Fort Myers: Best beaches for winter sun

Fort Myers Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods, situated on Florida’s southwest coast, ensure all visitors a laid back tropical vibe.

The pristine white-sand beaches and warm turquoise waters just within a couple of hours from the bustling cities of Miami and Orlando.

With more than 271 days of sunshine and 590 miles of shoreline across Lee County, it is the perfect destination to escape the winter chill.

Check out these unmissable beaches.

Fort Myers Beach

Lynn Hall Memorial Park is a firm favourite due to its convenient placement of being near Times Square, the unofficial centre of town. Visitors are never far from shopping or restaurants. For a birds-eye view of this stretch of coastline, beachgoers can enjoy parasail experience of Estero Island. Close by is the Jimmy Buffet-inspired Margaritaville Resort Fort Myers Beach, which opened its doors to visitors in December 2023 and announced the opening of its Fins Up! Beach Club in January 2024. The action-packed oasis and latest addition to the 254-room resort features a sprawling 15,000 square feet pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico with direct access to the beach.

Bonita Springs

Dog lovers should make tracks for Dog Beach Park, as it welcomes furry friends to run off the lead, making for perfect dog spotting opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy exploring beyond the coastline with Bonita Boat Rentals and discovering the bay water of southwest Florida, which is home to a fascinating variety of fish, birds, dolphins and manatees.

Sanibel Island

Tarpon Bay Beach is a local favourite on Sanibel and is conveniently located in the south centre of the island. Tarpon Beach is widely accessible and is a renowned spot for picking up seashells – making it a key contributor as to why Sanibel has earned the title of Shelling Capital of the World. Rare shells found on the sandy shores include the junonia and Scotch bonnet shell.

Blind Pass Beach Park is positioned on the straight that separates Sanibel Island from Captiva Island and is perfect spot for fishing and shelling. Blind Pass is conveniently located off the Sanibel and Captiva Island Road for those wanting to explore the island with ease. Visitors seeking adventure are invited to rent a vintage electric Moke for an exciting way to experience the islands. Blind Pass Beach Park is the perfect stop for a picnic before heading towards Captiva.

Captiva Island

The secluded island of Captiva has been nominated for the Best Restored Beach in three separate categories. Turner Beach is known for hosting spectacular sunsets, making it the ultimate evening beach location. To end the day on the beach, visitors to head to the infamous Mucky Duck -hailed as a “British pub” by locals- sampling fresh shrimp and sipping cocktails as the sun drops behind the ocean. Visitors can stay abreast with the latest views from the Mucky Duck by checking out its always-on BeachCam.

Exploring the Fort Myers area’s live webcams is the next best thing to being there. Catch a sunset in downtown Fort Myers, see butterflies in Cape Coral or watch the tide roll in off Pine Island.

Those planning a visit to Fort Myers Islands, Beaches, and Neighbouhoods should check out the new 2024 Visitor Guide. 

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