Great Outdoors series: 6 unforgettable places in SWFL for a kayak or canoe journey

Mark H. Bickel and Chad Gillis, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·3 min read
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Note to readers: This is the fifth installment of our special series on the Great Outdoors of Southwest Florida. So far we have covered where to see amazing birds, places to spot an alligator, where you can get the best view of the stars and best places to walk in a swamp. We will continue to bring you these unique points of view from our expert reporters, Amy Williams and Chad Gillis and visuals journalist Andrew West.

Southwest Florida is a paddler’s paradise.

Warm, shallow waterways litter the coast, from small creeks and rivers on the mainland side to the open Gulf of Mexico.

You can fish, ogle at the plethora of exotic birds, scan the horizon for dolphins or simply soak in the sun.

And paddling is a great way to get some exercise, all while enjoying a landscape people travel from across the world to see.

From the interior cypress swamps to the bays and beaches, water and small boats just go together here.

Here are our best places to paddle. Enjoy!

Cape Romano

The Milky Way is seen over Cape Romano in Collier County in June of 2022. In the foreground is a turtle nest.
The Milky Way is seen over Cape Romano in Collier County in June of 2022. In the foreground is a turtle nest.

Located at the northern edge of Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Romano is a popular destination for both day-trips and overnight adventures. You can approach the island from the bay side via Goodland, or paddle into the Gulf of Mexico from Marco Island. There is a network of shallow saltwater creeks within the larger island. Beware, currents can be quite strong along the beach, especially near the passes.

Blackwater River

A mainstay feature at Collier-Seminole State Park, the Blackwater River leads to coastal bays and barrier islands. But it’s best feature may be convenience, as the trail is marked and gives you a taste of the Everglades without the need to paddle in the Gulf of Mexico, which can be quite rough when winds have any westerly component.

Clam Pass

Visual journalist Amanda Inscore added Class Pass to our list. She said: "I also highly recommend adding Clam Pass in Naples to your list. It’s beautiful, easy to access and also has a beautiful beach to kayak to. It is locate at 465 Seagate Dr, Naples.

Pine Island Sound

Located between the mainland and the barrier islands, Pine Island Sound often times has some of the clearest water in the region. But be careful and pay attention to your headings as Pine Island Sound is huge, and you can get lost if you paddle several miles. This is also a great route to get to Cayo Costa State Park. Pine Island Sound is also home to some of the best kayak fishing in the state.

Fisheating Creek

Richard and Kathy Bailey, on vacation from Maine, canoe Fisheating Creek on Thursday. ?This is the driest I?ve seen it in the six years we have been coming here,? Richard Bailey said. Richard and Kathy Bailey, on vacation from Maine canoe Fisheating Creek on Thursday 4/20/2017. Lack of rain has dried up the creek in some areas. The creek is a tributary of Lake Okeechobee, which is below 12 feet at this time. This is the driest season in nine years. Richard said “This is the driest I’ve seen it in the six years we have been coming here.”

The last natural tributary flowing into Lake Okeechobee, Fisheating Creek winds through massive mangrove strands. There are several lakes along the creek, and it’s a popular destination for campers, paddlers and anglers. Water levels can be low in the winter, which forces paddlers to put their boats on the banks and hike the creek bed.

Estero River

Alan Enis of Columbus, Ohio, kayaks down the Estero River on Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Estero. The river is designated as an Outstanding Florida Waterway, which gives it special protections.
Alan Enis of Columbus, Ohio, kayaks down the Estero River on Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Estero. The river is designated as an Outstanding Florida Waterway, which gives it special protections.

This beautiful slice of river has a lot of history behind it as it was once the home of the Koreshan religious cult. Bamboo sweeps overhead near the state park, and you can actually paddle in the shade here. Not many waterways have shaded areas in Southwest Florida as our banks are covered with relatively short mangroves. But parts of the Estero River are shaded by bamboo, oaks and other massive trees.

Links to previous Great Outdoors stories

PART I (Bird watching): Birdwatching in Florida: Where you might see rare mangrove cuckoos, birds with iridescent feathers

PART 2 (Spotting Gators): Spotting alligators in Southwest Florida: 8 places you will likely see the large reptiles

PART 3 (Star gazing): Things to do this weekend: best places to star gaze

PART 4 (Swamp Hikes): Swamp hikes? Yes, you can do that in SWFL. Here are five you should try

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 6 great places to kayak and canoe in Fort Myers, Naples Florida