Active Pursuits in Naples, Fla
Boating Around Naples
Powerboats are available from Extreme Family Fun Spot, at 423 Bayfront Place (tel. 239/774-0061); and at the Port-O-Call Marina, 550 Port O Call Way (tel. 239/774-0479). You can also try marketplace sites GetMyBoat.com and Boatsetter.com.Cruises Around Naples
Day Star Charters operates the double-decked Double Sunshine (tel. 239/263-4949), which sallies forth onto the river and bay daily from Tin City, where it has a ticket office. The 1.5-hour cruises leave at 10am, noon, 2pm, and an hour before sunset. They cost $46 for adults and $23 for children 3 to 12.The Sweet Liberty (tel. 239/793-3525), a 53-foot sailing catamaran, makes 3-hour morning shelling cruises to Keewaydin Island. The vessel then spends the afternoon on 2-hour sightseeing cruises (you’ll usually see dolphins playing in the river on this one) and 2-hour sunset cruises on Naples Bay before docking at Naples City Dock, 880 12th Ave. S. Shelling cruises cost $48.60 for adults, $25 for children 3 to 12; sightseeing and sunset cruises cost $37 for adults, $25 for children 3 to 12.
For a good deal more luxury, the 83-foot Naples Princess (tel. 800/728-2970 or 239/649-2275) has narrated breakfast, lunch, and sunset dinner cruises from Port-O-Call Marina, on the eastern shore of the Gordon River. With their extensive buffets, the sightseeing, sunset, and shelling cruises are decent values, starting at $50 per adult and $30 per child.
For a more scientific type of cruise, Sea Excursions (tel. 239/642-6899) offers jaunts aboard the scientific research vessel, Dolphin Explorer, on which you will actually work alongside naturalists gathering data for the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project. Tickets start at $59.
Fishing In and Near Naples
The locals like to fish from the Naples Pier. The pier has tables on which to clean your catch, but watch out for the ever-present pelicans, which are master thieves. You can buy tackle and bait from the local marinas. The pier is open round-the-clock, and admission is free. No fishing license is required.The second least expensive way for singles, couples, and small families to fish without paying for an entire boat is via tours at Seas The Day Pure Florida (cruisenaplesflorida.com; 📞 239/263-4949), which offers 4, 6, or 8 hour deep sea and backwater fishing trips from $95 to $199 per adult and $65 per child 4 to 12 years old.
A number of charter boats are based at the marinas mentioned under “Boating,” above; call or visit them for booking info and prices.
Golf in Naples
Naples has an extraordinary number of top golf courses. Two of the best-known are the Lely Flamingo Island Club and the Lely Mustang Golf Club, both on U.S. 41 between Naples and Marco Island (tel. 800/388-GOLF [4653] or 239/793-2223). Robert Trent Jones, Sr., designed the Lely Flamingo course; its hourglass fairways and fingerlike bunkers present many challenges. The Lee Trevino–designed Lely Mustang course is more forgiving, but still fun. Former PGA Tour player Paul Trittler has his golf school at these courses. In winter, greens fees are a painful $230 including cart and range balls, but they drop progressively after Easter into the muggy summer months.Eagle Lakes Golf Club, on U.S. 41 between Fla. 931 and Fla. 92 (tel. 239/732-5108), is another winner, with lots of wildlife inhabiting its many lakes (a 16-ft. alligator reportedly resides near the 17th hole). Keep your eyes on the ball, but also overhead: American Bald Eagles have been spotted at this course. On-site is a driving range, a practice facility, and a restaurant; instruction is available. Wintertime fees are about $55 to $179 but in the off season they drop considerably. Tee times are taken up to 4 days in advance.
At the intersection of Vanderbilt Beach and Airport-Pulling roads, the Greg Norman-designed 27 championship Black and Gold holes at the Tiburón Golf Club, 2620 Tiburón Dr. (tel. 877/WCI-PLAY [924-7529] or 239/594-2040), play like a British Open course—but without the thick-thatch rough. Greens range from $99 to $500 depending on time of year, and nonplayers who ride along must pay $40. The course is home to the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.
Scuba Diving near Naples
SCUBAdventures, 971 Creech Rd., at Tamiami Trail (tel. 239/434-7477), which also has a base on Marco Island, teaches diver-certification courses and rents equipment.Tennis/Pickleball in Naples
In Olde Naples, the city’s Arthur Allen Tennis Center at Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave. S., at 9th Street South (tel. 239/213-3060), is one of the country’s finest municipal facilities. In fact, it matches those found at many luxury resorts. To play on its 12 Hydro-Grid LED-lit Har-Tru clay courts costs $16 per adult and $11 for children 18 and under for 1.5 hours’ play time.The Naples Pickleball Center, 3500 Thomasson Dr. (tel. 239/319-8640), calls itself the Pickleball Capital of the World with its 64 courts. There’s a pro-shop and year-round teaching staff. Paddle rental is $5 and drop-in fee Monday through Friday from 8am to 11pm is $5, but it’s free to play on weekends and Fridays from 11am to 5pm.
