EXPLORING ROOKERY BAY

EXPLORE YOUR RESERVE

110,000 acres of protected land
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Explore Your Reserve

110,000 acres of protected land
Rookery Bay Research Reserve is yours to explore and enjoy. Recreational opportunities abound for kayakers & boaters, campers, anglers & shellers, beachgoers, nature photographers, birdwatchers and more!

Kayak Routes

  • Shell Island Road
    • 10 Shell Island Road Naples, FL 34113
  • Isles of Capri Paddlecraft Park
    • 1295 Capri Blvd. Naples, FL 34113

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SHELL ISLAND INFORMATION

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Information

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Access to Shell Island Road is OPEN from dawn to dusk.

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Report Violations

Toll Free: 888-404-FWCC (3922)
Local Calls: (239) 938-1800

Enjoy your visit to Rookery Bay! Just remember to practice the “Leave No Trace” guidelines and abide by the important rules above. A complete list of rules for visiting Rookery Bay Reserve can be found here.

Reserve Rules

  • No Unleashed Pets
  • No Unattended Fires
  • No Hunting, Harassing, or Possessing Wildlife
  • No Use of Firearms or Weapons
  • Do Not Remove Natural or Cultural Resources
  • No Pollution
  • No Destruction of Property

Kayak Routes

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RESERVE RULES

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Reserve Rules

  • No Unleashed Pets
  • No Unattended Fires
  • No Hunting, Harassing, or Possessing Wildlife
  • No Use of Firearms or Weapons
  • Do Not Remove Natural or Cultural Resources
  • No Pollution
  • No Destruction of Property

Dark Blue Caution Icon

Report Violations

Toll Free: 888-404-FWCC (3922)
Local Calls: (239) 938-1800

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Restricted Access: March - August

Due to nesting shore birds during this time frame there is restricted access at Keewaydin Island, Morgan Beach, NEW BEACH, and Second Chance Shoal.

Second Chance is CLOSED March 1st – August 31st

BIRDING

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Birding

Rookery Bay Research Reserve and neighboring parks and preserves are a prime location for birders. People come from all over the world to see the tropical birds that call the Reserve home all year-round including Roseate Spoonbills, Egrets and Herons. There are also many birds that migrate to the area in the winter or stop to rest while migrating even further south into South America.  Whether you’re on a beach, in a boat or just visiting a local park, Southwest Florida is a bird lovers paradise!
Map of Local Birding Spots
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Restricted Access: March - August

Due to nesting shore birds during this time frame there is restricted access at Keewaydin Island, Morgan Beach, NEW BEACH, and Second Chance Shoal.

Second Chance is CLOSED form March 1st – August 31st

CAMPING

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Camping

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No Camping: April – October

  • Between April and October restricted access will apply to the following locations:
    • Cape Romano Complex (Dickmans Island, Kice Island, Blind Pass, Morgan Beach, and Cape Romano)
    • Gullivan Key
    • Whitehorse Key
    • Hog Key
    • Camp Lulu

Second Chance is closed to camping year round.

The Reserve’s 110,000 acres provide campers with access to one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. Primitive camping is allowed in designated locations within the reserve.  Review the guidelines and safety tips to ensure your next camping trip is memorable.

  • Primitive camping is allowed in “Designated Areas” marked with [tent icon] on the map above.
  • Designated camping locations in the northern part of the Reserve are open year round. Designated camping locations in the southern part of the Reserve are open November – March.
  • Permits or reservations not required. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Visitors found camping in locations that are not designated for this use may be asked to leave by FWC or other law enforcement entity.
  • Camping rules may be different within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Please visit their website to follow their guidelines – https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ten-thousand-islands/visit-us/activities/camping

FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE VISIT

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Facilities

This is a “wilderness experience!” Campers must be aware there are NO facilities available. In order to maintain a pristine environment for wildlife and other visitors, please observe the following guidelines at all times when visiting or camping in natural areas:

  • Human feces are a health hazard – see Wilderness Hygiene Guidelines
  • Pack out all your trash including unsanitary and unsightly toilet paper
  • Do not leave camping equipment behind – take everything back with you
  • Properly dispose all food items: and do not discard food or rinds on the island or in the water

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Campfire Guidelines

  • Fires are permitted in designated camping areas, but they must be attended at all times.
  • Do not burn wood pallets. They leave behind dangerous nails.
  • Do not burn trash. Broken glass bottles and cans are dangerous.
  • If you dig a fire pit, fill it in when you are done.
  • If you use charcoal, do not leave briquettes behind on the beach or in vegetation.

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Parking

No overnight parking at Collier County boat ramps, except for at Port of the Islands Marina and the Goodland Boat Park (fee is $10 per vehicle per night).

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Safety First

We strongly encourage all boaters to file a float plan with a friend or family member who will be responsible for notifying the coast guard in the event the boater does not return as scheduled.

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Wilderness Hygiene

  • Use facilities on board your boat, or a “portable potty”, and dispose of properly when in port.
  • Urinate below the high tide line and away from other people.
  • Dig a cat hole above the high tide line and at least eight inches deep for any fecal waste. Carry out waste paper in a ziplock baggie for proper disposal.

TRAILS

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ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER NATURE TRAILS

Access to the Snail Trail and the primitive trails, Catbird and Slash Pine, is through the Environmental Learning Center and across the Henderson Creek walking bridge. You can pick up a Snail Trial Guide at the front desk or scan the QR code to read along as you hike. Please note that the primitive trails are closed during the summer months and will reopen in the fall.
TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

SHELL ISLAND ROAD NATURE TRAILS

Within the Rookery Bay Reserve, there are currently two trails accessible from Shell Island road. Briggs Boardwalk, a half-mile boardwalk, is a self-directed nature trail passing through five unique habitats from scrub to brackish pond. Monument Point Trail begins at the Shell Island Road boat ramp and leads visitors to the Children’s Monument on the bank of Henderson Creek.
Map of Local Birding Spots

Briggs Boardwalk

  • Briggs Boardwalk Nature Trail on Shell Island Road in Rookery Bay Research Reserve
  • Briggs Boardwalk Nature Trail on Shell Island Road in Rookery Bay Research Reserve
The half-mile boardwalk is a self-directed nature trail passing through five unique habitats from scrub to brackish ponds.

Experience the flora and fauna in each community of this path. With every twist and turn you may spot some rare birds, unique plants and other animals. Make sure to check out the Observation Deck where you can overlook just a small piece of Rookery Bay’s beauty.

Trail Map
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Tours are Currently Unavailable

Monument Point Trail

  • Monument Trail to Rena Point on Shell Island Road in Rookery Bay Research Reserve
  • Monument Trail to Rena Point on Shell Island Road in Rookery Bay Research Reserve
  • The Children’s Column Monument | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
Monument Point Trail begins near the end of the Shell Mound Trail at the Shell Island Road boat ramp and leads visitors to the Children’s Monument on the bank of Henderson Creek. The monument recognizes the efforts of school children involved in helping to raise initial funds for purchasing core lands around Rookery Bay in the 1960’s. This trail is frequently used by visitors to access recreational fishing on the creek.

BOAT TOURS

We offer a variety of different tours for an up close and personal experience of your Rookery Bay.
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Explore Your Reserve

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is an irreplaceable natural treasure. Explore this unique ecosystem via small boat tours that offer an up-close and personal experience. With a maximum of six passengers, these on-the-water adventures are the only Rookery Bay tours conducted by our exclusive eco-tour partner, Rising Tide Explorers. The relaxed pace and emphasis on learning is designed to help visitors develop a true sense of place and a deeper connection to this unique coastal wilderness. Several different trips are available, each with a different theme.

All tours provide a chance to see a diversity of native wildlife and offer a comfortable platform for photography. Tours include free admission to the Environmental Learning Center on day of trip and proceeds support the non-profit Friends of Rookery Bay.

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PADDLECRAFT PARK

We offer a variety of different tours for an up close and personal experience of your Rookery Bay.
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Isle of Capri Paddlecraft Park

The Isles of Capri Paddlecraft Park is the only public access facility in Collier County designed exclusively for launching paddle crafts, which are non-motorized vessels such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. The facility features a ramp, picnic pavilions, and restrooms that are accessible to pedestrians from the nearby Collier Boulevard boat ramp. The park provides public access to McIlvane Bay, a shallow mangrove-fringed bay that provides outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing and discovering quiet backwaters in a relatively unexplored part of the Reserve.

Collier County Parks & Recreation has entered into an agreement with the Reserve to manage the park for sustainable use. Launch fees are posted near launch site.

Click here to view the Paddle Map with rough paddle trail.

FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE VISIT

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Safety First

We strongly encourage all kayakers to file a float plan with a friend or family member who will be responsible for notifying the coast guard in the event the boater does not return as scheduled.

Hygiene Icon Dark Blue | Rookery Bay Research Reserve

Wilderness Hygiene

Urinate below the high tide line and away from other people.

Dig a cat hole above the high tide line and at least eight inches deep for any fecal waste. Carry out waste paper in a ziplock baggie for proper disposal.

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Parking

No overnight parking at Collier County boat ramps, except for at Port of the Islands Marina and the Goodland Boat Park (fee is $10 per vehicle per night).

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Restricted Access: March - August

Due to nesting shore birds during this time frame there is restricted access at Keewaydin Island, Morgan Beach, NEW BEACH, and Second Chance Shoal.

Second Chance is CLOSED from March 1st – August 31st.

Kayak Routes

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KEEWAYDIN

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Keewaydin

Keewaydin Island, locally known as Key Island, is a special place. It serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and a recreational destination for local residents and tourists. The 8-mile-long island is one of southwest Florida’s largest unbridged barrier islands. Least terns and loggerhead sea turtles use the island’s pristine beach as a vital nesting ground. People also enjoy the island, which provides a great opportunity to experience Florida’s natural coast. Thousands of boaters visit the island each year, boosting our local economy through rentals and purchases of boats, fishing tackle, and fuel.

FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE VISIT

Public Use: The public lands on Keewaydin belong to the people of Florida. The Reserve remains committed to providing public access and use that is compatible with the protection of wildlife and habitats on the island. No single agency or organization has all the resources needed to get the job done. It takes a collaborative effort involving state and local government, marine industry and local boating interests, landowners, area residents and environmental groups to achieve that vision.

History: Since 1980, Rookery Bay Research Reserve has worked with local partners to protect wildlife and habitat on the island while providing a wilderness recreation experience for people. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) purchased 85 percent of the 1,300-acre island at a cost of $15 million. As managers of these state-owned lands, the Reserve removed 300 acres of non-native Australian pine, Brazilian pepper and melaleuca that had displaced much of the island’s native habitats and wildlife. The island didn’t wash away as some predicted, but instead has flourished with native trees, plants and wildlife. The island has changed shape over the years as well. Click here to learn more about how we map this changing shoreline.

Ordinance: Barrier islands in the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, such as Key Island, are governed by Chapter 18-23 of the Florida Administrative Code, known as the Buffer Preserve Rule. The Buffer Preserve Rule applies to all uplands bounded by or adjacent to the waters within both the Rookery Bay and the Cape Romano/Ten Thousand Islands aquatic preserves, which cover nearly 40 percent of the Collier county coastline.

In a recent ruling by the Board of Collier Commissioners, the county beach ordinance now provides clear language that guides the activities of beach goers, and allows officers to enforce the State rule for the protection of nesting birds and other wildlife while still allowing visitors to enjoy the Island.

Download Ordinance Revision

Prohibited Activities

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  • Hunting, harassing, possessing or trapping wildlife.
  • Use of animal trapping or concealment devices.
  • Admission of unleashed domestic animals, except those assisting the handicapped.
  • Transplantation or removal of any plant or animal, or parts of plants or animals (living or dead), except as provided herein.
  • Removal, disturbance, pollution or destruction of property, or natural or cultural resources.
  • Solicitation or distribution of commercial materials and advertising of any commercial event, other than Department materials or announcements of Department-sponsored or sanctioned events and gatherings.
  • Possession of glass containers prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person while on the beach or beach access areas to possess or utilize any glass bottle or container.

Limited Activities

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  • Hiking, horseback riding, and bicycle riding shall be restricted to trails or roads specifically designated for those activities.
  • Camping may be conducted only in designated areas.
  • Fires are allowed only in designated areas.
  • Visitors shall be responsible for the proper disposal of all waste-water, refuse, and trash by placing it in designated containers, if provided, or removed to an off-site disposal facility or receptacle.
  • Vehicles are allowed only in areas designated as public access roads.
  • Motor vehicle or vessel operation in water bodies, wetlands, or low lying areas located inside the boundaries of the Buffer Preserves is allowed only where designated for such use with signs.

FISHING

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FISHING

Recreational fishing represents a primary public use of Reserve resources, and there are numerous charter boats, fishing guides, and boat rental services nearby to quench the thirst of sport fishermen. In the quiet backwaters of the Reserve, some of the most popular recreational species include redfish, mangrove (gray) snapper, spotted sea trout, snook and the ever-elusive tarpon.

FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE VISIT

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Sustainable Fishing Practices

Sport fishing is a popular pastime within the boundaries of Rookery Bay. Proper fish handling and compliance with state and federal regulations helps ensure Florida’s fisheries remain healthy and productive. Find the most up to date information on research-based catch and release practices from Florida Sea Grant to help protect and conserve our marine fisheries.

Read more about Catch and Release Fishing

Learn more about the Florida Sea Grant

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Regulations

Fishing is permitted throughout the Reserve as long as all activities comply with state laws as governed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

BEFORE YOU DO ANY RECREATIONAL FISHING PLEASE READ THE LATEST REGULATIONS.

WILDLIFE IN THE RESERVE

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WILFLIFE IN THE RESERVE

The Reserve encompasses 110,000 acres of coastal lands and waters, providing habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. From barrier island beach and mangrove forest to freshwater marsh and pine flatwoods, these habitats enable animals big and small to fill a niche on land, in the air or underwater.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THESE PLANTS & WILDLIFE

Mammals

Bears, Bobcat, Bottlenosed Dolphin, Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, Florida Panther, Manatees, Otters, Pigs, White-Tail Deer

Reptiles & Amphibians

Alligator, American Crocodile, Black Racer, Cane Toad (Non-Native/Invasive), Diamondback Terrapin, Eastern Diamondback, Eastern Indigo Snake, Florida Box Turtle, Florida Softshell Turtle, Gopher Tortoise, Green Anole, Green Iguana (Non-Native/Invasive), Green Tree Frog, Mangrove Water Snake, Sea Turtles, Yellow Rat Snake

Fish

Atlantic Spadefish, Barbfish, Bighead Sea Robin, Black Drum, Code Goby, Crested Goby, Gambusia, Giant Rays, Goliath Grouper, Goldspotted Killifish, Gulf Flounder, Hardhead Catfish, Inshore Lizardfish, Lane Snapper, Lined Seahorse, Lionfish, Lookdown, Orange Filefish, Pipefish, Polka-Dot Batfish, Pygmy Sea Bass, Spotfin Jawfish, Sharks, Smalltooth Sawfish, Smooth Butterfly Ray, Snook, Southern Stargrazer, Southern Puffer, Striped Burrfish

Birds

American Kestrel, Anhinga, Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Black Skimmer, Black Vulture, Fish Crow, Brown Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Eastern Screech-owl, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Great Horned Owl, Green Heron, Laughing Gulls, Least Tern, Little Blue Heron, Magnificent Frigatebird, Mangrove Cuckoo, Mourning Dove, Osprey, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Roseate Spoonbill, Royal Tern, Snowy Egret, Swallow-tailed Kite, Tricolored Heron, Turkey Vulture, White Ibis, Wood Stork, Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Insects

Black Witch Moth, Grizzled Mantis, Pipevine Swallowtail, Salt Marsh Mosquito, Zebra Longwing

Native Plants

American Beauty Berry, Black Mangroves, Coral Bean, Prickly Pear, Red Mangrove, Sea Grape, Seagrass, White Mangrove, Wild Coffee

Exotic Plants

Air Potato, Brazilian Pepper, Caesar Weed, Downy Rose Myrtle, Earleaf Acacia, Rosary Pea

Shells & Mollusks

Banded Tulip, Fighting Conch, Horse Conch, Oysters

Crustaceans

Blue Crab, Calico Crab, Common Snapping Shrimp, Ghost Crab, Giant Hermit Crab, Mantis Shrimp, Spider Crab

Other Invertebrates

Brown Spiny Sea Star, Horseshoe Crab, Moon Jelly, Nine-armed Sea Star, Pygmy Sea Cucumber, Sand Dollar, Tri-colored anemone, Upside-down Jelly, Veriegated Sea Urchin

Plankton

Plankton(drifter) refers to plants or animals that aren’t strong enough to swim against a current which are among the most numerous life forms on the planet. Phytoplankton(plant plankton) are one of the major bases of the food web in the estuary and responsible for producing more than 80% of Earth’s oxygen and range in size from a single cell to larger individuals like diatoms. Zooplankton consist of a wide variety of animals. Some remain in their planktonic state for their entire lives, like copepods or sea jellies (jellyfish), while others grow and change form like barnacles, crabs and many species of fish.

VISITING SCIENTISTS

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Donate to help support the amazing programs and research to help sustain this truly unique ecosystem.
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Drone Image of Rookery Bay Research Reserve | National Estuarine Research Reserve