Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, gently nestled on Estero Island, has been dubbed the "safest beach in the world" because of its soft currents, shallow water, and gently sloping terrain. Ft. Myers Beach is part of the Lee Island Coast, a series of beach communities that stretch from Bonita Springs and Estero north to Boca Grande. Although Ft. Myers Beach is filled with tee-shirt shops, restaurants, and gift boutiques, outdoor activities are the main attraction. A day's itinerary can include water skiing, parasailing, boating, fishing, golf, and relaxing on one of the many area beaches.The Lee Island Coast has plenty of beaches where you can work on your tan. Ft. Myers Beach's gleaming white sand stretches for nearly 8 miles. It is lined with Australian pine trees and all the activity one would expect from a tourism haven. Shops, boardwalk restaurants, and vendors selling every kind of trinket are all part of the total experience. If you want more quiet beach time, head to Bunche Beach, located on San Carlos Bay. The 731-acre wetlands area has no amenities, but is loaded with natural beauty and plenty of places to put down a beach chair and enjoy a good book.
The Gulf of Mexico and nearby inland rivers provide a bounty of active pursuits. The area is a fisherman's dream come true. Snook, tarpon, redfish, spotted sea trout, sheepshead, jack crevalle, shark, barracuda, king mackerel, and mangrove snapper are all prime targets for both inshore and offshore anglers. Because of the calm waters, windsurfing, parasailing, and frolicking on jet skis are popular pastimes. There are plenty of places along the beach to rent canoes, kayaks, or charter a boat for an intimate midnight cruise.
Ft. Myers Beach can serve as a jumping off point for other area attractions. A must-see for any history buff is the Fort Myers Historical Museum. Built from a converted railroad depot and opened in 1982, the museum covers the history of the Calusa and Seminole Indians, Spanish battlements from the early 1700's, and models of the original fort used in the Second Seminole War. To get up close and personal with nature, head south about 80 miles to the Everglades National Park. Or you could take a ferry to Sanibel and Captiva Island and hunt for that perfect seashell souvenir. Golfers can tee it up on one of the many area courses. Whatever you desire in a vacation in the sun, Ft. Myers Beach is fun for the entire family.
