Kayaking Southwest Florida

by Eric Lindner

Southwest Florida offers a variety of outdoor activities. Kayaking the area provides a first- hand vantage point of the unmatched beauty of our aquatic ecosystems. There are such diverse paddles available ranging from pristine beaches, mangrove swamps, freshwater rivers and creeks, the adventures seem endless. Not only does kayaking provide a direct connection with nature it is an effective, low impact workout that is excellent for your core and upper body.

I would like to highlight a beautiful short day paddle that only takes half a day. Lovers Key to Mound Key Archaeological State Park in Estero Bay is just under a 5 mile round trip paddle. The launch for this trip begins at Carl E. Johnson boat ramp directly across from Lovers Key State Park. The bay is very scenic with numerous opportunities for viewing birds and other wildlife like manatee and dolphin. By paddling the suggested route two unique views of the islands of the bay can be experienced.

Paddling route from Lovers Key to Mound Key

The halfway point of the trip is Mound Key. Believed to be the capital of the Calusa Indians, the island’s shell mounds reach heights of 30 feet. The self-guided hiking trail starts at the northwest and southeast sides of the island under canopies of cabbage palms and gumbo limbo trees. The top of the mound provides a scenic view of the bay. This provides an excellent opportunity to stretch your legs before the return trip.

Estero Bay Scenic View

Exit from Mound Key looking south

About the author: Eric Lindner is an avid kayaker with 
extensive knowledge of Florida's ecosystems.
Graduated University of Florida: Environmental Sciences
Owner/operator: www.ecopaddlesportz.com

Tapa Hop 2014 – Sold Out (but some tickets may still be found)

Fort Myers Beach 2014 Tapa Hop credit: http://fortmyersbeachtapahop.com/

If you don’t already have tickets, please note that the website says they are sold out — however, they also have a waiting list for unsold tickets and cancellations. Click here for more information.

It’s Tapa Hop time!  Fort Myers Beach’s yearly pub crawl features trolley transportation to six great area restaurants, each providing appetizer items or ‘tapas’ included in the price for the event.  The event will also include raffle prizes, grand prizes and a poker run. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Name: TAPA HOP 2014

Date: September 23, 2014

Time: 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM

This years participating restaurants are:

Skye’s Mexican and More
Pinchers Beach Bar and Grill
Island View Restaurant
Matanzas on the Bay
Castaway’s Bar and Grill
Junkanoo on the Beach
Nemo’s on the Beach

Lovers Key State Park: Chosen as Top 5 Romantic Beach in Florida by USA Today

Lovers Key State Park
photo credit: floridastateparks.org

For years, Lovers Key was accessible only by boat and it was said that only lovers traveled to the island to enjoy its remote and solitary beach. Today, it is one of four barrier islands that make up this state park. A haven for wildlife, the islands and their waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. The two mile long beach is accessible by boardwalk or tram and is popular for shelling, swimming, picnicking, and sunbathing. Black Island has over five miles of multi-use trails for hiking and bicycling. Anglers and boaters can launch their vessels from the park’s boat ramp. The park’s concession offers kayak tours, as well as bicycle, canoe and kayak rentals. Located on County Road 865 between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach in Lee County.

Click here to see the rest of USA Today’s top 5 most romantic beach picks.

Lovers Key State Park
8700 Estero Boulevard
Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931
(239) 463-4588
Park GPS coordinates: N 26° 23.578 W 81° 52.063

On Your Mark, Get Set … Marathon in Ft. Myers Beach!

Fort Myers 2014 Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

This year’s Ft. Myers Marathon presented by Ted Todd Insurance and Publix will be run Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, starting at 7am at the Pinchers Marina Restaurant on West First Street in downtown Ft. Myers.

The course will weave through McGregor corridor neighborhoods and cross over the Caloosohatchee Bridge to North Fort Myers, then cross back over the Edison Bridge through the River district and across the Edison Bridge spans again before finishing the last mile through downtown and West First to Pinchers Marina.

This year’s event will also partner with Pinchers, including all participants in the inaugural “Stonecrab Festival” which will take place November 7-9 on the marina and restaurant property adjacent to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

The marathon course will be comprised of over 11 miles of running through shaded neighborhoods, plus 6 miles over water via four bridge crossings. The half marathon has two bridge crossings and will cover approximately 6 miles of neighborhood trails.

One new segment to this year’s event is a five person Corporate Relay Challenge that will benefit the Kids for Kids foundation with Golisano Children’s Hospital. Each member will run a 5 mile or greater leg of the course with the best five overall times winning the competition.

For additional information and sponsorship information, contact Larry Baldwin at (941) 416-1838 or Larry@eidentracing.com

Fort Myers Marathon – Ft. Myers Beach Marathon

Working Waterfront Tour Wednesdays

Shrimp Boats
photo credit: ostegobay.org

Did you know that the Fort Myers Beach Shrimping fleet is the largest commercial fishing fleet in the Gulf of Mexico? Shrimping, known as “Pink Gold”, contributes millions of dollars to our economy.

Here is your chance to learn first hand about the Commercial Fishing Industry.

Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center offers a Three-Hour Guided Tour. The Tour includes a 1 1/2 hour guided visit at the Science Center includes a history of the industry and area ecosystems with many exhibits. The Tour continues with a visit to the commercial fishing industry docks, including Erickson & Jensen Supply House, Trico Shrimp loading dock and Beach Seafood. See how the boats are unloaded, the trawl doors are built, the shrimp nets are hand-sewn, the seafood is processed, and other important factors used in this unique industry. Bring your camera for a memorable experience!  Click for the Waterfront tour schedule.

When: Every Wednesday morning in season.

Cost: $15.00 per adult; $10.00 for children over 6 years of age.

Call for reservations: (239) 765-8101.

Deck the Hulls … Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Come enjoy some Christmas spirit at the Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade! Last year we had nearly 30 boats participating and this year promises to be even more exciting.  The parade will pass by such establishments as Big Game Waterfront Grill, Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, Matanzas, Nervous Nellies, Doc Fords and Bonita Bills where you can kick back and enjoy the fun. Don’t forget to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Name: 25th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Date: December 7, 2013

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

But why not get in on the fun and enter or boat or host a house party along the route?  Prizes will be awarded for the best boats and house parties.  The cost to enter a non-sponsored boat or house party is $25 and a sponsored boat or house party is $50.  Prizes will be awarded for the best boats and house parties!  Click here for more information.

This event is brought to you by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce.

photo credit: Fort Myers Beach Chamber

 

Grab Your Passport and Get Ready to Shuffle!

Sand Shuffle 2013 – Ft. Myers Beach

As part of the Annual Sand Sculpting Championship at Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, event organizers have added the new “Sand Shuffle,” a passport program with 5 participating locations throughout the area including: Seminole Casino of Immokalee, Edison & Ford Winter Estates, DiamondHead Resort, Fish-Tale Marina and the Wyndham Garden Hotel Fort Myers Beach. Prior to the event, each location will have a two ton of sand sculpture sculpted by one of the participating artists. When visitors arrive at each location, they can get their passport stamped at the designated area. They are also encouraged to take photos with the Sand Sculptures and share on Facebook and Instagram at #sandshuffle.

Kids can also take part in the Sand Shuffle Scavenger Hunt. With each sculpture there is a question to answer. Once visitors have visited at least three of the five sand sculptures and had their passport stamped or scavenger hunt question answered correctly, they’ll be eligible to enter the drawings for great prize giveaways from our participating Sand Shuffle Partners. To enter, completed passports can be brought to the main entrance of the 2013 American Sand Sculpting Championships held November 22 to December 1, 2013.

Get your passport at participating locations:

WYNDHAM GARDEN HOTEL/PINCHERS CRAB SHACK

Grab Your Passport

6890 Estero Blvd, Ft. Myers, FL ph: (239) 463-5711
www.wyndhamgarden.com  www.pincherscrabshack.com

 

SANTINI MARINA PLAZA
7205 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL ph: (239) 463-3600
www.thefishtalemarina.com

 

DIAMONDHEAD BEACH RESORT & SPA
2000 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers beach, FL ph: (239) 765-7654
www.diamondheadfl.com

 

SEMINOLE CASINO
506 South 1st Street, Immokalee, FL ph: (800) 218-0007
www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com

 

EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATES
2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL ph: (239) 334-7419
www.edisonfordwinterestates.org

 

For more information about the 2013 Sand Shuffle, visit the event website.

It’s time to hit the beach!

photo credit: http://fmbsandsculpting.com/

In November? Absolutely!! The average temperature in Fort Myers Beach in November is 81°F high/ 62°F low. Don’t miss the 27th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championships in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. Watch sculptors from around the world use over 1,000 tons of sand to turn Ft. Myers Beach into a temporary art gallery. Come watch and participate in special events all week long as Master, Advanced Amateur and Amateur competitors battle it out for the number one spot.  All ages are invited to come and learn the tricks of the pros in daily workshops, use their newly acquired skills to compete against fellow audience members, get inspired, and make memories with young ones that will last for years.

Event Schedule

Opening Day! / Make-A-Wish Day!
Friday November 22nd – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
A portion of the event proceeds will be donated to
the Southern Florida Make-A-Wish Foundation.
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM Master SOLO Competition
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Greene
1:00PM QUICK SAND
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Greene
4:00PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
4:30PM QUICK SAND
5:00PM Event closes

Saturday November 23rd – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM Master SOLO Competition
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Greene
1:00PM QUICK SAND
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Greene
4:00PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
4:30PM QUICK SAND
5:00PM Event closes

Sunday November 24th – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
9:00AM Amateur Registration
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM Master SOLO Competition
10:00AM Amateur Contest Begins
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
1:00PM Master SOLO Competition Ends
1:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
1:00PM Master and Amateur Judging
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM Amateur Contest Ends
2:00PM QUICK SAND
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
4:00PM QUICK SAND “Championship Round”
4:30PM Awards Ceremony
5:00PM Event closes

Monday November 25th – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM-5:00PM Master Sculptors Exhibit Sculpting
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
1:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM QUICK SAND
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
4:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
4:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
5:00PM Event Closes

Tuesday November 26th – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM-1:00PM Master Sculptors Exhibit Sculpting
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
1:00PM Master DOUBLES Competition Begins
1:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM QUICK SAND
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
4:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
4:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
5:00PM Event Closes

Wednesday November 27th – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM-5:00PM Master Doubles Competition
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
1:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM QUICK SAND
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
4:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
4:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
5:00PM Event Closes

Thursday November 28th – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM-5:00PM Master Doubles Competition
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
1:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM QUICK SAND
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
4:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
4:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
5:00PM Event Closes

Friday November 29th – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM Master DOUBLES Competition
10:00AM Florida State Championship (Advanced Amateur)
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
1:00PM QUICK SAND
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
4:00PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
4:30PM QUICK SAND
5:00PM Event closes

Saturday November 30th – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM Master DOUBLES Competition
10:00AM Florida State Championship (Advanced Amateur)
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
1:00PM QUICK SAND
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
4:00PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
4:30PM QUICK SAND
5:00PM Event closes

Sunday December 1st – Event open 10:00am to 5:00pm
10:00AM Event Opens
10:00AM Master DOUBLES Competition
10:00AM Florida State Championship (Advanced Amateur)
10:00AM Live and Background Music All Day
11:00AM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
12:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
1:00PM Master DOUBLES Competition Ends
1:00PM Sand sculpting Demonstrations/Lessons
1:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
2:00PM Florida State Championship (advanced Amateur) Ends
2:00PM Master and Florida State Championship Judging
2:00PM QUICK SAND
2:30PM Live Music with Nick Beauregard
3:00PM Chain Saw Art with Rod Green
4:00 PM QUICK SAND “Championship Round”
4:30PM Awards Ceremony
5:00PM Event closes

Kids’ 4th of July Fishing Tournament

Don’t miss this fun event sponsored by Ostego Bay Foundation, held annually the weekend before the Fourth of July. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and kids and their families can fish from shore from 9 a.m. to noon. There’s free lunch for everyone. More than 150 kids ages 3 to 15 participate; prizes will be awarded, including for most fish, heaviest fish, and longest fish. Cut bait is provided; participants must bring their own poles (one pole and hook per child) and any other bait they wish to use.

Kids Fishing Tournament – June 9, 2013

Location :

704 Fisherman’s Wharf
Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Café
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Phone: (239) 463-2588

Event Date: Jun 29, 2013

Event Price: Free Admission

Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July

Celebrate Independence Day

Festivities kick off with a 10 a.m. parade up Estero Blvd. Then, 15 minutes after sunset, one of the region’s most spectacular fireworks shows shoots off from the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. That’s the main event, but restaurants, lounges, and others step up the festivities with music and activity in the Times Square area and the length of the beach. Pick a seat anywhere gulf-front for an eyeful of sparkly.

Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier & Times Square

Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Phone: (239) 454-7500

Event Date: July 04, 2013

Event Price: Free

More info