Active Pursuits

Boating & Boat Rentals

Powerboats are available from the Mid Island Marina (tel. 239/765-4371), the Fort Myers Beach Marina (tel. 239/463-9552), the Fish Tale Marina (tel. 239/463-3600; www.fishtalemarinagroup.com), and Salty Sam's Marina (tel. 239/463-7333; www.saltysamsmarina.com). Holiday Watersports (tel. 239/765-4386) rents brand-new boats at the Pink Shell Beach Resort, on Estero Island's northern end. Boat rental costs about $130 for a half-day, $200 to $600 for a full day.

For canoers and kayakers, the big news is that the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel have rolled out the Great Calusa Blueway (tel. 800/296-0249; www.greatcalusablueway.com), a new 40-mile paddling trail that covers the waters of Lovers Key State Recreation Area; Mound Key State Archaeological Site; Koreshan State Historic Site; Fort Myers Beach; and Sanibel, Captiva, and Pine islands, ending at Cayo Costa. Even cooler, the Blueway utilizes GPS technology, marking key points along the trail to aid navigation. Kayak Excursions (tel. 239/297-7011; www.kayak-excursions.com), offers rentals, guided tours including wildlife, manatee, and full moon tours, and kayak classes.

For an action-packed thrill ride in a Cigarette-style, 14-passenger speedboat, check out Sea Rocket USA (tel. 239/233-1578; www.searocketusa.com), 1030 Estero Blvd., which whisks passengers up to 70 mph and then slows down so you can catch a glimpse of dolphins. Cost is $25 per person for 30 minutes and $35 per person for an hour.

The Key West Express (tel. 239/463-5733; www.keywestexpress.us) offers daily boat service from Fort Myers Beach to Key West for $146 per person round-trip. The boat leaves from Salty Sam's Marina, 2200 Main St.

Fishing

You can surf-cast, throw your line off the pier at Times Square, or venture offshore on a number of charter-fishing boats here. The staff at Getaway Marina, 18400 San Carlos Blvd., about a half-mile north of the Sky Bridge (tel. 239/466-3600; www.getawaymarina.com), is adept at matching clients with skilled charter-boat skippers. Expect to spend about $150 per person for a full day's fishing for up to six persons, $44 for a half-day.

No reservations are required on party boats that take groups out. Operating year-round, the Great Getaway and Great Getaway II (tel. 239/466-3600) sail from the Getaway Marina, about a half-mile north of the bridge. Boats depart between 8 and 9:30am, cost $44 per adult, $25 for kids, and $20 for those who don't fish, and have air-conditioned lounges with bars. Call for details and reservations.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Scuba diving is available at Seahorse Scuba, 15600 San Carlos Blvd. (tel. 239/454-3111; www.seahorsescubaftmyers.com). Two-tank dives start at $75. In business since 1989, the company also teaches diver-certification courses.

The live-aboard dive boat Ultimate Getaway, based at Rick's Marina, 18450 San Carlos Blvd. (tel. 239/466-0466; www.ultimategetaway.net), makes 4- and 5-day voyages to the Dry Tortugas (70 miles west of Key West). This 100-foot vessel carries a maximum of 20 divers and is equipped with a dive platform, chase boat, and TV/DVD. Price varies and includes tanks, weights, belt, food, and soft drinks. Reservations are essential.