Top 10 Outdoorsy Things to Do near Bonita Springs
One of the best things you can do when you travel to Florida is spending time outdoors. Bonita Springs, for example, is an excellent location to go kayaking, play golf, explore different beaches and parks, and encounter wildlife.
Ready for some epic Southwest Florida outdoor adventures? Then read on for our list of the top 10 outdoorsy things to do near Bonita Springs.
1. Barefoot Beach Preserve
Located in North Naples, Barefoot Beach Preserve is an excellent destination for those who prefer staying away from the crowds. The beach preserve comprises of more than 300 acres, is on a barrier island, and is mostly untouched.
Instead of Ferris wheels, restaurants, coffee shops, or shopping outlets, you’ll find the beach in its pure, natural form, while a few conveniences like parking, a couple of food and drink concessions, and bathrooms allow you to stay all day long.
2. Bonita Fairways Golf Course
Golfing is very popular in the Sunshine State, and it’s no different in Bonita Springs. Here, you’ll find 18 holes spread over just about 3,400 yards, making it a great destination for a quick and cost-effective round of golf that doesn’t require you to chase the ball for hours. If you’re a beginner, you can also book lessons that you can take over the course of one to five days.
3. Clear Kayaking with Get Up And Go Kayaking
One of the best things to do in Bonita Springs is a kayak adventure. Our guided clear kayak tours through Bonita Springs will take you through the winding mangrove tunnels of the area, just off of Big Hickory Island. During the trip, you’ll be able to disembark your clear kayak and go on a short walk to the beach to collect some unique shells and enjoy the breathtaking coastal views.
It’s not uncommon to see dolphins and manatees, as they often play in the inlets, and there are also a few sandbars that are often inhibited by local birds such as pelicans, herons, and seagulls, so you’re in for a good time while kayaking in Bonita Springs.
4. Bonita Jet Ski and Parasail
It doesn’t get more outdoorsy than when gliding through the air while parasailing or speeding on blue ocean water on a jet ski. In business since 1988, Bonita Jet Ski and Parasail offers more than action-packed watersports.
You can, alternatively, opt to go on a guided dolphin-watching tour, sailboat trip, or shelling excursion. Whatever you choose, you’re assured to have an exhilarating time.
5. Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly Garden
If you’re looking for things to do in Bonita Springs with your family and prefer something more relaxed, go to the Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly Rose Garden located in Cape Coral’s Rotary Park.
Perfect for kids, the garden features different butterfly species that hatch and mature here before being released back into the wild. For those interested to learn more about the insects, join a guided morning tour that focuses on butterfly lifecycles and their annual migrations.
6. Riverside Park
Riverside Park features an amphitheater that hosts different shows, festivals, and live entertainment events. If you want to visit during the day, you can have a picnic in one of the covered seating areas, or simply go for a walk to enjoy the manicured gardens.
It is also home to the historic Liles Hotel from the 1920s, which houses a museum that offers a popular art night every fourth Wednesday of the month. The park is located along US Route 41 in Bonita Springs on the scenic Imperial River.
7. Dog Beach Park
Bring your dog for a day at the beach. Dogs may run free at this beautiful beach along the Gulf of Mexico. There are doggie shower stations but no public restrooms (although there is a portable toilet on site).
Be aware of the tides when you go as low tides will provide more beach area to play. The dog beach is located just north of Big Hickory Island and just south of Lovers Key State Park.
8. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
This incredible destination is home to hundreds of otters, birds, alligators, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles. It’s located just 30 minutes east of Naples and features a famous, storybook-like 2.25-mile walkway that leads through the rugged beauty of the enchanting Everglades ecosystem.
Walk through wet prairie, pine Flatwoods, around a marsh, and, at last, into the largest Bald Cypress forest in North America.
9. Mound Key Archeological State Park
When Spanish explorers first set foot on Florida’s shores 500 years ago, Bonita Springs was home to the Calusa Native Americans, whose name means ‘fierce people.’ Covering more than 100 acres on Estero Bay, Mound Key State Park features man-made mounds created by the Calusas.
One of them, Mound Key, is an island without any facilities and can only be reached by boat. Once there, explore the island on foot and discover its rich history.
10. Wonder Gardens
Experience “Old Florida” at this lush botanical jungle in downtown Bonita Springs. The Wonder Gardens first opened in 1936 as a roadside attraction and today features tropical birds, alligators, pythons and turtles on a 3.5 acre site.
Summer hours are limited to 10am – 2pm because of the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms.
A Great Destination for Outdoor Enthusiasts
When planning what to do in the Bonita Springs area, consider all the riveting outdoor adventures you can go on. From kayaking in Florida to parasailing while taking in breathtaking views, exploring wildlife, playing golf, and relaxing at the beach, the area has so much to offer to nature lovers of all ages. So, pack your bags, and enjoy tons of fun, outdoorsy things to do in Bonita Springs.
