Naples, Florida
Where Southwest Florida opens to the Ten Thousand Islands
Discover a waterfront community where boating, fishing, wildlife and natural beauty are part of everyday life. Port of the Islands offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of Old Florida while remaining within easy reach of Marco Island and Naples.
Imagine living in a waterfront community where your day begins with a peaceful sunrise over the water, an early morning fishing trip, or a boat ride through the spectacular Ten Thousand Islands. Welcome to Port of the Islands, one of Southwest Florida's most unique waterfront communities.
Located along the Tamiami Trail, about 23 miles southeast of downtown Naples, Port of the Islands offers a lifestyle that's becoming increasingly difficult to find. Surrounded by thousands of acres of protected natural beauty, this hidden gem offers the tranquility of Old Florida while keeping the shopping, dining, beaches and conveniences of Naples and Marco Island within easy reach.
For boating and fishing enthusiasts, the location is exceptional. The Faka Union Canal provides access through the mangrove lined waterways of the Ten Thousand Islands and into the Gulf of Mexico. Just a short distance to the south, the magnificent Everglades National Park opens the door to an extraordinary world of fishing, boating, kayaking, wildlife photography and exploration.
Whether your passion is offshore fishing, navigating the backwaters, exploring secluded beaches or simply enjoying a sunset cruise, adventure is practically in your backyard.
Port of the Islands offers a variety of waterfront living opportunities, including single family homes, attached villas and condominiums. Many properties feature private docks or boat lifts, allowing residents to enjoy the boating lifestyle right from their own backyard.
And don't forget your four legged family members! Port of the Islands is a pet friendly community, with many residential properties welcoming pets. Unlike some condominium communities with restrictive weight limits, certain Port of the Islands condominium associations allow larger dogs, making this an attractive option for buyers who want to enjoy Southwest Florida's waterfront lifestyle with their pets.
Pet policies, including size, breed and number restrictions, vary by association. Consult your Waterways in Paradise team for details on individual property and association pet policies. We'll help you find a waterfront property that's the right fit for your entire family, including your pets.
One of the advantages of Port of the Islands is having several important conveniences located right within the community.
The local marina provides access to a public boat ramp, making it convenient to launch your boat and explore the surrounding waterways. The nearby ship's store offers boating supplies, fuel and bait, adding another level of convenience for residents and visiting boaters.
Another important community benefit is the presence of a Greater Naples Fire Rescue District station located right within Port of the Islands, providing convenient access to emergency services.
These amenities allow residents to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Port of the Islands without sacrificing some of the practical conveniences that make everyday living more enjoyable.
One of the most remarkable features of Port of the Islands is its natural setting. Surrounded by expansive mangrove forests, protected wetlands and wildlife preserves, the community enjoys a sense of privacy and tranquility rarely found in coastal Southwest Florida.
These natural surroundings do more than create breathtaking scenery. Mangrove forests and coastal wetlands can help reduce wave energy and provide a natural buffer against certain coastal storm impacts.
Port of the Islands also has a noteworthy history when it comes to hurricanes. Based on our team's longtime experience in the community, we are not aware of any condominium, attached villa or single family home in Port of the Islands that has experienced hurricane related storm surge flooding.
While no coastal community is immune to future storms or flooding, Port of the Islands' natural surroundings and historical experience are important considerations for buyers exploring waterfront living in Southwest Florida.
At Waterways in Paradise, we understand that choosing the right waterfront property is about much more than the home itself. Water depths, boating access, dock configurations, vessel size and the surrounding waterways all play an important role in finding the right property.
Our team combines extensive local real estate experience with firsthand boating and navigation knowledge to help buyers find the waterfront property that best matches their lifestyle, boating needs and budget.
Port of the Islands isn't just another Naples address. It's a different way of experiencing Southwest Florida.
Port of the Islands is not its own Census place. Census figures describe Census Tract 111.13, the smallest Census geography containing the community, which also includes Copeland and large preserve areas. Estimates carry wide margins of error. Drive figures assume light traffic.
Erne Mtz / Unsplash · Florida mangroves
From the marina basin, the Faka Union Canal runs south through mangroves into Faka Union Bay, where the islands open in every direction: shallow flats, winding channels and mangrove keys reaching toward the Gulf. For owners with a dock on the canal system, the morning run begins at home. Access, depth and dock details vary by property.
Mark Jacquez / Unsplash · Near Everglades City
Days here follow the tide, the season and the light. The canal is idle speed from the US 41 bridges past the last residential canal, so every trip begins slowly, often alongside wading birds and the occasional manatee.
Run the canal to the bay, then explore the keys and channels of the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades National Park waters beyond.
The Ten Thousand Islands refuge lists redfish, snook, gray snapper, spotted seatrout and sheepshead in its salt and brackish waters. A Florida saltwater license is required.
Sheltered canals suit kayaks and paddleboards. Collier-Seminole State Park, about 6 miles west, has a 13.5 mile canoe trail on the Blackwater River.
Screened lanais, docks and canal views; evenings on the water as the sky changes over the mangroves, with little nighttime light nearby.
This is notdowntown Naples.That is precisely the point.
Port of the Islands is low density and bordered by state and federal conservation land. Aside from the resort's restaurant, shopping and dining sit outside the community. What surrounds the community is water, mangroves, cypress and sky, with wildlife that includes wading birds, bald eagles, alligators and, in the surrounding preserves, the Florida panther.
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. The dry season, roughly November to April, brings the coolest mornings and the best birding.
Town is a drive rather than a walk. Publix and the Collier Boulevard corridor are about 14 miles west, Marco Island about 29 minutes, and Fifth Avenue South about 34 minutes. Everglades City and its stone crab restaurants are about 19 minutes east, and Southwest Florida International Airport is about 70 minutes away.
The nearest hospital with a 24 hour emergency room is about 18 miles away. Most residents plan errands into one trip toward Collier Boulevard.
Explore current waterfront homes, condominiums, villas and other opportunities, updated from the MLS.
See every active single family home, attached villa and condominium for sale in Port of the Islands, updated from the MLS.
Explore Port of the Islands Homes for SaleMultifamily units and single family lots listed by the Port of the Islands Community Improvement District. Condominiums and homes trade in different markets, so we read them separately.
In a market this size, a handful of closings can move a monthly median. We show the data first, then explain what it may mean.
Request a market reportCurrent listings are shown above, straight from the MLS. For closed sales, days on market and price changes in Port of the Islands, we prepare a report from MLS data on request.
Most of the community's housing is multifamily. Building, floor, view and slip arrangements drive condominium values; lot, canal frontage and condition drive home values.
Canal position, dock and lift condition, and the run to the bay all influence value. Lake view and off water properties trade on a different set of comparable sales.
We look at rolling 6 and 12 month figures and list to sale price ratios, and at the specific properties behind them, before drawing any conclusion. For the wider area, see the Market Snapshot.
The Census Bureau estimates a median owner occupied value of $328,900 for Tract 111.13 (ACS 2020 to 2024). It is a survey estimate, not a sale price, and the tract extends beyond Port of the Islands.
Check flood zones on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and with Collier County Floodplain Management, and get flood and wind insurance quotes early. Collier County's current coastal flood maps took effect February 8, 2024; newer preliminary maps were under appeal in August 2026.
Inventory changes week to week, so prices aren't published here. These are the kinds of property that come to market, and what we look at with each.
Canal front homes, often with private docks, pools and screened lanais. Ask about seawall condition, canal width and the route to the bay.
Attached and villa style homes with less exterior upkeep. Confirm exactly what the association covers, from roofs to landscaping.
Most of the community's housing. Review association budgets, reserves, insurance and recent structural inspections before you commit.
Some buildings sit directly on the canal or basin. Ask whether a boat slip is deeded, assigned, leased or not included.
Dock length, depth at the dock and electrical service vary by lot. Measure against the boat you own or plan to buy.
Confirm lift capacity, age, permits and service history. A lift sized for a bay boat may not suit a larger offshore boat.
Lots come up from time to time. Plans depend on zoning, flood elevation requirements and utility connections through the district.
Slips occasionally come available through condominium and marina associations, and the county marina rents slips. Rules differ; ask us first.
Port of the Islands grew up around a marina basin and canal system. Here is what boaters should know, drawn from county, state and federal sources.
| Area | Rule |
|---|---|
| Warm water manatee refuge oxbow beside the canal | No entry |
| Faka Union Canal south of the US 41 bridges, to 500 feet south of the southernmost east to west canal | Idle speed |
| Rest of the canal, Faka Union Bay and connected waters to the marked limit near channel marker 43 | Slow speed |
| Marked north to south channel near Panther Key and Round Key | 30 mph |
| Wider Ten Thousand Islands area outside Everglades National Park waters | 20 mph |
Summary only. Consult the official FWC manatee zone map before boating.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the marina historically served as a warm water refuge for up to 300 manatees. A replacement refuge with 3 pools about 20 feet deep was built south of the marina as part of the Picayune Strand restoration.
The islands are easy to get turned around in. Carry current charts and a chartplotter, file a float plan, and learn the route on a rising tide before exploring farther.
Boating disclaimer. Water depth, tidal conditions, bridge clearance, canal width, dock size, boat lift capacity and navigational access vary by individual property and can change over time. This information is general and drawn from public sources. Buyers should independently verify boating conditions, permits and access for any specific property, including with a marine surveyor, dock contractor or licensed captain, before purchase.
From the resort on US 41 to the stone crab docks of Everglades City and the fish houses of Goodland. Several are seasonal; check hours before you go. Distances are approximate driving miles.
Hours and seasonal openings change; please confirm with each restaurant. Listings are for information only and are not endorsements.
Port of the Islands is surrounded by public land. Every destination below is within about 45 minutes, and most within 20. Distances are approximate drives.
S. Hillebrand, USFWS, public domainThe closest preserve to home. The Marsh Trail on US 41 is about 2.2 miles round trip with a 2 story observation tower, and canoe trails launch off US 41. Best birding is roughly October to March.
NPS photo, public domainThe Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the park's gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands. A 90 minute boat tour runs year round, and the 99 mile Wilderness Waterway begins here.
Miguel Vieira, CC BY 2.0The Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk on US 41, rebuilt and reopened in February 2026, leads into old growth cypress swamp. Janes Memorial Scenic Drive, about 13 miles away, is a quiet dirt road for wildlife viewing.
NPS photo, public domainFreshwater cypress swamp and prairie to the east. The Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center on US 41 is about 17 minutes away; the Oasis Visitor Center about 31 miles.
Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0A 13.5 mile Blackwater River canoe trail toward the Ten Thousand Islands, a boat ramp, canoe and kayak rentals, and camping. Check the park page for current notices and ranger station hours.
olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0A small fishing town with stone crab docks and a national park visitor center, and the Smallwood Store on Chokoloskee Island, founded in 1906 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A 110,000 acre estuarine reserve. The Environmental Learning Center at 300 Tower Road has a 2,300 gallon aquarium and exhibits; closed in September.
More than 74,000 acres of restored wetlands and pine flatwoods, with the Sabal Palm Hiking Trail and a 22 mile horse trail. Restoration was celebrated as complete in January 2026.
A 99 mile route to Flamingo for experienced paddlers and boaters, typically 8 days or more by paddle. NPS advises against boats drawing 2 feet or more.
Living here, day to day
Schools, places of worship and everyday services near Port of the Islands. The community is more secluded than central Naples, so distances are shown honestly.
Port of the Islands is in the Collier County Public Schools district. Use the district's Interactive Zoning Tool to find the schools assigned to a specific address.
School assignments and attendance boundaries should always be independently verified with Collier County Public Schools. Boundary questions can go to boundary@collierschools.com.
415 School Drive East, Everglades City. The nearest public school, serving elementary, middle and high school grades on one campus.
Florida DOE school grade 2025 to 26: A
1401 Trinidad Avenue, Marco Island.
Florida DOE school grade 2025 to 26: A
7100 Davis Boulevard, Naples. Additional private and faith based schools operate throughout Naples.
Free VPK for children who turn 4 by September 1, through the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida. The district also offers Pre K programs, including Head Start.
School grades are assigned by the Florida Department of Education and published by Collier County Public Schools (2025 to 2026 School and District Grades). Distances are approximate. Listing a school here does not mean it serves any particular address.
A local resource list of the congregations nearest Port of the Islands, in Everglades City, Chokoloskee, East Naples and Marco Island. A wider range of faith communities meets throughout the Naples area. Service times vary by season.
200 Datura Avenue, Everglades City. Sunday Mass is offered from Advent through Easter. sanmarcochurch.org
101 Copeland Avenue South, Everglades City. The congregation dates to 1926 and the building to 1940; a Florida Heritage Landmark. 239.784.7318
Chokoloskee Island. Sunday worship at 10 a.m.
5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples. Masses in English, Spanish and Creole. stpeternaples.org
1101 North Collier Boulevard, Marco Island. stmarksmarco.org
525 North Collier Boulevard, Marco Island. marcolutheran.org
851 San Marco Road, Marco Island. sanmarcochurch.org
Provided as community resource information only. Port of the Islands is not affiliated with any religious organization.
Most shopping and medical care is clustered around US 41 and Collier Boulevard, about 14 to 21 miles west. Distances and times are approximate.
Publix at the Shoppes at Fiddler's Creek, 15050 Sandpiper Lane, with a pharmacy. Walmart Supercenter, 9885 Collier Boulevard, about 21 miles.
CVS, 6800 Collier Boulevard, plus the Publix and Walmart pharmacies.
Physicians Regional Collier Boulevard, 8300 Collier Boulevard, with a 24 hour emergency room. NCH Baker Hospital downtown is about 23 miles.
NCH Medical Group Immediate Care Southeast, 7717 Collier Boulevard, Suite 100.
The nearest stations are near US 41 and Collier Boulevard. Fill up before heading home, especially at night.
Wells Fargo, 12604 Tamiami Trail East, with more banks along Collier Boulevard.
Lowe's, 12730 Tamiami Trail East, and The Home Depot, 11880 Tamiami Trail East, which opened in June 2026.
Sabal Palm Animal Hospital, 8595 Collier Boulevard, among several clinics in the area.
Greater Naples Fire Rescue District Station 61 is located in Port of the Islands. Law enforcement is provided by the Collier County Sheriff's Office. Call 911 for emergencies.
Fuel at the Port of the Islands Marina; more county ramps at Goodland and on Marco Island.
Everglades City Post Office, 601 Collier Avenue, with limited weekday hours.
Collier County Public Library branches in Everglades City (102 Copeland Avenue North) and South Regional (8065 Lely Cultural Parkway).
Salt marsh mosquitoes breed in the mangroves of the Ten Thousand Islands and rise with the summer rains; no see ums are most active at dawn and dusk. Port of the Islands joined the Collier Mosquito Control District on October 1, 2024. Many residents keep extra supplies on hand during hurricane season.
Approximate drives from US 41 at Union Road, calculated with OpenStreetMap routing. Times assume light traffic; add 10 to 25 percent in season.
Map: Port of the Islands is marked on US 41. Naples lies northwest via US 41 and Collier Boulevard (CR 951); Marco Island and Goodland southwest via CR 92; Everglades City southeast via US 41 and SR 29; Faka Union Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands to the south, opening to the Gulf. Open a larger map. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Neutral housing and population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Because Port of the Islands is not a Census place, these figures describe Census Tract 111.13, which contains the community along with Copeland and large preserve areas.
The tract counts 688 housing units, while the Community Improvement District reports roughly 800 residential units. The difference reflects survey sampling and how units are classified. For property level detail, the Collier County Property Appraiser is the authoritative source.
| Measure | Tract 111.13 | Collier County |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 816 | 398,291 |
| Households | 472 | 165,875 |
| Average household size | 1.71 | 2.37 |
| Median age | 64.8 | 53.3 |
| Median household income | $58,854 | $90,045 |
| Housing units | 688 | 239,406 |
| Owner occupied | 87.3% | 76.6% |
| Renter occupied | 12.7% | 23.4% |
| Seasonal, recreational or occasional use | 30.2% | 24.9% |
| Median value, owner occupied | $328,900 | $540,700 |
| Land area | 284.4 sq mi | 1,997 sq mi |
| Population density | 2.9 / sq mi | 199 / sq mi |
“We live it sunrise to sunset.”
Waterways in Paradise is a team of experienced Southwest Florida real estate professionals specializing in Marco Island, Naples, and the surrounding coastal communities. Powered by Keller Williams Realty Marco Island/Naples, the team combines extensive real estate experience with local knowledge, waterfront expertise, boating experience, design insight, and a strong commitment to personalized service.
Led by Mike and Tamra Ludwig, Waterways in Paradise includes Brian Hood, Judy Keator, Shelly Arch.
Waterfront property doesn't value neatly by the square foot. Two homes of the same size on the same street can sell very differently because of what sits behind them: the dock, the lift, the view down the canal, and the run to open water. In a market with relatively few sales, the right comparables matter even more.
Our Port of the Islands home value review is a professional market analysis, prepared from MLS sales and current competing listings and adjusted for the details buyers here pay for.
Prefer to start online? Use our home valuation request or read about selling with Waterways in Paradise.
Port of the Islands is in unincorporated Collier County on US 41 (Tamiami Trail East), about 23 road miles southeast of downtown Naples, with a Naples, FL 34114 mailing address. It sits between Collier-Seminole State Park to the west and the Fakahatchee Strand to the east, with the Faka Union Canal running south to Faka Union Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands.
The community includes single family homes on canal and lake lots, villas and condominium buildings. The Port of the Islands Community Improvement District lists 165 single family lots and 644 multifamily units. Some waterfront homes have private docks and boat lifts, and vacant lots and boat slips come up occasionally.
Boating is central to life here. The community was built around a marina basin and canal system, the county operated Port of the Islands Marina offers a launch ramp, fuel and slip rentals, and many waterfront properties have docks. Conditions vary by property, so buyers should verify depth, dock and lift details for any specific home.
Yes. Boats travel south from the marina basin along the Faka Union Canal into Faka Union Bay, which opens into the Ten Thousand Islands. The canal is an idle speed manatee zone from the US 41 bridges to just past the last residential canal, then slow speed through the bay. Shallows are common in the islands, so current charts and attention to the tide are important.
Yes. Condominiums make up most of the community's housing, including buildings along Newport Drive and the canal. Some units include or offer boat slips; others do not. Ask for association documents, budgets, reserve studies and insurance details before you buy.
Yes. Port of the Islands Marina at 525 Newport Drive is operated by Collier County Parks & Recreation and is open year round, sunrise to sunset. The county lists an oversized single launch ramp, trailer parking, fuel sold daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (credit card only) and slip rentals. Call 239.252.4000 for current details.
Downtown Naples and Fifth Avenue South are about 23 miles, roughly 34 minutes in light traffic. Marco Island is about 17 miles, roughly 29 minutes. Everglades City is about 14 miles, roughly 19 minutes, and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is about 54 miles, roughly 70 minutes.
Angler's Cove at the Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort is in the community. Everglades City, about 14 miles east, has seafood restaurants including Triad Seafood Market & Cafe, City Seafood and Camellia Street Grill. Goodland, about 14 miles southwest, has Stan's Idle Hour and Little Bar Restaurant, and Marco Island is about 29 minutes away. Several are seasonal.
Port of the Islands is in the Collier County Public Schools district. The nearest public school is Everglades City School (K to 12), about 14 miles away; Manatee Elementary, Manatee Middle and Lely High are in East Naples. School assignments and attendance boundaries should always be independently verified with Collier County Public Schools using the district's Interactive Zoning Tool.
Verify water depth at the dock and along the route at low tide, dock and lift permits and condition, seawall condition, and the size of boat you can realistically keep. Check the flood zone and get flood and wind insurance quotes early. For condominiums, review association budgets, reserves and inspections. Allow time for errands, since groceries and hospitals are 14 to 18 miles away, and note that the manatee speed zones apply year round.
Whether you're considering buying, selling, or simply want to better understand the Port of the Islands market, connect with Michael and the Waterways in Paradise Team.
Information is believed accurate as of October 2026 but is not guaranteed. Hours, services and conditions change; please verify independently.
Landscape and nature photographs represent the region and do not depict any specific property for sale.