BEACHES
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Bonita Beach, 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134, Clear water, sugary white sand, covered gazebo (35 minutes away)
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Fort Myers Beach, Lynn Hall Beach, 950 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 (45 minutes away). Fun atmosphere with restaurants, music, beach shops, etc.
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Lover’s Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach, FL Abundant parking, clean water, rarely crowded.
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Wiggins Pass State Park In Naples. Suggest arriving before 9:30 am for parking during the winter season. In Naples.
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Sanibel/Captiva beaches. Well known shelling. Parking lot normally full after 10 am during the winter season.
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Bunche Beach Kayak Excursions. Rent kyacks. Beautiful mangrove paddling. Plan on 1-2 hours
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Bunchee Beach Fort Myers. Locals like this non-crowded beach. Not crowded. Great shelling at low-tide.
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Siesta Key Beach , Siesta Key, FL 34242 - One of America's best beaches, sugary white sand, well known, beautiful.
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Vanderbilt Beach - Naples, sugary sand, clear deep water
BOATING,FISHING & WATERSPORTS
Enjoy an exclusive river charter with
Capt. Brian Slager. Click on the business card for more information.
BOAT RENTAL COMPANIES
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Sunny Cape Boat Rental, Attn: Kay, 239-297-8910 www. sunnycapeboats.com
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Speed Dock Boat Rentals, Mike Bastian, 3637 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904, 239-888-0369 (texting is best)
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Paradise Boat Rentals, 3013 Del Prado Blvd S Suite 15, Cape Coral, FL 33904, (888) 793-2844, $250-425/day (Discount for multiple days), 12-person Pontoon or 13-person Cruiser + other smaller boats. Ask for Grace River Island Resort 10% discount. Anyone born after 1-1-1988 must complete an approved online boating safety course and obtain a Florida Boating Safety ID Card.
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Captain Mannis Boat Rentals, 1838 Everest Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904 Jamie Clement 239-898-2496, 22ft Hurricane, $680/2-days min or $1250/week + other boats.
JET SKI RENTALS (MUST USE IN THEIR LOCAL AREA)
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Bonita Jetski & Parasail, Jetski (must be used in their local area). Freestyle or with a tour guide, Sailboats, Paddleboards, 27908 Hickory Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134, 239-825-7559.
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All Island Watersports, 61 Avenue C, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, Jetski Rentals (must be used in their local area). Freestyle or with a tour guide. Also, Parasailing, 239-765-1284.
JET SKI RENTALS (CAN BE RENTED OVERNIGHT AND DOCKED AT GRIR)
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FunRida Jetski Rentals, Richard Soika, 239-785-5875, srt-jet.ski, $120/2 hours, $190/4 hours, $280/8 hours, overnight as well
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Skyhigh Jetpacks and Flyboards & Jetski Rentals, 17590 East St, North Fort Myers, FL 33917, (239) 699-2487
FISHING CHARTERS
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Mark Yimin, Calusa Fishing Charter Adventures, Estero Bay, 941-677-3474, Rates start at $450. www.calusafishing.com
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Captain Adam Mikelson, 3255 29th Ave SW, Naples, FL 34117, 239-537-6313 (Everglades City/10000 Islands) www.fishgoodland.com
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Todd Godwin, Kickin Tail Charters, Marco Island, 239-825-9694 www.kickintail.com
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Smokin Hooks Fishing Charters, Offshore, Inshore, Dolphin and Sunset Adventures, Captain Brian Smith, 239-292-9992. Rates start at $750 (Can accommodate up to 6, Parker Boats with bathroom on board)
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Captain Chris Lavis, 239-273-4978, 13531 Vanderbilt Dr, Naples, FL 34110 www.seareaperfishingcharters.com
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Brian Whitney Fishing Charters, 8691 Nome Ct, St James City, FL 33956, 239-770-131
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Captain Brandon Acosta, Everglades Fishing Charters, 101 Buckner Ave S, Everglades City, FL 34139, (239) 253-9926
OTHER CRUISES, RENTALS AND WATERSPORTS
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Private Boat Cruises by Brian Slager, 239-271-5669, River, Downtown, Ocean, 1/2 or whole day, up to 7 people, Certified Captain with 40-years experience.
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Manatee and Eco River Tours, 239-693-1434, www.manateeandecorivertours.com. 5 minutes away.
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Corey Billie’s Everglades Airboat Rides, Naples, FL 239-389-7433. Best Everglades air boat ride. You will see alligators and have the opportunity to hold baby alligators. 50-minutes away. Recommend calling for reservations.
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Adventures in Paradise Dolphin Cruise, 14341 Port Comfort Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, 239-472-8843 Mike & Karen have done this!
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Salty Sam’s Pirate Boat Cruises, Fort Myers Beach, 239-765-7272, All Ages or Adults Only Sunset Cruises.
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Naples Princess Cruise, 550 Port O' Call Way, Naples, FL 34102. 239-649-2275. View famous Port Royal mansions from the water
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Pure Florida, Caloosahatchee River Boat Tours, Located in downtown Fort Myers, 2360 W First St, Fort Myers, FL 239-919-2965
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Captain JC Riverboat Cruises (Large paddle-wheel boat), 1300 Hendry St, Fort Myers, FL 33901 239-334-7474
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Paradise Para-sail, 1160 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, 239-463-7272, https://www.paradiseparasail.com/
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Estero River Outfitters, Kayak Rentals, 20991 S Tamiami Trail, Estero, FL 33920
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Kirby's School of Wake, Wake Boat Lessons, 573-694-0640. NOTE: He is seasonal Oct-May.
DAY TRIP BOAT DOCKING OPPORTUNITIES
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The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill, 17101 State Rd 31, Fort Myers, FL 33905, 239-332-2628
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Downtown Fort Myers Yacht Basin, 1300 Lee St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-321-7080, Call ahead or stop at the gas pumps and ask for a FREE day-use docking space. Walk 2 blocks to downtown with abundant restaurants and shops (MAY STILL BE CLOSED)
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Lighthouse Restaurant and Bar, 14301 Port Comfort Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, 239-489-0770
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Doc Ford's, 708 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, 239-765-9660
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Grandma Dot's, 634 N Yachtsman Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957, 239-472-8138
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Waterfront Restaurant & Marina, 2131 Oleander St, St James City, FL 33956
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Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant, Pineland, FL 33945, 239-283-2278
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Doc Ford's, 5400 South Seas Plantation Rd, Captiva, FL 33924, 239-312-4275
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Fishtale Grill, 1229 SE 47th Terrace B, Cape Coral, FL 33904, 239-257-3167
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Monarca's Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 1504 SE 46th St, Cape Coral, FL 33904, 239-540-9533
BOAT GAS
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C-Ten Caloosa Marina, 2200 Marina Park Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905, 239-694-2708, Literally 300ft west of GRIR/BOG (call for gas if after hours)
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Sweetwater Landing Marina, 16991 FL-31, Fort Myers, FL 33905, 239-694-3850, 5 minutes from GRIR/BOG/GIP (closes at 5pm)
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Fort Myers Yacht Basin, 1300 Lee St, Fort Myers, FL 33901 239-321-7080 (closes at 6pm)
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Landings Marina, 5300 S Landing Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33919, 239-481-7181, (closes at 5pm)
INDOOR ACTIVITIES
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IMAG History and Science Center (Formerly Imaginarium) Interactive children’s museum with 60+ exhibits.
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Escape Room Adventures. 12995 S. Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907. 239-689-6979. Fun group challenges, problem-solving, puzzles, different levels of difficulty.
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Murphy-Burroughs House. This is a very nice historic home. (google search)
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Headpinz Bowling and Game Room, 14513 Global Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33913. 239-302-2155.
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Dave and Busters, Teenage/Adult Games and Food, 13499 S Cleveland Ave, Ste 400, Fort Myers, FL 33907. 239-264-3000
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The Retro Zone Arcade Games, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33907 (look up family-friendly)
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Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sanibel, Impressive collection from Sanibel & the world.
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Golisano Children’s Museum, Naples, FL.
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Edison Ford Winter Estates. Plan on 2-3 hours if you are interested in the inventions in the museum.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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Top Golf, 2021 Topgolf Way, Fort Myers, FL 33913. 239-933-2035. Be advised that wait times can be very long during the evenings and weekends.
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Vernadah Club Golf, 12201 River Village Way, Fort Myers, FL 33905, (239) 694-4229 (5 minutes away). Open to the public, with nice restaurant too.
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Clublender Golf Club Rentals, 323-405-4463, Ships 2-day to your golf course, drop-off at a USP/CVS ship location
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Billy's Bike Rentals, 1470 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, (239) 472-5248. Free parking. You can bike to the beach or to Ding Darling.
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Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905. Rescued animals, alligators, nature trails, natural history museum, and planetarium. Great for kids and adults of all ages. Open 10am-4pm.
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Lazy Springs Recreation Park, 9591 FL-82, Felda, FL 33930, 239-206-9119, Lakes, zip line, dirt bike trails, off-roading, swimming, jet skiing (Rentals available).
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Sunsplash Water Park, Cape Coral, FL. Open March through September. Fun water park for adults and children.
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Sun-N-Fun Lagoon, Naples. Fun, many slides, lazy river.
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Naples Zoo, Naples, FL. Great place to see tropical animals.
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Smugglers Cove Mini Golf. Very friendly staff. Our favorite mini-golf place.
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Castle Mini Golf. Our second favorite mini-golf place.
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Alico Family Golf, driving range, golf lessons, open late under lights.
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ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization), N Fort Myers, Experimental farm aiming to solve world hunger problems through sustainable farming techniques, nutritional plants, and appropriate technologies. Tours Tues-Sat 9:30am and 1:30pm.
No reservations. Arrive early. -
Estero River Outfitters Kayak Rentals, 20991 S Tamiami Trail, Estero, FL 33928
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Curry Creek Outfitters, Babcock Ranch, Rentals, Bikes, 4-person Surry, Kayaks, Row Boat, Fishing Poles (Bass), Pedal/Electric Boats, Solar Powered Golf Carts, 941-467-1485
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Community Park at Victoria Park, Naples, FL34109. Spectacular Christmas Lights display.
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McQuade Family Christmas Lights. Fort Myers. Look up information on Facebook.
PARKS
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Olga Community Park, 2325 S. Olga Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905. Basketball, Tennis, Ball Field, Playground, Picnic Pavilion.
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Manatee Park. 5 Minutes away. If the weather is cold, you will likely see many Manatees here.
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Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel, FL. Beautiful driving or biking loop with many tropical birds
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Billy's Bike Rentals, 1470 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, (239) 472-5248. Free parking. You can bike to the beach or to Ding Darling.
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Lakes Regional Park. Walking and biking paths. Bikes and human-powered watercraft rentals. Abundant bird watching best 1-hour before sunset watch them fly in and roost for the night.
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Six-Mile Cypress Slough. Approximate 1.5 mile boardwalk loop. Plan on 2 hours with stopping to view the birds and alligators. Tours available at 9 am.
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Koreshan State Historic Site, Estero, FL. Picnicking, historic buildings, walking trails.
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Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Everglades Eco-System with 2-mile boardwalk, wildlife, and tropical foliage.
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Caloosahatchee Regional Park. Quiet walking paths in the woods. Bikes can be used here too (during the dry season).
SPORTS
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Florida Everblades Hockey. EHCL AA Hockey Team at Hertz Arena, Estero, FL (Oct-May)
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Fort Myers Miracle Baseball, Class A Minnesota Twins Affiliate 14400 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33912
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Minnesota Twins Baseball Spring Training, Fort Myers (March)
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Boston Redsox Baseball Spring Training, Fort Myers (March)