Top Resorts for Active Travelers on Florida’s Paradise Coast

A great vacation doesn’t mean pressing pause on the things that keep you feeling your best! On Florida’s Paradise Coast, active travelers can enjoy the benefits of both rest and recreation without compromise. With a range of luxurious resorts offering access to championship golf, eco-adventures, full-service spas, and fitness classes, Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades makes it easy to stay committed to your routine while enjoying a change of scenery.

Keep reading to discover the top choices for resorts on Florida’s Paradise Coast for a more active vacation:

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Active travelers looking for a complete mix of recreation and relaxation will find plenty to do at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Located on Vanderbilt Beach in the North Naples area, this resort offers an impressive selection of on-the-water activities, including kayaking, parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding, bodyboarding, and WaveRunner rentals. Guests can also arrange local backwater or offshore fishing charters, or spend the day sailing the Gulf of America.

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples also offers complimentary shuttle access to its sister resort, The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón—just a 10-minute ride away. There, guests enjoy preferred access to Tiburón Golf Club’s two championship courses, both designed by Greg Norman. The club is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and hosts professional events like the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA TOUR’s Grant Thornton Invitational and the Chubb Classic. For those looking to sharpen their game, the Tiburón Golf Academy offers long-term coaching programs, screening assessments, and private training sessions.

Tennis players can also reserve one of four hydro clay courts at the Tiburón facility. Set among tropical landscaping, this is one of the top-rated tennis programs in the region, available by reservation through the concierge.

Wellness offerings are just as extensive at this property. For example, The Ritz-Carlton Spa incorporates local herbs, Gulf stones, and coastal inspiration into its treatments, with steam rooms, saunas, aqua lounges, and a heated mineral pool available to guests. The Beach Level fitness center includes Peloton bikes, cardio equipment, free weights, and functional training stations. Group classes span every interest and intensity, from mobility work and Reformer Pilates to HIIT, boot camp, resistance training, and full-body strength.

JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

Just south of Naples, the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort offers another well-rounded option for travelers who want to stay active while on vacation. Its prime beachfront location makes it easy to fill the day with water-based adventures, including parasailing, banana boat rides, sailing excursions, and guided WaveRunner tours through the Ten Thousand Islands. Wildlife sightings—dolphins, manatees, and native birds—are common on these eco-focused outings, available as both private and group experiences.

Golfers can take advantage of the two resort-private championship golf courses: The Rookery at Marco and Hammock Bay. Designed by Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy, these courses are only a 15-minute ride from the property. Resort guests can also take part in seasonal tennis programs, with instruction available through USPTA-certified pros.

And, of course, after a long day exploring the Gulf or hitting the greens, it’s always nice to take some time for self-care. The world-class Spa by JW features steam rooms, plunge pools, adult-only spa pools, and a full menu of treatments.

Wellness classes run throughout the day, including beach yoga, meditation, aqua aerobics, and boot camp. And with three 24-hour fitness centers across the property, guests can work out on their schedule with modern equipment and plenty of variety.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort

Back in North Naples, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort provides a refined coastal setting where wellness and recreation are both within easy reach. With a private stretch of beach just steps from your room, water activities are a central part of the experience—guests can book paddleboards, WaveRunners, parasailing, and banana boat rides directly from the shore. The concierge also assists with arranging off-site boat excursions for those interested in exploring local mangroves or cruising the Gulf.

A short drive away, LaPlaya Golf Club offers exclusive access to an 18-hole course designed by Robert Cupp. Reserved for resort guests and members only, the course features 14 lakes, rolling fairways, and spaced tee times that support a more relaxed round of play.

The resort’s fitness center features cardio machines, free weights, and a dedicated space for stretching or bodyweight training. Weekly fitness classes include beach yoga and total-body boot camp, and guests can also request in-room Peloton rentals for added flexibility.

SpaTerre, LaPlaya’s 4,500-square-foot spa, offers massage and skin care treatments in a beachfront location along the Gulf of America. For an extra special treat, Gulf Tower Suite guests can even opt for in-room services.

Strike the Perfect Balance

It’s not always easy to find a place that supports both activity and downtime, but on Florida’s Paradise Coast, we’ve got you covered. These resorts make it easy to spend your day moving—on the water, on the course, or in the studio—then wind down with spa services, calm surroundings, and all the space you need to rejuvenate yourself. After all, when your vacation needs room for both play and pause, ONLY Paradise will do.