Sanibel and Captiva Island Tours:
Cruise the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound, enjoying the world’s most impressive islands. During the narrated tour you will also be able to see exotic birdlife, dolphins, and the historical Sanibel Lighthouse.

Beach Break & Shelling Cayo Costa State Park:
Take a ride to one of Florida’s most beautiful barrier island state parks that is only accessible by boat. Explore the uninhabited beaches for shelling, swimming, and exploring.

Lunch and Shopping on Boca Grande:
Cruise to Boca Grande, located on the grand barrier island, Gasparilla. Explore its natural beauty, white sandy beaches, 80 year old banyan trees, and a lighthouse that is over 100 years old. During this trip you will also be able to shop and enjoy the local restaurants.

Lunch and Shopping at the Village on Venetian Bay in Naples:
Take a tour to Naples on the Sanibel Thriller and explore the village on Venetian Bay. This village has over 60 shops, galleries, and restaurants on the waterfront.

Sunset Thriller Cruise:
Enjoy a perfect evening aboard the Sanibel Thriller, cruising along the Gulf of Mexico and viewing a beautiful sunset.

Reservations are required for all Tours:
Sanibel Thriller: (239) 472-2328
email: sanibelthriller@yahoo.com

Sanibel Thriller departs from the Sanibel Marina:
Sanibel Marina
634 N. Yachtsman Drive
Sanibel, FL 33957

Visit Sanibel Thriller Webiste »

Cruise to the outer islands of Sanibel and watch dolphins at play, shell along pristine beaches, and enjoy nature that only a few have the opportunity to experience.  This Shelling Tour tour stops for lunch at Cabbage Key Restaurant. Tour departs Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9am and returns at 3pm.

Sealife Encounter Excursion:
Cruise with a marine biologist and naturalist on the Sealife Encounter and enjoy a wonderful trip that offers a unique, hands-on learning adventure. You will cruise to the bay while watching dolphins at play, stopping at a deserted island for netting. This tour includes a natural history narration, sampling of marine animals and on-board touch tanks for viewing the catch. Tour departs daily at 12:30pm and returns at 3pm.

Sunset Dolphin Watch Cruise:
This tour features tropical music and complimentary champagne as you cruise along the calm waters of San Carlos bay. This tour passes by bird island to experience hundreds of birds flocking in for the evening roost. It also passes along the coastline of Sanible while watching dolphins play. Departure times vary daily. This is a 90 minute cruise.

Afternoon Dolphin Watch:
This tour offers a great cruise to see dolphins, wildlife and many interesting sights. See and learn about the mangrove islands and estuaries where the Calusa Indians once lived. This is a relaxing and comfortable cruise. Tour departs Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 3:30pm and returns at 5:00pm.

Adventures in Paradise also offers Fishing Excursions, Kayak and Canoe Tours, Kayak and Canoe Rentals, and has a marina.

Location:
Adventures In Paradise
Port Sanibel Marina
14341 Port Comfort Road
Fort Myers, FL 33908
Phone: 239-472-8443

Tour Prices (Vary depending on tour)
Adults: $25 - $55
Children: $15 - $45
Children (under 3): free

Visit Adventures in Paradise Website »

The museum includes prehistoric creatures that lived with the first humans, includingthe 12 foot Giant Sloth. It also includes a 1929 private Pullman railcar and a new audio tour. From winter through spring of each year, the museum hosts an exciting traveling exhibit highlighting the culture and history of people of another country, time, or era. Previous exhibits have included the Roswell Exhibit, King Tut, Treasures of Eden, and the Ted Williams Museum Exhibit.

There are also special program at the museum including Historic Downtown Walking tours that are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:00am from January through April.

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Location:
Southwest Florida Museum of History
2031 Jackson Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 321-7430

Admission Prices:
Adults: $9.50
Seniors: $8.50
Children (ages 3-12): $5.00
Students (with ID): $5.00

Visit Southwest Florida Museum of History Website»

DON’T MISS THE IMAGINARIUM!!

Located just a half-mile from the Southwest Florida Museum of History is the sister museum the “Imaginarium”. You will find fun and learning for the while family at their hands-on Museum and Aquarium. You can touch live sea life, be blown away by a hurricane, run through a rainstorm, enjoy a 3-D film, and visit their marine touch tank with stingrays and more. There are also exhibits featuring live fish, sharks, turtles, swans, and iguanas.

Imaginarium Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday: Noon to 5:00pm

Location:
Imaginarium Hands on Museum
2000 Cranford Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33916
(239) 337-3332

Admission Package - includes 3-D film, Hands-On Fun Shows, “Sea-to-See” Touch Tank Experience, Hurricane Experience and over 60 hands-on exhibits.

Adults $12.00
Seniors $10.00
Children (ages 3-12): $8.00

Visit Imaginarium Website »

Dolphin Watch & Wildlife Adventure Cruise:
This is the perfect family cruise with narration on board provided by volunteers from the Sanibel and Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Sunset Serenade Cruise:
This is the perfect way to end the day on Captiva Island.  You can enjoy a cocktail from the full service bar while watching the sun set on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  Live music is featured on this cruise.

Cayo Costa Beach & Shelling Cruise
Visit the secluded Florida state park beaches that are only accessible by boat.  This cruise will take you to the islands of North Captiva or Cayo Costa.  You will have time to shell, swim, bird watch, and explore the beaches. Full day and half day cruises are offered.

Cabbage Key Cruise:
This cruise will take you to Cabbage Key where you can eat at the Cabbage Key Restaurant and enjoy the scenery.  The cruise takes one hour each way on the waters which is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the waters.  There is a short nature trail on the island of Cabbage Key but there are no beaches.  

Useppa Island Cruise:
Useppa is a private Island for the rich and famous.  The only way to visit Useppa is to be a member, a guest of a member, or ride on Captiva Cruises.  You will be able to visit Collier Inn, the main clubhouse for this private island.  You can purchase lunch at the Collier Inn or the Tarpon Bar Restaurant, depending on the time of year.  There is also a History Museum on the Island that you can visit.
 
Boca Grande Cruise:
Boca Grande is a quaint seaside village with numerous restaurant shops and art galleries.  After an hour and a half narrated cruise to Boca Grande Marina on Gasparilla Island, you will have about three hours to explore the island, visit downtown Boca Grande, or rent golf carts at the Boca Grande Marina.

Reservations are required for all cruises at least one week prior to departure and prices vary depending on cruise.  For reservations please call (239) 472-5300

Departure Locations:

South Seas Island Resort
5400 Plantation Road
Captiva Island, FL 33924

McCarthy’s Marina
11401 Andy Rosse Lane
Captiva Island FL 33924

Visit Captiva Cruises Website »

Seminole Gulf Railway also offers afternoon excursions across the Caloosahatchee Rivers. This is a unique educational and entertaining experience for all ages. The daytime excursion travels north through Fort Myers and then across the Caloosahatchee River via the railroad drawbridge and into Northern Lee County, with views only accessible by rail.

During the holidays, you can join special events such as the Halloween Ghost Train, Thanksgiving Feast, Jingle Bell Special, New Years Eve Gala, Sweetheart Express, and many more!

Location:
Seminole Gulf Railway
2805 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33907
1-800-SEMGULF

Murder Mystery Dinner Train Prices (subject to change):
Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sun: $59.00 + tax and gratuity
Saturday: $69.00 + tax and gratuity
*Prices include dinner, excluding tax and gratuity

Afternoon Excursions (subject to change):
Adults: $19.95 + tax
Children (ages 3-12): $11.95 + tax
*Prices include excursions, excluding optional snack bar

Visit Seminole Gulf Railway Website »

At the Edison and Ford Winter Estates you will have the opportunity to visit Edison’s winter home and see furnishings and architecture of a bygone era, yet you will see many innovations which we do not have in the most modern of homes. You can visit the Ford porch, adjacent to the Ford vintage automobile garage and see spectacular riverfront views of the Caloosahatchee River.

Visit the Botanical Gardens located on the Edison Estate to see more than a thousand varieties of plants imported from all over the world, including African sausage trees and Banyan tree, which was believed to be a gift from Harvey Firestone in 1925.

The Botanic Research Laboratory is one of the most absorbing features of the Edison Estate. Here, workers helped Edison in his research on goldenrod as a source of natural rubber. The Laboratory is filled with the original apparatus and equipment Edison used to conduct his rubber research, as well as the cot where Edison took “catnaps” while working in the laboratory.

The Estates Museum inspires imagination, encourages intellectual exploration and stimulates the senses with his seven galleries featuring an impressive collection of inventions, artifacts and special exhibits.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see one of Florida’s first modern swimming pools, Edison’s laboratory where he spent so many hours and conducted his last major experiments, tropical gardens, and an artifact museum.

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Sunday: 9:00am - 5:30pm
(The last tour leaves at 4:00pm)

Location:
2350 McGregor Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33905

Admission:

Homes & Gardens Tour (Includes Lab & Museum)
Adult $20.00
Child (6-12) $11.00

Botanical Tour
Adult $24.00
Child (6-12) $10.00

Laboratory & Museum Only
Adult $12.00
Child (6-12) $ 5.00

Holiday Nights
Adult $12.00
Child (6-12) $ 1.00

The Estates accepts US currency, checks, Traveler’s Checks, and all major credit cards (Discounts are available for AAA members and Florida Attraction Members)

Visit Edison and Ford Winter Estates Website »

The Planetarium has many shows and hosts many special events during astronomical happenings. You can also rent a telescope and adopt a constellation.

The gift shop has a wide variety of natural history merchandise for all ages, from books to jewelry and native plants. All purchases benefit the Center.

The Casula Nature Center and Planetarium was voted the Best Nature Center in Florida in 2004 by the readers of Florida Monthly magazine.

Hours of operation:
Monday - Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am - 5:00pm

Location:
3450 Ortiz Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33905
239-275-3435

Visit Casula Nature Center and Planetarium Website »

St. Armands Circle was originally designed by circus magnate John Ringling and today features a tribute to honor those from the Greatest Show on Earth. While you’re there, don’t miss The Circus Ring of Fame, a “sidewalk of circus stars.” From the Circus Ring of Fame, palm trees stretch down to Lido Beach and then to South Lido Park, a fun spot to explore nature trails, canoe, kayak, and enjoy a relaxing picnic with great views of the water. 

For those who are history buffs, in the early 1900’s St. Armands Cirlce was nothing more than a mangrove island that was located too far from the local fishing village in Sarasota to attract much attention.  Charles St. Amand became the first resident of the 132 acre key by purchasing it, and later in 1917 Circus magnate John Ringling purchased the key with a vision of a circle lined with shops and a residential area.  After much construction at St. Armands Circle, a wooden bridge connecting it to Sarasota was built in 1925.  After some initial interest in St. Armands Circle, the great depression hit Florida hard and Ringling was unable to maintain the property so he gave it to Sarasota as a gift.  For more than twenty years the property was neglected; wood rotted and vegetation grew to cover the streets and sidewalks.  In the 1950’s, the circle slowly came alive and today the shopping circle looks very much as John Ringling envisioned it, with palm-lined streets, tropical plants, couryards and patios, and the residential areas surrounding St. Armands Circle. 

Visit St. Armands Circle Website »

The Gardens has many rare and endangered exotic birds donated by various rescue organizations nationwide.  At Sarasota Jungle Gardens you can also visit alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and feed flamingos out of the palm of your hand!

At Sarasota Jungle Gardens, kids will have fun at the just for kids “Kiddie Jungle”.  The “Kiddie Jungle” features a tree house, haunted tree, tiger swings, slide and a custom wooden train for children to play on.  Birthday parties are a specialty at the gardens as well.

Visitors can enjoy The Flamingo Café which serves delicious sandwiches, ice cream and snacks, or visitors have the option to bring their own picnic and enjoy it in one of the many picnic areas offered by the gardens. Park hours are: 9 a.m. to 5p.m. daily. Visiting Sarasota Jungle Gardens will make your visit to Florida complete!! 

Visit Sarasota Jungle Gardens Website »

Throughout the grounds of the historic Selby estate are many distinct garden areas, including the Tropical Display House with its lush rain forest atmosphere, the towering Bamboo Pavilion, Banyan Grove, Cactus and Succulent Garden and Cycad Collection. 

Also on the grounds is the former Christy Payne Mansion, a unique example of eclectic Southern Colonial architecture. The Mansion, on the National Register of Historic Places, is the home to ever-changing botanical art and photography exhibits.

Visit the Garden Shop and Banyan Treasures Store in the historic Selby House to find gifts, plants, books and more.  There is a cafe on the premises, as well as a poison dart frog exhibit, free-range butterfly garden, and beautiful botanical art and photography exhibits. 

Children will delight in the indoor “rainforest,” brilliant dart frog collection, and the gardens abundant with tropical flora and fauna. More than 150 scientific expeditions to rainforests around the world have contributed to a collection of more than 20,000 living plants, truly a wonder to see!

Visit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Website &raquo