The Great Calusa Blueway
The Great Calusa Blueway is a paddling trail that meanders through the coastal waters of Lee County from the Pine Island Sound to Estero Bay, up the Caloosahatchee River and through its tributaries. The 190-mile trail guides canoeists and kayakers via easy-to-identify brown-and-white signs through shallow areas away from powerboat traffic.
Plan Your Blueway Adventure
Explore launch sites, boat rentals, guided tours, and trail information through the Visitor & Convention Bureau website to help plan your paddling adventure.
The Blueway is home to abundant wildlife, including wading birds, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, river otters, and a variety of fish species. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced paddler, the trail offers opportunities for paddlers, anglers, birdwatchers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Download maps and GPS coordinates online, request a map by mail or phone, or pick one up at participating outfitters, marinas, and Lee County Parks & Recreation locations.
The Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament
The Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament has combined paddling, fishing, and conservation education into a unique outdoor experience for over 20 years. The tournament promotes responsible fishing practices, highlights the region's natural resources, and encourages residents and visitors to connect with Southwest Florida's waterways.
The Calusa Blueway Speaker Series The popular Calusa Blueway Speaker Series provides educational and engaging presentations that connect the community with local waterways, wildlife, history, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Featuring expert speakers from a variety of fields, the series offers participants the chance to learn about topics ranging from paddling safety and environmental stewardship to regional ecology and cultural heritage. These free programs help foster a deeper appreciation for the Calusa Blueway and the unique ecosystems it traverses. |
The Blueway is named after the Calusa, a seafaring Indigenous people who thrived for centuries throughout Southwest Florida’s coastal waters and estuaries before European contact. Their deep connection to the region’s waterways and reliance on paddling routes for transportation, fishing, and trade inspired the naming and spirit of the trail system.
Established in 2002 through a partnership between Lee County Parks & Recreation (LCPR) and the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), the Great Calusa Blueway was developed to highlight the region’s unique waterways, ecosystems, and cultural heritage. The Estero Bay segment opened in 2003, followed by Pine Island Sound in 2005, and the Caloosahatchee segment in 2007.
As the Blueway expanded, programs and events were introduced to connect the community with Southwest Florida’s paddling culture and natural resources. One of these initiatives, the Calusa Kids Race Team, encouraged youth participation in paddle sports by introducing young paddlers to organized racing and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the region. The program helped foster interest in paddling while building connections between youth and local waterways.
The Blueway also became home to community events celebrating the region’s water-based recreation and heritage. Among the most notable was Battle on the Blueway, an annual paddling event held on Fort Myers Beach that brought together competitive racers, recreational paddlers, families, vendors, and educational organizations. The event highlighted Southwest Florida’s paddling culture while showcasing the area’s natural environment, wildlife, and Calusa heritage. |