In addition to having renowned amusement parks, the Kennedy Space Center and beautiful beaches, Florida has many amazing areas teeming with astonishing wildlife. Located on the western coast of Florida close to the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands, Naples is a terrific place to connect with nature. No wonder it has become a popular destination for ecotourism.
I have always cherished being outdoors and exploring nature. Whether its hiking a mountain, relaxing on the beach, skiing downhill, scuba diving in the tropics or simply strolling around a big urban green space such as Central Park in New York, I feel alive when I am outdoors. Indeed, I am so grateful and fortunate to witness such natural beauty. And, with all the recent pandemic restrictions, I have come to appreciate nature even more.
I am also an avid animal lover and find it especially fascinating to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. I have never been a fan of the circus or any other establishment that exploits animals by making them perform tricks for a profit, which I find unnatural and depressing; besides, most of these places tend to be tourist traps. The only exception is for legitimate organizations dedicated to research and preservation.
Naples and Nature . . .
In light of all of this, our visit to Naples turned out to be a wonderful surprise given its proximity to nature and wildlife. Because it is in southwestern Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, the city is surrounded by numerous wild islands and inlets, estuaries, mangroves, cypress swamps, forests and white sandy beaches. This incredible ecosystem is home to dolphins, birds, black bears, manatees and a lot of other wildlife. Moreover, the tropical savannah climate makes it a perfect stop for migratory birds seeking refuge in milder temperatures. Unexpectedly, Naples turned out to be a great destination for a nature lover like me.
With all it has to offer, the Naples area is nicknamed “Paradise Coast”. Being home to several wildlife preserves as well as state and private nature parks, the region has an abundance of flora and fauna. This is a perfect destination if you are seeking outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, spotting other wildlife, photography, fishing and boating.
Here are 5 ways to enjoy the natural splendor around Naples, Florida:
- Visit the Iconic Naples Pier
- Take a Boat Ride in Search of Manatees Near Naples
- Be Mesmerized by Nature at the Swamp
- Work on Your Tan While Admiring Nature at a Naples Beach Preserve
- Explore a National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel Island
VISIT THE ICONIC NAPLES PIER
Originally built in 1889 as a freight and passenger dock, the Naples Pier has become a beloved community landmark. The original pier was actually destroyed in 1960 and rebuilt in 1961. The pier is located at the Municipal Naples Beach, at the west end of 12th Avenue South. It is a popular attraction for both fishermen and those who just want to observe nature.
The Naples Pier stretches approximately 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. It is a perfect perch from which to enjoy stunning panoramic views and spectacular sunsets. This is also a great spot to watch wildlife, including dolphins and a variety of seabirds. The pier was fairly busy during my midday Saturday visit; however, there was plenty of space for everyone to social distance while taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Off the Pier . . .
On both the north and south sides, a beautiful white-sand beach straddles the pier. So if you are concerned about social distancing, go for a tranquil stroll along the shore. I love walking barefoot on the sand, letting my feet wander in and out of the cool ocean water and breathing the soothing fresh air with a mix of sea mist. It seems that most beach-goers and volleyball players stay near the pier; however, the rest of the beach is very quiet and sparse. This is a great way to enjoy some solitude and leave your worries behind, as you watch flocks of seabirds fly by or dive into the water in search for their next meal. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see a school of dolphins glide by.
Access to the Naples Pier is free. Metered parking is available on the street or at a nearby parking lot. The pier has public facilities such as restrooms and showers, and a concession stand with a covered seating area.
TAKE A BOAT RIDE IN SEARCH OF MANATEES NEAR NAPLES
I have always been captivated by certain wild animals in their natural habitat. Manatees happen to fall in that category. So when I was offered an opportunity to go on an eco-boat tour promising manatee sightings, I jumped at it.
Manatees, also referred to as Sea Cows, are very large, slow-moving, peaceful herbivorous marine mammals that look a bit prehistoric. They can weigh as much as 1,300 lbs., have a paddle-like tail and flippers, and graze on water plants. Manatees spend most of the time eating, resting and traveling. These gentle giants are found only in a few parts of the world where they are guaranteed warm water. Florida happens to be one of the few places – in addition to the Amazon basin, the Caribbean Sea and the coast off West Africa.
Where to Go . . .
Manatees Eco-Tours operates out of the Port of the Islands Marina located in the Faka Union Canal system. The marina is on the edge of the Everglades, approximately 20 miles west of Naples. The canal runs about 7 miles and connects to the Faka Union Bay. It provides direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and The Ten Thousand Islands. The canal system was built in the 1960’s in support of a local residential subdivision and caused a lot of ecological damage to the area. In turn, it provided access to manatees in search of warm waters; these unique creatures actually move between fresh and salt water.
The Faka Union Canal has become the second largest warm water refuge for West Indian manatees in southwest Florida during the winter months. Because this marina basin can support a large number of manatees during periods of cold stress, you’ll have a pretty good chance of sightings. We actually saw several of them.
[Fortunately, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District has an on-going restoration project that expects to restore the affected historic wetlands, the local flora and fauna, as a result of the canal construction.]
The Boat Ride . . .
The covered boats only accommodate up to 6 people, providing enough room for people to maintain social distancing. The small boats are perfect for a family outing during your visit to Naples. Because I was part of a small group of friends, we were able to book our very own private tour. In addition to looking for manatees, we had a chance to float by the edge of mangroves to observe other wildlife such as wading birds and alligators. Capt. Barry was very knowledgeable; he gave us a lot of good information about the Florida ecosystem and wildlife prevalent in the area.
BE MESMERIZED BY NATURE AT THE SWAMP
The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a 13,000-acre wildlife refuge established in 1954 and managed by the National Audubon Society. It is in the heart of the Corkscrew Watershed in Southwest Florida and 30 minutes east of Naples. Unlike other parts of the Greater Everglades, the sanctuary has distinctive habitats that include Pine Flatwoods, Pond Cypress, Wet Prairie and Marshes. These ecosystems are home to a variety of wading birds, raptors, amphibians, reptiles and other mammals.
How it Started . . .
The Sanctuary started in the early 1900’s. At the time, egret and heron plumes were in high demand by the fashion industry that catered to rich women. It became necessary to deputize wardens to protect the area in order to stop the devastation of the rookery at Corkscrew, among others. Logging became a threat during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Development and demand for resources and space continued to jeopardize the Sanctuary.
The Audubon Society finally took ownership of the Corkscrew rookery. Its mission is “to protect the natural resources of the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the surrounding watershed for the benefit of the birds, other wildlife and the people of Southwest Florida.”
The Visit . . .
I was awestruck by the abundance of nature and wildlife. I had read that a visit to the Sanctuary would take a couple of hours; but it took me a good four hours to soak it all in. I felt like a kid in the candy store as I walked the 2.25-mile long boardwalk that takes you through the different areas within the Sanctuary. I was elated to be surrounded by the beauty of the marshes, the flats, the bald cypress forest, the lettuce ponds, the reflecting swamp fresh water, and the bromeliads growing on the sides of the tree trunks.
Meanwhile, there was so much wildlife activity. Think about it, the Sanctuary is home to 17 species of wading birds alone. And that doesn’t even count the many other bird species you find here such as songbirds, wild ducks, birds of prey, and the iconic endangered Wood Stork. Some birds remain in the area year-round, some pass through during migration periods, and others are seasonal. You can download a 3-page long Boardwalk Bird List from the Sanctuary’s website in preparation for your visit.
The Sightings . . .
It was awe-inspiring to happen upon a Red-Shouldered Hawk standing guard perched on a fallen tree. An Anhinga was majestically drying out its wings in the sun. Turkey Vultures and Ospreys were soaring overhead while Ibises were foraging in shallow waters. A Red-Bellied Woodpecker was pecking away on a tree trunk. Meanwhile, small colorful birds were jumping from branch to branch. Raccoons were scavenging for food, and a young alligator was working on its suntan.
A visit to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary really makes you appreciate the importance of conserving and restoring the Everglades. And it makes you realize the abundance of species that are part of the wilderness that surround us.
Make sure to get tickets ahead of time. Due to Covid, the facility has adopted a number of safety precautions. These include a reduced number of daily visitors and admittance based on timed entries.
WORK ON YOUR TAN WHILE ADMIRING NATURE AT A NAPLES BEACH PRESERVE
It’s not often that one can bring together two things we greatly appreciate in life. In my case, my love of nature and the beach are combined by visiting the Clam Pass Beach and State Park. This hidden jewel is actually a Collier County park. It is located in the northern part of Naples, behind the Naples Grande Beach Resort. This is a rare opportunity to experience two different Naples habitats in one visit.
Clam Pass Park, which is an access point to the beach, consists of 35 acres of a coastal habitat and a mangrove estuary. Access to the beach is by a scenic three-quarter-mile boardwalk that runs through the mangrove forest. Once you park your car, you can either walk or take a free tram (an expanded golf cart) to the white powdery sand beach. The birds and butterflies we saw as we walked on the boardwalk was an enticing preview of what to expect on the magnificent beach. Plus the variety of mangrove trees (black, red and white species included) makes for a beautiful stroll as you cross the forest in search of the beach.
The Preserve . . .
This captivating area warrants the need for protection and conservation. The unique mangrove trees are salt tolerant and play a vital role in this coastal habitat and its flora and fauna. The beach and its dunes stretch for miles along the forest and are protected by coastal vegetation; these include sea grape shrubs and sea oat grasses. These plants help maintain the integrity of the shoreline while attracting much wildlife.
The beach is spectacular. It seemed like there were more birds than people on the beach – which we loved. The “Pass” is located just north of the entry point to the beach. This is a waterway connecting the ocean to a lagoon, with mangrove trees surrounding the area. Their depths depend on the high and low tides. In addition to all the bird activity you witness while working on your tan, there is also a lot of action in the “Pass” and lagoon. It was thrilling to be in the water only a few feet away from a couple of floating Brown Pelicans and wading Snowy Egrets. The beach also had tons of active shore birds such as Willets, Royal Terns, Spotted Sandpipers and sea gulls. And towards the end of the afternoon, we were lucky to spot schools of dolphins gliding close to the shore.
The Details . . .
Clam Pass Beach and State Park is open from 8am until sundown. There are restrooms, showers and a snack bar at the end of the boardwalk as you reach the beach. Chairs, umbrellas, canoes, kayaks and other water sports equipment can be rented at a local concession stand. Daily parking costs $8; the receipt allows you to leave and return during the same day. If you want to double the amount of wildlife fun in one day, you can use this parking receipt to enter the parking lot at the Barefoot Beach Preserve, which is another Collier County park located further north.
EXPLORE A NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN SANIBEL ISLAND
As the pandemic still rages on, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge remains a terrific “safe” destination for those of us who are tired of being isolated at home. Even for those who have been vaccinated, the CDC still recommends following protocols related to wearing masks and social distancing. This is an incredible opportunity to be surrounded by wildlife while safely riding your bike or driving your car.
The Refuge is located on Sanibel Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, just northwest of Naples and near Fort Myers. Its undeveloped ecosystem includes a mangrove forest, submerged seagrass beds, cordgrass marshes, and West Indian hardwood hammocks. This parcel of land is well known for its stunning migratory bird population. It provides a habitat for over 245 species of birds that come to nest, breed, feed and roost in the area. The Refuge’s mission includes the support of nature conservation, wildlife protection, and education efforts.
Before You Start . . .
Make sure to stop by the Visitor Center before heading out on your exploration. The staff is extremely helpful; they will provide you with a map and will point out areas for bird watching, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, etc. They will also provide you with a Birds Identification Guide. Then start your Wildlife Drive! This is a four-mile, one-way road, where you can park anywhere on the right side to watch birds, wildlife and the beautiful surroundings. There is also an option for a guided tour in an open-sided tram.
Note that the Indigo Trail is adjacent to the Wildlife Drive entry gate. Once you pay your nominal $10 fee (hikers/bikers pay $1 only), pull your car over to the right just inside the gate and hike down to the Wildlife Education Boardwalk and Tower. This beautiful spot is worth a stop; it will give you a preview of the splendor you are about to experience during your visit to the Refuge.
When and What . . .
There are plenty of birds in the Refuge year-round; however, the best time to visit for bird watching is from December through March. And the best time to view the wildlife is during low tide; that’s when the birds actively feed on the exposed mud flats. Some of the birds we spotted included American White Pelicans, Little Blue Herons, Anhingas, White Ibises, a Tri-Colored Heron, Great Egrets and Willets. Before reaching the end of your drive (halfway between miles 3 and 4), walk down the short Wulfert Keys Trail. You will witness the beautiful open view of the Pine Island Sound. My only regret was not having a zoom lens in order to take better photos of the wildlife.
Ultimately, Naples is an amazing destination for those of us who are looking to connect with nature, enjoy the outdoors and witness wildlife in natural habitats. There is an abundance of choices here and plenty of opportunities to enjoy them in a safe and respectful way.
