A Guide to Must-See Beaches in SW FLA:
A wonderful place to visit and enjoy is southwest Florida, using Ft. Myers as a base for your explorations. Ft. Myers is 90 minutes south of Tampa on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Ft. Myers and the surrounding communities boast of having the world’s best weather from October through May (and it’s not too bad the rest of the year either).
The incredible weather and world famous beaches make the area a magnet for beach lovers. The beaches of Ft. Myers, Sanibel and Captiva Islands provide plenty of opportunities for families and kids of all ages to enjoy what the area has to offer by the Gulf.
Soaking up the sun is a major attraction… It is inexpensive, restful, fun and something nearly everyone can do. The Ft. Myers area provides 50 miles of white sand and warm water to explore.
In fact, Ft. Myers beach is designed for the beach goer. Along Ft. Myers main drag, Estero Blvd, you will find public beach access points well identified by numbered signs. Most also allow parking and are only a few steps from the sand.
Bowditch Point Park at the north end of Ft. Myers Beach has a wonderful view of the Matzanzass Pass, the inland waterway on the east side of the island. The west side of the Park is a beach on the Gulf that is popular but never as crowded as the beaches further south. Bowditch Point is also close to beach-style shops that have that right souvenir for everyone.
Just south of Ft. Myers Beach is Lover’s Key State Park, voted one of the top 10 beaches in Florida. The Park is made up of mangroves and waterways you can walk through to get to the pristine beach. The western side of the Park has a boat ramp for anyone visiting that way.
North of Ft. Myers is Sanibel Island and at the far northern end of Sanibel is Captiva Island. Sanibel is another dose of paradise for the beach lover. Lighthouse Point on the southern end of Sanibel puts you right out on a strip of land that’s has water on three sides.
Follow West Gulf Drive to the beach near the Casa Ybel resort if you love seashells. You’ll see people going up and down the beach doing the “Sanibel Stoop” bending over to pick up seashells for their collections.
Also on Sanibel is the “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Preserve. You can rent bikes, boats or kayaks at the Preserve and tour the island on land or water. The Preserve makes up approximately half of the island, so plan on spending an entire day if you want to see the entire Preserve. Ospreys, egrets and other local bird life are great to look for.
If you want to go further north to the next island, take Sanibel-Captiva Road to Captiva Island where some of the most romantic beaches in the world can be found. It’s not unusual to see weddings on the beach west of the T’ween Waters Inn. Or drive up to the South Seas Island Resort for a luxurious stay or lunch. A local favorite is the Mucky Duck at the end of Andy Rosse Lane. It’s a great place for an island dinner, drinks and a view of the sunset on the beach that seems to extend right up to the restaurant’s front steps.
All in all, the Ft. Myers area is a must see for any beach lover. Once you enjoy the Paradise Coast of Florida, you’ll want to enjoy it again and again.
Editor’s Note: This article published here.
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Jeb Maxwell writes about travel, the vacation rental and the Bed and Breakfast industry. To explore additional information about vacation home rentals, visit: http://www.findvacationrentals.com/
This article was originally published on American Travel Ideas.
Read more articles written by Jeb Maxwell
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