Monday, 24 June 2013

Amazing Water Sports & Activities In Naples, Florida

By Jony Mozen


The beaches of Naples are popular natural attractions. The Paradise Coast is famous for beaches that stretch from the northern tip of Collier County, through the city of Naples, along Marco Island's crescent shoreline and into the deserted Ten Thousand Islands region of the Everglades. They offer spectacular sunsets and a relaxing retreat from the busy world. The gentle waters and powdery white sandy beaches provide an ideal setting to unwind, read a book, people watch, take a nice long leisurely walk, and splash in the gentle waves. The younger crowd can enjoy volleyball, Frisbee, sunbathe, or frolic in the surf. No matter what your interests, Naples' beaches will satisfy your desire for fun in the sun.

Naples' beaches, like Vanderbilt Beach, Lowdermilk Beach Park, and Naples Municipal Beach (Naples Pier) are more densely populated with tourists and locals. Other beaches, such as Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreation Area, and Clams Pass Beach Park are a little less populated and more secluded. Virtually everyone who visits Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades eventually winds up on the water. With the Gulf of Mexico's tranquil waters and the extensive system of backcountry mangrove estuaries, the area is filled with natural beauty. It's perfect for enjoying sightseeing cruises or renting a boat, and the area's waterways are filled with fish and wildlife from birds to dolphin, manatee and sea turtles.

Kayaking is a fun, physical activity in Naples. There are not many places where you can get up-close experiences of natural habitats that this region has to offer and get a great workout, too. Kayaks can take you into tight areas of the mangroves and salt marshes where powered boats cannot maneuver. You'll have a better chance to see alligators, manatees and herons, as well as an occasional dolphin. A kayak also serves as a vessel for serene fishing excursions, alone or with your friends. There are several types of kayaks: single or tandem; sit-on-top designs for added stability; even pedal drive models so you can pedal with your feet or paddle. You can hike and kayak at a variety of parks and from Naples' numerous beaches. When you want to take a break, paddle out to one of the soft white beaches that Southwest Florida is famous for and relax among the white ibis probing for food, or search for shells on the shore.

Parasailing. Fly high and silent over the gulf with breathtaking adventures from 300 to 600 feet high. Enjoy a beautiful and unique view of Marco Island, the Gulf of Mexico and the Ten Thousand Islands. It's also an amazing way to experience wildlife such as dolphin, manatee, and stingrays as they swim below you. You'll take off and land on the boat, and you won't get wet, unless you want to. You can choose a peaceful and relaxing flight or get wet as you're dunked during an exciting and fun ride for folks of all ages. Take along a waterproof disposable camera to capture the incredible images you will see. You can fly solo or with a friend in a side-by-side tandem flight. Kitesurfing, kiteboarding and kitesailing are interchangeable terms for a fantastic surface water sport that combines wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics into one extreme sport. A kitesurfer catches the power of the wind and is propelled across the water on a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard or a small surfboard), with or without foot-straps or bindings. It's a real adrenalin rush sport.

Surfing. Local surfers enjoy the "Lake of Mexico" because they rarely get unwanted visitors. That's because the rest of the world thinks the Gulf has zero surf. In truth, the Gulf has emerald-green waters and miles of unspoiled, sugar-white sand beaches with fast-breaking waves surging out of deep water onto a shallow sandbar shelf that produce powerful jetty beachbreaks and 300-yard reeling point walls, but they can get blown out in a hurry. Although the quality is good at times, the quantity is not. It's tough to grab a good set time after time. Normally the best surf is from Sanibel/Captiva and finishing around Naples, but you may have to time your surf sessions to storm swells and similar conditions. There are two basic surf conditions, flat and bumpy. Most surf spots are beachbreaks with an outside sandbar for the longboarders and an inside bar for the shortboarders and spongers. Locals call it the Grovel Coast. Commonly you get a surf window of only eight to 12 hours so it pays to stay informed. Local reports may say it's flat, but two hours later there can be ridable waves, so keep your board ready to go. Hazards: Jellyfish are probably the Gulf Coast surfer's worst nightmare and they're in Gulf waters year-round, with the most in late summer or early fall. There are three varieties: Cannonballs, Portuguese Man-o-War, and the feared Moon Jellyfish, which are floating mines that seem to explode with searing pain that lasts for about 20 minutes. Also sharks are everywhere: Makos, Hammerheads, White Tips, Bulls, Nurses (which are nocturnal but still a scary sight), plus another 40 to 45 types. Also, stingrays are everywhere so keep your feet off the bottom as much as possible.

Paddleboards and skimboards are really popular here. SUPs (stand up paddleboards) are the latest craze in watersports. The Gulf and inland waterways are perfect for paddle boarding, because they are wider and more stable and easy to handle. Skimboards are small boards made of plywood or fiberglass. They're especially popular with young riders who skim over the wave wash on the shore or shoot out from the shore into oncoming waves. The thrill is short but it is fun. Discover the blend of Naples' old-Florida charm and the modern, upscale style of some of the most beautiful, master-planned communities for families and retirees. Climate, beautiful beaches, 100+ golf courses, dining and shopping and cultural attractions help to make Naples home to a wonderful lifestyle. Make it your home, too.




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