A string of narrow islands on Florida's west coast runs southward from Fort Myers Beach to Bonita Springs. This thin island chain, connected by Estero Boulevard, cuts off Estero Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. Estero Bay was the first aquatic preserve established in Florida, creating the blueprint for future preservation. Bonita Beach, on Hickory Island, is one of the beautiful beaches on this island chain, a popular community not far from Interstate 75. This colorful tropical scene on Bonita Beach exemplifies the attraction of Gulf Coast living.
 Thanks to a large population of fiddler crabs, the beach town took on the undesirable name of Fiddlerville. No longer Fiddlerville, Bonita Beach borrowed its new name from Bonita Springs, a community lying just across Estero Bay. Surveyors moved through Bonita Springs in the early 1800s, but the tropical paradise didn't see its first settlers for another 75 years. The first large land purchase was made with farming in mind. Pineapple, coconuts, bananas and vegetables were the main crops. A lumber operation gave a boost to the area's population, all centered around Terry Street and the beautiful spring. Today, Bonita Beach is an upscale beach community, with few condominiums, plenty of modern beachfront homes and a string of small beach access points among the graceful coconut palms.

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