Many of the newer condos and resorts lining the coast of Southwest Florida in and around Naples stand tall toward the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Paddling in the mangroves of Naples Fla. (Photos by David G. Molyneaux, TheTravelMavens.com)

That’s toward, but not on the beach, because man, these days, no longer is stupid enough to destroy the mangroves, nature’s best beachfront protectors from the furious storms of the Gulf.

Instead, vacation buildings near water’s edge sit behind the mangroves, which are low twisting trees with amazing root structures that live comfortably in and around the seawater.

One of my favorite activities on a Southwest Florida vacation is to play in the waters between the mangroves and the mainland, kayaking, for instance, near Fort Myers on ancient Native American paths now mapped out as the Great Calusa Blueway.

Farther south, in the Naples area, where private development sometimes makes beach reaching difficult, you’ll find easy access to the sands and a nice boardwalk for strolling through the mangroves off U.S. 41, near the venerable Naples Grande resort, which is  part of the Waldorf Astoria group. 

Kayaking in the mangroves of Naples Fla.

Naples Grande is a beach resort, facing the Gulf, but the sand is .6 miles away, reached on a modern boardwalk that curves through the mangroves to a popular beach spot for watching the sunset. The resort would be happy to take your room reservation (and book kayaks and other beach gear).

If you want to look around first, you can get to the boardwalk and the beach by turning off U.S. 41 where Pine Ridge (from the east) meets Seagate (to the west).  Turn west on Seagate, keep going straight until you see the parking lot for Clam Pass Public Beach. It will cost you $5 to park (Naples residents park for free).

Most resort guests and day visitors seem to choose to ride, above left,  through the mangroves on a free tram that traverses the .6 mile boardwalk to the beach.

I recommend the walk, above right.

Benches await for bird gazing. I sat for a spell, watching a local kayaker to the south and a woman standing on a water board, paddling her way north through the protected waters.

Paddling in the mangroves of Naples Fla. near the Naples Grande Beach Resort

David Molyneaux is editor of TheTravelMavens.com