Our Travel Diary of Bonita Springs and Beaches
We had one of our favorite long weekends in Bonita Springs. Located in southwest Florida, just south of Fort Myers, Bonita Springs is known for its pristine stretches of beach and it attracts golfers, fishermen, and all-around lovers of the great outdoors. Bonita Springs is a short drive for us. With it being just under 2 hours heading south on Interstate-75 traveling from Bradenton.
Bonita Springs Itinerary
Friday:
Lunch at The Fish House
The Bonita Springs Fish House has been serving the area for over 25 years. Located right on the water, it is a unique lunch spot in which you can arrive by boat or land after visiting the beach. It serves some of the freshest seafood and boasts the best sunset view in the area.
Shopping at Publix
We love Publix. It is always an easy stop for us to grab snacks and they have a great selection of sunscreen and beach items for the kids. Both of the kids picked up boogie boards and couldn’t wait to use them at the beach.
Pelican Landing – Hyatt’s Private Beach
I could have stayed here all day and been the happiest little camper. This is included in your stay at the Hyatt Coconut Point. You can walk the nature trail or take a trolley to the marina. From there a boat will take you a short distance as you get to spot dolphins and other wildlife as you travel. Your own private island where chairs and umbrellas are waiting for you to sit and relax on a long stretch of powder white beaches for you to enjoy. I have always said all I need is a chair and an umbrella and I am set for the day.
Dinner at A Table Apart
We were all ready for dinner after a day of travel and at the beach. A Table Apart was a great ending to our day! They pride themselves on the highest quality ingredients along with the freshest fish.
Saturday:
Breakfast at Old 41 Restaurant
There is a reason Old 41 Restaurant has been named one of “Bonita’s Best” the last 9 years. The kids had a hard time choosing between healthy and sugary sweet breakfast foods. Of course they both ultimately chose the sugary piles of pancakes and waffles and enjoyed every bite of it. They cleaned their plates!
Visited Koreshan State Park
According to the Florida State Park’s website, “Koreshan State Park offers a window into the lives of a unique and eccentric pioneer group that made its home under towering oaks on the banks of the Estero River.
In 1893, the Koreshans, a religious sect founded by Dr. Cyrus R. Teed, moved here and built a settlement based on a commitment to communal living and a belief that the universe existed on the inside of the Earth. Living celibate lives, the enterprising Koreshans established a farm, nursery and botanical gardens.
The park is home to 11 immaculately restored and nationally registered historic buildings erected by the Koreshans between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
A quiet and peaceful refuge amid busy Fort Myers, the park’s interpretative and natural resources provide great opportunities to learn and to enjoy nature.”
I love exploring old settlements. So much history and I love seeing how people lived decades ago. I was pleasantly surprised that this was one of the kids’ favorite spots we visited on this trip, maybe they take after their mom after all. They had so many questions and loved exploring all of the restored buildings, gardens, and learning about the Koreshan Unity.
Lunch at Pinchers Crab Shack
I could not wait to fill my belly with Pinchers Crab Shack’s crab and cheese dip. It did not disappoint. Everyone loved what they ordered and the atmosphere was the perfect Florida setting.
Beach Day at Little Hickory Island Beach Park
Little Hickory Beach park boasts powder white sands and crystal clear water. It was the most perfect beach day weather. We couldn’t have prayed for a prettier day. The water was still a little chilly for this Florida girl, but of course the kids dove right in looking for shells and playing with their boogie boards.
Relaxed at Resort Pool
Relaxed may be a little exaggeration. The kids had us all over the pool. The Hyatt Coconut Point has five water slides, four refreshing pools, a lazy river, and a secluded private island. The kids had us going down the slides with tubes, without tubes, by ourselves, together. You name it, we did it. We finally coerced them to go down by themselves as we relaxed down the lazy river. They would make it a race and see if they could beat us. At one point, I forgot they were playing ping pong and corn hole as we drifted down the lazy river.
Downtown Bonita Springs
Downtown Bonita Springs is a unique little area running alongside Riverside Park. On the weekends the park will host live music and you can bring a blanket or chair and enjoy. Downtown Coffee and Wine Company had a steady stream of customers under their umbrellas. Kris and I will most definitely be there the next time we visit Bonita Springs.
Sunday:
Kayaking Excursion
We took a two hour kayaking tour with All Water Excursions. Our guide was quick to point out all the wildlife along the Cocohatchee River and mangrove tunnels. Audrey was quick to hop in the kayak with Kris, I am wondering if I should be offended. But we soaked in the Florida sunshine as we paddled and learned about Southwest Florida.
Lunch at Dolly’s Patch and Eatery
Dolly’s Patch and Eatery had to be the most unique little lunch spot yet. Dolly was there to greet us as we were sitting and my only regret is we didn’t get a picture with her. Homemade sweets and treats were there along with a family oriented atmosphere that we all loved.
Visited Everglades Wonder Garden
You can meet flamingos, turtles, alligators, snakes, macaws, peacocks, and so many other birds all at the Everglades Wonder Garden. Not only can you meet them, you can feed them! The kids loved this immersive educational experience. It was so fun getting up close and personal with so many animals. A definite must do when in Bonita Springs.
Dinner at Corkscrew Bar
Our favorite kind of dinner, by the pool! The kids took advantage of having the slides right by our table and we took advantage of a no worry philosophy. The kids raced to see how many times they could go down the slides while waiting for our food. They were having a blast while we sat relaxed sipping our drinks.
Monday:
Checked out of the kids favorite hotel!
Keep reading below to see all of the amenities and activities the hotel has to offer. Your mind will be blown at everything you can enjoy while staying at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point.
Brunch at Bonita Brunch
Yummy food to fill our bellies before we headed back home.
Where We Stayed: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point
We consider ourselves very lucky to have stayed at such an amazing resort. Everyone was so helpful and accommodating. Brydon made friends with Sammy the bellhop, who would speak to him every time we were coming or going and make sure he was having nothing but fun. We always felt safe and the whole resort was beautiful and clean. We wish we had more time to enjoy all of the amenities and events at the resort. Anything we needed was right there on the property. Not enough adjectives for how much we loved this place!
Amenities:
- Lazy River, Pool and Water Park with five water slides, four refreshing pools, a lazy river, and a secluded private island.
- Island and Beach Excursions
- Stillwater Spa
- Fire Pits
- Lawn Games and Rock Climbing Wall
- Nature Boardwalk Trail
- Camp Coconut
Restaurants:
The Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point offers several dining experiences. From dining outside to inside with many restaurants offering reservations. You can even order To-Go if you are not comfortable dining in the restaurant. We always felt comfortable and well taken care of. Our favorite was the poolside cafe, Corkscrew Cafe. If you know the Cox Family, you know we love our ice cream. We got our fill of locally made ice cream each night at the Cool Beans Marketplace.
Hotel Activities and Day Trips:
There are plenty of activities to partake in on the property or the hotel will arrange to help you with day trips.
- All Water Excursions
- Day trips to Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island
- Everglades National Park is about 100 miles from the property
- Key West High Speed Ferry will take you to Key West for the day
More activities around Bonita Springs and The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel:
Bonita Springs/Estero:
- Bonita Beach Park
- Little Hickory Island Beach Park
- Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Fort Myers Beach:
- Bowditch Point Park
- Crescent Beach Park
- Lynn Hall Memorial Beach Park
- Matanzas Pass Preserve
- Lovers Key State Park
Sanibel/Captiva Islands
- Causeway Islands
- Lighthouse Beach Park
- Bowman’s Beach
- Turner Beach
Fort Myers
- San Carlos/Bunche Beach Preserve
- Manatee Park
- Lakes Regional Park
Activities:
- Kayaking Tour
- Paddle Boarding Tour
- Jet ski Tour
- Fishing Charter
- Sunset Cruise Tours
- Dolphin Tours
- Shelling
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Island Hopping
- Golfing
- Hiking
- Biking
XOX
Mandy
Thank you so much to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel for sponsoring this post!
