Great Calusa Blueway

The Great Calusa Blueway is a 190 miles paddling trail in Sanibel Island. It is open to kayaking and canoeing and travels through the coastal waterways and inland tributaries of Lee County. The Blueway is made up of several sections that are home to a variety of interesting features. Canoers and kayakers can choose a different section each time they travel the Blueway or attempt to complete the entire run in a multi-day trip. Estero Bay was Florida's first aquatic preserve. The route that leads through the area passes through mangrove islands and the beaches near Bonita and Fort Myers. It is a relaxing, nature-filled area that offers plenty of sights such as silver fish, herons and mangrove tunnels. You will also pass the Pink Shell Beach resort and Spa, as well as Lovers Key State Park, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa and Pine Island Sound. The Caloosahatchee River portion of the Bleuway features meandering tributaries. It is the newest portion of the Blueway. This area of the trail features the most green space, including ferns, oak trees, moss and several other forms of vegetation. The Blueway is named for the Calusas, who used the river as a highway.