Day Trips from Naples, Florida

Location:

Naples, FL

Highlights:

Want to feel like you've found your own private slice of paradise? The Ten Thousand Islands deliver peaceful paddling, wild beaches, and island serenity that feels a world away from busy Florida cities.

We Recommend This For:

Paddlers, birders, backcountry campers, solitude seekers, and anyone craving natural beauty and calm waters.

What we Love:

Remote beachy islands, scenic kayak routes, abundant wildlife, and the chance to pitch a tent on a deserted shoreline.

• Explore the Ten Thousand Islands within Everglades National Park and the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, where just a few hundred islands create an illusion of endless natural wonder.
• Paddle your way through this aquatic maze, enjoy beach access, fishing, and multi-day kayak excursions that let you escape the modern world.
• Camp on uninhabited islands with your own supplies for a true backcountry wilderness adventure.
• Watch for shorebirds, dolphins, manatees, and all sorts of coastal wildlife thriving in this untouched environment.

Distance from Naples:

About 45 minutes southeast via U.S. Highway 41.

How to Get to the Ten Thousand Islands:

From Naples, head east on U.S. Highway 41. Visitor access points include the Gulf Coast Visitor Center near Everglades City or boat launches throughout the area.

Address:

Ten Thousand Islands, U.S. Highway 41, Naples, FL 34114

Location:

Ave Maria, FL

Highlights:

Looking for something unexpected in South Florida? Ave Maria is a peaceful, growing community with beautiful architecture, a rich spiritual heart, and charming small-town events—all just an hour from Naples.

We Recommend This For:

Architecture fans, faith-based travelers, families, and day-trippers looking to explore a unique and thoughtfully planned community.

What we Love:

The striking Ave Maria Catholic Church, a mix of modern and gothic design, weekly farmers markets, trolley tours, and live music under the sun.

• Visit Ave Maria, South West Florida’s fastest-growing planned community, just about an hour southwest of Naples.
• Admire the awe-inspiring gothic and art deco architecture of the Ave Maria Catholic Church and surrounding university buildings, blending modern steel design with traditional elegance.
• Tour the community on a 45-minute trolley ride that departs from the town center—check the Ave Maria website for updated schedules.
• Enjoy local culture with the Saturday Farmers Market and Thursday afternoon live music events in the central square.

Distance from Naples:

Around 1 hour northeast by car through scenic rural routes.

How to Get to Ave Maria:

From Naples, take Oil Well Road east directly into the town. Look for signs directing visitors toward the town center and church.

Visitor Info:

Ave Maria, FL 34142

Location:

Ochopee, FL

Highlights:

If you want to truly immerse yourself in Florida’s wild side, Big Cypress National Preserve is a dream come true. It’s where you’ll find alligators, orchids, and quiet cypress swamps just an hour from Naples.

We Recommend This For:

Nature lovers, wildlife photographers, hikers, paddlers, and adventurous travelers looking for untouched terrain.

What we Love:

Five rare habitats, remote airboat-accessible corners, and the chance to spot creatures you won't find anywhere else on Earth.

• Explore the Big Cypress National Preserve, established in 1974 to protect five distinct habitats filled with unique and rare wildlife.
• Enjoy your favorite outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and wildlife watching—all in a vast, pristine swamp landscape.
• Access remote areas by airboat or licensed off-road vehicles, where alligators, crocodiles, turtles, and wading birds rule the ecosystem.

Distance from Naples:

Less than 1 hour east by car along the Tamiami Trail.

How to Get to Big Cypress:

From Naples, head east on US-41 (Tamiami Trail). The preserve’s visitor center is well-marked near Ochopee, with access points throughout the region.

Address:

33100 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141
Phone: 239-695-2000

Location:

Bonita Springs, FL

Highlights:

Looking for a laid-back, family-friendly day trip with nature, beaches, and learning all in one spot? Bonita Springs has just the right mix of outdoor fun and hands-on activities for kids and adults alike.

We Recommend This For:

Families, beach lovers, young explorers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone looking to unwind between Naples and Fort Myers.

What we Love:

Wildlife education at the Nature Center, electric boat tours, beautiful beaches at Lover’s Key, and kayaking through mangrove-lined waters.

• Visit Bonita Springs, a charming town located conveniently between Fort Myers and Naples—perfect for a full or half-day outing.
• Explore the Nature Center at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, where kids can learn about wildlife rehabilitation and even experience a touch tank at the Dalton Discovery Center.
• Relax at Lover’s Key State Park with 2.5 miles of scenic beach ideal for sunbathing, birdwatching, and shelling, or rent a kayak from Kayak Southwest Florida for a paddle through nature.

Distance from Naples:

About 30 minutes north by car.

How to Get to Bonita Springs:

Take Tamiami Trail (US-41) or I-75 North from Naples. Exit onto Bonita Beach Road or follow signage into the heart of town and toward Lover’s Key.

Romantic Day Trips from Naples:

Location:

Captiva Island, FL

Highlights:

If your perfect day includes white sand, turquoise water, and island charm, Captiva is calling your name. Just a short drive from Fort Myers, this Gulf Coast gem is all about relaxing, playing, and soaking up the sun.

We Recommend This For:

Beach lovers, families, boaters, shell collectors, and anyone in search of that dreamy Florida island escape.

What we Love:

Warm Gulf waves, top-notch shelling, scenic boat rides, and a mix of laid-back island vibes with cute shops and dining on neighboring Sanibel.

• Visit Captiva Island and neighboring Sanibel Island, located just three miles west of Fort Myers and accessible via the Sanibel Causeway.
• Enjoy a full day of beach adventures—from shelling, swimming, sunbathing, and fishing to paddleboarding, sailing, and boat cruises on the sparkling Gulf of Mexico.
• Explore on land with bike rides, boutique shopping, and great dining on nearby Sanibel Island.

Distance from Naples:

About 1 hour and 30 minutes northwest by car, depending on traffic and bridge access.

How to Get to Captiva Island:

From Naples, take I-75 North to Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, then follow Summerlin Road to the Sanibel Causeway. Continue through Sanibel to reach Captiva Island.

Location:

Cayo Costa, FL

Highlights:

Want to trade crowds for powdery white sand and turquoise waves? Cayo Costa State Park is a boat-access-only island where you can truly unplug and spend the day in paradise.

We Recommend This For:

Beach lovers, shell collectors, adventurers, and anyone dreaming of a peaceful, undeveloped tropical getaway.

What we Love:

The untouched nine-mile beach, world-class shelling, ferry access through scenic waters, and that feeling of having your own secret island.

• Explore the remote Cayo Costa State Park, where nine miles of undeveloped shoreline meet clear Gulf waters and coastal tranquility.
• Get there by ferry or private boat from Captiva, Sanibel Island, Punta Gorda, or Bokeelia—your island adventure begins on the water.
• Enjoy some of the world’s best shelling, plus hiking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and bird-watching once you arrive.

Distance from Captiva:

About 1 hour by ferry, depending on your launch point.

How to Get to Cayo Costa:

Book a ferry from nearby departure points such as Bokeelia, Captiva, Sanibel Island, or Punta Gorda. Ferries operate daily—advance reservations are highly recommended.

Location:

Fort Myers, FL

Highlights:

Need a break from the beach? Step into the lives of two of America’s greatest minds at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates—where history, innovation, and lush gardens come together for a truly unique Florida day trip.

We Recommend This For:

History lovers, families, gardeners, inventors-at-heart, and anyone curious about Edison, Ford, and early American innovation.

What we Love:

Walking through beautifully preserved homes, exploring tropical gardens, discovering original inventions, and seeing a Model T up close.

• Tour the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, where the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford sit among 20 acres of botanical gardens in historic Fort Myers.
• Explore the Edison Historic Homes, the Ford Estate, and the Museum, which includes Edison’s Botanic Research Lab and a restored 1916 Model T Ford.
• Create in the interactive Spark!Lab, where kids (and curious adults) can try their hand at invention and hands-on learning activities.

Distance from Naples:

About 45 minutes north by car.

How to Get to Edison & Ford Winter Estates:

Take I-75 North to Exit 138, then head west on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to McGregor Blvd. Parking is available on-site.

Visitor Info:

Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-334-7419

Family Day Trips from Naples:

Location:

Everglades City, FL

Highlights:

No trip to South Florida is complete without venturing into the Everglades. This sprawling, 1.5-million-acre wetland offers jaw-dropping scenery and unforgettable encounters with one of the world’s most unique ecosystems.

We Recommend This For:

Nature enthusiasts, kayakers, boaters, photographers, and travelers eager to see Florida's wilder side up close.

What we Love:

The wild expanse of the Ten Thousand Islands, scenic drives through Big Cypress, and the peaceful thrill of paddling through mangrove tunnels.

• Visit Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most extraordinary natural destinations in the U.S.
• Access the park easily from Naples via the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, your gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands.
• Explore the mangrove wilderness by sightseeing boat tour or opt for a more intimate adventure on a guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Eco Tour.
• Drive the scenic Loop Road through Big Cypress National Preserve for excellent wildlife viewing and a quiet escape into nature.

Distance from Naples:

Just under 1 hour southeast by car.

How to Get to Everglades National Park:

Drive east on US-41 (Tamiami Trail) from Naples and follow signs to Everglades City. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is the main access point from this side of the park.

Visitor Info:

Everglades National Park, Everglades City Entrance, FL 34139
View Map

Location:

Immokalee, FL

Highlights:

Want to explore a truly wild side of Florida? The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is a rare chance to walk in the quiet, protected habitat of one of the most endangered mammals in the U.S.—without the crowds.

We Recommend This For:

Wildlife lovers, hikers, birders, conservationists, and anyone who enjoys quiet time in nature with a sense of adventure.

What we Love:

The solitude of its trails, the thrill of possibly spotting tracks or wildlife, and the meaningful mission to protect Florida’s last panther population.

• Visit the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, home to fewer than 250 remaining Florida panthers, one of the rarest big cats in North America.
• Hike two public trails where you might spot tracks, white-tailed deer, black bear, and many bird species, even though the elusive panther usually stays hidden.
• Join special Spring Open House events, including guided swamp hikes, buggy tours, and birding walks through protected lands not normally open to the public.

Distance from Naples:

About 45 minutes northeast by car.

How to Get to the Refuge:

Take I-75 East to Exit 80, then head north on SR 29 toward Immokalee. The refuge entrance is well-signed and located just off the highway.

Visitor Info:

Florida Panther Refuge, 12085 SR 29 South, Immokalee, FL 24142
Phone: 239-657-8001

Location:

Fort Myers, FL

Highlights:

Craving sunshine, salty air, and water-filled fun? Fort Myers offers a perfect day trip with boat tours, jet-skiing, museums, and nature trails all wrapped into one Gulf Coast gem.

We Recommend This For:

Boaters, families, museum lovers, thrill-seekers, and anyone who loves variety in a sunny setting.

What we Love:

Sunset cruises, fishing adventures, jet-boat rides, kid-friendly museums, and beautiful parks—Fort Myers really has it all.

• Play on the water in Fort Myers, a lively Gulf Coast town packed with sunset cruises, fishing charters, kayaking, and jet-ski adventures.
• Visit the Railroad Museum of South Florida at Lakes Regional Park, where hiking and nature trails give you a break from the beach.
• Discover more family favorites like Manatee Park, the IMAG History and Science Center, and the historic Edison and Ford Winter Homes.

Distance from Naples:

About 45 minutes north by car.

How to Get to Fort Myers:

Take I-75 North from Naples and exit at Daniels Parkway or Colonial Blvd, then follow signs into the heart of Fort Myers.