Making Waves: Up Close with Nature: Take an Ecotour for a Full Appreciation of the Area’s Natural Beauty

Mar 09, 2022 10:52AM ● By ANN MARIE O’PHELAN

Southwest Florida is blessed with amazing marine life, beautiful birds, and wild animals—all in a magnificent environment that many are working hard to preserve. Ecotours are a good way to witness the area’s natural beauty while learning about the importance of nurturing and maintaining it.

Captain Bubby’s IsLAND Tours offers ecotours—by land or sea—where guests can explore the memorable Fort Myers Beach, the sandy shores of Sanibel and Captiva, and the beautiful terrain of Pine Island via one of the regular tours—such as Take a Walk on the Wild Side or Friends of the Islands—or one that is personalized. “Our tours are fashioned around each guest’s likes and interests with a deep focus on ecotourism. No tour is exactly alike,” says owner and Florida Master Naturalist Bubby Howell. During early spring, tour participants will likely see dolphins, manatees, many different types of shorebirds, and nesting birds. They may also see alligators and gopher tortoises. Depending on the type of tour and time of year, guests may learn about hatching sea turtles, the local shrimp industry, the more than 400 species of shells found on the local beaches, and how to shell responsibly. “Ecotourism is not only good for the environment, but it also allows us to connect with nature in a respectful, interactive, and memorable way,” adds Howell.

Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and a regular contributor to TOTI Media.