Cape Coral: Escape to a nature-focused Florida vacation

Forget the glitz and glam found on the beaches of Miami or Orlando. For a more nature-focused Florida vacation, head to the western coast of the state to Cape Coral, where you'll find wondrous water-dwelling mammals, colorful birds and perfect shells in full.

Manatees

The West Indian manatee, a gentle mammal related to the elephant that can weigh up to 1,800 pounds, inhabits the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Though you can find them all year round, come the winter months they gather near Cape Coral and are easy to spot if you head to Sirenia Vista Park (corner of Ceitus Parkway and Old Burnt Store Road), an eight-acre environmental tract that offers visitors manatee lookout points and kayaks rentals so you can see the endangered species (call 239-549-4606 to book a kayak tour).

Dolphins

Another sea creature you will see plenty of are dolphins, which play along the Tarpon Point Marina and are visible from both the water and the shore. A great way to enjoy these playful creatures is by taking a sunset boat ride, which the Westin Cape Coral Resort (5951 Silver King Blvd., 239-541-5000, Westincapecoral.com) offers several of a week. Kayaking is also good for dolphin-watching, and you can get rentals from the Marina at Tarpon Point (6179 Black Marlin Lane, 239-549-4900). Just keep in mind that these fun-loving mammals tend to put on more of a show at dawn and dusk.

Birds

Of course, there's also Florida's plethora of birds. The state has even curated a 2,000-mile, self-guided highway tour called the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail (floridabirdingtrail.com). The Cape Coral portion goes through about a mile of uplands and salt marshes, so make sure to wear plenty of waterproof gear if you want to see the large variety of wading and migratory birds that call the domain home. And keep an eye out for gopher tortoises, alligators and snakes, which also inhabit the area. Another great way to see plenty of native birds is by heading to Rotary Park (5505 Rose Garden Rd., 239-549-4606), where you might observe great blue heron, black vultures, white pelicans, red-bellied woodpeckers, snowy egrets and dozens of other beautiful, flying wonders.

Shells

For other nature-themed adventures in this area, head to the nearby beaches of Fort Myers (where the airport is located) and Sanibel, just a short boat or car ride from Cape Coral. These beaches are famous for their shells, and people come from all over the world to hunt for flawless specimens. What makes this area so good for shelling? The wide continental shelf here provides a mild incline that allows many shells traveling on currants from the Caribbean to arrive unharmed and in perfect condition. Really, they are the ultimate souvenir. Go hunting on your own or book a tour with Island Time (Getaway Marian, 18400 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-898-6155, Islandtimecruise.com) to go to some of the best spots.

Where to stay

The quiet, 263-room Westin Cape Coral Resort (Starting at $100 a night; 5951 Silver King Blvd., 239-541-5000, westincapecoral.com) offers huge accommodations with waterfront views, living room areas and full kitchens, making it great for families. Take advantage of services such as kayak and boat rentals, unlimited use of bicycles, tennis courts, a water taxi to Fort Myers Beach, an outdoor pool, the kid's club and daily planned activities for all ages.

Where to eat

Funky mini-chain Pincher's Crab Shack (5991 Silver King Blvd., 239-540-7939, pincherscrabshack.com) is perfect for lunch or dinner, especially if you have a larger group or kids in tow. Laid-back and fun, you can feast on platters of local grouper, fried oysters, shrimp tacos and, of course, whole crab. And for those looking for a drink, cocktails come by the bucket. For something a little higher end, the family-run Fish Tale Grill (1229 Southeast 47th Terrace, 239-257-3167, fishtalegrill.com) focuses on fresh and local seafood for lunch and dinner. Indulge in oysters from their raw bar, steamed clams, miso-marinated black cod, lobster and shrimp macaroni and cheese and Alaskan king crab legs. And for you land lovers, there's also steak and pasta with chicken.