FORT MYERS BEACH Both ends of the island offer chances to take boat tours and cruises so scout around and pick a boating option that fits your comfort zone. There are sightseeing cruises, family cruises, dolphin tours, fishing charters and boat rental options. There are kayak tours and other tours which will take you out to small islands. Discover the nature that Fort Myers Beach has to offer. On the south end of the island, you will find much of the bird action, including the Little Estero Critical Wildlife Area. Look out for osprey, pelicans, falcons, hawks, spoonbills, gulls, herons, egrets, black skimmers, terns and more. The birds will often get close, soaring from high above and searching the shallow waters for food. Fishing is a popular tradition at Fort Myers Beach and there is no shortage of spots. Inshore fishing supplies year-round opportunities to catch snook, redfish, snapper, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, catfish and other species. Offshore fishing is a great way to find grouper, black fin tuna, and mackerel. Sport-fishing for tarpon has been a longtime favorite among visitors and residents alike and brings anglers from all over the world to Fort Myers Beach. One of the largest tarpon migrations in the world takes place annually off the shores of Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. Some tarpon reside here year-round, but the best time to catch them is during their migration season PHOTOS COURTSY OF THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL which is April-June.
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ith seven miles of beach spanning Estero Island and plenty of public access points, there’s room for everyone to find their perfect piece of paradise on Fort Myers Beach. On the north side of the island there is Lee County’s Bowditch Point Park and Lynn Hall Memorial Park. The public beach at Lynn Hall Memorial Park intertwines with the town’s Times Square. There, you will find eateries and shops as well as occasional street performers and live music. On Fridays and Saturdays there are sunset celebrations. The town is planning renovations at Times Square so depending on when you arrive, you may encounter the place in the midst of an overhaul, but enjoy -- the beach will still entice. The Fort Myers Beach Pier stretches out into the ocean to offer a more scenic view of the gulf and is also used by anglers. Shops and restaurants line up and down Old San Carlos Boulevard nearby.
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Southwest Florida Island Guide
