usual beach activities. Some individuals, however, know them better for shelling. This has resulted in the creation of two local terms the “Sanibel Stoop” and the Captiva Crouch.” Both describe the posture common to those picking shells.

The South West has other attractions. There is the Everglades Winter Gardens, the Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, the Fleamasters’ Market in Fort Myers, Paradise Golf Academy in Naples, Swamp buggy Races in Naples, and daily private or public cruises on a variety of boats, including the Naples Princess and the Marco Island Princess.

A popular sport is snorkeling in South West Florida. Various charters include snorkeling in their offerings to tourists visiting the area. Matlacha Sailing operates a sailing charter business in Fort Myers Beach. They offer eco-tours , bird watching and snorkeling, among other things. Island Rental in Cape Coral, Snook Blaster in Pine Island and Reel Therapy Charters on Sanibel, all provide interested vacationers with various water-related activities including fishing and snorkeling. South West Florida fishing is a popular past time. Possible catches include Red Fish, Tarpon and Trout.

Vacation resorts in South West Florida take as many shapes as is possible. There are bed and breakfast homes, rental homes, hotels, motels, inns, resorts, private homes and he ever present condominium. You can camp, RV and stay in cottages. Both Naples and Marco Island have a Hilton Hotel. Naples also boasts a Ritz Carlton and the Greenlinks Resort while Marco Island has the South Seas on the Gulf.