Matanzas Pass Preserve

tyson horton

2022-05

The majority of our walk was great. The covered area by the water was great. We even saw a dolphin! The primitive trail areas were very wet and muddy and swarming with mosquitoes. We didn't see a lot of wildlife... Lots of sand crabs and lizards. No birds really. If you stick to the boardwalk trails, it's very pleasant.

Christine B.

2023-05

This was the easiest to walk, most beautiful preserve trail in the Fort Myers Beach area. Behind the Fort Myers Beach Library. Free, free parking, a dock for kayaks, and a bike rack.The observation deck of Estero Bay is great and we enjoyed all the signs/points of interest along the way. It's one of the few protected areas left on the island. You can stay on the raised, wooden path, or you can take the dirt trails farther in. We had to turn back because the trails were too muddy. We will go back for sure to see the rest when it doesn't rain during the week. No dogs allowed.

Kristina Marie

2021-05

Beautiful and peaceful walk through Ft Myers Beach if you want to see more than just beaches. Information regarding the wildlife is interesting. The boardwalk is very well maintained and fun to watch the fishermen and boats going by.

Glen Button

2022-05

Nice boardwalk for a quick walk. It's shaded in most areas. If you stick to the loop, it's just under a 1/2 mile walk from the parking area, but if you add the extended boardwalk, which also picks up a portion of dirt trail and loops through other parts of the preserve, you could walk about 1 & 1/2 mile. If there's been rain within a day or two, be prepared to get your shoes a little muddy. The parking is free and there is a large size portolet.

Miranda Griffiths

2023-05

Nature is always 5 stars. There were tons of lizards and little fiddler crabs all over the walk!had a wonderful time exploring and looking for creatures. Only thing that really sucked was the bugs. They were nasty when we visited in early June so spray some on before your hike! Also although there is signage clearly posted to not bike on the trails we still saw people doing so. Once we got off the boardwalk onto the solid ground trail there were bike tracks that we had to go around which was difficult without going off the path.

JG&A Law Firm

2019-05

Great variation: hiking trails, historic structures, Flora fauna, great views of the bay and Matanzas pass. We saw dolphins too!The cottage is almost 100 years old and the docent was very informative.As to the closed trails, there is a 1.5 million dollar restoration plan that is scheduled to start in Fall 2019.As to the open trails, nice shaded Stroll. Good for everyone in the family.

Larry Robinson

2021-05

The new boardwalk is very nice with benches along the way. However, the trail is not completely accessible in the rainy season where the boardwalk isn't built. Be sure to take bug spray for the wet areas.

Zach Fedynich

2019-05

Cool little nature park. Saw tons of little crabs and some snakes. Very nice boardwalk which is accessible for those that need it. Some other areas were a little muddy where they didn't have a walkway. Although they did have a large portion of the walkway closed, would've been nice to explore that part.

Buster Brown

2022-05

This was a really nice park. Clean trails, beautiful waterways, lots of different types of things to see from animals, fish, plants, shells, just about anything! Loved it.. Highly Recommend!

Susan Landers

2019-05

This is a cute little preserve with a wooden boardwalk through the mangroves. There are several signs along the path with facts about the local wildlife and history. It would be great for small children and folks with limited mobility, because it's an easy walk. We had kayaked through mangroves on the first day of our trip, so it wasn't as interesting as it would have been if we had not already seen them. I would recommend it if you want to see the mangroves, which are pretty neat. We were there on a day when the museum isn't open (hours are pretty limited), so I can't comment on that. There's no fee to walk the paths.

bullfrog “Bullfrog”

2021-05

Awesome spot off the beaten path. If you want to explore and get some fresh air without the crowds cramping your style then this is the spot for you!

Catelin Robinson

2023-05

Lovely and well maintained. Boardwalks. No dogs allowed.

Kate Gauntt

2022-05

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Lori Ulrich

2023-05

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Kiki T

2019-05

Nice trail to see mangroves, didn't see any wildlife the day we were there though other than one bird. Very peaceful walk.

Robert Freiberg

2022-05

Beautiful walk. The people who constructed the boardwalk are definitely craftsman. Was fun.

Curtis Pickett

2023-05

Beautiful walk. It's about 50/50 boardwalk and dirt. You'll encounter puddles during rain and the wet season.

jackie felker

2022-05

Very well kept trails, but bring your bug spray!! We were not prepared, and had to jet out of there!!

Anna

2021-05

Very nice, just make sure to bring mosquito spray 👍🌿 🐾🦀

Richard Schloss

2022-05

Very beautiful but bring bug spray or else your arm may end up looking like mine...

Carol Mercédès

2017-05

Beautiful little 1 mile round walk mostly shady and perfect for a little break from the beach life.

John Schroeder

2018-05

Cool place. One of the walkways was closed but the rest was a great hike.

Max Strother

2021-05

If you are staying on the island, this is a nice quiet place for a walk. Trail can be a bit muddy in places

Corey Cordell

2020-05

This is a great hiking spot and somewhat of a hidden gem. It's mostly boardwalk style paths that are in mostly good condition. A portion of the trail was closed but I imagine they will make repairs in time. This area offers a longer hike as well as a shorter walk out to the inner coastal waters near Fort Myers Beach. It was beautiful.

TRISTON james Young

2022-05

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Joe B.

2022-05

Lovely park setting with a nice boardwalk and walking trails guiding you through some beautiful vegetation. It is very quiet and secluded with lots of birds and critters. The view of Estero Bay is gorgeous. Check it out if you're in the area!

Kimberly Schwettman

2021-05

Beautiful view of the back water behind the island. The trails are all boardwalk which makes them very accessible. Very little parking, but we walked up the beach from our condo and crossed over the boulevard by the library.

Gavin Reynolds

2022-05

Small park off the Fort Myers Beach main drag. Very quiet when we went. About 50-50 elevated walking paths and dirt trails. We were here in June and some of the dirt trails were very muddy. We saw raccoons, crabs, lizards and herons. Didn't see any alligators or manatees. But could just be our luck or the fact that we went around 1pm.

Cyrious Solutions

2019-05

This small preserve is surrounded by development, but it is terrific that they saved a little bit of the native mangrove forest you can see this area was before all the development. It is made of a well built raised walkway through the mangroves with some trail hiking once inland. Very nice place for a morning walk or an afternoon getaway.

Na Spa

2021-05

Pretty preserve with raised boardwalks over mangrove area. Winding paths on rustic paths and raised walks. Has several loops and one area could be a bit muddy. Can meander for 1.5 to 2 miles and all shady. Came across this preserve by accident but will be back when we’re next in Bonita Springs. Beautiful overlook onto the bay. A hidden gem.