Florida

Things to do at the beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, Florida

Last updated 26th July 2022

1/ Shelling

Why go? Local beaches, especially on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, offer the best shelling in the USA.

Activity: Stroll along some of the 50 miles of beautiful beach front here and you’ll probably feel a crunch along the way. Perfect gulf waters and white sand beaches hold over 400 species of shells, which would even make the professional shell collector gasp. Whilst it is prohibited to take live shells from the beaches, an afternoon spent shelling won’t disappoint and you’ll soon develop the ‘Sanibel Stoop’ as you find yourself constantly looking footwards for beautiful sprinkles of white, pink and peach coloured mollusc magnificence.

Don’t miss: The Bailey Matthews Shell Museum

For more information on visiting the destination of the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, visit fortmyers-sanibel.com or email fortmyerssanibel@fourcommunications.com

2/ Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Why go? No populated area in South Florida offers access to nature quite like the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel.

Activity: Lose yourself in the largest undeveloped mangrove eco system in the USA with miles of primordial wetlands. Watch flocks of birds migrate across land and sea and see alligators and manatees dance along the drivable ‘safari’ trail through the Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Migratory birds of over 220 species are protected in this pristine habitat.

Book: dingdarlingsociety.org

Price: from $5 per vehicle, $1 per pedestrian, $1 per bicycle

 

3/  Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Why go? No populated area in South Florida offers access to nature quite like the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel.

Activity: Lose yourself in the largest undeveloped mangrove eco system in the USA with miles of primordial wetlands. Watch flocks of birds migrate across land and sea and see alligators and manatees dance along the drivable ‘safari’ trail through the Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Migratory birds of over 220 species are protected in this pristine habitat.

Book: dingdarlingsociety.org

Price: from $5 per vehicle, $1 per pedestrian, $1 per bicycle

 

4/  Visit the islands

Why go? Learn to live like the locals by taking time to enjoy life.

Activity: Talk a walk, or get in a buggy. That’s as fast as folks like to take things on islands like Gasparilla, North Captiva and the superbly named Cabbage Key. Nowhere does the philosophy of taking time to enjoy life find fruition like on boat-accessible Cayo Costa.

Book:tropicstaradventures.com/cayo

Price: From $25 per person.

 

5/  Watch out for wildlife

Why go? In Fort Myers & Sanibel there’s wildlife on every beach and behind every tree – it’s a must for animal-loving families.

Activity: Anhigas dive, pelicans flap, herons pose, alligators cut through the water and manatees roll like giant grey jelly beans… animal lovers will find a lot here to enjoy. Watch dolphins when you hop on a seagoing charter with outfits like Tarpon Bay Explorers, or come to Sanibel Island and visit education centres like the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. The clinic serves as an animal hospital for birds, otters, sea turtles and even deer.

Book:tarponbayexplorers.com

Price: Tours from $15 per person.

 

6/  Paddle the Same Trails… as the Calusa Indians

Why go? Retrace the paddle strokes of the Calusa Indians on Fort Myer’s waterways.

Activity: Head out on one of the largest, best executed blueways – a network of water trails – in the country. Get geared up with one of the local outfitters at Estero River Outfitters and hit the teal spiderweb that is the Great Calusa Blueway, which provides access to 190 miles of pristine, waterbound goodness.

Book:calusablueway.com, esteroriveroutfitters.com

Price: Canoe rentals with Estero River Outfitters from $22.50 for two people, for two hours.

 

7/  The Sand-sculpting Championship

Why go? Every November the professionals converge on Fort Myers Beach for the American Sand-sculpting Championship & Beach Festival.

Activity: The annual event owes much of its success to the area’s natural resources, which are considered the best in the world for turning sugar-powder sand into something like a Rodin. Amateur sand-sculptors can also join in the fun during the festival, with daily lessons given by a master sculptor, and an Amateur Competition division with awards.

Book: fmbsandsculpting.com

 

8/8   Go fishing

Why go? From March through June, anglers from all over the world come here for Megalops – the tarpon, one of the world’s great game fishes.

Activity: You can catch some yourself at Boca Grande Pass, on the south edge of Boca Grande, known as the ‘Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World’.

Book: fortmyers-sanibel.com

 

9/  Beaches & Baseball

Why go? Fort Myers is spring training central – The Boston Red Sox call this their spring home-away-from-home, while the Minnesota Twins play just a few miles away.

Activity: Visit Terry Park, one of the nation’s great ball fields… and pass the Cracker Jacks.

Book:leeparks.org

 

10/  Big Time Artwork

Why go?If Fort Myers doesn’t just indulge your penchant for relaxation or need for a good ball game, then there’s also a vibrant creative and intellectual scene – manifested by the extremely active local theatre community, gallery openings and events from Cape Coral to Bonita Springs, and plenty of small artists colonies on the islands.

Activity: Take a drive out to pretty little Matlacha and take a stroll through some truly funky, fresh galleries on the ‘main street’ to get a sense of this idiosyncratic vibe.

Book:fortmyers-sanibel.com

 

11/  The lowdown

Price: Experience the incredible beauty of Florida’s Gulf Coast with USA specialist My America Holiday at popular Fort Myers from just £999 per person, and only £419 per child (under 12 years old, sharing), including return Virgin Atlantic flights, car rental and 6 nights at the delightful Pink Shell Resort & Marina, including breakfast.

This fantastic offer, for bookings made by 28 February 2015, includes an extra 5% discount on the normal package price when you book quoting promotional code BODEN5.

You’ll also receive complimentary use of beach chairs and umbrellas, a signature Pink Shell Beach tote bag and free parking during your stay.

Terms: This great price is valid for travel in May 2015 with stays available throughout the year. The price for a 7 night stay in July is just £1,459 per adult and £528 per child. For longer stays, why not add extra nights (with car rental included) from £88 per person per night?

More information: For more information or to make a booking go to myamericaholiday.co.uk or call 020 8290 9798. Quote BODEN5 for your 5% discount. Prices are subject to availability and change at the time of booking.