"Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve is an extremely productive estuary supporting a diverse array of marine life that enhances Lee County’s intricate and unique ecosystem."

Ray Judah, Lee County Commissioner

Location:

Southwest Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico in Lee County between Bonita Springs and Ft. Myers Beach

Acreage

11,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Heather Stafford
Aquatic Preserve Manager
700-1 Fisherman's Wharf
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 463-3240

• Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve Fact Sheet (pdf -  907 KB)

• Florida's first Aquatic Preserve, designated in 1966.
   
• Shallow estuary fed by five minor freshwater tributaries, but influenced more by tidal action.
   
• Contains strong currents near passes with areas of slow waters in between where bird rookeries can be found.
   
• Diverse habitats include seagrass beds, mangrove islands, salt marshes, tidal flats and oyster bars.
   
• Designated as Outstanding Florida Waters because of exceptional ecological significance.
   
• Includes many historic and archaeological sites such as those on Mound Key, some of which are submerged.