There are few things you absolutely can’t miss during a visit to Florida’s Gulf Coast! In this guide, we’ll give you some quick tips on where to go to enjoy the trip of a lifetime in Southwest Florida. Here are our top tips.
Spend A Day or Two in Naples
Naples is a stunning city to stay in during your trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast! Naples offers ample activities while still maintaining calm and serene beach vibes. One of the best parts about Naples is the long, beautiful coastline with plenty of public beach access. Take a walk down the Naples Pier in the morning, soak in the sun on the gorgeous sandy beaches, and take some artsy photos of the Old Naples Pier Pilings at sunset.
Venture Out Beyond the Cities
After a few days enjoying the Naples beaches and city life, venture out a little further! Southwest Florida has so much more to offer than what you’ll find in the city. In fact, Florida’s Gulf Coast is filled with historic and natural wonders.
For example, Babcock Ranch is just outside of Punta Gorda and is home to some of Florida’s most elusive wildlife and oldest ranching history. In the late 1800s, the area became a working ranch. Using the 1900s timber mill, the ranch sold pine-based pitch to diamond mines in South Africa to ward off termites.
Now, the 4 different ecosystems on the preserved lands are an oasis for Florida’s flora and fauna. Alligators, birds, deer, wild hogs, wild turkeys, Sandhill cranes, and more all call Babcock Ranch home!
Take a Wildlife Tour
If you’d like to see the beauty of Florida’s flora and fauna up close, find a wildlife tour near you! When you search ‘wildlife tours near me’ in Southwest Florida, you’ll notice that Babcock Ranch is one of the top places to pop up.
The Swamp Buggy Eco-Tour is definitely the most unique way to see Florida’s wildlife and plant life in the expansive Babcock Ranch preserve. You’ll have the opportunity to see animals like wild turkeys, caracara, soft shell turtles, and magnificent osprey during your 90 minute tour!
If you’d like to book a Swamp Buggy Tour for your Florida Gulf Coast vacation, you can choose the date and time that works best for you on our website. While you’re there, also check out other fun options like the Swamp Walk and Sounds of The Night tour!
