Fort Myers Beach

With 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.

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 which is April-June.

PHOTOS BY NATHAN MAYBERG

For those looking to stay physically active on the beach and do more than swim, there are watercraft and bicycle rentals available. For the most adventurous, check into parasailing operators.

If you have an eye for art, the Fort Myers Beach Art Association and Gallery is a must. Local artists are constantly working to produce new oil and acrylic paintings, watercolor and pastel portraits and other art which can be found on the walls of the gallery at Shell Mound Boulevard. Most are also for sale.

Fort Myers Beach is known for its wide array of restaurants, many of which offer a full array of fresh Gulf seafood. You will find scenic views and can enjoy locally caught grouper and shrimp, as well as long menus of other popular fish. There’s no shortage of late-night spots, many of which host live music. The area is also popular for ice cream, with two new shops opening in the past year – so don't settle for anything less than the best.

Whether you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to relax Gulf side, go on an outdoor adventure or just find the best happy hour on the beach – you’ve come to the right place.

Fort Myers Beach Art Association and Gallery is at 3030 Shell Mound Blvd.

Wander

There are enough shops on Fort Myers Beach to fill an afternoon or a full day with an abundance of eclectic items that you can only find on the island. From Santini Plaza down to Times Square and old San Carlos Boulevard, there are plenty of offerings.

Visit one of the many casual bars/restaurants, order yourself a frozen cocktail and some delicious local seafood. Then, you can finish up your day with some live music at any number of establishments.

PHOTO BY NATHAN MAYBERG

Visit the Mound House

Visit the Mound House and see how one of the oldest cultures, the Calusa lived on Estero Island. Go underground to view the 2,000-year-old shell mound that the Calusa built their homes on, that the museum is currently built on.

Visit moundhouse.org for ticket prices and hours of operation for the historic home and museum at 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach.

Or consider a kayak tour and paddle the trail that the Calusa once fished.

FILE PHOTO

Try some watersports

Be adventurous and try some watersports. Enthralling activities for all ages are available on Fort Myers Beach from a myriad of outfitters. Take a joy ride on a personal watercraft or take a personal watercraft dolphin tour to combine adventure and nature.

If you want to include the entire family, go on a banana boat ride. The banana boats typically fit up to six people, and yes, they do look like bananas. The banana boat is pulled behind a personal watercraft through waves and has been compared to the thrill of white water rafting.

Go fishing

Fort Myers Beach offers inshore and offshore fishing. Anglers can choose to fish from the shoreline, bridges and piers, or to go on a fishing charter. Inshore fishing supplies year-round opportunities to catch snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper and other species. Offshore fishing is a great way to find shark, grouper, bonito, barracuda, permit, black fin tuna, cobia, and Spanish and king mackerel.

The area is considered a fisherman’s paradise for a reason. Southwest Florida has some of the best grouper grounds in the state.

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 which is April-June. PHOTO BY NATHAN MAYBERG