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Aquatic Preserves

Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve

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Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve is in Southwest Florida, about 10 miles south of Fort Myers. The preserve sits between the Town of Fort Myers Beach, the City of Bonita Springs, the Village of Estero and unincorporated areas of Lee County including San Carlos Park and south Fort Myers. Its western border includes several barrier islands, including San Carlos Island, Estero Island, Black Island, Lovers Key, Long Key, Big Hickory Island and Little Hickory Island. The northern and eastern shoreline is mostly surrounded by Estero Bay Preserve State Park, acquired to help buffer the aquatic preserve from upland impacts. Multiple tributaries feed into the estuary with several passes into the Gulf of America.

HISTORY

The history of human use of the aquatic preserve and surrounding land extends back thousands of years, with the earliest evidence of human habitation found on the adjacent Estero Bay Preserve State Park. Between 1513 to 1750 A.D., the Calusa inhabited the Estero Bay region, with their capital city Calos located on Mound Key in central Estero Bay. In 1894, a religious sect was established along the banks of the Estero River, most of which was later donated to the state, becoming Koreshan State Park. Since the 1950s, the area has seen amazing growth, becoming a premier destination for sun-seekers, investors and retirees.

Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve is Florida’s first aquatic preserve, created in 1966 as an offshore preserve (a novel idea at the time) and predating the DEP agency that manages it. The motivation for the creation of the aquatic preserve was a growing awareness that coastal development was destroying the natural areas needed to maintain a healthy fishery. The northern half of Estero Bay was dedicated in December 1966, and the southern half of the bay down to the Lee County line was added to the preserve in 1983 by the Florida Legislature. The history of the aquatic preserve is a fascinating one and is chronicled in a documentary created for the aquatic preserve’s 50th anniversary in 2016.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities at Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve include assisting with marine debris cleanups, water quality monitoring and wading and diving bird rookery monitoring. Volunteers can help with water quality monitoring through DEP's Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network webpage. The Estero Bay Buddies, the citizen support organization for the preserve, offers opportunities to volunteer on the Estero Bay Buddies board.

Events

Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve hosts wading trips at various times during the year and conducts rookery island cleanups in the fall. This aquatic preserve's staff also participate in annual events such as:

  • National Estuaries Day
  • International Coastal Cleanup
  • Monofilament Madness
  • Ft. Myers Boat Show

Educational Opportunities

Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve staff provide educational presentations upon request and distribute informational pamphlets/brochures about the preserve's resources and conservation efforts at various outreach events.

Please contact our office at Estero.Bay@FloridaDEP.gov to request more information.

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

There are several major archaeological and historic sites within the boundaries of Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve and the adjacent upland areas. Most of the area has not been surveyed, and it is possible that additional archaeological sites may be located upon further investigation. Documented sites include both Native American and European encampments and villages, with most being prehistoric shell (kitchen) middens such as Mound Key. Others include terrestrial remains of buildings, historic boat refuse/hulls and the wreckage of a World War II aircraft at its crash site.

Estero Bay was formed into a lagoonal estuary by the lack of significant freshwater input and a weak tidal exchange due to the restricted size of its inlets. The estuary complex began forming about 5,000 years ago when rising sea levels flooded the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River and the smaller rivers and creeks in the area. This flooding caused sediment to be deposited at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, which was carried south by longshore currents and formed the barrier islands that border Estero Bay. Sediment from the smaller rivers and streams filled the bottom of the bay, resulting in its current shallow depth.

The bay's subtropical climate, lagoonal structure and vegetation contribute to its high productivity, making it one of the most productive estuaries in Florida. This rich environment supports a large variety of plant and animal life, including approximately 40% of Florida's endangered and threatened species. The estuary serves as a critical nursery area for many fish species, bolstering the local economy through both commercial and recreational fishing activities. It is also an important nesting site for various bird species and provides a valuable stopping point for migratory birds.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Mangrove forests, seagrass beds, salt marshes, tidal flats, oyster bars

Invertebrates
Horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, sea stars, crabs, sea hares, spider crabs, sponges, oysters and shrimp.

Nesting and Migrating Birds
Wading and diving birds include great blue heron, little blue heron, reddish egret, tricolored heron, American oystercatcher, roseate spoonbill, brown pelican and double-crested cormorant. Other species seen in the area include black skimmer, osprey, least tern and roseate tern, among others.

Mammals
Manatee and dolphins.

Reptiles
Sea turtle species including Atlantic green, Atlantic loggerhead and Kemp’s ridley.

Fish
Smalltooth sawfish, snook, mangrove snapper, rays, sheepshead, seahorses, burrfish and pinfish, among others.

Other Species
Mangroves and seagrass.

A more inclusive list of species can be found within the management plan.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts at Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve focus on protecting and restoring the bay's water quality, seagrass beds and wildlife habitat. Key initiatives include the Rookery Island Monitoring and Protection Program, which aims to protect vulnerable bird nesting sites from human disturbance and other threats; and marking and monitoring Seagrass Protection Areas to promote seagrass recovery in areas heavily damaged by boat propellers. Education and outreach opportunities are also utilized and provide information about the importance of Florida’s aquatic preserves and the habitats that are protected.

Ongoing Research

Ongoing research in Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve includes water quality monitoring, seagrass and algae monitoring, oyster monitoring, and colonial wading and diving bird nest monitoring. These programs track the long-term health of the bay, identify emerging threats and inform management decisions. Water quality monitoring utilizes data sondes (continuous monitoring devices), quarterly tributary monitoring and data gathered from assisting with the Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network citizen science program to assess the bay's condition and potential impacts from development. Seagrass and oyster monitoring helps to track the recovery and overall health of these vital habitats for numerous species. Colonial wading and diving bird nest monitoring documents population trends, nesting success and potential disturbances to these important bird populations.

Highlights

Frequently Asked Questions

Each month, season and time of day offers unique opportunities to experience the aquatic preserve. Wildlife viewing, fishing and boating are abundant year-round, while in-water activities are more favorable in the spring with clearer waters and warmer water temperatures.

Public wading tours are available at select times during the year, and private wading trips can be requested for groups.

Yes. Aquatic preserves often are adjacent to other conservation areas that may have nesting birds or other easily disturbed wildlife. Please do not let your pet run free in areas not designated for pets, and please pick up after your pet to avoid hazardous pathogens in our coastal waters. 

Follow current FWC saltwater fishing regulations.

Follow current FWC boating regulations.

Seagrass is protected within aquatic preserves; avoid shallow waters and raise motor if over seagrass. Damage to seagrass can result in a fine up to $1,000.

Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

ADA accommodations are specific to each access point and the managing entity for that site. 

There are no fees required by the preserve, but specific access points may charge access fees to those sites. The Estero Bay Buddies is the preserve’s citizen support organization and accepts donations to support the protection and management of Estero Bay’s ecosystems for the enjoyment and appreciation of current and future generations.

Volunteer opportunities include assisting with wading and diving bird rookery monitoring and island cleanups, captaining during rookery monitoring and monitoring water quality in cooperation with the Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network.

Email Estero.Bay@FloridaDEP.gov for more information.

Partner Groups