Page 58 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

SARASOTA • VISIT FLORIDA

BEACHES & OUTDOOR GEMS among wildlife. Everglades National Park such as the seashell overload on Sanibel and
You will find no nature-deficit disorder in and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Captiva islands. Captiva Island and Lovers Key
Southwest Florida, where the great outdoors Refuge protect the seas and wetlands of the State Park are often listed in the most
ranges from gorgeous, award-winning so-called River of Grass. romantic category. The best shelling beaches
beaches to the raw wilderness of the Beach glamour begins in Marco Island around Sanibel include Bowman’s Beach and
Everglades ecosystem. and Naples with award-winning strands that offshore Cayo Costa, which is accessible only
Around Naples and Everglades City, a cover the gamut from the municipal beach by boat. A number of charters will take you
number of state and federal parks and and historic fishing pier in Naples to the there to collect shells.
preserves safeguard fragile Everglade wild Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. In Venice, head to the fishing pier at
habitats—home to myriad birds and fish, What do travelers, and particularly Brohard Beach or to Caspersen Beach to sift for
deer, Florida panthers, bobcats, manatees, families, find so endearing about local sharks’ teeth in the sand. In Sarasota, Siesta
alligators, crocodiles, turtles and river otters. beaches? The soft, white sand, gently sloping Key’s sand is famously soft and blindingly
Big Cypress National Preserve, the most sea bottom and tot-friendly waves win raves. white, so don’t forget to pack the shades. This
massive of the public lands, provides Certain beach destinations, furthermore, have beach is often listed among America’s top
inimitable opportunities for recreation reputations for distinctive characteristics, beaches by Dr. Beach.

56 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA