Naples/Marco Island Travel Information
Naples is the final stop before entering the Everglades. Its
high-end boutiques and art galleries make it the Palm Beach of the
Gulf Coast. However, its spirit does not rest in the sparkle of the
town itself, but rather in the natural offerings it has always known
— the 10 miles of shoreline kissed by colorful shells; the old
Naples Pier that sits like a lonely artifact of gentler times; and the
wonderful wildlife therein. While museums and art galleries,
shop and restaurants are great to visit, a Naples vacation would be
wasted if that’s all that was seen. The beaches surrounding Naples and
its satellite, Marco Island, are remarkable. Peaceful and pristine
with soft warm sand that stretches out as far as the eye can see,
these beaches have been famous through generations for their beauty
and balmy conditions. The surrounding area is composed of rich
vegetation and wetlands that form a lush habitat for hundreds of
different birds, marine mammals and reptiles. The most
interesting sights in Naples and Marco Island involve the environment
and its inhabitants. In the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, amidst an
11,000-acre cypress forest, all sorts of endangered animals live and
prosper under protective care. In the Conservancy of Southwest
Florida, a mangrove swamp, alligators, snakes, and the American bald
eagle can be seen. On the premises is the National Science Museum and
nature trails. Children may find the Caribbean Gardens zoo
fascinating. Naples has been the site of several PGA
tournaments and is considered to be one of the best green spots in the
country. Teeing off is very popular here, and the area offers 40
courses in the Naples-Marco Island region. Aside from golf and
beachcombing, fishing and boating are favored. There are numerous
marinas, and bait and tackle shops are easy to find. There are also
countless outlets for canoeing including Briggs Nature Center, Ten
Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and the Everglades National
Park. Naples is south of Sanibel Island on SR-901.
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