How to Enjoy Summer Beach Vacation in Fort Myers
Fort Myers Beach is the perfect choice for your family’s summer beach vacation. Though other Florida beaches are better known, the Fort Myers Beach area has everything you could want, from quiet nature park preserves to bustling festivals. Many families have made it their “go to” beach destination. Spend a week or more in Fort Myers Beach and you’ll discover why it has become such a popular choice.
Fort Myers Beach is located primarily on the island of Estero. The island is approximately five miles long, with many beach vacation rental homes, condos, hotels, and resorts catering to vacationers. The beach is a fun place for families. It’s easy to get to and has nearby places to grab lunch or stock up on sunscreen and beach supplies.
If you’re looking for a quieter, less-developed beach, drive or bike to the southern tip of Estero Island and cross the bridge to Lovers Key State Park. The two-mile-long beach has plenty of room to find a sandy spot with some degree of privacy. If you get bored of shelling, swimming, and sunbathing, there are over five miles of hiking and biking trails. There is a concession station to rent bikes, canoes and kayaks.
For a fun family day trip, consider an excursion to the Everglades. There are private companies that will pick you up at Fort Myers Beach, take you on a tour of the Everglades, and return you safely at the end of the day. Depending on the operator and options you choose, you can enjoy airboat rides, swamp buggy adventures, and driving tours through various Everglades habitats. You are likely to see a wide variety of wildlife and learn a lot about the ecology of this area. There are also several options for kayaking eco-tours.
If you need a day out of the sun, or if it rains in the afternoon, Fort Myers Beach has several enjoyable ways to spend some time indoors. The Fort Myers Beach Theater has four movie screens and even serves dinner, beer and wine. The food options are basic, but it’s a fun way to combine dinner and a movie.
The Ostego Bay Marine Science Center is located on San Carlos Island, which lies between Estero Island and the mainland and is still part of Fort Myers Beach. The Center has interactive exhibits and exhibits, aquariums, touch tanks, and various special collections. It’s another fun way to learn about the natural environment of Southwest Florida.
There are plenty of other family activities in the area, including adventure golf, amusement parks, state parks, and water rides. Just be sure to leave some time to relax on the beach. Sometimes the best beach vacation activity is the short walk from your beach rental house to the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll find the Fort Myers Beach experience is worth coming back to year after year.
