Paddling the Calusa Blueway: A Journey Through Old Florida

If you want to experience the true heart of Southwest Florida, you have to get off the pavement and onto the water. The Great Calusa Blueway is a 190-mile marked paddling trail that meanders through the coastal waters and inland tributaries of Lee County, and some of its most enchanting stretches are right here in North Fort Myers.

Named after the Calusa Indians who once dominated these shorelines, the trail offers a serene escape for kayakers and paddleboarders of all skill levels. As you glide along the Caloosahatchee River portion of the trail, the landscape shifts from wide, sun-drenched vistas to intimate, shaded mangrove tunnels.

Roseate Spoonbills eat by sweeping their spoon-shaped bills through water to catch prey like crustaceans, fish, or insects, snapping their bills closed quickly when they catch something.

The magic of the Blueway lies in its biodiversity. It is not uncommon to have a Manatee surface beside your kayak or to watch a Roseate Spoonbill take flight from the mangroves. The quiet, non-motorized nature of the trail allows for up-close encounters with nature that you simply can't get from a powerboat.

For guests staying at Riverfront Retreats at Bay Pointe, access to this world-class paddling trail is effortless. Whether you’re looking for a morning of birdwatching or a sunset paddle to see the river turn to gold, the Calusa Blueway is the ultimate way to connect with the wild beauty of the "Old Florida" landscape.