Do We Beach House

Naples and the Everglades sit at opposite ends of Southwest Florida’s personality spectrum, and both are within easy reach of Fort Myers Beach. One is polished — galleries, espresso, waterfront dining. The other is raw — alligators, mangrove tunnels, and horizons that don’t end. Together they make one of the best day-trip combinations in the state, and in summer they’re at their most interesting. Here’s how to do both from the Do We Beach House.

Getting There

By car to Naples (about 45 minutes): Head south over the Big Carlos Pass bridge, then follow signs for US-41 (Tamiami Trail) or I-75. Both get you to Naples in under an hour. I-75 is faster; US-41 is the prettier drive, running past mangrove-lined canals and old Florida towns.

To the Everglades (about 1.5 hours total): From Naples it’s a quick 40 minutes east on US-41 to Everglades City — the western gateway to Everglades National Park. The drive is part of the trip: about 20 minutes out of Naples, the scenery switches from beach town to swamp and doesn’t stop.

Naples: The Polished Side

Fifth Avenue South & 3rd Street South — Naples’ two classic shopping streets, a few blocks apart in Old Naples. Boutiques, art galleries, and a serious concentration of good restaurants. They’re made for strolling, and summer crowds are thinner than season.

Naples Pier — A historic wooden pier reaching 1,000 feet into the Gulf. Pelicans crowd the railings, anglers line the sides, and dolphin sightings are common. Walk to the end and watch for a while — it’s the best free show in town.

Tin City — A working waterfront at the mouth of the Gordon River with shops, seafood restaurants, and the dock where dolphin-watching and sunset cruises depart. A good lunch spot with boats coming and going right past your table.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park — The best natural beach in the Naples area, about $8 per vehicle (cashless). Wide white sand and calm water; arrive before 10 AM in summer to beat the lot filling up.

The Everglades: The Raw Side

Everglades City & the Gulf Coast Visitor Center — The park’s western entrance and the launch point for the Ten Thousand Islands. Stop in for maps and ask the rangers what’s been spotted that week — they always know.

Airboat tour (the main event) — Several operators run tours from Everglades City through mangrove tunnels and sawgrass flats, roughly $50-70 per adult depending on tour length (check current rates). The guides know exactly where the alligators are. Keep hands inside the boat and cameras ready. Morning tours are the sweet spot — cooler, and the wildlife is active before the heat builds.

Big Cypress National Preserve — On the way back, the preserve along US-41 has pull-offs where alligators, wading birds, and the occasional manatee hang out in the roadside canals. Free, right on the road, and the easiest wildlife viewing in the region.

Doing Both in One Day

The classic summer move: Everglades in the morning, Naples in the afternoon. You’re on the water before the heat peaks, and by early afternoon you’re back in air conditioning — galleries, lunch, gelato. Reverse it in the cooler months and stay for a Naples sunset. If you’d rather take it slow, pick one and give it a full day; both reward an unhurried visit.

Practical Notes

• Go early. In summer, afternoon storms roll through most days — usually brief, but they can soak an airboat ride. Morning tours are more reliable.
• Hydrate like it’s your job. The Everglades in July is serious heat. Bring more water than you think you need, plus reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.
• Bug spray for the Everglades. The mangroves are honest about being a swamp. A good repellent is the difference between magical and miserable.
• Alligator etiquette. They’re wild animals, not park props. Keep your distance, don’t feed them, and let the airboat guides set the example.
• Fill up before Everglades City. Gas is scarce out there — top off in Naples.

Why We Love This Day Trip

Fort Myers Beach gives you the beach-town energy, but an hour in any direction changes the whole trip. Naples shows you old-Florida elegance done right, and the Everglades shows you the Florida that was here first. Two completely different days’ worth of adventure within easy reach of the house.

— The Do We Beach House team

Staying at Do We Beach House? It’s a straight shot south to both. See availability at Coastal Vacation Properties, and ask us about our favorite airboat operators and Naples lunch spots. We have opinions.

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