6 Perfect Activities for Groups in Fort Myers
While there’s plenty to do in Southwest Florida, some activities just aren’t fit for groups of people all at once. Get the lowdown on some fun outings and adventures tailored for group and corporate travel retreats.
1. Sailing School
What better way to break the ice and build teams than to figure out the workings of a sailboat? Spend an afternoon on the Gulf and get to know each other while learning a thing or two about sailing with the experienced instructors at a place like the Offshore Sailing School. It’s not all “heave-ho” though; the boat will do most of the work while you enjoy the water.
2. Kayaking Tour of J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
If sailing sounds a little too intense for you, kayaking is more a relaxed way to spend a day on the water. Rent some gear and head to Ding Darling, a wildlife reserve made up of more than 5,200 acres of undeveloped mangrove forest, where you’ll see all kinds of animals unique to the area, including hundreds of species of birds. Exploring in a kayak will allow you to go places you can’t get to in motorboats or on foot.
3. Cruise with Captiva Cruises
Probably the most relaxing of boating options, Captiva Cruises will take your group to beautiful locations like Cabbage Key, Useppa Island or Gasparilla Island. They also offer a wildlife sunset cruise where your groups can relax and enjoy the view of Southwest Florida's dolphins, birds, and other wildlife while watching the sun set into the Gulf of Mexico.
4. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Thomas Edison and Henry Ford both made their winter homes in Fort Myers, building massive estates for their leisure time. Filled with beautiful gardens and sprawling landscapes, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates offers group tours of the grounds, and it’s a perfect venue for team-building exercises and meet-and-greets.
5. Community Garden Planting & Seed Distribution:
Tap into the therapeutic benefits of gardening by working with ECHO Global Farm on a community garden activity. ECHO Florida also distributes more than 300 varieties of seeds to their network throughout the world to combat hunger in harsh terrains. Participants can help sort and prepare the seeds for distribution to seed banks, work together to plant a perennial vegetable garden, trim trees, and harvest produce, thereby providing a lasting, positive impact on the community.
6. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
Over 11 miles of wetland right in Fort Myers, the deceptively named Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a great spot to explore Florida’s wetlands without even getting your feet wet. Walk the boardwalks with your group and try to spy as many wetland creatures as you can along the way.
