The Great Calusa Blueway

This past April Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau debut the first 40 miles of a new paddling trail ? The Great Calusa Blueway.  For many years, Southwest Florida has been featured in national magazines like Canoe & Kayak and Paddler as amongst the best areas for kayaking.  The Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail begins on the tranquil waters of the Imperial River in beautiful Bonita Springs and takes you into the back bays of Black Island and Lovers Key State Park.  The trail continues past historic Mound Key through Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve finishing up at Bunche Beach.  In 2004, the second phase should be complete continuing from Bunche Beach and taking you through the scenic bays of Sanibel/Captiva, Pine Islands and ending at extraordinary Cayo Costa State Park.

While traversing this first phase of The Great Calusa Blueway, paddlers will enjoy the peaceful waters and see the most amazing wildlife in their own habitat.  There is an abundance of different bird species like the roseate spoonbills, egrets, ospreys, bald eagles, pelicans, herons and wood storks.  In addition to the bird species, Southwest Florida is home to one of the world? largest population of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Paddlers are sure to see different dolphin pods during their journey.  

The Great Calusa Blueway is not only about seeing the wildlife and enjoying the beauty of the many islands.  It? also about learning the fascinating history of the original inhabitants of Estero Bay, the Calusa Indian.  Mound Key a state archaeological site was home to the Calusa Indians arriving about 100AD.  Over the years what was once a flat mangrove oyster-bar island is now an island that measures 125 acres and rises over 30 feet above the waters in Estero Bay.  With centuries of fishing and shell fishing, the disguarded bones, shells and native pottery accumulated.  The natives reworked the land creating ceremonial mounds and canals.  Mound Key is only accessible by boat.  There are canoe / kayak landings located at the trail heads on the northwest and southeast portions of the island.

For paddling enthusiasts The Great Calusa Blueway is a wonderful way to experience Florida the way it use to be. While staying at Lovers Key Beach Club & Resort, consider this trip as part of your itinerary.