Online Highways Home > Florida > Southwest Region The Southwest Region of Florida is often referred to as the Shell Coast, due to its abundance of shells on the beaches of the Marco Island and Sanibel. The area is partly comprised of parks, wildlife refuges and preserves. Visitors can find solitude in such places as Pine Island, Captiva, and the group of islands called the Ten Thousand Islands. Near Placida is the only privately owned toll booth in Florida on the way to beautiful Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande, home of the world's biggest tarpon fishing tournament. Here, the period from mid-spring until early fall is the quietest (due to the exodus of part-time residents and tourists). Wildlife lovers may spot bald eagles, osprey, manatees, roseate spoonbills, rare white pelicans, and non-native iguanas. Other places to visit in the region are Punta Gorda where the conquistadors came ashore in 1513, led by Ponce de Leon; Thomas Edison's Museum and winter home in Fort Myers; and numerous attractions in Naples, such as Historic Olde Naples, the zoological gardens and Jungle Larry's. A little to the north of Naples, Vanderbilt Beach offers elegant hotels and resorts. Newly done. See more Regions. Other upcoming events include:

Search Florida What have people been Tweeting about ?

D0M0_theebest "- I wanna visit Florida soon . They get's it in :) . Who's with me ?"
Babeatsea "RT @ricky_martin: in the state of Florida Having sexual relations with a porcupine is illegal. (LOL) #fact"
anathebrat "everybody is invited to the opening ceremony in orlando florida at barnett park the last week of april we r preformin brainstew or krytonite"
Chelabellaa "Lmaoo. RT @ricky_martin: in the state of Florida Having sexual relations with a porcupine is illegal. (LOL) #fact"
Latest Tweets About Southwest Florida

smeex "Coolness is the compass to navigate field of 1980 acts at South by Southwest http://bit.ly/bCyv4t"
wisetweets "Coolness is the compass to navigate field of 1980 acts at South by Southwest - Washington Post http://dlvr.it/Kdcm"
_music_news_ "South By Southwest: 1,981 Bands In Five Days http://bit.ly/9YadyH"
keg711 "LOL, just saw the new #southwest commercial"
Latest Tweets About Region Florida

JoseDavidNavas "RT @quakeinfo: earthquake! M 5.6, Cuba region http://bit.ly/9HlbNS"
DiAMANDA_R_ "RT @SAWDIS: RT @earthquakes: Earthquakes USGS M 6.2, New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea: March 20, 2010 14:00:51 GMT http://bit.ly/cR1mx0"
IDBnews "LIVE Webcast: "We need a new social pact, our our goal is to increase growth and competitiveness in our region." http://ow.ly/1oPQf"
DP_Turtle "Don't even ask about his nether region. RT @edschober: @todena Cycling temp is ~35 these days. I have no circulation in my fingers anymore."
rentemspoonz "The South region loves me...I'm perfect there...And to think I hate Duke's guts..."
EarthquakeTest "bloody hell. not another one RT @BreakingNews: A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hits the New Ireland Region of Papua New... http://bit.ly/aZM979"
Check everything within 25 miles of Florida