photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Rare $11.5 million Marco Island estate hits market

Rare $11.5 million Marco Island estate hits market

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

For the first time in more than four years, a waterfront estate has hit the market in Marco Island’s exclusive Hideaway Beach community.

The price tag: $11.5 million.

The estate, built in 2022, spans more than 5,500 square feet. It has four bedrooms (all of them suites), with five bathrooms in total, including a powder room.

The property has nearly 100 feet of water frontage, with direct beach access, in a private gated community.

The affluent community includes a private nine-hole executive golf course and clubhouse, with two miles of beach sitting directly on the Gulf, and a recently added sports center.

On Marco, Hideaway Beach is the only place where you can have a home directly on the beach.

Cathy Rogers, a global real estate advisor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty on Marco, is the agent for the rare listing. She also sold the last beachfront single-family home listing in Hideaway Beach, a deal that closed in March 2022.

“This property is located at a more private end of the beach, the other one was right next to the clubhouse,” Rogers said.

Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.

Ready to explore the most exceptional properties of Southwest Florida? Contact me today to begin your journey. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Big boost for SWFL tourism courtesy of New York Times’ ‘places to go’ list

Big boost for SWFL tourism courtesy of New York Times’ ‘places to go’ list

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

If it’s possible to receive official validation for a comeback from a series of devastating hurricanes, then you could say The New York Times provided a big stamp of approval this week for Southwest Florida.

The Times published its annual “52 to places to go” for 2026, recommending to its audience locations around the world worth visiting this year.

Places like Sorola’s Spain, Winnie-the-Pooh’s England, Assisi, Italy, Dallas, Texas and yes, two islands off the coast of Southwest Florida that most people reading this are very familiar with.

Sanibel and Captiva.

“This recognition proves what we already knew, that Sanibel and Captiva are special, world class, beach destinations that offer unmatched eco-tourism, shelling, and hospitality,” said John Lai, the President and CEO of the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce. “It’s rare to find destinations like ours that intentionally hold 70% in conservation and that in itself sets us apart from similar vacation options.”

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Do you want a home to come to in southwest Florida on or near to Sanibel and Captiva? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

City demolishing the iconic Naples pier. What will the new one look like?

City demolishing the iconic Naples pier. What will the new one look like?

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

The new Naples Pier is under constuction after a formal groundbreaking Jan. 5.

How will the new pier be different than the old one? It will be supported by larger pilings, with diameters of 18 inches as opposed to the previous 14 inches, and it will be 3 feet higher than before.

The existing pier will be demolished. It was badly damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Renderings and a video, provided by the city of Naples show what the new pier will look like.

The new pier will be built stronger and more resilient to future storms, with an accessible design and features to protect local wildlife.

The full article and photos on naplesnews.com.

 

More to know about the private Paraiso Beach Club in North Naples

More to know about the private Paraiso Beach Club in North Naples

Laura Layden | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

Plans are advancing for a members-only beach club in North Naples.

Since Collier commissioners unanimously approved the plans in October, the club has attracted investors and signed up more than 150 members.

Construction is expected to start soon on the multimillion-dollar project, known as Paraiso Beach Club.

“We actually are close to being ready to break ground. We anticipate that will be somewhere in the first quarter of 2026, then we are looking at a 15- to 18-month build time,” said David Tingley, a local businessman and seasoned executive in the financial services industry, who is the driving force behind the project.

If all goes as planned, he said, construction should be completed by the third quarter of 2027 — allowing for a “soft opening” late in the year, inside of the busy season.

Meanwhile, the membership drive is underway, and it’s going better than expected, attracting 160 members already, Tingley said.

To start, the club’s membership will be capped at 650 to 700 —

Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Looking for a home close to the beautiful white sand beaches of Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

No small wonder: Naples Botanical Garden endures in Southwest Florida

No small wonder: Naples Botanical Garden endures in Southwest Florida

Dave Osborn | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

It’s been a hidden respite in Southwest Florida for years.

Naples Botanical Garden sits on 170 acres and is made up of smaller, separate gardens that represent various natural habitats and ecosystems.

And Naples Botanical Garden ― about three miles from downtown Naples ― features exhibits throughout the year. Here’s what to know about the Garden, as it’s known.

Garden becomes magical during holidays
It’s an end-of-the-year treat many await. The Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden creates a colorful world at night, where visitors can walk through the meticulously created wonderland.

Night Lights runs Nov. 28-Jan. 4, and is closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31.

Ticket prices vary and gradually increase as the holidays approach.

Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.

There’s so much to enjoy in the Naples, Florida area. Be close to the fun with a home in the area. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Expert shares his Top-10 list of rare shells to look for when you are combing the beach

Expert shares his Top-10 list of rare shells to look for when you are combing the beach

Mark H. Bickel | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News

It’s always a good time to hunt for shells in Southwest Florida. But with snowbird and tourist season just underway, we thought it would be a good idea to inspire shelling enthusiasts with a list of rare shells you can find here and around Florida.Every collection needs a “gotta have it” bucket list. Stamps. Coins. Baseball cards. Comic books. Movie posters. Yes, even seashells.

And with seashells, what’s nice is, you already have a bucket so it is just a matter of checking off the shells you really want for your collection and those shells on your bucket list.

Dr. Jose H. Leal. He is the Science Director and Curator for the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island. Leal’s love for shells and sea life goes back to his childhood years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

What are some of the rare seashells you can find on Florida beaches?
Here is a list compiled by Leal that he put together using his knowledge and expertise of shells that can be found on beaches in Florida:

1-Atlantic Morum (Morum oniscus)
2-Fine-cut Nutmeg (Ventrilia tenera)
3-Arrow Dwarf Triton (Tritonoharpa lanceolata)
4-Beau Vitrinella (Cyclostremiscus beauii)
5-Stimpson Chimney Clam (Rocellaria stimponii)
6-Atlantic Paper Mussel (Arcuatula papyria)
7-Scotch Bonnet (Semicassis granulata)

Get the full list of rare shells and see the photos on naplesnews.com.

Looking for a home in Southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.