Did you ever wonder what paradise looks like? Well, on the Paradise Coast of southwest Florida, it means pristine beaches, untamed nature, luxury boutiques, refined dining, and enough outdoor pursuits to keep the even most active vacationers busy. Florida’s Paradise Coast includes the charming city of Naples, Marco Island and the Gulf Coast portion of the Everglades. Here are 14 top things to do on the Paradise Coast that you won’t find anywhere else.

Beaches of the Paradise Coast

Over 30 miles of white sand beaches on Florida’s Paradise Coast are clean, unspoiled and plentiful. At some, you can walk directly onto the sand from your hotel and others are accessible only by boat. Barefoot Beach Preserve, just north of Naples, is a favorite where you can kayak in the back bay estuary, walk scrubland nature trails, or enjoy the long stretch of beach. Delnor-Wiggins State Park, also north of Naples, is a very nice park and popular beach for fishing, snorkeling, boating, hiking and birdwatching.

The most visited attraction of Naples is the iconic Naples Pier, jutting 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, adjacent to Naples Beach. Open to the public 24/7 with free admission, it’s a gathering place for fishing, people watching and viewing the vibrant Paradise Coast sunsets. Travel Maestro tip: A blanket fishing license covers everyone fishing from the pier, so you don’t have to get your own.

On Marco Island, Tigertail Beach is an expansive beach with ample public parking, bathhouse, concessions, and rental equipment. Travel Maestro tip: It’s a long walk around the lagoon (about a mile) to get to the Gulf shoreline, but well worth it.

Nature, Nature and More Nature

Over 80 percent of the Paradise Coast is made up of parks and nature preserves that are a delight to paddlers, hikers, birders, fishermen, and hunters. The Everglades National Park is the biggest wetlands ecosystem in the U.S. and is designated a World Heritage Site. Airboat tours of the mangrove swamps and grassland prairies are an exciting way to see the Everglades. Or for a quieter brush with the wilderness, you may enjoy a guided kayak eco trip.

The Big Cypress National Preserve is a vast area that’s home to abundant wildlife including alligators, black bear, the endangered Florida panther and large numbers of wading birds. A public boardwalk leading to a pristine cypress dome and free ranger-led programs are good ways for the wilderness novice to see the preserve. More experienced nature lovers can enjoy paddling on the Turner River, hunting or backcountry camping.

Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is the last old growth virgin bald cypress forest in the U.S. The 2.25-mile boardwalk allows visitors to see many different plants and habitats that support an array of wildlife.

The Naples Botanical Garden is a relatively new attraction (final phase completed in 2014) that showcases the culture and flora of the tropics in a number of themed gardens across the 170-acre site only three miles from downtown Naples.

The Naples Zoo is a nationally accredited zoo set in an old-growth botanical garden. Kids and adults will delight in wildlife shows, hand-feeding giraffes and visiting Uno, a rare Florida panther. The primates live cage-free on islands in the lake and can be seen swinging and playing from the zoo path or from a lake cruise. Travel Maestro tip: It’s 52 acres of wildlife fun. Plan up to five hours for your visit.

A sunset cruise out of Naples City Docks is a romantic way to see the beautiful Gulf coastline and the high-dollar real estate that lines it. The luxurious homes are something to behold, not to mention the colorful sunset!

In the City

Naples is bursting with dozens of independent art galleries, earning it the title of #1 Small Art Town in America. Downtown, pedestrian-friendly shopping areas are lined with luxury boutiques where you can find unique gifts and upscale fashions.

The restaurant scene in downtown Naples is hot with many independent restaurants making a name for themselves with high-quality, original menus featuring the freshest local seafood and produce. Travel Maestro tip: Be sure to enjoy stone crab claws while they’re in season, October 15 through May 15.

Golf is an extremely popular pastime for both residents and visitors. There are nearly 90 courses in the greater Naples area. Many courses are private access during the peak “snowbird” months of December to April, but become semi-private and accept non-members during the rest of the year. Travel Maestro tip: Ask your vacation advisor for assistance in arranging tee times in advance. Don’t wait until you get there.

Florida’s Paradise Coast is a playground for families, a treasure trove for nature lovers, and a fashionable getaway for the well-heeled – the perfect blend of paradise! To find your paradise, contact the vacation experts at Covington Travel today.