Alva Real Estate

Alva is a community located in Lee County Florida east of Fort Myers. The majestic Caloosahatchee River flows through Alva and many magnificent waterfront homes line its shores in this community. Alva has also seen growth in master-planned communities and is home to the River Hall community.

Residents seeking a quieter lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the Gulf Coast often take up residence in Alva. This intimate, rural community is home to less than 3,000 residents, yet is only a few miles from from Fort Myers and all its venues.  Read more about Alva real estate. 

Alva Homes For Sale

More About Alva Real Estate

Alva Location

Perched on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, Alva is located in the northeast corner of Lee County, bordered to the west by Olga, to the south by Lehigh Acres and to the east by Fort Denaud in Hendry County. The Caloosahatchee River flows through the center of the community from east to west, providing a serene counterpart to the homes lining its shores. The area is just 20 minutes from Naples and a short drive to Southwest Florida International Airport as well as the pristine beaches and attractions in the Fort Myers area.

Alva Recreation

With its close proximity to Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Alva offers residents and visitors a variety of water-based recreational activities as well as opportunities to enjoy Southwest Florida’s natural beauty. With 20 local marinas, residents can take advantage of boating between islands such as Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key and Boca Grande. Paddling the Great Calusa Blueway by kayak or canoe is largely recognized as one of the finest paddling trails in the U.S., with 190 miles of water trail winding through Southwest Florida with up-close looks at native birds and manatee relaxing in their local habitat. The region’s vast estuary network and shallow grass flats provide fishing enthusiasts a number of ways to test their skills with Innshore or “backwater fishing." Swaths of limestone-bottomed areas and shipwreck reefs provide additional options to catch tarpon, grouper, redfish, cob and more. Fort Myers Beach provides several hot spots for snorkeling, including Blind Pass, and the World War II warship U.S.S. Mohawk CGC for deeper excursions, just 28 miles off Sanibel Island.

Many families relax on weekends in Caloosahatchee Regional Park with its 20 miles of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails. The boardwalks running through the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve offer dryer walks through the 2,500-acre wetland preserve.

The River District in Downtown Fort Myers houses a variety of live entertainment as well as microbreweries, a vibrant arts scene and a number of candlelit and more casual dining spots. Shopping along the River District is distinguished by local crafts, and eclectic boutiques. Coconut Point and Miromar Outlets offer a more traditional open-air mall experience with restaurants as well as retail outlets.

Alva History

As one of the first settlements in Southwest Florida, Alva has a long and rich history. And, despite the massive growth occurring in Southwest Florida, Alva continues to maintain its intimate charm. The quiet, rural area is dotted with pastures, cattle and horses set against a backdrop of live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. A Danish sea captain by the name of Peter Nelson is credited with much of the settlement of the area, starting in the late 1880s. Rumored to be the illegitimate son of the King of Denmark, Nelson convinced Monroe County officials to build one of the first schools in Fort Myers. He later purchased and platted the land that became Alva, earmarking land for additional schools, parks, churches, and even the first library in South Florida. He named Alva for the cluster of white flowers growing along the banks of the same name as they reminded him of flowers that grew in Denmark.