You’re driving south on US-41, leaving the neon hum of Naples behind, and suddenly the sky opens up. It’s bigger here. The air smells like salt and wet sawgrass. Most people blasting toward Miami miss it entirely. They see a sign for the Port of Islands Everglades Adventure Resort and keep on going, thinking it's just another roadside motel or a place for retirees to park a boat.
They’re wrong.
Honestly, this place is weird in the best way possible. It’s located in Naples, technically, but it feels like it’s at the literal edge of the world. It’s a 500-acre oasis carved out of the swamp. It sits right on the border of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and the Picayune Strand State Forest. If you want white-glove luxury and 24-hour room service, go to the Ritz on the beach. But if you want to wake up because a manatee is splashing in the canal outside your window, you stay here.
The Reality of Staying at Port of Islands Everglades Adventure Resort
Let's be real about the vibe. It’s a mix of a fishing lodge, a classic Florida resort, and a gateway to the wilderness. The architecture has that Mediterranean-Florida look that was huge in the 80s and 90s, but it's maintained with a sort of rugged pride.
The rooms aren't trying to be ultra-modern tech hubs. They are clean, spacious, and usually come with a screened-in porch. That porch is your best friend. Why? Because the Everglades bugs are legendary. You want to see the sunset without becoming a snack.
Staying here means accepting a different pace. There’s no high-speed city life. You’re basically living in a massive nature documentary. The resort is famous for its marina. It’s a deep-water access point, which is actually kind of a big deal in this part of Florida. Most of the water around the Ten Thousand Islands is shallow as a pancake, but the channel here lets serious boats get out to the Gulf of Mexico.
Why the Location is a Strategic Masterstroke
People think "Everglades" and they think of one big swamp. It’s not. The Port of Islands Everglades Adventure Resort puts you in the Ten Thousand Islands transition zone. This is where fresh water from the Glades meets the salt water of the Gulf.
It’s an estuary.
Estuaries are biological engines. You’ve got snook, tarpon, and redfish thick in the mangroves. You’ve got manatees seeking the warmer, fresher water in the canals during the winter. I’ve stood on the docks there and watched a mother manatee and her calf just drift by while I was drinking mediocre coffee. It ruins you for normal hotels.
What You’re Actually Going to Do There
If you sit in your room all day, you’ve wasted your money. The whole point is the "Adventure" part of the name.
Most guests gravitate toward the airboat tours. There are several operators nearby, but the resort has its own tie-ins. Look, airboats are loud. They’re touristy. But skimming over six inches of water at 35 miles per hour is the only way to see the "River of Grass" properly. It’s visceral.
But if you want the real experience? Rent a kayak.
The resort is a stone's throw from the Fakahatchee Strand. This is the "Amazon of North America." It’s where the ghost orchids grow. If you’ve read The Orchid Thief or seen the movie Adaptation, this is that world. You can paddle through mangrove tunnels where the light barely hits the water. It’s silent, except for the drip of your paddle and the occasional rustle of a gator sliding off a log.
- Fishing: Hire a guide. Seriously. The labyrinth of the Ten Thousand Islands is a maze. You will get lost without GPS and a local’s knowledge. The back-country fishing here is some of the best in the world.
- Manatee Spotting: The marina is a federal manatee sanctuary. From November to March, it’s basically a manatee parking lot.
- The Gun Ho Range: Not something you’d expect at a resort, but there’s a shooting range nearby. It’s a very "Old Florida" touch.
The Food Situation (Managing Expectations)
Food in the Everglades can be hit or miss. At the resort, you have the Angler’s Cove Restaurant & Bar.
It’s cozy. It’s got that "I just spent eight hours on a boat" energy. You’re going to find baskets of fried gator tail—which, yeah, tastes like chewy chicken—and plenty of local seafood. Is it Michelin-star dining? No. Is it exactly what you want after a day in the sun? Absolutely.
One thing most people don't realize is how remote you are. You’re about 20-30 minutes from the nearest major grocery store in East Naples. If you’re staying in one of the studios with a kitchenette, stop at a Publix on your way in. Stock up on water, snacks, and maybe some insect repellent with DEET. You’ll thank me later.
Addressing the "Swamp" Myths
A lot of people are terrified of the Everglades. They think a python is going to come through the window or an alligator is going to chase them across the lobby.
Let's clear that up.
Alligators are everywhere, yes. But they are remarkably lazy. They want to sunbathe and eat fish. They aren't hunting humans. At the Port of Islands Everglades Adventure Resort, you'll see them in the canals. Keep your distance, don't feed them (that's how they become "nuisance gators" and have to be killed), and just enjoy the prehistoric view.
The pythons are a real ecological problem, but they are incredibly elusive. You are highly unlikely to see one unless you are deep in the brush with a professional hunter at night. The real "monsters" are the mosquitoes and "no-see-ums." They are the true kings of the Everglades. Dawn and dusk are their territory. Plan accordingly.
The Economic Reality of the Resort
It’s worth noting that this area has been through a lot. Hurricanes are a recurring character in the story of Southwest Florida. Ian and other storms have tested the infrastructure here. When you visit, you might see some spots that are still being touched up or areas where the vegetation is still recovering.
This isn't a sign of neglect; it’s a sign of the environment. The Everglades tries to take back everything humans build. The maintenance crew at a place like Port of Islands has the hardest job in the world. They are fighting back the jungle every single day.
The resort also serves as a hub for the local community. It’s a mix of hotel guests, seasonal condo owners, and live-aboard boaters. This gives it a lived-in feel. It doesn't feel like a sterile tourist trap. You’ll hear boat captains talking about water clarity and wind directions at the bar. Listen to them. They know more about the state of Florida than any guidebook.
Is It Worth It?
If you want the "Naples experience" of high-end shopping on 5th Avenue and pristine white sand, stay in downtown Naples. It’s beautiful there.
But if you find that kind of travel boring? If you want to see a Roseate Spoonbill fly overhead—a bird so pink it looks like a flamingo but with a weirdly flat beak—then you stay at the Port of Islands Everglades Adventure Resort.
It’s for the person who wants to see the Milky Way at night. Because there’s so little light pollution out here, the stars are aggressive. It’s for the person who doesn't mind a little salt spray on their sunglasses.
Crucial Tips for Your Visit
- Check the Tide Charts: If you’re bringing a boat or renting one, the tides here are everything. Low tide in the Ten Thousand Islands can leave you stranded on an oyster bar.
- Sun Protection: The Florida sun hits differently on the water. It bounces off the surface and hits you under your chin. Wear a buff, a wide-brimmed hat, and polarized sunglasses.
- The "Big Cypress" Connection: Take the short drive to the Big Cypress National Preserve nearby. Walk the boardwalk at Kirby Storter Roadside Park. It’s free and takes you into a cypress dome that looks like another planet.
- Cell Service: It’s spotty. Don't rely on your phone for navigation once you leave the resort’s Wi-Fi. Download offline maps.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of a trip to this specific corner of the world, you need a plan that balances relaxation with actual exploration. Start by booking your room at the Port of Islands Everglades Adventure Resort at least three months in advance if you’re planning a winter trip; manatee season fills up fast.
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Once your dates are set, reach out to a local backcountry guide. Don't just book a random tour online. Look for guides who specialize in the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Specifically, ask about "eco-tours" if you aren't into fishing; these guys can take you to abandoned pioneer homesteads or hidden beaches only accessible by water.
Finally, pack a "dry bag." Everything you take into the Everglades will get damp, either from humidity, rain, or salt spray. Keeping your electronics and a dry change of clothes in a sealed bag will save your trip when a sudden afternoon thunderstorm rolls through, which, in Florida, is basically a daily guarantee.
Go for the nature. Stay for the silence. The Everglades is disappearing, and places like this are the last line of defense for a truly wild Florida. All you have to do is show up and keep your eyes open.