Summer Nature Navigators
Expiration: Sep 13th 2026
Included Venues
See locations on an interactive map.
* Eco-Sea Life Encounter Excursion - 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Hands on learning cruise experience, in the water netting, seeing everything from little sea horses to Dolphins. Led by Marine Biologist. Complimentary nets & bottles water.
* Shelling, Beach, & Dolphin Cruise 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Cruise to the Outer Islands only accessible by boat for shelling, lounging, snorkeling, swimming & sighting dolphins & wildlife. Complimentary chairs, umbrellas, floats, masks, snorkels & bottled water.
* Sunset Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - 7:30 - 9:00 PM - Cruise the waters of San Carlos Bay, Pine Island Sound & out by the Sanibel Lighthouse looking for dolphins and wildlife & the best sunset in the world! BYOB
* Website: https/www.adventuresinparadise.com
Complimentary sand pail with shovels for children. Be sure to mention the Summer Nature Navigators!
Beat the Heat Beach Walks: Stay cool this summer by joining one of our expert educators on a Beat the Heat Beach Walk. Participants will explore the Sanibel beach, learn about various local shells and mollusks, and see the sunrise while avoiding the afternoon heat and humidity of the wet season. These early morning walks will last about an hour and take place at Gulfside City Park on Sanibel Island. Beach walk location is Gulfside City Park, 2001 Algiers Lane, Sanibel. Dates/time: June 9, June 25, July 7, July 23. All walks begin at 7am. For more information https://shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/field-education/
Bonita Nature Place is self guided in the summer and provides space for learning, volunteering, and outdoor activities for the entire family. On the banks of the Imperial River, the property is home to gopher tortoises, a bee house, bat house and butterfly garden.
Bowditch Point Park is a 17-acre park at the northern tip of Estero Island. It features beach access, bird watching opportunities, and the park is a designated Great Florida Birding Trail site. Parking is $2 per hour.
Operated by the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW). CCFW is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing habitats for protected wildlife species while educating the community about Cape Coral’s natural resources.
Explore ancient mounds and waterworks constructed by the Calusa people over 1000 years ago. 1.5 miles of trail through coastal wetlands and oak hammock forest. Self-guided tours from sunrise to sunset; private tours also available. Requested donations are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children. Open sunrise to sunset daily.
Captain Cathy provides three distinct tours: 1 )The Matlacha Back Bay Eco Tour or Sunset Tour 1 1/2 hours. 2) The Dolphin and Nature Tour 2 hours. 3) The Dolphin and Nature Tour with lunch on Cabbage Key Island 3 1/2 hours. She is often referred to as the "Dolphin Whisperer"! Text or call 239.994.2572 or email to book a tour All tours are cash only. No online booking.
Cayo Costa State Park is a pristine barrier-island oasis located about 4 nautical miles west of Pine Island, off the coast of Cayo Costa, FL 33922. Accessible by boat or ferry, the park offers unspoiled beaches, turquoise waters, and arrives with opportunities for shelling, kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, and spotting birds. Visitors can camp on the island, enjoy nature programs, and discover the island’s rich maritime and natural history while staying mindful of the protected, remote landscape.
CROW is a wildlife hospital and education center on Sanibel dedicated to saving native wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation, and release. In June and July, there are weekday Wildlife Hospital Tours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 and older), admission to our Visitor Education Center (all ages), free Storytimes on June 26 and July 10, 24 and 31 from 1:30-2 p.m., Christmas in July on July 8 featuring 20% off Christmas ornaments and cookie decorating, Shell Stroll on July 13 with painted and natural shells collected by volunteers, and Love Sanibel Back Wildlife Week on July 24 featuring 20% off regular-priced T-shirts and hoodies plus heart-shaped cookies.
Alongside the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), CREW Trust manages four free nature preserves in Southwest Florida: the CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail, CREW Cypress Dome Trails, CREW Flint Pen Strand Trails, and CREW Marsh Trails. These preserves are open daily from sunrise to sunset, provide 44+ miles of hiking trails, and offer stunning views of Florida’s wildest landscapes. During June and July, CREW Trust hosts indoor lectures on CREW-centric topics around town, but the trails remain open and maintained for visitors 365 days a year. To learn about additional areas to explore visit https://crewtrust.org.
Our Global Farm is anything but typical. Through our tour, you’ll experience farming at its most creative, with unique demonstrations, plants, and techniques being used to help farmers and urban gardeners in developing countries. ECHO is home to one of the largest collections of tropical food plants in the United States, with some unconventional, but effective ways to grow crops where there’s little to no soil. With purchase of a tour ticket receive 10% off any Moringa or Neem product -show pass to redeem.
Discover the buzz about pollinators! Visitors can see pollinators throughout 20 acres of gardens, and for those who want to attract nature to their home gardens, the Garden Shoppe has pollinator-friendly plants for sale. Guests can get free family-friendly activities like pollinator bingo and pollinator-themed puzzles and coloring sheets at the Banyan Café. The Café is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Estates and the Garden Shoppe are open daily, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is the second largest greenspace in Cape Coral and is home to 365 acres of wetland. Walk the nearly mile long boardwalk through the preserve and view the wildlife that inhabit this area. Also located here is a Veterans Memorial and picnic areas. Free Admission.
Hickey Creek Mitigation Park is co-managed by the Lee County Department of Parks & Recreation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It consists of a variety of habitats including palmetto-oak scrub, pine flatwoods, and seasonal wetlands. Views of scenic Hickey Creek can be enjoyed from the trail and overlook areas. The ecosystem presently supports the threatened Florida Scrub-Jay and gopher tortoises.
This park has three looped hiking trails that total five miles. Download the trail map and facility brochure.
The kayak landing is located 1/2 mile from parking lot. Launching paddle craft is not recommended unless you don't mind toting your craft by foot.
This park is a designated Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail site. For more information, maps, and guides please visit the Great Florida Birding Trail website.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of America along Florida’s west coast, is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for spectacular migratory bird populations. The refuge was established in 1945 to safeguard and enhance the wildlife habitat of Sanibel Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding, nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds. In 1967, the refuge was renamed for conservation pioneer Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, who was instrumental in its founding. More than 40 percent of the refuge is Congressionally designated wilderness.
The Nature Store is located inside the Visitor and Education Center and is located at the Refuge Headquarters at the entrance to Wildlife Drive off Sanibel-Captiva Road at mile marker 2 on Sanibel Island.
This 11.8-acre waterfront park is a popular spot for family gatherings and community events, featuring a scenic lighted riverfront boardwalk, a large inclusive playground, and a 5,000-square-foot splash pad. Visitors can enjoy shaded picnic areas, a bandshell for live performances, beach volleyball courts, and a vibrant outdoor atmosphere designed for all ages.
Find your next adventure with one of our Kayak and SUP Rentals or Guided Eco Tours. Manatees, Dolphins, Sea Turtles, and a variety of birds, along with secluded beaches and mangrove tunnels make this an unforgettable nature experience. Save 10% using code VCBNATURE
Book online at: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/kayak-excursions/?full-items=yes&flow=1629670
This large park features 157 acres of lakes, walking/biking trails, playgrounds, splashpads, Railroad Museum and a variety of gardens to explore and photograph. Parking fee.
Visit the new Welcome and Discovery Center with interactive exhibits, programs and meeting space. This popular state park features walking, biking and kayaking trails, a butterfly garden, and over two miles of the most beautiful beach in Southwest Florida. Discovery Center is free with paid park entrance.
Manatee Park consists of native plant habitats, butterfly garden, interpretive programs, manatee viewing deck, grills, fishing, hiking trails and a playground. Rent a kayak and paddle the Orange River. Admission fee. Parking fee.
The Mound House is a historic and archaeological site on Estero Island that preserves over 2,000 years of history. Built atop an ancient shell mound, it offers exhibits, walking trails, and waterfront access that highlight the cultural and environmental significance of the area. Today, it serves as a museum and educational center dedicated to interpreting Southwest Florida’s indigenous heritage and coastal ecology. Earn points by purchasing museum admission!
Paddle the scenic Orange River through Southwest Florida's natural habitat. A variety of native wildlife, including birds, fish, turtles, alligators and the occasional river otter may be seen along the way. 30% discount of all kayak rentals if you mention this pass by name.
SCCF's Voluntourism is a unique blend of travel and environmental conservation, where visitors can actively participate in efforts to protect and restore the local ecosystem.
This park features an observation deck for viewing manatees at certain times of the year, a fishing area, and a kayak launch that provides public access to the Calusa Blueway through Matlacha.
Tarpon Bay Explorers is the concession to the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island providing eco tours and rentals for the refuge. A portion of all proceeds go back to support the U.S. Fish & Wildlife System.
Join our knowledgeable marine science educators for a casual guided beach walk to explore what's washed ashore. We will talk about some of the more mysterious objects we find on the beach, look for fascinating animals, and learn about shell biology. Free for Island Inn Guests/ $20 per participant. Make reservations through the front desk at 239-472-1561.