The Estero Island Cottage Museum and Nature Center

The Cottage Museum is at the entrance to Matanzas Pass Preserve and houses a great collection of photographs, memorabilia, and artifacts of life on Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island). The Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Matanzas Pass Wilderness Preserve

The Preserve features 1.25 miles of trails and extended boardwalks through a 57-acre canopy of oak trees and mangroves, and a paddle-craft landing that’s part of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail. The preserve’s amenities include toilets, picnic tables, children’s playground, grills, food concessions, and a fishing pier. A saltwater shoreline fishing license is required for shore fishing but there is no charge for Florida residents.

Matanzas Pass Preserve and is open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk. Admission is free.