Southwest Florida
Wildlife & Nature
Manatees in your canal. Burrowing owls in the neighborhood. Dolphins off the bow. Tarpon on the line. Living in Southwest Florida means nature is never far away.
The Wildlife
What You'll Encounter
Southwest Florida is one of the most biodiverse regions in North America. Here's what awaits you.
West Indian Manatees flock to Southwest Florida's warm waters each winter. Weigh up to 1,200 lbs and can live 60+ years. Spot them in canals, rivers, and warm-water discharge areas.
Look for circular snout rings on the water surface — that's a manatee just surfacing for air.
Cape Coral is one of the largest nesting colonies of Burrowing Owls in North America with over 3,000 active burrows. These tiny, ground-dwelling owls are utterly charming and completely unafraid of people.
Look for white PVC stakes — the city marks active burrows to protect them during nesting season (Feb–Jul).
Bottlenose dolphins are permanent residents of SWFL's waterways. They ride bow waves alongside boats, hunt fish in shallow flats, and are regularly spotted in the Caloosahatchee River and Gulf passes.
Dolphins often follow shrimp boats and feeding birds — both are signs a dolphin pod is nearby.
SWFL is one of the top fishing destinations in the US. Cape Coral's 400+ miles of canals offer incredible inshore fishing — snook, redfish, sea trout, and cobia. The Gulf adds tarpon, permit, and grouper.
Snook season closes during summer spawning months — check FWC regulations before heading out.
Florida hosts over 1.3 million alligators and SWFL is prime habitat. They're commonly spotted sunning on canal banks, golf courses, and retention ponds. Exciting from a distance, truly prehistoric up close.
Never feed alligators — they lose fear of humans and become dangerous. Observe from at least 50 feet.
Bald Eagles and Osprey are common sights across SWFL, nesting in tall palms and channel markers. Watch them dive bomb fish from 100 feet up — one of nature's most spectacular hunting displays.
Osprey have a 100% hover-and-dive hunting technique — if you see one hovering, watch closely!
Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback sea turtles nest on SWFL beaches from May through October. Volunteers monitor nests nightly and hatchlings emerge after ~60 days, making their incredible dash to the Gulf.
Turn off beach lights during nesting season — artificial light confuses hatchlings and leads them away from the ocean.
American Flamingos are making a spectacular comeback in Florida. Once nearly wiped out, these elegant pink waders are now regularly spotted in Everglades National Park and SWFL estuaries. Their stunning coral-pink plumage is unmistakable.
Look for them in shallow saltwater flats at dawn — they filter feed by sweeping their curved bills upside down through the water.
Must-Visit
Top Wildlife Hotspots
J.N. 'Ding' Darling NWR
Sanibel Island
One of the most visited wildlife refuges in the US — over 220 bird species, alligators, manatees, and more.
Six Mile Cypress Slough
Fort Myers
A peaceful boardwalk through a freshwater wetland teeming with alligators, wading birds, and wildlife.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Naples
Ancient cypress forest — the largest in North America. Stunning biodiversity and ghost orchids.
Cape Coral Canals
Cape Coral
400+ miles of canals in your backyard: dolphins, manatees, snook, burrowing owls — right outside your door.
When to Go
Wildlife by Season
Winter (Nov – Mar)
- • Manatee season peaks — warm up at Manatee Park
- • Migratory birds arrive — spoonbills, warblers, ducks
- • Best burrowing owl photography lighting
- • Excellent offshore fishing for grouper & cobia
Spring (Apr – Jun)
- • Burrowing owl nesting — chicks appear!
- • Tarpon season begins at Boca Grande Pass
- • Sea turtle nesting starts on beaches (May)
- • Dolphins most active in calm Gulf waters
Summer (Jul – Sep)
- • Sea turtle hatchlings emerge at night
- • Alligators most active during mating season
- • Baby burrowing owls learning to fly
- • Dawn/dusk fishing for snook & redfish
Fall (Oct – Nov)
- • Manatees return to warm canals
- • Osprey & eagle nesting begins
- • Fantastic redfish & snook fishing
- • Flamingos return to Everglades
Imagine Waking Up to This
Every Single Day.
Manatees in your canal. Burrowing owls in the yard. Dolphins off the dock. Tarpon on the line. If this sounds like your kind of life, The Forneris Group can help you find your piece of Southwest Florida paradise.