Florida is almost as well known for its golf courses as it is for its theme parks and enthusiasts will not be disappointed along the Gulf Coast: Florida boasts over 1,000 courses and there are over 80 in the Naples area alone! ! Many hotels have their own courses and there are numerous golf communities where you will find private villas for rent. The courses are open all year, but are quieter during the summer months, from May to October.
The beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are known as the “tarpon capital of the world” and anglers flock here each spring to fish the Boca Grande Pass. However, the name of the game is “Catch and Release” as there is a $50 state permit fee to kill a tarpon. For those interested in sea fishing, there are plenty of charters and fishing trips for all levels of anglers; these are available along the coast, including Marco Island, Sarasota, Fort Myers Beach, Clearwater, and Tarpon Springs. Try your hand at hook sharks, barracuda, blackfin tuna, and Spanish and king mackerel. There are also miles of coastline, countless oyster bars, and acres of seagrass beds that attract an abundance of saltwater fish. For the freshwater fisherman, Rotonda has miles of canals and numerous golf course lakes that offer excellent bass and catfish. Other popular areas include the freshwater canals in Cape Coral and the Caloosahatchee River. Local freshwater fish include bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. If you don’t feel like floating in the water, there are ample fishing opportunities from the docks and bridges. Popular spots in the St Petersburg/Clearwater area include Long Pier at Redington Beach, Pier60, St Petersburg Pier, Fort De Soto Park and The Friendship Trail Park at Gandy Bridge to fish for Spanish Mackerel, Red Croaker, Speckled Trout and Snook.
Many enthusiasts head to the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which encompasses 110,000 acres of uplands, islands and estuaries from Gordon Pass in Naples to Everglades National Park. There is a visitor center between Marco and Naples, south of US 41 at Tower Road. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel are also known for good kayaking: paddle through Pine Island’s aquatic preserves for a good look at local birds.
Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole, Pinellas County has nature trails as well as trails for pedestrians and bikers. Sanibel Island offers 17 miles of protected bike paths, ideal for families. Local businesses rent a variety of bikes, including tandems and children’s accessories. Fort de Soto Park on the Pinellas Peninsula has a 7-mile recreational trail where visitors can run, bike, skate or walk. The Pinellas Trail is a unique linear park that covers 50 miles from St Petersburg to Tarpon Spring with hiking and biking trails. Alva offers a 10-mile loop mountain bike trail over rolling terrain with the opportunity to see wild boar, deer and tortoises. Bike rental is available at the park. Myakka River is one of the largest state parks in Florida, with extensive facilities for walking and biking. There are seven miles of flat, paved bike paths, as well as dirt roads in the interior of the country (depending on the weather). Bicycles can be rented in the park. Many of the parks that offer bike lanes have daytime opening hours and regulations that include helmet use, so it’s always worth checking local restrictions at park information centers or bike rental shops beforehand. to leave
Florida [http://www.carhire3000.com/Worldwide/TravelInfo/USA – Florida] it attracts “nervous” people from all over the world, attracted by the wide variety of migratory and resident birds. The Southwest Florida Birding Festival takes place January 19-21, 2007 and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the rich bird life of this region. . There will be guided tours and expert presentations. Full details can be found on the Rookery Bay website (see below). Estuaries, inlets, backwaters, and country parks provide many birding opportunities along the Gulf Coast. Some of the most popular places are listed below. Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota is one of the largest Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centers in the US and home to more than 70 species of Florida native and migratory birds. The Rookery Bay mangrove estuary, just south of Naples, is home to more than 150 species of birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers and terns. The Sanibel Lighthouse on the eastern end of the island is a prime viewing spot, especially during the October migration. Birds seen here include warblers and peregrine falcons. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve near Fort Myers has a boardwalk trail and viewing platforms for visitors, where you can spot wild turkeys, blue jays, herons, and woodpeckers, as well as a variety of other wildlife.
Other visitors include bobcats, raccoons, deer, and squirrels. The “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is a hotspot for migratory bird populations and serves as a stopover for several species, including egrets and night herons. The riverfront in Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva, is home to great blue egrets and great blue herons, as well as a wide variety of other local wildlife and plant species. Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area, Dunedin has an Osprey Trail to view these magnificent birds in their natural habitat.
