From coastal mansions and exclusive island enclaves to historic fishing villages and rustic riverfront retreats, water is the common denominator in Southwest Florida. There are powder-fine sand beaches, shell-strewn shores, waterfronts lined with moored shrimp boats, and coastal wetlands where mangrove mazes shelter a treasure trove of wildlife. The sheltered waters of Charlotte Harbor are an aquatic playground where boaters can drop anchor in quiet bays or tie to the pilings at off-grid island retreats. Paddlers explore the broad, placid rivers that flow from vast interior wetlands, while the state’s largest lake lures bass fanatics with championship catches.
Sun lovers can dip their toes in the ocean while savoring libations at beachside tiki bars, while seafood lovers can dine on the catch of the day at dockside tables. And it’s not just about water. The golf-gallery-and-gourmet crowd is accommodated in style in the posh surroundings of Naples and Marco Island . Sarasota is the epicenter of a thriving art and theater scene, and historic communities like Boca Grande, Everglades City, and Matlacha offer a glimpse of times gone by.
