Beach Picnics

From simple old-fashioned picnics to elaborate seaside dinner parties, there's no shortage of eat-on-the-beach options in the Fort Myers Sanibel area.

By Chelle Koster Walton

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Picnics on the beach are a simple, affordable pleasure

A picnic pavilion at Lovers Key State Park

Picnic shelters at Gasparilla Island State Park

Fort Myers Beach

Captiva Island

All you really need is a big blanket, PB&J sandwiches and some cold drinks, and you’ve got yourself a Gulf-front picnic. The beach provides a soft, sandy surface, the world’s best view, water for cleaning up and sunshine for snoozing.

Taking your beach picnic to a higher level may require more planning but it’s well worth the effort. Some local beach parks have picnic facilities, food concessions or nearby restaurants that can provide take-out. Or, for the ultimate picnic, certain boat tour companies will set up a romantic or friend-filled beach party on a bridgeless island. That takes beach picnics from divinely simple to simply divine.

Here are some pointers for beach picnics of all kinds:

Beach-Blanket Dining

Secluded beaches are the perfect setting for throwing down a beach blanket and assembling a simple yet unforgettable meal. Post-picnic, shake out the crumbs and it’s time for a beach nap. Poof! That easy.

Beach Barbecue

For something a little less out-of-the-way, head to a local beach park offering some of life’s little conveniences. Parking areas close to the beach, picnic tables and charcoal grills mean you can step up your seaside feast.

One of the most popular, especially with weekend picnickers, is Sanibel Causeway Beach – it has everything it takes for you to catch your fish and grill it too. Also on Sanibel Island, Gulfside Park provides facilities for picnicking in comfort. On Fort Myers Beach, try Bowditch Point Regional Park, where a concession stand sells anything you may have forgotten to pack. Gasparilla Island State Park in Boca Grande provides a scenic lighthouse as a backdrop for your beach feast.

Ready-Made Repasts

Whether you stop at a nearby deli to purchase your no-fuss, ready-to-go gourmet beach lunch or hire a cruise boat to serve a beachside dinner party, beach picnics can achieve culinary sophistication on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.

Lynn Hall Memorial Park on Fort Myers Beach is surrounded by take-out places selling everything from gyros to ice cream. Or, stop on your way to the beach – if you’re heading to Sanibel Island, try Jerry’s Foods; if you’re heading to Fort Myers Beach, check out The Sandy Butler, a foodie marketplace with everything from snacks and deli sandwiches to gourmet dishes. At Bonita Beach Park, you can grab hot dogs and sandwiches to-go next door at Doc’s Beach House, or stop at C Grape Coffee and Wine Bar for paninis and wraps to take along. Ready to take it over the top? Captiva Cruises can set you up with a private boat-in beach party on Cayo Costa, complete with tiki lamps and island music.

Related Listings

See the options. Get the details. Click the links below to access comprehensive listings for activities and places of interest related to this article.

Beaches

Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, Fort Myers Beach

Dining

Parks & Nature

Fort Myers Beach Quick Trips

Rent a powerboat, seek out wildlife at a state park, go shopping at Times Square, catch the sunset at Lovers Key – or just hit the beach.See More

Camping on Cayo Costa

Cayo Costa, an island state park, offers serenity and untouched beaches to day visitors and campers who spend the night in a barebones cabin or tent site just off powder-fine white sands.See More

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