Florida is home to an impressive variety of wildlife species, many of which can not be spotted anywhere else in the country. Because of this, finding a place to spot wildlife on your vacation is incredibly easy, and Fort Myers Beach is the perfect place to start. Plan your trip with Edison Beach House and discover several fantastic wildlife-watching areas right in town, and even more a short drive away from the hotel. Whether you are an amateur photographer, want to connect with nature, or just want to learn about the wildlife that call the Sunshine State home, wildlife watching is the perfect activity for your itinerary. Check out these wildlife watching sites and spot alligators, manatees, dolphins, tortoises, birds, and much more during your trip.
Bowditch Point Park
Your wildlife watching journey begins right here in Fort Myers Beach. Head to the northwest tip of Estero Island and discover fantastic bird watching at Bowditch Point Park. Located along the Great Florida Birding Trail, this 17-acre nature preserve is home to dozens of bird species, including snowy plovers, reddish egrets, brown pelicans, and much more. Grab your binoculars, explore varied environments on the trails, and see what species you can spot.
Lovers Key State Park
Make your way over the Big Carlos Bridge and find even more fantastic wildlife watching in Florida at Lovers Key State Park. Relax on the two-mile stretch of beach on the Gulf Side and watch shorebirds play in the sand and dolphins in the distance. Then head over to the bayside of the park to see wildlife like gopher tortoises, American alligators, bottlenose dolphins, west indian manatees, and over 40 bird species.
Six Mile Cypress Slough
Six Mile Cypress Slough is a fantastic place for the whole family to watch wildlife, just 30 minutes from Fort Myers Beach. The slough is a 3,500-acre wetland area, where a wide variety of plants and animals flourish. Explore the 1.2-mile boardwalk and look for alligators, turtles, otters, and wading birds along the way. Or sign up for the guided walk and have a local naturalist show you around. Make sure to check out the Interpretive Center while you are here for a closer look at the wonders of Cypress Slough.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife watcher’s dream, located within the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. There are endless ways to spot the approximately 250 bird species, 32 mammal species, and 51 reptile and amphibian species within the refuge. Drive, bike, or walk along Wildlife Drive to spot wildlife like birds, raccoons, alligators, otters, manatees, and sea turtles. Beyond the popular drive, you can also spot wildlife while biking, boating, hiking, fishing, and kayaking.
Manatee Park
Manatee Park is a warm water sanctuary for Florida manatees and a great place to observe them during the winter months. Manatees are more likely to be seen here from December-February when Gulf temperatures are cooler. Rent a kayak or find a spot on the viewing platform and see manatees playing in the water up close.
Book Your Getaway at Our Fort Myers Beach Hotel
Book your getaway at Edison Beach House and enjoy the perfect basecamp for your explorations. You may even be able to spot some local Florida wildlife right at our beachfront hotel from the comfort of your private balcony. Browse our hotel rooms in Fort Myers Beach and book with us today!
