Nestled Between Naples And Sarasota Lies A Coastal Florida City With Pristine Beaches

While Florida's Gulf Coast is home to many gems, this secret coastal town is ideal for outdoor lovers and has some of the best beaches. Tucked between Naples and Sarasota and with miles of white sandy beaches plus turquoise waters, Fort Myers is a great destination for swimming, sunbathing, lounging with a book, building a sand sculpture, or surfing. It also features a beautiful downtown filled with art, food, and music. The best part? The town's tropical climate allows you to enjoy various beach-related activities all year round.

The city is about 17 miles northwest of Southwest Florida International Airport, 45 miles north of Naples (about a 50-minute drive), and 75 miles south of Sarasota (about 1 hour and 20 minutes drive). Fort Myers has a fascinating backstory. It was once a military fort during the Seminole Wars in the mid-1800s, and it has evolved into a beautiful riverside destination attracting visitors seeking warm weather and beautiful scenery. Two of its famous residents, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, also built winter estates there, which now are museums preserving their legacies. Despite growing into a lovely destination for outdoor activities, it still has small-town hospitality.

Stretching along the southwest coastline are some of Florida's best beaches that are fun for the whole family, like Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island, a 7-mile stretch of sun-washed sand. The beach has public amenities like restrooms, showers, and parking spots near the Lynn Hall Memorial Park. Since the waves are gentle and the waters are shallow, kids and adults can swim on the beach. If you are into shelling, stroll around the shoreline for opportunities to collect different types of sea treasures washed ashore by the gentle waves. At the northern tip of Estero Island is a quiet coastal escape, Bowditch Point Park. This park spans 17 acres with dual-shore access to the Gulf of Mexico and Matanzas Bay. You will find shaded picnic pavilions, barbecue grills, and outdoor showers. Take a walk through the trails that wind through the restoration preserve, a great place for bird-watching.

If you want a secluded beach experience, Lovers Key State Park is a beautiful stretch of sand surrounded by mangroves and tidal lagoons. Located south of Fort Myers Beach, Lovers Key is about a 15-minute drive via Estero Boulevard. The park has 2.5 miles of pristine beaches. You will have access to modern amenities like picnic tables, restrooms, and a short boardwalk that leads to the beach. For nature and adventure enthusiasts, the park has a launching point for kayaking through mangrove-lined waterways and tidal lagoons. You can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes nearby.

The best part about vacationing in Fort Myers is how easy it is to explore the nearby islands and coastal towns in Florida. About a 30-minute drive over the Sanibel Causeway is Sanibel Island, one of the captivating U.S. islands you can drive to for a gorgeous getaway. Also known as the 'Shelling Capital of the World', its sandy shores are covered in seashells, making beachcombing a fun pastime. You can spend your mornings at Bowman's Beach collecting rare shells or cycle through the island's 25 miles of paved trails that lead to the historic Sanibel Lighthouse. You should also check out the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where you can kayak through mangroves and spot manatees.

Don't miss a chance to discover Boca Grande, about a one-and-a-half-hour drive north of Fort Myers, on Gasparilla Island. This is a beautiful town with pastel-colored cottages, boutique shops, and uncrowded beaches. If you are a history buff, you will enjoy discovering fascinating pieces of history at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. If you are looking for a laid-back art scene, head to Matlacha, a tiny fishing village on the way to Pine Island. Aside from checking out the art galleries, get a taste of the local dishes. Stop by Olde Fish House Marina for a taste of delicious seafood.