I have several times paddled the Imperial River from
Imperial Bonita Estates to Estero Bay. This is just one of many, many options in SW Florida. The Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail is a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail ... through the coastal waters and inland tributaries of Lee County, Florida, but you can find your own paths any time.
Biking trails also abound throughout Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties, and I would encourage you to do an online comparison with any other area. Usually, after riding the five miles in my own age 55+ community, I'm ready for one of the other 80+ activities offered here at IBE.
And -- we seldom have wind here; we have breezes! IBE is five miles from the Gulf waters and a perfect place to relax under a shade umbrella with a book in one hand and a beer in the other.
It's 76° here at 9:30 a.m., and I'm late for my bike ride. Bye.