Make a Splash

From the ocean to mangrove estuaries, pools, and mega-slides, the aquatic adventures of naples are plentiful.

By Jeffrey Laign

If you’re a lover of sun, sand, and sea, you’ve come to the right place. Naples will entice you with stunning beaches and warm, clear water that beckons you to play. Rent a kayak or catamaran. Stand up on a paddle board or dive deep to discover a world of colorful coral and fish. Spend a fun-filled day at a water park or embark on a guided exploration of a remote barrier island. Naples is a paradise for active vacationers who think wetter is better. Don’t worry if you’re still a beginner; vendors and tour operators are on hand to show you the ropes.

Float Your Boat

In Naples, you can rent almost any watercraft. Paddle a kayak or canoe through wildlife-rich mangroves along the Paradise Coast Blueway. Hoist sail and spend an unforgettable day self-exploring, or let Sweet Liberty Catamaran Sailing and Boat Tours introduce you to remote Keewaydin Island, one of the best spots in Naples for shelling.

Satisfy your need for speed with one of the local watersports operators. If you meet statutory safety requirements, you can operate a motorized watercraft or captain a powerboat for a fast and furious adventure. For a thrilling experience, straddle a Jet Ski at Marco Island Water Sports and tour the Ten Thousand Islands. Tours offer opportunities to spot playful dolphins, manatees, and birds inhabiting the mangrove islands.

Family and friends will appreciate private, captain-chartered tours for as many as six passengers on the 26-foot Beach Cat at Naples Waterway and Wildlife Tours.

If you brought your canine companion along for the fun, Pure Florida’s Bark on the Ark dogfriendly cruises provide a special outing for the whole family. Cruise from the historic Tin City docks through Naples Bay, into Dollar Bay, then to Rookery Bay, where you enjoy the beach at Keewaydin Island.

Hang Ten

Have yourself a gnarly time channeling the waves at Naples Grande Beach Resort, where you can rent a bodyboard or SUP (stand-up paddle board). Nearby vendors offer equipment and instruction to hit the surf for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and surfboarding.

Join a Tour

Relax and enjoy the sea breeze as your cruise captain highlights all the best spots. Spend a sunny morning seeing Naples’ urban attractions from offshore, then enjoy an afternoon islandhopping or dolphin-spotting.

Skimming across the fabled river of grass at Everglades National Park, an airboat tour gives you post-worthy encounters with wildlife. Be on the lookout for manatees, alligators, dolphins, and Everglades birds as you make your way to the Ten Thousand Islands with Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Adventures. Later, you can dine, dance, and kindle romance on an unforgettable sunset cruise aboard the Naples Princess luxury yacht.

Go Below

Divers will discover a wonderous world beneath the Gulf’s surface. Marvel at vibrant coral reefs, hang out with titan turtles, swim alongside schools of rainbow-hued fish, or explore the watery graves of sunken ships off the coast of Naples. Close to shore, just west of Gordon Pass, you’ll find the sunken remains of the Santa Lucia, a 47-foot turtle boat that once carried Cuban refugees to the United States and now forms part of an artificial reef. You’ll have no trouble finding a dive company to outfit you with gear, and many offer classes for novices who aren’t certified to dive.

Not quite ready for a wet suit? Snorkeling is a great alternative, and you don’t have to worry about certification. Grab your mask and fins and head for Clam Pass Beach, just a short tram ride away from the resort. You’ll be amazed at what you can see just below the surface.

Hook ’Em

Naples offers anglers a reel way to spend a day. Tarpon-rich tidal rivers and backcountry creeks were made for flyfishing, and you may haul in a prizewinner if you plumb the depths of the salty Gulf. Sign up for a deep-water adventure with Pure Florida and see what you may hook further offshore. M/V Sea Flight II is the newest private fishing vessel. The experienced captain and crew will find the best spots and help get the fish biting.

Just under the surface, you'll find an incredible array of fish species. A school of sheepshead and a school of Spanish mackerel swim together just off Naples Municipal Beach’s historic pier. The waters around barrier islands are home to snook, flounder, and jack. Peacock bass can be found in canals, and deeper Gulf waters are teeming with grouper, cobia, and kingfish.

Kiss the Sky

Wish you could fly? That dream can come true for adventurous vacationers in Naples. Strap on a jet pack or boot up on a water-propelled flyboard. Try your hand at parasailing and enjoy a bird’seye view of the coastline. At Marco Island Water Sports, you can soar above the pristine waters of the Gulf. Keep a lookout below for dolphins, manatees, and other marine wildlife.

For an exhilarating seaplane ride, ask your concierge about booking a seaplane for a bird’s-eye view of this coastal paradise. It’s certainly a bucket-list experience you can cross off your list!

Slip and Slide

Sun-N-Fun Lagoon is an exciting water park where the whole family can splash and play. Collier County’s premier water park offers a fun-filled day with four pools, five waterslides, a splash playground, and a long, lazy “river” perfect for tubing.

CRUISING THE GULF

By Vanessa Molina Santamaria

Hop aboard Sweet Liberty and discover some of the best Naples has to offer.

Southwest Florida’s largest sailing catamaran departs from the Naples City Dock in Crayton Cove and offers three daily cruises, as well as private charters for parties, weddings, and corporate events. Exciting sailing excursions along the Gordon River and into the glistening blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico deliver loads of adventure and sightseeing opportunities. Discover millionaire’s row, spot playful dolphins and other wildlife, stroll along the shore on a picturesque island, and enjoy a few hours at sea on the welcoming hulls of Sweet Liberty

Choose Your Adventure

The Sunset Cruise is, hands down, one of the best ways to see the sunset on the west coast of Florida. Pack your own picnic and libations and enjoy them as you sail out and watch the waves roll against the backdrop of a pink and orange sky. Another option is the three-hour Beach Island Shelling Cruise that takes you to the remote and pristine Keewaydin Island, where you can relax on the beach or go shelling and see what unique shells you can find. The Afternoon Sightseeing & Sailing Cruise offers a narrated tour while cruising past the multimilliondollar homes that make up the prestigious Naples waterfront community. You will also have the chance to spot wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, and dolphins along the way.

Part of the Family

What sets this small business apart is how rooted in family it is. The crew is like an extended family, and co-owners Susan and Shane Chaplin want passengers to feel like they’re part of the Sweet Liberty family from the moment they step foot onto their boat.

Originally custom-built in St. Croix, USVI, for Captain Lenny and Anita Wassmer, the Sweet Liberty has been cruising the Naples Bay area since 1991. After meeting on a charter fishing trip in 1998, Susan and Shane hosted their rehearsal dinner on board the boat in 2001; and they had their hearts set on someday buying Sweet Liberty, a luxury 53-foot sailing catamaran that can accommodate up to 44 passengers. Years of hard work and dedication finally paid off when their dream came true in 2015.

Sweet Liberty is located at 880 12th Ave. S. at the Naples City Dock. For more information, call 239-793-3525 or visit www.sweetliberty.com.