15 Things To Do That Go Beyond The Ordinary In Bonita Springs

Before the condos and the weekenders, Bonita Springs was all river and salt. A town named for a freshwater spring—La Bonita, “the beautiful one”—and built slowly where the Imperial River flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Fishermen knew it. Seminole traders passed through it. The railroad arrived in 1928, and the place never really rushed after that.

Today, Bonita Springs still feels like a town that doesn’t beg for attention. It's wedged quietly between Naples and Fort Myers, often overshadowed by both. But that’s part of the charm. You don’t come here for crowds or hype. You come to watch dolphins from a kayak. To eat fried shrimp with your feet in the sand. To stand on a pier at sunset and feel like something in you has finally let go.

There’s more here than beach. Creeks and trails. Beer brewed around the corner. Manatees in the river and flea markets that haven’t changed in decades. It’s a place that holds still long enough for you to remember what that feels like.

If you’re looking for sleek, polished, curated Florida, keep driving. But if you want something quieter—something that feels like Florida used to—Bonita Springs is waiting, with the tide coming in and the sun still low over the mangroves.

1. Barefoot Beach Preserve

Location: 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Barefoot Beach Preserve is a rare gem on Florida’s Southwest coast—a 342‑acre stretch of undeveloped barrier island that remains one of the last of its kind. Long before luxury condo developments, this pristine spit of sand and dunes was recognized as a sanctuary for nature, and in 2013 it was ranked among the top ten beaches in the country by “Dr. Beach”. The preserve unfolds across 8,200 feet of shoreline laced with sea oats, coastal hammock, and shifting dunes, creating essential nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles and home to iconic wildlife like gopher tortoises.

Visitors enter via a quiet access road through a gated community, arriving at simple—yet thoughtful—amenities like portable restrooms, shaded picnic pavilions, and nature trails that include a mile‑long boardwalk and the meandering Saylor Trail toward Wiggins Pass. Hurricane Ian's storm surge caused damage in 2022, leading to temporary closures of some facilities, though much of the preserve is now fully reopened and healing under active conservation efforts.

To experience the preserve at its serene best, plan your visit between November and April, when southwest Florida offers cooler, drier weather, calm waters, and peaceful beach walks under blue skies

2. Lovers Key State Park

Location: 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Lovers Key State Park is a romantic and naturally preserved coastal retreat tucked just north of Bonita Springs. This collection of four barrier islands—Lovers Key, Black Island, Inner Key, and Long Key—was once reachable only by boat, lending the area a secluded charm perfect for courting couples, which is how it earned its name.

In 1983, the state purchased the land and merged it with the adjacent Carl E. Johnson County Park in 1996 to form the state park we know today. The park’s remains among the dunes, mangroves, tidal lagoons, and maritime hammock ecosystems offer a window into both historical preservation and ecological restoration—what was once developed and degraded has since bloomed back into pristine beauty.

Visitors are greeted by over two miles of white-sand beach—recognized as one of Florida’s top beaches by the Travel Channel—where swimming, shelling, and peaceful strolls blend with wild dolphin and manatee sightings in the shallow Gulf waters. On Black Island, more than five miles of scenic trails invite walking, biking, and wildlife watching, with hosts like roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, and bald eagles often appearing in view. A tram shuttles visitors from parking to the beach, and the welcome and discovery center offers interactive exhibits on local wildlife and habitats

3. Take a Dolphin & Manatee Boat Tour

Location: Various launch points — check Bonita Boat Tours or Pure Florida

You can’t schedule a wild animal. But in Bonita Springs, you can at least give yourself a good chance.

The boat tours that wind through Estero Bay and the backwaters near Bonita are less like amusement rides and more like slow, respectful conversations with the ecosystem. The captains know where to look—not because of GPS, but because they’ve watched this water for years. They spot the subtle movements: the ripple that means a dolphin is about to breach, the quiet V-shape of a manatee’s nose rising just above the surface.

These tours don’t rush. You move through mangrove tunnels, past oyster beds and heron nests, as the captain talks about tides, conservation, and the little things most people don’t notice. Then someone points. And there they are. Maybe one dolphin. Maybe a pod. Gliding beside the boat like they’ve done this before. Maybe a manatee, slow and silent, just passing through.

It’s not a show. It’s a sighting. And when it happens, it feels like a kind of permission—the water letting you witness something without controlling it.

4. Riverside Park & Downtown Bonita Springs

Location: 10451 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

There’s nothing flashy about downtown Bonita. No towering murals or curated storefronts. But walk through Riverside Park on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll get a different kind of charm—one that doesn’t need to prove itself.

The park follows the Imperial River as it curves through the center of town. A band shell sits at one end, ready for jazz nights or craft fairs. There’s a shady walking path, benches under mossy oaks, and a restored fishing cottage that reminds you this was once a town built around water, not real estate.

Cross the street and you’re in the small downtown strip. Art galleries. Antique shops. A few restaurants that serve blackened grouper like it’s still the local catch of the day. You’ll hear music. You’ll smell barbecue. You might meet someone who’s lived here for forty years and doesn’t plan on leaving.

5. Doc’s Beach House

Location: 27908 Hickory Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Doc’s Beach House has been a laid-back Bonita Springs icon since it first opened its doors in 1987. Set right on Bonita Beach at 27908 Hickory Boulevard, it grew from a simple roadside café into the beachside staple locals and visitors adore. The restaurant serves up casual American fare—think blackened grouper sandwiches, fresh pizzas, seafood baskets, and ice-cold drinks—perfect for a relaxed bite after a beach day.

The building is built for sun-soaked vibes. A beach-level dining area and open-air patio welcome sandy feet and salty hair, while the upstairs bar offers more intimate surroundings with sweeping views over the Gulf—and gets lively during game nights, where fans gather to cheer on “DA BEARS!”. There’s even a take-out window for grabbing food to-go, along with a souvenir stand for everything from sunscreen to t-shirts.

Hurricane Ian took its toll on Doc’s in 2022, causing over a year of closure. But after renovations, the restaurant rose again in winter 2024—stronger, with its familiar charm intact

6. Kayak the Imperial River

Location: Launch from Riverside Park or Island Park

The Imperial River quietly flows through Bonita Springs, tracing back to when early Army Corps of Engineers surveyors camped nearby in the 1870s. Their mapping work led to the town originally being named “Survey” and the waterway “Surveyor’s Creek.” As the area evolved, a more appealing name was adopted—Imperial River—to match the newly rebranded town of Bonita Springs, aiming to attract settlers and investors.

Stretching about 9 miles from its swamp-fed source near I‑75 to where it meets Estero Bay, the river flows through downtown Bonita Springs before opening into coastal waters. Early 20th-century development centered on its banks: the historic Liles Hotel stood overlooking the river as a key stop, and its legacy continues today in riverside cabins and Riverside Park, where a kayak launch and restored tourist cottages live on.

Now part of the Great Calusa Blueway, the Imperial River offers peaceful paddling under oak and cypress canopies, frequent wildlife sightings, and a lovely mix of nature and local history revealed at every turn

7. Wonder Gardens

Location: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Everglades Wonder Gardens began in 1936 when brothers Bill and Lester Piper transformed a stretch of the newly built Tamiami Trail into a quirky roadside reptile garden—to rehabilitate injured wildlife and entertain adventurers heading south. Originally known as Everglades Reptile Gardens, it quickly evolved in name and scope. By the 1950s, it was rebranded as Wonder Gardens, becoming one of Florida’s most beloved animal and botanical attractions, known for its reptiles, rescued native species, and lush plantings.

Over the decades, the park welcomed generations of visitors and fostered early conservation efforts, even breeding endangered Florida panthers long before eco-tourism became a buzzword. In 2013, when the Piper family stepped back, local nature photographer John Brady and a nonprofit joined forces to preserve the legacy, focusing more on botanical beauty while keeping wildlife in focus. Today, the City supports the nonprofit in running this historic treasure with care and charm

8. Little Hickory Island

Location: 26082 Hickory Blvd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 (Beach Access #10)

Little Hickory Island is a peaceful sliver of shoreline tucked off the coast of Bonita Springs, accessible by road yet feeling wonderfully secluded. Also known as Bonita Beach Access #10, this beach park offers a slice of pristine white sand framed by the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico. Its modest but thoughtful amenities include free parking (or by annual sticker), portable toilets, and shaded picnic areas—but don’t expect lifeguards, concessions, or playgrounds—this is a place to let the day drift quietly by.

Fishing from the shore is a favorite pastime here, and shell collectors will also delight—Little Hickory Island is known for good shelling, with plenty of coastal treasures waiting along the water’s edge. Although it shut down for hurricane repairs for a time, the beach has since reopened, offering more of its shoreline to those seeking calm and simplicity.

9. Bonita Fairways

Location: 9751 W Terry St, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Bonita Fairways is a charming executive-style golf course nestled in Bonita Springs, designed in 1993 by Gordon Lewis. The layout spans 18 holes across a manageable 3,400–3,500 yards, playing to a par of 61. With seven challenging par 4s and the rest par 3s, the front nine tests your short-game precision with doglegs, larger water hazards, and bunkers, while the back nine brings gently rolling fairways, smaller water features, and subtle elevation changes.

Though modest in length, the course delivers character and challenge—perfect for solo golfers, families, or those looking to sharpen their short game. Amenities include a friendly clubhouse restaurant, “One More Round,” open daily with lunch options and happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. You’ll also find a pro shop, chipping and putting practice areas, club rentals, and instruction available

10. Hopsized Brewing

Location: 9201 Cockleshell Ct, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Tucked into an unassuming strip in Bonita’s industrial zone, Hopsized Brewing feels like someone took their garage, filled it with stainless steel tanks and serious talent, and invited the whole neighborhood in.

There’s no fake rustic decor. No $14 pours. Just good beer made by people who care about the craft and aren’t trying to prove anything. The taps rotate constantly—IPAs that punch, lagers that don’t overthink it, porters with just enough edge. You walk in not knowing what to expect. You walk out with a favorite.

The vibe is local in the best way. Dogs on leashes. Kids playing Jenga. Food trucks parked outside. Bartenders who’ll actually talk hops with you, or just give you a sample and let the beer speak for itself.

11. Estero Bay

Location: Departures from Bay Water Boat Club or Barefoot Boat Rentals

Estero Bay, just south of Fort Myers, holds a special place in Florida’s history and natural heritage. Long before modern development, the bay was home to the powerful Calusa people, who built towering shell mounds that can still be seen today at Mound Key. These structures were more than just refuse heaps; they were ceremonial centers and even the site of one of the earliest European forts in North America, Fort San Antón de Carlos, built by the Spanish in the 1500s. This blend of indigenous ingenuity and early colonial encounters makes Estero Bay one of the most historically significant estuaries in the region.

In 1966, Estero Bay was designated Florida’s first aquatic preserve, ensuring that its mangroves, seagrass beds, and tidal wetlands would remain protected for generations to come. The bay’s ecosystem is teeming with life—dolphins, manatees, ospreys, and countless fish species thrive in its waters. Freshwater from the Imperial and Estero Rivers mingles with the tides of the Gulf, creating a dynamic environment that has sustained people and wildlife for centuries.

The best time to visit is from November to April, when cooler temperatures, dry skies, and active wildlife make exploring by kayak or boat an unforgettable experience.

12. Congo River Golf

Location: 24270 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs

Imagine stepping into a lush, safari-themed mini-golf adventure right off U.S. 41—Congo River Golf brings that experience to life in Bonita Springs. Located just south of the Estero line, beside the iconic Bonita Bubbles Car Wash, its entrance is hard to miss: a towering makeshift mountain with a zebra-striped plane crash—it’s wild and whimsical at first glance.

This isn't your run-of-the-mill mini-golf. It’s inspired by the travels of Stanley and Livingstone, inviting players into a world filled with waterfalls, caves, tropical rainforests, and hidden surprises. Think gem mining stations, live caiman feeding experiences, and themed décor that makes each hole feel like a mini expedition.

Families love it—and with good reason. It features a fun exploration game (a scavenger hunt that keeps the course fresh and engaging), plus an arcade and party rooms for celebrations. Recent improvements include replay tickets ($8) that never expire and can be used across Congo River’s multiple Florida locations.

13. Cullum’s Trail at Bonita Nature Place

Location: 27601 Kent Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Cullum’s Trail is a peaceful 0.9-mile shell-lined loop nestled alongside the Imperial River, adjacent to Bonita Nature Place in Bonita Springs. The trail follows a gently meandering path through old-growth cypress, towering oaks draped in Spanish moss, and lush understory—perfect for spotting native birds, butterflies, and seasonal wildflowers.

This delightful trail is the labor of local environmentalist Cullum Hasty, who volunteered his passion and energy to bring it to life—and is now working on expansions to enhance it further. The trail includes a canoe and kayak launch, offering access to the most scenic and remote stretches of the Imperial River—great for a quiet paddle or wildlife viewing.

The path combines packed shell surfaces with boardwalks over low-lying areas and includes benches for peaceful stops. However, sections may be less ideal for wheelchairs or strollers, so plan accordingly. It’s easily accessible off Kent Road, just past the Bonita Nature Place entrance, with free parking available

14. Flamingo Island Flea Market

Location: 11902 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

There’s something comforting about a place that hasn’t changed much in twenty years—and probably won’t in the next twenty. The Flamingo Island Flea Market is messy, loud, and completely unpretentious. Which is exactly what makes it work.

You’ll find old CDs. Phone cases from five iPhones ago. Piles of hats. Locally made soap. Knockoff sunglasses. Fresh produce from nearby farms. A food stand serving Cuban coffee strong enough to wake the back half of your brain. People bargain. People wander. And everyone seems to have time.

It’s not curated. It’s alive. It hums with regulars and snowbirds and families just killing an hour before lunch. There’s live music on weekends, beer sold from coolers, and booths where the owner’s been sitting in the same folding chair since the early 2000s.

You come here for the randomness. For the chance you’ll find something you didn’t know you needed. Or maybe just for the reminder that not everything has to be sleek and streamlined to be worth your time.

15. Day Trip to Naples or Sanibel Island

Location: Naples (~30 mins south); Sanibel (~45 mins west)

Sometimes, the best part of staying in Bonita Springs is leaving it for a few hours—then coming back.

You’re perfectly positioned between two of Southwest Florida’s most iconic destinations. Drive south, and in less than 30 minutes, you’re in Naples. Elegant, polished, full of art galleries, white tablecloths, and beaches that look like magazine covers. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a cocktail that costs more than your lunch back in Bonita, but somehow still feels worth it.

Or go the other direction—west toward Sanibel. The bridge stretches out like a promise. And when you arrive, it’s like stepping into a different pace entirely. Bicycles everywhere. No traffic lights. Shells on the shore that seem hand-placed by the tide itself. Even after Hurricane Ian, the island’s spirit is intact—quiet resilience dressed in sea oats and Gulf breeze.

Both are beautiful. Both are worth the drive. But after a few hours, something pulls you back. Maybe it’s the lack of crowds. Maybe it’s the fried fish baskets or the breeze off Estero Bay. Either way, Bonita starts to feel less like the place between—and more like the place you were always supposed to return to.

Conclusion

Bonita Springs may today be known for its calm Gulf beaches, golf courses, and relaxed Southwest Florida lifestyle, but its roots stretch much deeper. The area was once home to the Calusa people, who thrived along these waterways long before Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s. Later, during the 19th century, the region saw pioneers settle along the Imperial River, and in the early 1900s it was promoted as “Survey” before gaining the more welcoming name Bonita Springs to attract residents and visitors. Over the years, landmarks such as the historic Everglades Wonder Gardens and the preservation of Lovers Key highlighted the community’s balance of nature, history, and recreation.

This rich past adds an extra layer of meaning to a visit: you aren’t just stepping into a beach town, you’re walking through centuries of stories shaped by indigenous resilience, frontier determination, and the vision of early developers who helped transform the area into today’s thriving destination.

The ideal season is November through April, when temperatures are mild, humidity is lower, and the Gulf waters sparkle under clear skies—perfect for both beach days and exploring Bonita’s historical sites.

Karta offers amazing deals on Bonita Springs vacation rentals to plan your visit!

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Bonita Springs Vs Neighbouring Cities

How to Get to Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs lies along Florida’s scenic southwest Gulf Coast, nestled between Fort Myers and Naples. It's a charming destination known for beaches, natural parks, and small‑town charm. Here’s how to reach it:

By Air

• Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers is the closest commercial airport—approximately 13 miles (22 minutes drive) via I‑75 or US‑41.
• Shuttle services from RSW to Bonita Springs take about 30–45 minutes and cost $25–$40 per person.
• Taxi fares are typically $40 for up to 3 passengers, with an additional $10 per extra passenger, and take around 30 minutes.
• Public bus (LeeTran) is the most budget-friendly: transfers are required, with total fare about $4–$5 per person. The journey takes roughly 3 hours.

By Car

• Bonita Springs is best accessed by car via major highways:
  • I‑75 connects north from the Tampa area or south from Naples.
  • US‑41 (Tamiami Trail) is a parallel route running along the coast.
  • County Road 865 (Bonita Beach Road / Hickory Boulevard) connects directly through town and onto the beach.

By Bus (Public Transit)

• LeeTran, the county-operated bus service, covers Wah region linking Bonita Springs with Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Routes like 50, 240, 600, and others serve the area, running Monday through Saturday (and some on Sunday).

By Sea

• Not a typical arrival method, but for coastal travelers, Bonita Beach Park and Lovers Key State Park offer boat access for those exploring the area via private watercraft.

FAQs

1. What are the top attractions in Bonita Springs?

Bonita Springs is known for its beautiful beaches like Barefoot Beach Preserve and Bonita Beach. Other attractions include Lover's Key State Park, the Everglades Wonder Gardens, and numerous golf courses.

2. Is Bonita Springs good for outdoor activities?

Absolutely! Bonita Springs offers a plethora of outdoor activities including kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, fishing, and bird watching, especially in the natural settings of its state parks and preserves.

3. What is the best time of year to visit Bonita Springs?

The best time to visit Bonita Springs is during the winter and spring months, from November to April, when the weather is mild and pleasant, making it ideal for enjoying the outdoors and avoiding the summer heat and humidity.

4. Are there family-friendly activities in Bonita Springs?

Yes, Bonita Springs is very family-friendly, with activities ranging from exploring parks, enjoying beach days, visiting the Everglades Wonder Gardens, and taking part in water sports suited for all ages.

5. Where can I find unique dining experiences in Bonita Springs?

Bonita Springs hosts a variety of unique dining options, particularly seafood restaurants with fresh catches, waterfront dining for scenic views, and local bistros that offer a taste of regional cuisine.

6. How can I get around Bonita Springs?

While some areas are walkable, especially around the beachfront, having a car is the most convenient way to get around Bonita Springs and explore the surrounding areas, including nearby Naples and Fort Myers.

7. What are some good day trips from Bonita Springs?

Great day trips from Bonita Springs include visiting the nearby cities of Naples and Fort Myers, exploring the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, or taking a longer drive to the Florida Everglades for an airboat tour.