Located on the lush Paradise Coast, Naples, Florida is a fantastic getaway destination for travelers with interests of all types. When you’re looking to spend time shopping and dining your way through a stay in style, Naples has the top-notch restaurants and storefronts you’re searching for. If you’re excited to spend a vacation focused on health and wellness, the local collection of spas, yoga studios, and meditation centers is equally inspiring! For travelers who can’t get enough of the great outdoors, Naples is a haven for adventures in nature and encounters with incredible wildlife. The following itinerary is a great place to start when you want to make the most of your experience. Here’s what to expect on a Nature and Wildlife Journey to Naples.
Day 1: Hike Your Way to Fun at Big Cypress National Preserve
If you’re someone who loves to lace up their boots and hit the trails, you’ll want to start your nature adventure in Naples at the nearby Big Cypress National Preserve. This beautiful and thrilling destination offers its visitors access to more than 40 miles of pathways to explore that take you straight to the heart of an area known as Alligator Alley. The terrain is made up of pinelands and roadside canals and along the way, there’s a good chance of spotting everything from bobcats and wild turkeys to alligators, owls, otters, and more. If you have your binoculars handy, this preserve is the perfect place to spot bluebirds, brown nuthatches, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and beyond.
Big Cypress National Preserve
3100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida
239-695-2000
Day 2: Explore Nature and Wildlife at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
For a true and authentic taste of the Everglades, immerse yourself in the magical beauty of the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary when travel plans bring you to Naples. Here, wild Florida is put on display at its very best across 13,000 acres of protected terrain. Many visitors choose to take to the boardwalk and stroll easily through the bald-cypress forest, pinelands, and wetlands alike. This is a must-visit locale when you want to see alligators up close but the sanctuary is also home to wood storks, red-bellied turtles, white-tailed deer, otters, and more. There are ranger-led hikes to sign up for that set out across the sanctuary from the visitor center daily, and if you’re lucky, you’ll have the opportunity to spot the rare blooming ghost orchid as you trek through.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
375 Sanctuary Road West, Naples, Florida
239-348-9151
Day 3: Kayak Rookery Bay
The land-based fun abounds across Naples for nature lovers. However, if you’re up for exploring the waterways instead, spending a day kayaking through Rookery Bay is your best bet for amazing views and moments ahead. This bay spans 110,000 acres and is best explored alongside a knowledgeable guide on a certified kayaking tour. These tours are led by naturalists and local biologists who are happy to help guests navigate mudflats, oyster reefs, and mangrove tunnels while providing insight around the habitats, ecosystems, and wildlife along the way. Manatees, dolphins, sea stars and a variety of birds call this bay home, giving those who stop by to explore plenty to keep their eyes open for. Afterward, you can spend some time checking out the series of four on-site hiking trails and get up close to the habitat restoration project happening along Shell Island Road. There are informational botanical signs posted along the pathways to help you identify unique native trees as you trek.
Rookery Bay
300 Tower Road, Naples, Florida
239-530-5940
Day 4: Check Out the Everglades Wilderness Waterway Paddling Trails
In nearby Everglades City, nature and wildlife enthusiasts spending time in Naples can easily find world-class paddling trailheads that provide seamless access through the iconic Ten Thousand Islands. The Everglades Wilderness Waterway Paddling Trails are perfect for kayaks, canoes, and small powerboats and offers up over 100 miles of waterways to explore. You’ll have options here to navigate your way through lagoons, open bays, and mangrove-saturated creeks alike depending on preference. If you’re heading here with a canoe, the Turner River Canoe Trail is a must. While exploring on your own can be a thrill, if you want to enhance your chances of spotting wildlife like manatees, sea turtles, and alligators, it’s best to team up with the professionals. Consider booking a guided tour with the Everglades Adventures Kayak & Eco Tours for a more insightful day on the water.
Everglades Adventures Kayak & Eco Tours
605 Buckner Avenue North, Everglades City, Florida
239-294-8249
Book Your Naples Journey in Style Today
We hope you enjoyed our Naples nature and wildlife journey guide. When a great getaway calls you to Naples, the team at Naples Vacation Properties has the home-away-from-home you need to enjoy luxury, comfort, and style along the way. Reach out to our team of property professionals today to learn more about our exciting lineup of property options available for the next time you’re in town. We look forward to seeing you in sunny Florida soon!