Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in North Captiva Island

"Travel to the eastern tip of Sanibel Island to reach Lighthouse Beach and Fishing Pier, which is owned and operated by the city and encompasses 32 acres of beachfront property. A fishing pier is open to visitors on the northern San Carlos Bay side of the park and a boardwalk nature trail is also available. The park's namesake 102-foot lighthouse was built in 1884 and is still functioning."

"If you’re looking for the perfect photo op, then of course you’re going to want the sunset and a lighthouse as your backdrop. At Sanibel Lighthouse Beach, one of the best beaches in Sanibel, you get both!. After you’ve crossed the Causeway connecting Fort Myers to Sanibel, turn left at the intersection."

"Lighthouse Beach is just off the causeway, to your left at the first intersection. In addition to a gorgeous white sand beach, there is a historic lighthouse, fishing pier and boardwalk nature trail. There are bike racks if you choose to cycle around the island."

"Located on the eastern end of the island near Sanibel Lighthouse, the Sanibel Moorings Resort is a quiet getaway boasting a private beach with complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas for guests' use. Nature-lovers will appreciate the guided beach walks and shelling lectures conducted weekly by a marine biologist, as well as tours of the property's six-acre tropical botanical garden, which includes a butterfly garden. Resort amenities include two heated pools plus a kids' area with a separate pool, two tennis courts, a fitness center and business center, self-serve laundry, library, and resort-wide Wi-Fi."

"Located right near the Sanibel Lighthouse and spread across six lush acres on the island’s east end, this large condo-style resort with a private beach and two heated pools is one of the best hotels on Sanibel Island. Choose from one-, two- or three-bedroom condos, all of which have full kitchens and screened-in first or second-story patios for relaxing outside sans mosquitoes. There’s a marina if you happen to have your own boat in tow."

"Whether you’re a guest or not, head over to the Sanibel Moorings Resort to check out their open-to-the-public six-acres of tropical botanical gardens, which are located near the Sanibel Lighthouse. The gardens include a hibiscus collection and a butterfly garden."

"J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places to view wildlife on Sanibel Island. Fond of wildlife and nature?. Do yourself a favor, and put the J.N."

"The Causeway Beaches can be found on the slim sliver of land leading out from the Fort Myers area over to Sanibel Island itself. Small beaches can be found along both sides of the road, allowing drivers to simply pull over at almost any point and step out onto the soft sands. There are no fees at these beaches and the local amenities include restrooms and picnic tables."

"First up on our list of Dreamy Beaches on Sanibel Island is the first string of beaches you’ll encounter on your way to Sanibel. Causeway Beach Park sits on the man-made spit of island that was built to support the causeway which connects Sanibel Island with Ft. Myers on the mainland."

"Water lovers will appreciate kayak opportunities, and professional beach loungers will enjoy the sprawling picnic area, fishing spots, and sunbathing. There’s also plenty for water sports enthusiasts, including windsurfing and kiteboarding. Getting here can be a little challenging."

"From Sanibel, it’s about a half hour to Fort Myers, where you can spend a leisurely few hours exploring the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Then hit the road again for the 90-minute drive to Sarasota, where you can catch an opera performance, stroll the downtown art galleries, or gawk at the gaudy architecture of circus magnate John Ringling’s mansion. For fans of serious American architecture, a trip to Sarasota would be incomplete without exploring the scores of gorgeous and innovative buildings in the area, many of which were designed by a confederacy of architects known as the Sarasota School."

"This beautiful 3500 acre wetland park is home to a plethora of amazing creatures including turtles, otters, alligators, birds, and more. At Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, you can walk along a boardwalk to get a close look at the wetlands or visit the interpretive center to learn more about the flora and fauna that live there. It is a great place to visit before heading to the Everglades if you want to develop a decent base of knowledge about what you will be seeing."

"Measuring roughly 3,500 acres, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has a fantastic 1.2-mile boardwalk through the Florida wetlands. Nature lovers will really enjoy taking a few selfies at this preserve’s many lookout points. This preserve is usually open between dawn and dusk every day, but always check the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve’s website for info on closures."

"Measuring over 100 acres, the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a fantastic way to get children interested in ecology. After watching a show at the 87-seat planetarium, go on a hiking trail, visit live animals, and check out the butterfly room. Typically, Calusa is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 AM – 4 PM and on Sundays from 11 AM – 4 PM."

"​Day Four: Lovers Key State Park, Love Boat Ice Cream, Pool, and Fine Folk Pizza There are so many outdoor and water activities in Ft. Myers so on this day we tried our hand at canoeing at Lovers Key State Park. We were able to rent a canoe for half the day for $48 (they only charged us the 1-2 person rate due to the kids ages)."

"Just 15 minutes south of downtown and connected by trolley, this state park is a must for nature lovers. Lovers Key State Park is comprised of four islands and makes a great destination for any season. In summer, people will love its fabulous 2.5 mile long pristine beach with powdery white sand and a natural shoreline."

"Happy Hour starts at 3 pm at Stillwater Grille, where you'll find great specials and a huge dose of Midwestern hospitality to boot. The bar has some 50-specialty martinis many of which are specially priced during the early evening hours, seven days a week. House wine is only $5 a glass along with domestic beers."

"Situated under the sprawling limbs of a leafy banyan tree, this deck is nothing short of magical come twilight. That's when the twinkle lights come on and the air grows thin and cool. That's when the first cocktail kicks in and I remind myself to keep my mask clean, in case I need to Uber home."

"A post shared by Leslie (@punctualbimbo) on May 1, 2017 at 5:15pm PDT. Voted as the best restaurant in Fort Myers, Prawnbroker Restaurant and Fish Market offers a wide variety of seafood, fresh from the waters. They have grouper, stone crab, Mahi Mahi, shrimp, escargot, and many more!"