Naples, Florida, has a reputation as a retirement mecca; refined dining, pristine golf courses, and luxury condos. And, while all of that is true, Naples is also rich in wildlife and a haven for nature lovers. So please don’t wait until your hair turns grey and those social security checks start coming in to visit Naples. Instead, ride an airboat, encounter a living dinosaur, uncover some peculiar history and sail off into the sunset. Naples is a vibrant Southwest Florida community with spacious parks, waterways, and sun-bleached beaches. Whether your young or just young at heart, Naples holds plenty of adventure to keep you busy. But if you only have two days to spend in this slice of paradise, here is what we would recommend.
Day One: Outside of Naples, Florida
Airboat through the Everglades
For the longest time, I’ve dreamed about riding an Airboat through the Everglades. I couldn’t tell you why. Maybe it’s the loud power and propulsion of the fan, like a monster truck on water, or perhaps it’s the wide-open sheet of grassland that you don’t find anywhere else in the world. Or it just the adrenaline rush of knowing that alligators lurk just beneath the surface. Regardless of the reason, I wholeheartedly recommend booking an Airboat Tour when visiting Naples.
Choosing an Airboat Tour Provider
Within a two-hour drive from Naples, you’ll find a cluster of airboat companies. We tried to find a company that uses a smaller boat so we could get to places where the bigger boats can’t go. This route ends up costing a few more dollars but it’s worth it for a tour that is typically twice as long as the cheaper option and you get to see a lot more of the Everglades. We zipped through huge, gnarly mangrove patches, slicing corners and spinning 360s in the open water.
A Word of Caution. For our Airboat Tour, we went with Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours. It has an option to ride smaller boats, we had a coupon and it was just 45 minutes from downtown. What we did not know was that Wooten’s also had a zoo-like exhibit that had a very Joe Exotic vibe to it. The pens they kept the gators in seemed way too small, and some of the other animals, like the lion and white tiger, seemed unhealthy lethargic. Unfortunately, we were not aware of these conditions before visiting Wooten’s. Granted, we don’t know the whole story of this place, and we couldn’t find any reliable information on whether this setup was humane or inhumane. Still, after our experience, I might recommend going with a different Airboat Company. While the airboat ride itself was a life-changing experience, the other parts of the business seemed sketchy.
Shark Valley- Everglades National Park
One of the most popular areas in Florida Everglades National Park is Shark Valley. And I will nip this right in the bud because I know where your mind is going; there are no sharks in Shark Valley. Disappointing? Not really, because there are plenty of other sharp-toothed creatures meandering about the park.
Shark Valley’s main attraction is its 15 mile-long looping walking path. The favorite way to traverse this park is to rent bikes. If you lack confidence in your biking ability in the presence of animals that can eat you, there is also a tram tour. For first-timers in the Everglades, I would recommend taking the 2-hour, narrated tour. You’ll learn a ton about the ecosystem, which is so different from any of the other National Parks in America. The Everglades may seem like a muddy swamp, but it is actually a slow-moving “River of Grass.” You’ll also learn of the python issue and how if we don’t stop the infestation of the snakes, they will make their way up the east coast of the United States. You won’t even be safe moving to the frosty cold of Canada. Apparently, pythons can shiver fast enough to stay alive in freezing conditions. “Snow Snakes” sounds like an awful direct-to-DVD sci-fi film, but it legitimately could be a problem for your great-grandkids someday.
Day Two: Inside Naples, Florida
Koreshan State Park
Does weird history fascinate you? Is exploring the deserted grounds of a former cult strange enough for you? Well, what if I told you this small society once believed the earth was hollow and we lived inside it? And if you remained abstinent, you would live forever?
Koreshan State Park, once recognized as Koreshan Unity Settlement Historic District, is unknown to most visitors coming to Naples. Even most of the locals don’t know about it.
The settlement was the brainchild of a former Chicago doctor named Cyrus Teed. He believed an angel told him that he was chosen to redeem humanity. Thus, he was the “new “Jesus. Furthermore, Koreshanity stated that maintaining a celibate lifestyle and being free of sin would make you immortal. But then Teed died in 1908, and his 200 followers began to question the truthfulness of his teachings. And after his failed resurrection, well, that was literally the final nail in the coffin for his society. After that, his fellowship began its downward spiral to disbandment.
Today, this historic site remains relatively intact from when the previous settlers disbanded in the 1960s. 11 Buildings built between 1882 and 1920 are still standing and are in excellent condition thanks to the state of Florida who preserves the land.
Step back in time, and wander around the 200-acre park. It’s filled with some unique and fascinating history.
Naples Pier
It’s time to head to the Naples Pier and change your mindset from the history buff to that of a relaxed beach-goer. Florida has some beautiful coastlines, and I can say Naples beaches ranks up there with the best of them. But while sand and sunbathing are great, I’d always prefer to see some wildlife. So take a stroll along the pier and stop every few feet to look down into the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see all kinds of wildlife, including dolphins, pelicans, and herons. The Naples Pier has lots of fishermen, and with luck, you’ll see them reel in all sorts of interesting fish. But perhaps even more entertaining is watching the diving birds known as Cormorants steal fish right off the anglers hook.
Sunset Boat Cruise
Finish off your Naples, Florida trip and sail off into the sunset. A sunset sailboat cruise is a great way to see Naples from a different perspective. First, envision yourself relaxing on a boat, seeing the sails grip the wind while the calming noise of slow-rolling waves plays in the background. Then, watch as the blue sky turns red, orange, and yellow. How could you resist such an experience?
We decided to set sail with the Sweet Liberty, the largest Sailing Catamaran in Southwest Florida. The tour was fantastic. It wasn’t overly crowded, and you got to bring your own beer, wine, and food. Shoutout to the people next to us and their multiple cases of boxed wine. We have so much to learn from you.
The journey to and from The Gulf of Mexico takes about 35 minutes each way. Along the way, you will find mangroves and various wildlife such as Dolphin, Osprey, and Bald Eagles. You also float by some of the most extravagant mansions I’ve ever seen.
But the highlight of the evening is viewing the sun dip past the Gulf of Mexico at sunset. It’s the ultimate way to end your Naples, Florida stay.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.