SWFL Paddling Map

Sanibel · J.N. Ding Darling NWR · Easy · ~2 mi

A marked mangrove canoe trail looping off Tarpon Bay through tunnels and shallow flats inside the refuge. Calm, sheltered, and rich with wading birds — best near a higher tide.

Highlights: Mangrove tunnels, roseate spoonbills, rays & wading birds

Captiva · Pine Island Sound · Moderate · ~3 mi

A loop around Buck Key behind Captiva, threading Roosevelt Channel and a quiet interior mangrove cut. Sheltered most of the way; the channel side can see boat wake.

Highlights: Roosevelt Channel, interior mangrove cut, dolphins

Lovers Key State Park · Estero Bay · Easy · ~3 mi

Sheltered estuary channels winding behind Lovers Key. Easy, scenic backwater with frequent manatee and dolphin sightings; mind the wind where the channels open to the bay.

Highlights: Manatees, dolphins, shelling beach finish

Koreshan State Park · Estero · Moderate · ~5 mi one-way

A classic downriver run from the Koreshan launch out to Estero Bay, narrowing under oak canopy before opening to the estuary. Plan the tide — the bay end is exposed and the paddle back is upstream.

Highlights: Oak-canopy river, otters, opens to the bay

Estero Bay · Mound Key Archaeological SP · Moderate · ~4 mi

A bay crossing to Mound Key — the shell-built former capital of the Calusa — with a short interior trail across the island. Open water both ways, so watch the wind and afternoon storms.

Highlights: Calusa shell mounds, interpretive trail, open bay

Riverside Park · Bonita Springs · Easy · ~4 mi

An easy out-and-back down the Imperial River from Riverside Park, shaded and slow-moving through old Bonita. A friendly first-timer paddle close to town.

Highlights: Shaded river, in-town launch, turtles

Cocohatchee River Park · North Naples · Moderate · ~4 mi

Follow the Cocohatchee out toward Wiggins Pass and the Gulf. Sheltered upriver, but the pass itself runs hard on the tide and sees boat traffic — turn back before the inlet if conditions build.

Highlights: Mangrove river, Gulf pass, beach sandbar

Big Cypress · Tamiami Trail · Advanced · ~6 mi one-way

The famous Turner River run: cypress and sawgrass up top giving way to claustrophobic mangrove tunnels as you head south toward Chokoloskee Bay. Remote — go prepared, carry navigation, and know the tide.

Highlights: Mangrove tunnels, alligators, true wilderness

Everglades City · Moderate · ~7 mi

A backcountry loop through Halfway Creek’s mangrove maze near Everglades City. Sheltered and wildlife-dense, but easy to lose the line — bring a chart and watch the falling tide.

Highlights: Mangrove maze, manatees, wading birds

Everglades NP · Chokoloskee Bay · Moderate · ~5 mi

From the Gulf Coast Visitor Center out across Chokoloskee Bay to Sandfly Island, with a short interpretive loop trail ashore. Open bay means wind and tide matter; an early start is your friend.

Highlights: Island nature trail, Ten Thousand Islands, sunsets

Cape Coral · Caloosahatchee · Easy · ~2 mi

A short, sheltered mangrove-creek paddle inside the Four Mile Cove preserve off the Caloosahatchee. Calm water, a marked canoe trail, and an easy in-town escape.

Highlights: Marked canoe trail, manatees in winter, boardwalk

Alva · Caloosahatchee · Easy · ~3 mi

A quiet creek paddle off the upper Caloosahatchee in Alva, winding through cypress and oak away from the open river. Peaceful, shaded, and good for spotting turtles and gators.

Highlights: Cypress creek, turtles, freshwater calm