Top 5 Reasons to Visit the Beautiful Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

Chilled Out, Florida Kitschy, Kid Friendly, Outdoorsy

A sunset blaze of orange, yellow and crimson glistens in an undulating pattern on the Gulf. Your only companions are pelicans that splash down for dinner and sandpipers scurrying along the water’s edge. 

 

Isolated from the rigors of “real” life, you’ll lose your cares when you find yourself at The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Here are our top five reasons to chill out in this pristine paradise.

1) Splendid Seclusion

When you’re in the mood to meditate, ready for a commune with nature or need to spend quality time with that special someone, Sanibel’s Bowman’s Beach offers plenty of privacy. And Captiva Beach is oh-so-romantic and a prime place to see a spectacular sunset. The beautiful barrier island of Lovers Key State Park features hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing and ranger-guided fishing tours.

2) All in the Family

There are more than 30 beach access points to family-friendly Fort Myers Beach, each spot with its own personality. Featuring a baby-changing station, playground, picnic areas and fishing pier, Lynn Hall Memorial Park, in the heart of Fort Myers Beach, makes for a fabulous outing. On the Caloosahatchee River, Yacht Club Community Park offers similar perks plus a marina and heated outdoor pool.

3) Shellabrate!

You’ll find sensational shelling at Turner Beach on Captiva Island. Stay for sunset on the beach and dinner at a restaurant across the street. Gulfside City Park, Lighthouse Park and Tarpon Bay on Sanibel also boast a bounty of seashells. Sanibel’s protruding position in the Gulf creates a natural scoop for shells. In the quest for these treasures, visitors and locals alike can all be caught stooped over and shuffling along the shores in a stance lovingly known as the "Sanibel Stoop."

4) Boatload of Fish

Light tackle and back bay fishing are excellent at Bowditch Point on north Fort Myers Beach. Parking is plentiful and there’s a boathouse at this drop-in point for the Great Calusa Blueway. Surf fishing is a popular pastime at Little Hickory Island Beach in Bonita Springs. Pull up your car to the water’s edge at Sanibel’s Causeway Beaches to swim, fish or boat.

5) Cavalcade of Creatures

The protected-species habitat of Bonita Beach Park is where you’ll witness Florida’s creatures while having the convenience of restrooms, concession stand and other amenities. Or, go completely wild at Bunche Beach on San Carlos Bay. Its combination of sandy beach, mangrove forest and salt flats makes wildlife viewing ideal. Accessible only by boat, Cayo Costa State Park boasts miles of beaches and acres of pine forests, oak-palm hammocks and mangrove swamps. Cayo Costa hosts manatees, dolphins, a multitude of birds and more.

It’s Only Natural

Renew your body, mind and spirit. If you like nature, you’ll love The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. Isn’t it time to get away?

This article was brought to you by The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. To plan your trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel, visit www.fortmyers-sanibel.com.

Six Dolphins Leaping and One Glorious Sunshine Day A Shining: Sanibel thrills, boating, and friendships.

  Nothing gets much better than a boat ride with pods of dolphins jumping in the wake. Enjoy the ride ...

Added bonus for you ...

"12 Days Of Christmas"

On the first day of Christmas
my true love gave to me
a partridge in a pear tree

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

whats' a partridge?
and what's a pear tree?
I don't know so please don't ask me
But I can bet those are terrible gifts to get.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Six geese-a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese-a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Eight maids-a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese-a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids-a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese-a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

what's a partridge?
and what's a pear tree?
I don't know so please don't ask me
But I can bet those are terrible gifts to get.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Ten lords-a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids-a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese-a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords-a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids-a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese-a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords-a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids-a-milking,
Seven swans-a-swimming,
Six geese-a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

Guest Blogger: Dancing in the Rain Sanibel Style via Abby Mackinnon

If you have ever wondered what a little slice of heaven might just look like, I recommend you take a trip to a place called Sanibel Island, Florida.

Pearl white sands that caress your toes, a school of dolphins dancing across a sparkling ocean, an abundance of stars illuminating an unimpeded sky…

It really would be impossible to capture the overall magic of this island, so I decided to focus on just one aspect of it’s charm, the vast array of shells that decorate it’s perfect beaches.

Enjoy.

Sanibel Chickens, Neighborhoods and Homes: Sunshine blue sky, water fountains, and rolling ocean waves for your winter blues.

Sanibel known for Ding Darling US Federal National Wildlife Refuge where ospreys, spoonbills, gators, white pelicans, bobcats, bunnies, and more play. Here are the Sanibel chickens ... the Ibis.

  

Weekend Sanibel Captiva dolphins beach mermaids report

Happy Monday! What was the best part of your weekend? 

Bunch of mermaids and mermen washed upon the West Gulf Drive Beach area. We saved as many as we could.

Osprey next or eagles nest? Regardless, the wild life endless on the island of Sanibel Captiva. PLUS snook, sheep head, red fish, tarpon, dolphins, manatees, and MUCH more off your double-lift dock.

Sea grass upon West Gulf Drive Beach cloudy sunrise. This beach entry just south of Doc Ford's Rabbit Road, down about four miles east of Bowman Beach, six miles east of Blind Pass, Captiva entry, and wonderful sea shells, dolphin viewing, etc ...

The beauty of the ocean treasures within the Gulf of Mexico. Interesting colored sea grass this morning along with penn shells and more ...

Your pathway to paradise, Sanibel Captiva blue sunshine, and gentle ocean breezes are short walk down the boardwalk of Nerita Beach.

Entry to Sanibel Captiva just over the toll bridge leads to abundant wildlife: Pelicans, sometimes penguins, Ding Darling, dolphins, manatees, and fishing paradise. Sometimes spot a rare panther or bobcat, but those big cats stay hidden in the Ding for the most part.

Faith, family, and friendships are best shared on a Sanibel or Captiva beach. Endless love, romance, and reconnection to your loves possible here on the shores. Figure this is one HUGE reason for the islands popularity. Times slow down here.

Need we say more? The fun starts and ends here on the beach. Joyful jumping upon the she shell lined beaches of the islands. 

 

The sunsets in the west and rises in the east. This small picture of paradise leads to your next step ... what are you most looking forward to on your next visit to Sanibel Captiva Islands!?!

Call with questions. High five!

Dale (239) 444-8400