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On Water

Life's better on the water.

We owe everything to the warm Gulf waters that surround us. The soft, white sand beaches to play on, the millions of shells to find, or the days spent kayaking, boating or fishing – none of which would be possible without it. The water connects us to nature, and with each new discovery, to each other.

Beaches

Beaches to measure all other beaches by.

Each of our beaches has a character of its own – a product of what happens when man lets nature run its course. For families, that means beaches with soft white sands and gentle waves. For nature lovers, the unspoiled beaches are perfect for scavenging shells or viewing flora and fauna. For couples, maybe an isolated spot on a picturesque island where the focus can rightfully remain on each other. These and many other choices are spread over 50 miles of publicly accessible coastline. The adventure is finding the perfect beach for you.

Shelling

Stoop for buried treasure.

Thanks to geography and our east-west orientation the gentle waves catch incoming shells of all shapes, varieties and colors. They arrive daily by the hundreds of thousands, mostly fully intact and ready to be dusted off by seasoned shelling professionals and souvenir scavengers alike. Find conchs, calico scallops, prickly tritons, rose petal tellins, corkscrew-shaped augers, sand dollars, the rare lion's paw and the rarer Junonia shell among hundreds of others. Just keep your eyes on the sand.

Boating

Enjoy a voyage of a lifetime.

The best way to experience The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel is definitely by boat, especially considering many of the most beautiful locations are accessible no other way. There are 20 marinas in Lee County should you arrive on your own, but there are also a variety of charter and sightseeing cruises available for spending the day hopping between islands like Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key and Useppa. Just climb on board and push through the no-wake zone to visit points inhabited and uninhabited while dolphins playfully swim in your wake.

Canoeing & Kayaking

Follow the trail.

Flowing through mangrove tunnels and estuaries, sheltered bays and lush creeks, all 190 miles of the Great Calusa Blueway are a "must-paddle" for anyone able to sit in a canoe or kayak. The finest waterway in the country runs gently, allowing guests time and energy to spot dolphins and manatee at play or the brilliant Roseate Spoonbill stomping through the shallows. Put-ins and rental facilities are plentiful, including at the Koreshan State Historic Park on the Estero River, Cayo Costa State Park and on Lovers Key.

Fishing

Hook the big one.

This is "The Tarpon Capital of the World" and home to "The Fishingest Bridge in the US." Names earned by reputation for delivering the kind of experiences anglers don't have to exaggerate. From charter fishing in deep water to throwing a line somewhere offshore, when you find the right spot you'll know it because the fish will be biting.
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