Nine of the best summer activities in Florida’s Paradise Coast

Florida’s Paradise Coast – Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades – is the ideal summer break destination.

With the warmer months bringing longer days, visitors can experience more outdoor adventure including boating, hiking and fishing.

Relaxation can also be had with spa treatments, arts and culture and picture-perfect sunsets.

Discover nine of the best ways to make the most of a Paradise summer.

Airboat tour in the Everglades

Going at speeds of up to 40 mph on open water and weaving through mangrove islets, airboat tours are definitely a thrilling way to experience the best of Everglades National Park. With a guide to talk through the unique flora and fauna of the area, visitors can gain a better appreciation for the environment around them.

Arts and culture

Take a break from the sun and check out the Arte Viva Festival, a year-long celebration of Hispanic culture. Supporting the recovery following Hurricane Ian, the festival on Florida’s Paradise Coast has given the region a reason to celebrate. The festival offers events and exhibitions taking place for locals and visitors to enjoy the diversity of art and music. See work by Venezuelan artist Jesús Rafael Soto (1923-2005) on the lawn of The Baker Museum, or artist nights from Musical Interludes series at Marco Island Center for the Arts. Check out event listings here.

Scenic waterways by kayak

Get the most out of your trip to Florida’s Paradise Coast with a guided tour along the many coastal estuaries, rivers, creeks, canals and lakes. Follow a guide along the Paradise Coast Blueway, a GPS coordinated network of routes through the mangrove and Gulf waters. Excursions range from adventurous day trips to multi-day journeys that include camping on uninhabited islands. Alternatively, check out the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve which includes elements of nature education and adventure.

4Cool down in a salt cave

Relax and rejuvenate in the cooling salt cave at Praha Spa & Salt, a unique experience that is great for the respiratory system and the skin, with temperatures maintained at 21 degrees Celsius. Here, Eastern philosophies meet Western ideals, employing a holistic approach to wellness from inner healing to outer therapies like facials and massages. The Praha Spa & Salt’s main attraction is its 20 ton pink Himalayan salt cave. Halotherapy, or salt therapy, is used to treat and prevent respiratory conditions, and the salt is curative for wounds, rashes, and other skin conditions.

Catch your dinner on a fishing adventure

Surrounded by both saltwater and freshwater waterbodies, visitors can spend the day out on a boat catching their dinner. Those new to boating and fishing can also choose to rent a fishing charter where they will have a captain on board to guide them. With sustainability in mind, the “Cook your Catch” initiative in Florida’s Paradise Coast allows visitors to bring their freshly caught seafood into any one of the many participating restaurants such as Kelly’s Fish House in Naples, or Snook Inn on Marco Island who will be glad to prepare and cook their catch making for a well-deserved and extremely fresh post-fishing meal.

Sundowners over the Gulf

The Kane Tiki Bar & Grill at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort is a great stop for a relaxing evening sipping cocktails and enjoying delicious Polynesian cuisine in the glow of the sunset. Named after Kane, the Polynesian god of creation and growth, the bar is fully open-air, featuring a large thatched roof covering a giant rum bar. With Florida’s Paradise Coast being known for its breathtaking sunsets, be sure to catch the nightly sunset celebration and fire dance performance on the beach.

A day trip to Chokoloskee Island

Located in the heart of the Ten Thousand Islands, spend a day exploring the history and lore of Chokoloskee Island, also known as “The Last Frontier”. Catch a boat tour to the historic Smallwood Store, where guests can learn about the story of the pioneers and settlers who first called the island home. The store itself remained open and active until 1982, and in 1989, it was reopened as a museum, now serving as a time capsule of Florida pioneer history. The island and its surrounding area are also perfect for outdoor activities, including fishing, bird watching and kayaking.

The annual Stone Crab Festival

As summer draws to a close, join in the celebration of stone crab season in Florida’s Paradise Coast at the annual Stone Crab Festival. Taking place from 27 – 29 October 2023 at several connecting locations on the Old Naples Waterfront, the festival kicks off with the ceremonial “Cracking of the Claw” at Pincher’s restaurant. Featuring live music, kids’ activities, an abundance of stone crab claws and other seafood, this unique Naples tradition is not to be missed. During the weekend, visitors can take advantage of the festivities with special rates on cruises aboard the Naples Princess yacht and Miss Naples sailing catamaran at Port of Naples Marina.

Score a hole-in-one in Golfer’s Paradise

With over 90 golf courses in Naples and Marco Island, it is no wonder the area is known as a Golfer’s Paradise. Those looking for a ‘golfcation’ have the luxury of choice with many hotels and resorts in the area having their own private golf courses. Guests can book their tee off session at the hotel as hotel concierges are familiar with course schedules and specials. For visitors who prefer a casual round of golf, there are also many public courses to choose from.

For more information, visit ParadiseCoast.com

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