By Kevin and Amanda Mims
For adventure-seekers, Punta Gorda on the coast of Southwest Florida has a little bit of everything, from skydiving high above the coastline to swamp buggy tours and trips to Florida’s largest reptile zoo. Here is your guide for two days of excitement in and around Punta Gorda.
Day One
Your adventure starts out with a thrilling morning at Skydive Southwest Florida. After about an hour of instruction, you’ll take off into the sky. The plane ride lasts about 20 minutes before your jump. Fastened to an instructor, you will make a tandem leap from more than two miles up, and you’ll have the thrill of a lifetime as your instructor guides you in a freefall at 120 miles per hour. Then, for about five to seven minutes after your parachute opens, you’ll peacefully drift down and see Southwest Florida like few others do, with views of much of South Florida and the coast of the Gulf of America, from Venice to Fort Myers Beach and beyond. This leg of the adventure takes about two to four hours total.
With feet firmly back on the ground, head back toward downtown Punta Gorda for a quick lunch and then get ready for your next stop: IguanaLand.
The largest reptile zoo in Florida, IguanaLand has more than 200 species that visitors can see and learn about. See giant tortoises, snakes, and, of course, iguanas on this property that spans more than 10 acres.
After your IguanaLand trip, relax at the hotel for a bit and get ready for dinner. Try the Celtic Ray Public House for Irish pub food and drinks.
Day Two
Your second day takes you to Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours for a 90-minute swamp buggy ride. You’ll travel through the historic Babcock Ranch property and Crescent B Ranch, a 14,000-acre working cattle ranch. You’ll get an up-close view as you learn all about Florida history, Crescent B’s cattle ranching and timber history, and the flora and fauna of the ecosystems you’re experiencing. See Cracker cattle along with a host of wild animals, including alligators, osprey, wild turkeys, and softshell turtles.
Depending on how you time your visit, you can stop and eat at the Gator Shack Restaurant inside the park before or after your tour. Choose from a rotating menu of Southern classics, seafood favorites, and more. If you have time after, stop by the gift shop for some Babcock Ranch souvenirs.
After you’ve returned to your hotel and rested a bit, head out to dinner in Punta Gorda. Try the Ice House Pub, an English pub with rotating taps year round.
Time Allowance
This itinerary will take two days and one night to complete.
Distance from Population Centers
Punta Gorda is less than two hours south of Tampa, 40 minutes north of Fort Myers, and just over an hour south of Sarasota.
Walking/Driving Distance Between Things to Do
Skydive Southwest Florida and IguanaLand are each about 10 miles from downtown Punta Gorda, and Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours is about 27 miles from downtown Punta Gorda.
What To Bring
Wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather and activity. For skydiving, running shoes, shorts, T-shirts, and sweatshirts are recommended; sandals, boots, and tight jeans are not permitted.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and bug spray for outdoor activities. It’s a good idea to have an umbrella and/or light poncho with you, especially during the rainy months.
Throughout your trip, you’ll want to capture memories with your phone or camera. Binoculars can be useful for spotting wildlife.
Closed-toe shoes are recommended for IguanaLand.
What To Expect
Reservations are required for skydiving and Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours. Skydiving also requires a $50 non-refundable deposit.
Physical Demands
Participants must be able to walk moderate distances and be able to make the step onto the eco-tour bus, which is about 16 to 18 inches.
Skydiving participants must be in good general health and weigh less than 250 pounds. Guests weighing more than 230 pounds will be evaluated on an individual basis. There is an additional fee for guests weighing more than 230 pounds.
Accessibility Enhancements/Inclusion Highlights
Most exhibits at IguanaLand have paved, wheelchair-accessible pathways. Accessible swamp buggy eco-tours are available by calling 800-500-5583.
Trip Highlights
A swamp buggy tour is a must-do South Florida adventure that gives visitors an up-close look into the ecosystems of the area, offering plentiful opportunities to view wild animals in their natural habitats.
Skydiving gives you an incredible view of the coastline of the Gulf of America as you guide peacefully back to the ground.
Awards and Recognition
Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours, Skydive Southwest Florida, and John Ski’s House of Breakfast & Lunch are all 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award recipients.
Lodging and Accommodations
Punta Gorda offers a variety of places to stay. Three recommended hotels for this itinerary are Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside, SpringHill Suites Punta Gorda Harborside, and The Wyvern Hotel, which are all within easy walking distance of restaurants, art galleries, and boutique shopping.
Culinary Adventures
For breakfast, check out John Ski’s house of Breakfast & Lunch, which opens at 6 a.m. daily and serves hearty helpings of American-style breakfast favorites. Perch360, at the rooftop of the Wyvern Hotel, serves tapas, signature cocktails, and craft beers with stunning sunset views.
Gator Shack Restaurant at Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours serves up Southern classics, fresh seafood dishes, and more. Celtic Ray Public House is a popular Irish pub and IceHouse Pub, an English pub with year-round rotating taps and a menu of English classics like bangers and mash and fish and chips.
Head to Zoet Sweet Boutique for lunch, ice cream, and Dutch-style treats.
When to Visit and Seasonal Differences
Summers tend to be hot and humid, so keep that in mind when planning outdoor activities. Rain and thunderstorms are common in summer, especially in the afternoons, and can affect tours and skydiving activities.
Mornings are best for eco-tours, both for weather and the opportunity to have lunch at The Gator Shack after.
Surprises/Bonuses
Behind-the-scenes VIP tours and animal encounters are available at IguanaLand. Skydive Southwest Florida offers photo and video packages to document your trip. You may get to touch a baby alligator during your visit to Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours.
Rules
Skydiving participants must be at least 18 years old. Reservations are required for skydiving.
Reservations are highly recommended for swamp buggy eco-tours.
Advice
To get the most of your first day, book an early skydiving appointment. That way, you should have plenty of time for lunch and IguanaLand later.
Skydiving is dependent on weather, so you’ll need to be flexible with your schedule if the weather turns bad. Usually this means that your jump will be temporarily postponed while the weather passes.
Arrive at least 15 minutes early to your skydiving reservation and up to an hour early for the eco-tour if you want to eat lunch at The Gator Shack first. Advance general admission tickets are recommended, though not required, for IguanaLand.
How to Book
Make reservations with Skydive Southwest Florida, IguanaLand, and Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours online. For more information about places to eat and stay in Punta Gorda and the surrounding areas, visit the Pure Florida website.
