THE Sunshine State is famous for attracting millions of thrill-seekers – but rollercoasters are not the only thing Florida has to offer. Fort Myers is a three-hour drive south of Orlando and offers a totally different kind of amusement. 4 Island hopping in Florida is a wondrous way to explore the south west coast away from the state's busy theme parks Credit: Supplied Far from the hustle and bustle of crowded, noisy theme parks, this is the gateway to island-hopping off Florida’s stunning south west coast.
Expect the unexpected while exploring these luxurious islands’ pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Spot free-roaming turtles in Sanibel, kayak around Captiva’s Buck Key Mangroves and lunch at the restaurant and bar in Cabbage Key, where singer Jimmy Buffett is said to have written his song Cheeseburger In Paradise. And paradise it sure is.
The irregular-shaped island of Cabbage Key, measuring just over half a mile, is accessible only by boat and it is like stepping back in time as soon as your feet hit the shore. You are almost guaranteed the pleasure of seeing dolphins and manatees on the five-mile boat trip from Pine Island — and by the end of the trip you will think of them as travelling companions. Aside from being popular for its unrivalled hospitality, stunning location, and, of course, the Cheeseburger song, the Cabbage Key bar is also famous for its dollar bills , with around $100,000 signed notes covering its walls.
The tradition started in the 196.
