Things to Do in Villas

Nestled on 40 sprawling acres, 5 Star Stables & Tack’s knowledgeable staff welcomes tender-footed riders and experienced equestrians alike with English and Western lessons, myriad trail rides, and summer camps for kids. Roomy stables house resident steeds and boarding horses inside stalls equipped with air-circulating fans, automatic watering systems, and secret compartments where they can stash their Mr. Ed fan fiction. With two indoor arenas—one for hunter/jumper riders and one for riders wishing to simply practice the basics—equestrians can hone horse-top techniques year-round. Outside, a sprawling cross-country course, round pen, and access to more than 1,000 acres of trails provide seemingly endless options for mounted exploration, as well as new challenges for more advanced riders. The facility also offers clinics and in-house training for all skill levels and ages, and keeps riders and their mounts properly outfitted with an onsite tack shop.

The shindig coordinators at Creative Events & Rentals make comprehensive plans for events such as weddings, birthday parties, and business outings. They work closely with clients during the planning phase and stand by during events. The coordinators also provide cleanup services, allowing hosts to focus on reprising successful stage dives. In addition, the party artists rent individual lighting systems, tents, tables, chairs, dance floors, grills, bounce houses, and games for all types of events.:m]]

Manatee Guides' conservation-minded experts escort kayakers throughout Southwestern Florida's waterways to observe manatees and other native species in their natural environments. During nature tours, guides lead guests throughout Estero Bay and the Orange River, scouring the crystalline waters for a sight of the peaceful animals. Guides point out local flora and fauna along the way, sharing interesting facts about their life cycles, social patterns, and affinity for fast food cheese-barnacles. Manatee Guides' owners and operators adhere to a strict conservation policy, leaving no trace of their journey in the wild. Up to 12 people venture out on each tour, and the guides encourage ample sunscreen and protective apparel such as a hat, shoes, and clothes that can get wet without melting.

Mid Island Watersports set up shop along the aqua shorelines of Ostego Bay to give everyone easy access to the Gulf, while also giving them enough room to ride free. From two locations, the crew hooks up aquatic adventurers with WaveRunners for freestyle rides along sandy beaches in one of the largest riding areas in the Gulf. Longtime locals lead tours via WaveRunner to spot dolphins breaking the sea's surface and manatees playing with sea kittens. To give locals and visitors an exhilarating new way to take in the Gulf's scenic vistas, the shop's US Coast Guard–certified captain sends them soaring behind him during parasail rides tethered to his high-tech, winch-style parasail boat for an adventuresome trip along the south end of Fort Myers Beach.

Under the capable direction of Captain Gene Becker, the 75-foot Fort Myers Princess glides into the Gulf of Mexico on a variety of day and night cruises. Certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry up to 135 passengers, the boat offers dual styles of relaxation on its decks: the climate-controlled lower level, where guests can sip on the ship's signature drink, the "Princess Punch," and the open-air upper deck that can accommodate more casual events. Sightseeing cruises put passengers up-close with southwest Florida wildlife and other water inhabitants.

The adrenaline junkies at Estero Island Parasail send guests soaring through clear Floridian skies whether it's warm or cold. Their small fleet of powerboats cuts through Gulf waves as parachutes carry guests high into the sky and back down to the water's surface to avoid collisions with low-flying UFOs or for quick dips into the sea.