Santa rides his boat along the Shoreline in the Christmas Holiday Boat Parade. A Christmas light decoration contest for homes, businesses and boats is included in the festivities. Balls bounce around the basketball, tennis and volleyball courts at Bay Oaks Recreation Center. Lover's Key State Recreation Area shelling rivals the neighboring island of Sanibel. Trams ferry visitors over Oyster Bay to Lover's Key Barrier Island.
Visitors can rent kayaks and canoes and tale boat tours of the area.
Picnic areas and barbecue grills are conveniently located along the Lover's Key beaches. The natural environment of the 16- acre Bodwitch Point Park at the tip of Estero Island nourishes nature walkers and picnickers. The Matanzas Pass Wildlife Preserve, featuring an historical restored cottage, nurtures 42 acres of wilderness and provides sanctuary for native plants and animals. Boardwalks and bridges over trails allow visitors access to a pavilion along Estero Back Bay where birds such as ospreys and pelicans fish. People in fishing boats also cast their line in search of supper.