Coconut Cove is a tranquil retreat with spacious villas, enticing amenities, and exciting activities. You’ll enjoy access to a secluded island, along with all the relaxation, recreation, and exploration a tropical destination affords, like sparkling Gulf of Mexico waters, pristine sand dunes, and lush city parks.

Roughly halfway between Fort Myers and Naples along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Bonita Springs is a friendly beach community with a laid-back vibe all year long. With no high-rises or spring break crowds, it’s the perfect spot for couples’ getaways, trips with friends, and family vacations. 

Read on for information on fun things to do, which restaurants to try, and where to stay.*

In downtown Bonita Springs, plan to park the car and explore on foot. You’ll find streets lined with historic bungalows mixed in with art galleries, cafes, and vintage shops.

Start at Riverside Park, where the bandshell often hosts concerts and arts and music festivals. And with the original fishing cottages from 1945 along the Imperial River, you can catch a glimpse of Old Florida during your stroll in the park. The bungalow-style buildings, called the Artist Cottages, are now artists’ studios. You’ll also see the Liles Hotel, one of the city’s oldest buildings – built in 1926.
 
Stroll over to the Imperial River and scout the shallows for manatees, as the gentle marine mammals can often be seen relaxing there. More wildlife encounters await at Wonder Gardens, where rescued and rehabilitated alligators, flamingos, and macaws are among the hundreds of creatures living in botanical gardens brimming with floral specimens from around the world.

Downtown Bonita Springs’ shops are mostly found along Old 41 Road, the main thoroughfare. That’s where you’ll find Hidden Gem Boutique, with unique homewares and vintage furnishings sourced in South Florida, and Mother Load Antiques & Collectibles, a trove of retro collectibles, jewelry, and accessories.

If you love a bargain, stop by the Bonita Springs Lions Club Thrift Store to search for second-hand treasures among the racks and knick-knacks. And you can pick up something colorful at Pottery Scapes, which sells Talavera pottery from Mexico and ocean-themed wall art that makes for memorable souvenirs.

When hunger hits, check out the Rooftop at Riverside — a food truck park that opened in early 2024 right near Riverside Park. It features a rooftop bar and six food trucks selling everything from wood-fired pizzas, French crepes, and peel-and-eat shrimp to small-batch ice cream.

Just around the corner, Survey Cafe is a beloved local spot for breakfast or brunch, with lots of breezy outdoor seating under lazily spinning fans where you can sample mouthwatering French pastries and savory dishes like make-your-own breakfast biscuits and omelets, avocado toast, and homemade crepes.

Looking for local seafood? Head to Doc’s Beach House, where steamed Gulf of Mexico shrimp, mahi-mahi baskets, and spicy conch chowder are on the menu.

Set along one of the Gulf Coast’s most powdery stretches, Bonita Springs beckons for a beach day. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a prettier stretch of coastline than the 342-acre Barefoot Beach Preserve. You can set up on the sand, go for a stroll, and enjoy a swim at one of the last undeveloped barrier islands along this stretch of Florida’s coast.

Plan to bring your own food and drinks, as there are no concessions. Also, note that there are only limited, portable restrooms available.

For a taste of local history, take a day trip to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, a National Register Historic site in Fort Myers, about 30 miles north of Bonita Springs. The 20-acre property along the Caloosahatchee River dates to 1885, when inventor Thomas Edison bought land to build a winter vacation home and later was joined in the area by his friend, automaker Henry Ford. You can tour their homes, as well as a pioneering botanical laboratory and a museum spotlighting their accomplishments.

It’s easy to spend hours at the estate, meandering among incredible botanical gardens filled with towering Ficus trees and more than 400 species of plants sourced from six continents.

This beautiful resort is located on Estero Bay. Each residential retreat features private screened-in balconies and fully equipped kitchens. And the resort has amenities so enticing, you may not want to leave the grounds.

Engage in a Pilates class or express your creativity in a shell necklace workshop.

Enjoy four pools, a 1,000-foot lazy river, hot tub, and secluded island, or indulge in a rejuvenating treatment at Stillwater Spa (operated by a third party).**

Delight in poolside dining by Veranda Bar and Grill, sip a specialty drink at Coconuts Tiki Bar, or visit one of the nearby restaurants.

Unwind in a shaded hammock with your favorite book, kick back by the fire pit, or play volleyball, basketball, pickleball, shuffleboard, or table tennis. 

Visit The Lounge, make a reservation, and rediscover the power of vacations in Bonita Springs.

* No inquiry has been made into the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, or the qualifications, safety, or quality of the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, and WHV Resort Group, Inc. and HV Global Group, Inc. (collectively, “HVC”) make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, or any other aspect of such off-site locations, activities, events, or service providers listed herein. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the off-site locations, activities, services, events, or providers. Neither WHV Resort Group, Inc. nor HV Global Group, Inc. assumes liability for attendance at, or visits to, any off-site locations, or the products, activities, or services furnished by independent service providers. Additional fees and costs may apply. Activities and events are subject to change. Some activities or events may require the participant to be in good health and have a certain level of skill. 

** Availability of activities and amenities may vary and is subject to change without notice. A reservation, fee, and/or waiver may be required for some activities and amenities.