Golf, Tennis, Boating

For the past five years, both Naples and Fort Myers have placed among the top six cities in the nation for golf holes per capita, with courses designed by luminaries such as Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones and Tom Fazio. Although many courses are private, there are still dozens of public courses from which to choose. Despite the plethora of courses, however, winter tee times can be as difficult to come by as parking spots near the beach. Mornings are more in demand than afternoons, weekends more crowded than weekdays.

Northerners accustomed to climate-controlled indoor tennis courts will need to readjust to swinging their racquets in the open air. Given the region's balmy climate and dry winters, tennis al fresco is both popular and pleasant. There are courts, both public and private, throughout the area.

To really get to know the Gulfshore, spend some time on its waters. Paddle a kayak or canoe along quiet rivers and canals, or move up to something larger for a trip to unspoiled Cayo Costa or the restaurant at Cabbage Key, the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise."

Many marinas offer boat rentals by the half or whole day as well as charter trips, where someone else does the work while passengers soak up the sights. There are even special-interest trips, such as shelling, eco-touring, fishing and dinner cruises.

BONITA SPRINGS

Back Bay Marina, 4751 Bonita Beach Road, (941) 992-2608. Bait, boat rentals, fishing equipment, fuel, lift facilities, service and parts.

Big Hickory Fishing Nook Marina, 26107 Hickory Blvd., (941) 992-3945. Bait, fuel, slips and sundries.

Bonita Boat Rentals, 26395 Hickory Blvd., (941) 992-2137. Pontoon boat rentals, 22-foot boats. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Sunday. American Express, Visa, Mastercard.

Bonita Jet Ski and Parasail Inc., 27908 Hickory Blvd., 947-4460. Rents watercrafts, chairs, cabanas and umbrellas, and offers parasailing. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover. whwh2.netscape.net.

Fish Trap Marina, 4794 Bonita Beach Road, (941) 992-6055. Bait, tackle, rod and reel repairs and backwater charter fishing. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visa, Mastercard.

G.R. Sailboats Inc., 4892 Bonita Beach Road, (941) 947-4889. Sailboat, power and pontoon boat rentals, canoes and kayaks.

Hickory Bay Charters, 4242 Mariner Lane, (941) 947-3851. Bay and pass fishing and sightseeing. Great for family fun.

High Hopes Charters, 229 W. Third St., (941) 495-7589. Specializing in reef, pass and backwater private charter fishing or sightseeing. Also provides boating or fishing instruction. Coast Guard Master's licensed captain. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. www.highhopescharters.com.

Imperial River Boat Tours, (941) 498-2360.

Public Golf Courses

Bonita Fairways, 9751 W. Terry St., (941) 947-9100. 18-hole executive course, 3,400 yards, par 61. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visa, Mastercard.

Bonita Springs Golf Club, 10200 Maddox Lane, (941) 992-2800. 18 holes, 6,800 yards, par 72. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visa, Mastercard, Discover.

Hunter's Ridge, 12500 Hunter's Ridge Drive, (941) 947-6467. 18-hole championship golf course, beautiful preserve setting. Two-day advanced tee times. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visa, Mastercard.

Pelican's Nest Golf Club at Pelican Landing, 4450 Pelican's Nest Drive, (941) 992-7782. Two 18-hole courses designed by world-renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio, 6,500 and 7,000 yards, par 72 each. Ranked among the best courses in Florida by The New York Times and Florida Golfer.

Semi-Private Courses

Copperleaf Golf Club, located in The Brooks off U.S. 41, (941) 390-2030. 18 holes. Open daily for fee play. Memberships and lessons available.

Spring Run Golf Club, 9501 Spring Run Blvd., (941) 992-3811. 18 holes. Open daily for fee play. Memberships available. Lessons by PGA professionals.

ESTERO

Estero Bay Boat Tours, 5231 Mamie St., (941) 992-2200. Travel the backwaters of Estero Bay to see bottlenose dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, osprey and many different wading birds. Informative licensed guides explain interesting facts about the bay and wildlife. The company also offers shelling trips, lunch or dinner cruises, back-bay fishing and private parties. $15/adults, $10/children under 12 years. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Estero Island Historic Cottage and Nature Center, 161 Bay Road, (941) 463-0435. Located next to the entrance of the Matanzas Pass Preserve, this nature center has many items and photos of the history of Fort Myers Beach. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.

Public Golf Courses

Pelican Sound Golf & River Club, 4561 Pelican Sound Blvd., (941) 948-4333. 18-hole championship course designed by Chip Powell and Mike Hill.

Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club, 11501 Corkscrew Road, (941) 948-3933. 18 holes, par 72, 7,353 yards.

Villages at Country Creek, 21131 Country Creek Blvd., (941) 947-3840. 18-hole executive course, PGA professional golf shop, lessons available, top name brand clubs and apparel, restaurant and lounge. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Visa, Mastercard.

Semi-Private Courses

Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club, 18520 Miromar Lakes Blvd. W., (941) 482-7644. An Arthur Hill signature resort course. 18 holes, par 72, 7,500 yards. Pro shop, 15-acre practice facility. Par View on carts. Teaching professional Mike Calbot.

EVERGLADES CITY

Eden of the Everglades, on Dupont Road, (800) 543-3367. Boat tours through the Florida Everglades. Large and small airboats are also available. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visa, Mastercard.

Everglades National Park Boat Tours, State Road 29 Chokoloskee Causeway, (800) 445-7724. See one of the world's largest mangrove forests at the Everglades National Park along with manatees, dolphins, bald eagles and roseate spoonbills. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Sunday. American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover.

Everglades Private Airboat Tours, 31000 E. Tamiami Trail, (800) 368-0065. Airboat tours.

Everglades Wildlife Safari Tours, 31222 E. Tamiami Trail, (877) 695-2820. Three-hour tours include tram, large airboat and jungle boat tours. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visa, Mastercard.

Jungle Erv's Airboat World, 804 Collier Ave., (800) 432-3367. Large airboat ride in the Florida Everglades. Small six-passenger airboat for the more adventurous. Alligator Park included with all tours. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visa, Mastercard.

FORT MYERS

Adventures in Paradise Inc. and Port Sanibel Marina, 14341 Port Comfort Road, (941) 482-5296. Backwater fishing, sea life encounter tours, sunset cruises, powerboat rentals, eco-dolphin tours, shelling and snorkeling tours, trolley tours and canoe trails. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. American Express, Visa, Mastercard. aippsm@aol.com.

Back Country Fishing Charters, 13371 Electron Drive, (941) 433-1007. Light tackle and fly fishing for snook, redfish and tarpon. Specializing in predawn lure fishing for larger snook during warmer months, as well as big tarpon on fly tackle, 18-foot egret flats boat. fishinghobbyist@email.msn.com.

Estero River Tackle and Canoe Outfitters, 20991 S. Tamiami Trail, (941) 992-4050. Canoe or kayak along Estero River. Paddle down the river to Estero Bay. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or call for special tour times.

Fish Southwest Florida Inc., (941) 437-1800. Deep-sea fishing, lunch/dinner tours and shelling.

Florida Sailing & Cruising School/ Southwest Florida Yachts Inc., 3444 Marinatown Lane, Suite 19, (800) 262-7939. Offering American Sailing Association courses from basic to advanced. Powerboat cruising courses; single and twin engine. Sail and power yacht charters from 24 to 42 feet bareboat or with a captain. Cruise the barrier islands of Southwest Florida aboard your private yacht. All courses live aboard. Minimum two students, maximum four/vessel. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Visa, Mastercard. www.fwyachts.com.

Fossil Expeditions, 213 Lincoln Ave., (800) 304-9432. Guided Everglades half- and full-day tours with airboat rides, or stroll the boardwalk into the cypress swamp to view alligators. Guided fossil tours for shark teeth, mammoth, camel, sloth and whale bones. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. American Express, Visa, Mastercard. www.fossilexpeditions.com.

J.C. Sightseeing and Dinner Boat Cruises offer several boating and cruising options. (941) 334-7474.

Manatee World, 5605 Palm Beach Blvd., (941) 693-1434. Ecological boat tours to view manatees, alligators and birds in a natural, non-captive setting. Gift shop, group tours and a school presentation. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visa, Mastercard.

Jack Stanaland Fish Charters, 11650 Deal Road, (941) 731-0812. Formerly Fifth Day Charters. captjacksnookin @yahoo.com.

Mullock Creek Marina, 18501 Mullock Creek Lane, (941) 267-3717. Bait, tackle.

Offshore Sailing School, 16731 McGregor Blvd., (800) 221-4326. Three to seven-day sailing courses plus daily introductory clinics, beginner through advanced cruising and racing. Discover the fun and excitement of sailing. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. American Express, Visa, Mastercard. www.offshore-sailing.com.

Underwater Explorers, 12600 McGregor Blvd., (941) 481-4733. Scuba instruction, dive trips, snorkel lessons, service, sales and rental. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Underwater Specialists Inc., 13388 N. U.S. 41, (941) 656-DIVE. Scuba diving instruction, equipment sales and service, local trips and dive travel. A PADI five-star facility. Full line Dacor dealer. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday. American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover. kevin@fladive.com.

Public Golf Courses

Bay Beach Golf Club, 7401 Estero Blvd., (941) 463-2064. 18 holes, par 60, 3,091 yards. Visiting pros, practice range, lessons, restaurant, lounge and fully stocked pro shop. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visa, Mastercard, Discover.

Eagle Ridge, 14589 Eagle Ridge Drive, (941) 768-1888. 18-hole championship course, par 72, 6,660 yards, golf club rental.

Eastwood Golf Course, 4600 Bruce Herd Lane, (941) 275-4848. One of America's top 50 public golf courses as rated by Golf Digest magazine. 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visa, Mastercard.

El Rio Golf Club, 1801 Skyline Drive, (941) 995-2204. 18-hole executive course, par 60. Lessons provided by golf pro Darin Goldberg. Driving range and practice facility. Walk anytime. Club rentals for men and women. Clubhouse and restaurant.