Bonita Springs is a convivial community on the Gulf of Mexico, just south of Fort Myers and north of Naples. This was one of the areas visited by Spanish explorers looking for the fountain of youth centuries ago. It’s easily accessible from Interstate 75; close to airports, shopping, and beaches; and an ideal community for active adults who may be thinking about a Florida retirement.

Buyers looking for Bonita Springs real estate have some impressive options. Take a look at these amenity-rich communities in well-located neighborhoods.

Valencia Bonita

Low $300s - High $400s

New construction single-family and attached homes are available in Valencia Bonita, a 55+ community close to the beach and multiple golf courses. The waterfront clubhouse that’s coming soon will be 45,000 square feet of meeting and recreational space, including a fitness center, ballroom, sports lounge, and cooking studio. Residents will be able to relax with neighbors at indoor and outdoor cafes and bars, and there will also be a lap pool, a wading pool, a resistance pool, and a resort-style pool and patio. Pickleball and basketball courts will be available as well as eight tennis courts, a dog park, and a fire pit.

Five new home collections are offered at Valencia Bonita. These properties range in size, price, and type. The Signature Collection has five attached models ranging from 1,738 to 2,024 square feet with two or three bedrooms, den space, and an attached two-car garage. The single-family home models come in more than 15 floor plans with 2,015 to 3,350 square feet and two to four bedrooms. Attached garages have space for two or three cars, and buyers can choose a model with game rooms, upgraded kitchens, walk-in pantries, and french doors leading to sprawling outdoor patios.

Carousel Cove at Bonita Fairways

High $200s - Mid $300s

For resale homes in a 55+ community that comes with golf course living, buyers will want to look at Carousel Cove at Bonita Fairways. There are only 105 single-family homes in this active adult community, which is part of the Bonita Fairways master-planned neighborhood. Many of the homes have views of the golf course, and memberships to the golf club are optional. It’s an 18-hole executive course designed by Gordon Lewis, and there’s also a pro shop and practice facilities, including a driving range and a putting green.

Additional amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center, a game room, a library, a billiards room, a poker area, and several meeting rooms for clubs and special events. Outside, there’s a pool and spa, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, and shuffleboard. The single-family homes for sale are 865 to 2,152 square feet with two or three bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as an attached two-car garage. Some homes have private pools and vaulted ceilings. Carousel Cove at Bonita Fairways is a mere five miles from the beach.

Pelican Landing

Low $100s - High $4Ms

Nature lovers will especially appreciate the Bonita Springs homes for sale at Pelican Landing. This active adult community was built with the intention of preserving the natural habitats and native plants that existed in the area before housing was constructed. It’s close to the aquatic preserve at Estero Bay and full of sabal palms, wetlands, and towering oak trees. Residents take pride in caring for the community and its environment; the community is home to a butterfly garden, a private beach park, a canoe and kayak park, and a nature library.

There’s an 18-hole golf course available to residents as well as practice facilities. Pelican Landing has a large tennis facility with a dozen courts and a pro shop. Resale homes come in a wide variety of properties, from condos perfect for downsizing to spacious estates. Buyers can choose something with two bedrooms or six bedrooms; water views or golf course views.

Lighthouse Bay

Low $200s - High $300s

For attached homes that offer low-maintenance living, buyers should tour Lighthouse Bay. This active adult community doesn't have specific age restrictions, and it offers lakefront living with 13 fishing lakes as well as a tranquil nature preserve. It’s part of The Brooks master-planned community, and it has a boathouse as well as a boat dock. Water lovers will want to find a home here, where there’s always something to catch and acres of wildlife waiting to be discovered.

The other amenities aren’t bad either. There’s a clubhouse with a fitness center and a sauna that includes a cold plunge. Residents enjoy the massage room and the indoor pool as well as the computer and learning centers that include language and arts education. There are five outdoor pools and a sundeck, six tennis courts, and more than 13 miles of hiking and walking trails. Resale homes include two-bedroom condos, duplex homes with three bedrooms, and larger single-family homes with up to 2,354 square feet.

Bonita Lakes

Mid $500s -High $900s

For a little bit of luxury and a lot of living space, there’s Bonita Lakes, an active adult community with upscale new and resale homes. Homes are available in the Executive Collection, which has seven models, and the Estates Collection, with an additional six floor plans. Properties range from 2,058 to 4,354 square feet with two and five bedrooms. All homes have dens, upgrades, outdoor space, and attached two- or three-car garages.

There’s an outdoor pool with lap lanes for fitness swims. There’s also a clubhouse with a fitness center and a social room with a catering kitchen. Residents enjoy holiday events and seasonal parties. There are bocce ball courts, tennis courts, and miles of scenic paths for walking, biking, or jogging. An HOA takes care of exterior maintenance, landscaping, facilities upkeep, street lighting, and street maintenance. Bonita Lakes is right off Interstate 75, making trips to other parts of Florida easy.