Natural Treasures

Don’t overlook the urban oasis of wet and wild wonders.

By Jeffrey Laign

Sure, Naples is a polished and sophisticated city. You could spend hours in art galleries and museums, shop for the latest fashions in high-end boutiques, and sample gourmet dishes at world-class restaurants. But don’t forget, this natural wonderland is also the gateway to the Everglades and other scenic habitats that support a wide range of animals and plants. If you’re vacationing in Naples, you owe it to yourself to explore the vast wilderness surrounding the city. Let’s explore some wild destinations to get this adventure started.

Native Parks

Everglades National Park is a must-see on any trip to Naples. The protected park is brimming with wildlife and birds, including turtles, manatees, dolphins, and, of course, the iconic Florida alligators. More than 300 species of birds make their home in the preserve, so expect to encounter bald eagles, ospreys, herons, egrets, pelicans, and roseate spoonbills, among others. Rent a kayak at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center or take a hike. You’ll come away with memorable moments, natural knowledge, and plenty of photos to share with friends back home.

The 140-acre Gordon River Greenway Park is an ecological corridor in the heart of urban Naples that is also worth a visit. The Collier-Seminole State National Park encompasses more than 7,000 acres nestled within one of the most extensive mangrove swamps in the world. Plan a camping trip or a picnic to experience the rich Florida wetlands in all their glory.

East of Naples and less than an hour from Naples Grande Beach Resort is Big Cypress National Preserve, covering 729,000 acres of swampland. Perfect for a day trip, this destination is a haven for biological diversity and wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther.

Nature Centers

If you’re into wings, don’t miss the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, which researches and rehabilitates some of nature’s top predators from above, including bald eagles, ospreys, kites, owls, and falcons. It’s only a day trip away from Naples Grande.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a nature center surrounded by 21 acres of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Scientists at the Conservancy research and monitor the water, land, and wildlife that comprise one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. They showcase various exhibits and artifacts and offer electric boat tours along the Gordon River and docentled visitor programs. They also offer guided nature walks at Clam Pass Park.

The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve stretches across 110,000 acres of pristine mangrove forest, uplands, and protected waters. The 16,500-square-foot Environmental Learning Center is home to research laboratories, classrooms, aquariums, and more.

Explore the interactive exhibits and an art gallery in the visitor’s center, wander on your own, or sign up for a boat or kayak tour.

Eco-Walks

Follow the boardwalk behind Naples Grande Beach Resort for a 15-minute stroll to the coastal habitat of Clam Pass Park, which takes you through a 200-acre mangrove estuary that supports a range of plant and animal life.

Bring (or rent) binoculars for a boardwalk trek through Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. If you’re lucky, you may just spot the extremely rare ghost orchid, which grows only in the wetlands of South Florida and Cuba.

The boardwalk at the Naples Preserve and Hedges Family Eco-Center takes you through two Florida upland habitats: pine flatwoods and an oakrosemary scrub. Watch out for gopher tortoises!

Wildlife Programs

The Dolphin Explorer cruise departing from Rose Marina on Marco Island invites you to learn from an onboard marine researcher who collects behavioral data on dolphins spotted during daily cruises.

The Safari Squad at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens encourages toddlers and children of all ages to learn and appreciate nature. Animal encounters and nature play will entertain young explorers and inspire a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors.

Gardeners and plant enthusiasts can enjoy tours, workshops, and lectures at Naples Botanical Garden on everything from bromeliads and orchids to carnivorous plants and gourds. You’ll be astounded by how many aspects of human life rely on plants, from flavoring foods to brewing beer.

Outdoor Activities

At the edge of a vast wilderness, Naples draws ecotourists from around the world with a wide range of sights to see. The team at Naples Grande Beach Resort is on hand to help you choose. Here are just some of the ways you can explore the great outdoors.

Discover the Everglades by airboat and navigate the winding waterways in all their glory. Board a swamp buggy and slosh through the swamps. Post a photo of a playful dolphin leaping out of the water. Search for one-of-a-kind seashells on Keewaydin Island. Set out on a solo or trip into the wilderness with one of Naples’ experienced ecotourism guides.

Marine Tours

Located between Port of the Islands and the Ten Thousand Islands, Faka Union Canal is where Manatee Sightseeing & Wildlife Adventures will take you on a tour of the area’s marine life. Marvel as manatees swim up to greet your boat as you glide across the water, taking in the breathtaking scenery. You might even spot a baby manatee in the right season.

Have your camera ready and keep an eye out for some dolphins on a cruise to Keewaydin Island with Naples Waterway & Wildlife Tours. As you stroll along the white-sand beach, you might also come across sand dollars, starfish, or sea urchins.

A stroll on the wild side of Naples is just what the doctor ordered if you’re looking for some outdoor excitement and nature therapy. Tell your friends and family about the bald eagle soaring above the Ten Thousand Islands, or show them the photo you took of a lively dolphin surfing the water next to your boat.