Visitor's Annual: Sports & Recreation

Our lush, palm-fringed golf courses bear the signatures of the greatest golfers and course designers of our time. The Captiva Golf Club’s oceanfront course at South Seas Plantation has been called one of the top five short courses in the world. Golf magazine recently picked Greg Norman’s Tiburón at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples (home of the annual PGA Tour and the Merrill Lynch Shootout) and the Jack Nicklaus Old Corkscrew Golf Club as the top two in the region.

This year, Boston Red Sox fans flock to Fort Myers’ City of Palms Park for their team’s 16th spring training season at City of Palms Park, while Minnesota Twins fans can be found cheering their team on for the 19th year at Hammond Stadium in the Lee County Sports Complex. When the Major Leaguers head back north, our own Fort Myers Miracle keep the fans cheering all summer long.

Our Gulfshore is also a cyclist’s dream. Stunning Gulf, bay, river and lake views make the coastline from Fort Myers Beach all the way to the Everglades one of the prettiest bicycle rides anywhere.

Captain Doug’s Everglades Safari, one mile past the bridge on S.R. 29, (800) 282-9194. Learn about native plants and wildlife.

Everglades National Park Boat Tours, S.R. 29, Chokoloskee Causeway, (800) 445-7724. See mangrove forests, manatees, dolphins, bald eagles and roseate spoonbills.

Jungle Erv’s Airboat World, S.R. 29, (877) 695-2820. Everglades airboat ride. www.jungleervairboatworld.com.

MARCO ISLAND

Blue Runner Charters, at Marco River Marina, (239) 253-4805. Offshore fishing for groups up to six. Children welcome. www.bluerunner-charters.com.

Caxambas Park, 909 S. Collier Court, (239) 642-0004. Boat ramp, restrooms, fuel, bait, tackle, refreshments and picnic area. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Marco Island Ski and Water Sports, 400 S. Collier Blvd. at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, (239) 642-2359; or 560 S. Collier Blvd. at Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, (239) 642-3377. Dolphin-watch, sunset tours aboard the Calusa Spirit parasailing, WaveRunners, eco-tours and more. www.marcoislandwatersports.com.

Marco River Marina, 951 Bald Eagle Drive, (239) 394-2502. Half-day and full-day boat rentals, dockage, tackle shop and ship’s store, service boat sales and repair. www.marcoriver.com.

Marina at Factory Bay, 1081 Bald Eagle Drive, (239) 389-2929. Seventy-two floating docks to 107 feet. Short- or long-term, water, cable, clubhouse with wireless Internet, laundry, showers, restrooms, ice and free pump-out. www.themarinaatfactorybay.com.

Marco Island Sea Excursions, 705 E. Elkcam Circle, (239) 642-6400. Offers support services to meeting planners for all water activities available in the area. www.seaexcursions.com.

Stop’s Marine Charters, 385 Angler Drive at Calusa Marina, (239) 394-8000. Fishing, shelling, sightseeing, eco-tours and snorkeling. www.stopsmarinecharters.com.

Marco Island Princess, 951 Bald Eagle Drive, (239) 642-5415. Daily cruises include lunch buffet, sightseeing, sunset hors d’oeuvres and sunset dinner buffet cruises. www.naplesprincesscruises.com.

NAPLES

A & B Charters, at the Port of Call Marina, (239) 263-8833. Half-, full- and multiday deep-sea or inland fishing trips, shelling and cocktail charters for up to 12 passengers. www.aandbcharters.com.

All Water Excursions, (239) 594-0213. Customized sunset charters, eco-tours, fishing excursions, luxury charters, party boats trips,water activities and regularly scheduled tours. www.allwaterexcursions.com.

Bayfront Marina, Goodlette-Frank Road and U.S. 41, (239) 775-5300. Short-or long-term dockage. Slips accommodating yachts up to 40 feet in length. Restrooms, showers, restaurants and shops.

Bayview Park, Danford Street off Thomasson Drive, (239) 252-4000. Two-lane boat ramp, restrooms, picnic shelters and playground. Sunrise to sundown.

Collier Boulevard Boating Park, S.R. 951 at C.R. 952, (239) 252-4000. Two-lane boat ramp. Sunrise to sundown.

Day Star Charters, (239) 417-3474. Private boat charters, deep-sea and backwater fishing, dolphin watches, sightseeing cruises, restaurant trips and sunset cruises. www.naplescharterboats.com.

Double Sunshine/Lady Brett/Capt. Paul, U.S. 41 at Tin City, (239) 263-4949. Double Sunshine offers nature cruises, dolphin watching, sightseeing through Port Royal and sunset cruises. $30 per adult; half price for children under 10. Lady Brett offers offshore fishing and half-day trips. $75 per adult; $60 children under 10. Capt. Paul runs bay fishing excursions twice every day. $75 per adult; $60 children under 10. www.tincityboats.com.

Grand Slam Charters, Port-o-Call Marina, Port-o-Call Way, (239) 793-0969. Backcountry and offshore fishing.

Capt. Mike Friday, (239) 593-4357. In-shore backcountry guide.

Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 435-4353. Beach chair, umbrella, cabana, pedal-boat, kayak, double-kayak and sailboat rentals. www.naplesbeachhotel.com.

Naples City Dock, 12th Avenue South on Naples Bay, (239) 213-3070. Accommodates vessels up to 120 feet. Fuel dock, restrooms, bait and ice. Charter boats available. www.craytoncove.com/citydock.htm.

Naples Landing, 1101 Ninth St. S., (239) 213-7120. Public boat ramp. Metered parking.

Naples Princess at Port-O-Call Marina, 550 Port-O-Call Way, (239) 649-2275. See the homes of Port Royal or watch the sunset aboard the Naples Princess, a 96-foot yacht. Daily cruises include lunch buffet, sightseeing, sunset hors d’oeuvres and sunset dinner cruises. www.naplesprincesscruises.com.

Nautilus Boat Tours, 179 S. Bay Drive, Vanderbilt Beach Marina, (239) 597-4408. Lunch, sunset and dinner cruises; kids programs; private charters available. www.nautilusboattours.com.

SCUBAdventures, 971 Creech Road, (239) 434-7477. Snorkeling, scuba training, sales rentals. www.scubadventureslc.com.

South Bay Marina, 179 S. Bay Drive, (239) 597-2063. Marina with fuel, bait, tackle
and boat rentals and charters. www.southbaymarinafl.com.

Sweet Liberty, at the City Dock, 880 12th Ave. S., (239) 793-3525. Beachcombing, dolphin tours and sunset sails on a 53-foot catamaran. www.sweetliberty.com.

BONITA SPRINGS

Big Hickory Fishing Nook Marina, 26107 Hickory Blvd., (239) 992-3945. Pontoon boats, kayaks, bait, fuel and slips. Landing for the Great Calusa Blueway canoe and kayak paddling trail.

Bonita Boat Rentals, 26395 Hickory Blvd., (239) 992-2137. Twenty-two-foot pontoon boats for rent. Choose either 35 horsepower with seating for up to 10 passengers or 50 horsepower with seating for up to 12 passengers. Rates start at $70 for two-hour charter up to $200 for a full day. www.bonitabr.com.

Bonita Jet Ski and Parasail, 27908 Hickory Blvd., (239) 992-0487. Jet skis, chairs, cabanas, umbrellas and parasailing. www.bonitajetski.com

Estero Bay Boat Tours, 5231 Mamie St., (239) 992-2200. See dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, ospreys and wading birds. Shelling, lunch or dinner cruises, fishing and private parties.

Fish Trap Marina, 4794 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 992-6055. Bait, tackle, rod and reel repairs and backwater charter fishing.

High Hopes Charters, depart from Bonita Beach, (239) 273-6122. Private charter fishing, sightseeing or instruction with a Coast Guard master-licensed captain. www.highhopescharters.com.

Imperial River Boat Ramp, 27551 Tamiami Trail S., (239) 949-4615. Restrooms, grills, fishing pier and more. Parking $5 per vehicle. Sunrise to sunset; boat ramp open 24 hours.

CAPE CORAL/PINE ISLAND

Matlacha Boat Ramp, 4577 Pine Island Road N.W., Matlacha, (239) 283-4110. Two-slip boat launch with parking. Access to Matlacha Pass. Parking $5. 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

ESTERO

Estero River Outfitters, 20991 Tamiami Trail S., (239) 992-4050. Canoe or kayak the Estero River to Estero Bay. Rentals and launch. www.all-florida.com/swestero.htm.

FORT MYERS

Adventures in Paradise and Port Sanibel Marina, 14341 Port Comfort Road, (239) 472-8443. Fishing; trolley; canoe and kayak; dolphin, shelling and snorkeling tours; sunset cruises; boat rentals and dockage. www.adventureinparadiseinc.com.

Back Country Fishing Charters with Capt. Paul Hobby, 13371 Electron Drive, (239) 433-1007. Light-tackle and fly-fishing for snook, redfish and tarpon. www.fishinghobby.com.

Davis Boat Ramp, 2227 Davis Blvd., (239) 690-5030. Community boat ramp with parking $5 per day. Dawn to dusk.

Getaway Marina, 18400 San Carlos Blvd., (239) 466-3600. Offers an assortment of boat charters and rentals including theDelta Lady. www.getawaymarina.com/private.htm.

J.C. Sightseeing and Dinner Boat Cruises, 1300 Hendry St., (239) 334-7474. Lunch, dinner and sightseeing tours aboard a 600-passenger, triple-deck paddle wheeler. www.modernsurf.com/jccruises.

Mullock Creek Marina, 18501 Mullock Creek Lane, (239) 267-3717. Bait, tackle and fuel. www.mullockcreek.com

Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, 18500 McGregor Blvd., (239) 461-9422. Trailer and car parking $5 per day, 72-hour maximum. Restrooms, two boat slips. www.leeparks.org.

Snook Bight YC & Marina, behind Publix on Fort Myers Beach, (239)
765-4371. Wet and dry storage marina with rental boats. Located mid-island on Estero Bay. New marina and yacht club, with restaurant, pool and hot tub. Live bait. www.snookbightmarina.com.

Southwest Florida Yachts/Florida Sailing and Cruising School, 3444 Marina-town Lane, Suite 19, (239) 656-1339 or (800) 262-7939. American Sailing Association courses. Powerboat cruising courses. Sail and power-yacht charters. www.swfyachts.com or
www.flsailandcruiseschool.com.

Team Arcure, 1439 S. Larkwood Square, (239) 225-5211. Capt. Sam Arcure’s guided fishing in Pine Island Sound. Offers fly-fishing and light tackle. www.teamarcure.com.

Underwater Explorers, 12600 McGregor Blvd., (239) 481-4733. Scuba instruction, snorkel lessons, service, sales and rentals. www.underwaterexplorers.net.

FORT MYERS BEACH

Captain Tony’s Fish’n Express, 18800 San Carlos Blvd., (239) 415-0515. Deep-sea and half-day fishing charters.

Fish Tale Marina, 7225 Estero Blvd., (239) 463-3600. Full-service marina with dry or wet storage, ship’s store, rentals and service. www.fishtalemarinagroup.cc.

Fort Myers Beach Marina, 703 Fisherman’s Wharf, (239) 463-9552. Gulf access, wet and dry storage, service center and rentals. www.ftmyersbeachmarina.com.

Fun Rentals, 1901 Estero Blvd., (239) 463-8844. Rent Harleys, WaveRunners and scooters. www.funrentals.org.

Getaway Marina, 18400 San Carlos Blvd., (239) 466-3600. Deepwater marina specializing in fishing trips aboard the 90-foot Great Getaway. Private charter, jet skis, boat rentals. www.getawaymarina.com.

Offshore Sailing School, 275 Estero Blvd., at Pink Shell Beach Resort, (800) 221-4326. Three- to five-day sailing courses, daily introductory clinics and beginner to advanced cruising, coastal navigation, performance sailing, offshore sailing adventures or women’s-only offered. www.offshoresailing.com.