Explore Fort Myers’ Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods by Water

Fort Myers’ islands, beaches and neighborhoods invite family travelers to immerse themselves in the beach scene this summer. With more than 50 miles of beaches for visitors to relax on, the hardest part about visiting is deciding where to go!

© Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods

Recognized as one of the world’s safest beaches, Fort Myers Beach, located on Estero Island, not only features a gently sloping shoreline but also offers a variety of water activities for young travelers. Activities include windsurfing, relaxing on a catamaran, parasailing and kayaking alongside manatees at Matanzas Pass Preserve.

Fort Myers’ less-crowded beaches can be found on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The islands have no stop lights, chain restaurants or buildings higher than a palm tree, making it a great spot to spend the day under the Florida sun. Known as the Seashell Capital of the World, Sanibel’s unique geography means its coastline serves as home to more than 400 varieties of colorful seashells. Also on the island, Sanibel Sea School offers interactive lessons on the area’s aquatic ecosystems, encouraging visitors to touch, feel and interact with their natural surroundings.

© Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods

For an adventure, go island hopping between the region’s more than 100 barrier islands. Accessible only by boat, Cayo Costa includes rustic cottage accommodations, a state park boasting white-sand beaches and the ocean offering countless water activities.

Head to Manatee Park to meet an entire group of manatees from atop a boardwalk. Here, visitors can also rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard through mangrove estuaries to get even closer to these gentle giants.