Fall Colors in Paradise: Seeing Autumn from theWater in SWFlorida

I still remember my first drive across the Sanibel Causeway. The first thing I noticed was the water, clear and a beautiful teal. Then came the sand-colored beaches against deep green mangroves, with tall green palms standing over everything. I'd never seen colors like that.

People assume fall in Southwest Florida has no color because we don't have red maples or piles of leaves. After many years here, I can tell you it does. You just have to know where to look, and the best place to see it is from the water. Here's what I look for every fall, and which of our cruises will show it to you.

Why fall looks different in the tropics

Up north, fall color comes from dying leaves. Here, it comes from things that are just getting started. Native grasses bloom, berries ripen, birds arrive for the winter and the sun sits lower in the sky.

That lower sun changes everything on the water. Colors look warmer, shadows get longer and sunsets start earlier, so you can catch one without staying out late. Add fewer crowds and water that has cooled a little from summer, and fall is one of the best times of year to get out on a boat.

The fall colors you'll see from the boat

Sea grape red: The first time I saw sea grape trees, I was amazed. They have huge heart-shaped leaves that turn red and burgundy as they age, and clusters of deep red berries when they're ripe. The berries are a real thirst quencher on a hot day. If you want to take a taste of the islands home, stop by our local Bit of Bailey's and pick up a jar of Miss Meade's homemade Sea Grape Jelly.
Mangrove green: The mangrove shorelines stay a deep, glossy green all year. In low fall light they practically glow.
Sea oat gold: Sea oats hold the dunes in place, and by fall their seed heads have dried to a soft gold that moves in the breeze.
Muhly grass pink: In October and November, muhly grass sends up clouds of pink plumes. It's the closest thing we have to fall foliage.
Gulf teal: Once the summer rains stop, the water around Sanibel, Captiva and Fort Myers Beach often clears to a bright blue-green.
Sunset coral and gold: My first sunset from the water was magical. The sky turned gold, then coral, then pink, and the calm Gulf reflected every color. You won't see colors like that anywhere else.

Wildlife adds even more color

Roseate spoonbills: Over the years, these bright pink birds have become my fall calendar. When the spoonbills show up in bigger numbers, I know cooler weather is on the way. Look for them feeding in the shallow flats and along the mangroves. Seeing one is our version of spotting the first red leaf.
Birds arriving for winter: Fall brings migrating shorebirds and wading birds back to our waters. Watch the sandbars for flocks of white, gray and black.
Bottlenose dolphins: Their silver-gray backs shine in the fall light, and calm water makes them easier to spot when they surface or play in the boat's wake.
Shells: Our beaches are famous for shells, and the colors on a single stretch of sand look a lot like autumn: orange scallops, speckled lightning whelks, and tan and cream cockles.

Pick your fall color cruise

Each cruise shows off a different part of the fall palette. Use this guide to choose one.

Cruise	Fall colors you'll see	Best for
Sunset Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise	Gold, coral and pink skies reflected on the water, with dolphins against the sunset	Couples, photographers, date nights
Morning Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise	Soft morning light, green mangroves, wading birds feeding in the shallows	Birders, early risers, families
Afternoon Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise	Bright teal water and shiny dolphins in full sun	Relaxed sightseeing
Cayo Costa Shelling & Beach Cruise	Sea oat gold, sea grape red and beaches covered in shells on an undeveloped barrier island	Beachcombers, nature lovers
Shelling Beach & Dolphin Cruise	Colorful shells, dune plants and clear Gulf water	Shell collectors, snorkelers
Shelling & Lunch Cruise @ Cabbage Key	A full day of island scenery, with lunch in a tropical setting	Longer day trips
Sea Life Encounter Excursion	Up-close colors of starfish, seahorses and pufferfish	Kids and curious minds

Celebrating the season? Our Thanksgiving holiday cruise is a relaxed way to see fall color with family.

Tips for photographing fall color on the water

Book the golden hour. The hour before sunset gives the warmest colors, which makes the sunset cruise the easiest way to get great photos.
Shoot low and wide. Keep the horizon in the lower third of the frame so the sky and its reflection fill the picture.
Use burst mode for dolphins. They surface quickly, so hold the shutter and pick the best shot later.
Get close to your shells. Lay them out on wet sand for richer color, then take the picture straight down.
Put your phone away for a minute. Some of the best fall colors are the ones you just take in from the deck.

See fall in paradise

You don't need to drive north to see the colors change. Southwest Florida's fall palette is right here in the golden light over the Gulf, the pink spoonbills and the red sea grapes.

Cruises leave from Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Marina and Fort Myers Beach. Book your fall cruise online or call (239) 472-8443. I hope you'll come see these colors from the water with us. They still take my breath away.

See you on the water,
Evelyn, Adventures in Paradise

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