Uncover the three distinct locations of Florida’s Paradise Coast

For travellers looking for a distinct facet of Florida – one which feels extra refined, nature-led and quietly luxurious – Florida’s Paradise Coast affords three distinct locations in a single effortlessly combinable journey.

Stretching alongside south-west Florida’s Gulf Coast, the area brings collectively the sophistication of Naples, the laid-back calm of Marco Island and the rugged wilderness of the Everglades. 

Naples: For refined city exploration

Naples is the place polished coastal residing meets untamed subtropical magnificence. One second you’re shopping modern galleries and designer boutiques within the historic downtown district, the following you’re exploring the biggest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America. 

Culture lovers can discover The Baker Museum – among the many prime 3 per cent of museums nationwide – earlier than wandering the manicured botanical landscapes of Naples Botanical Garden or catching a efficiency at Artis – Naples. Nature experiences are equally immersive, from birdwatching at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to dolphin-spotting cruises alongside the Gulf.

The metropolis’s eating scene is one other main draw, mixing upscale seafood spots with relaxed beachfront establishments. Sunset dinners at one of many many waterfront spots equivalent to BALEEN Naples are important for guests, whereas Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are full of trendy eating places, wine bars and open-air terraces that give Naples a distinctly cosmopolitan really feel.

Marco Island: For powder white seashores

For travellers craving slower mornings and a soothing escape, Marco Island affords a softer, quieter tempo of Florida life. The largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island is understood for its expansive white-sand seashores, heat Gulf waters and small-town ambiance, best for travellers who romanticise simplicity: shell accumulating at dawn and afternoons spent paddleboarding by means of calm mangrove estuaries.

Boat journeys to Keewaydin Island – an undeveloped barrier island solely accessible by water – supply a real castaway expertise. Visitors may discover the island’s fascinating Calusa Native American historical past on the Marco Island Historical Museum or just settle into the straightforward rhythm of waterfront eating and sundown cocktails. Unlike many Florida seashore locations, Marco Island has resisted over growth, making it notably interesting for {couples}, wellness travellers and multi-generational households looking for a extra understated coastal escape.

Everglades City: For wild journey

The western gateway to Everglades National Park and located on the sting of the Ten Thousand Islands, Everglades City feels really wild and deeply native. With fewer than 500 residents, this distant fishing group affords one of the vital genuine experiences in Florida. The historic Museum of the Everglades affords an perception into the area’s pioneer previous, whereas guests can attempt native stone crab at dockside eating places within the “Stone Crab Capital of the World”, which arrives contemporary from close by waters throughout stone crab season. 

Everglades City is effectively located to discover the Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the one subtropical mangrove wilderness within the US. Several tour corporations supply thrilling airboat rides by means of the mangrove forests, whereas close by Big Cypress National Preserve – America’s first nationwide protect spanning over 729,000 acres – is a sanctuary for various wildlife and a hub for outside recreation. Visitors can discover the scenic waterways by kayak eco-tour, or be a part of a day by day ranger-led moist stroll between November and April. 

For extra info on Florida’s Paradise Coast, go to paradisecoast.com.