Fort Myers Beaches–Each One Different & Inviting by Maria Norton
Lee County is home to Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. It is the most populous county in Southwest Florida. The county seat is Fort Myers and the largest city is Cape Coral.
Natural sand beaches and warm waters invite you to relax, read or partake in a favorite beach activity – shelling. Each beach has a personality all its own. Families will find soft, white sand great for kids. Couples can experience solitude and exceptional sunsets. And active types can enjoy volleyball, picnicking, shelling, cycling and skim boarding.
* Lee County offers annual parking stickers for $60 per year. * Bonita Springs residents pay $5 for an annual parking decal which allows parking at Bonita Beach Park, Access #1 and Little Hickory Island Beach Park for free.
Bonita Beach Park
Location: 27954 Hickory Blvd.,west end of Bonita Beach Blvd., Bonita Springs
Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks and Recreation
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: $2/hour
Amenities: 3 miles of beach, restrooms, picnic shelters with tables and grills, playground, sand volleyball courts, food concession, showers, restaurant
Of Special Interest: Bonita Springs is a small coastal community with beaches that are quite beautiful and less harried than Fort Myers Beach to the north.
Bonita Beach (Accesses)
Location: 10 accesses along Hickory Blvd. #1 is located just north of Bonita Beach Park, Bonita Springs
Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks and Recreation
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: limited, Access #1, $2/hour, Accesses #2-9, limited and free
Location: 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. 10.5 miles west of I75 at exit 116
Phone: 239-463-4588
Hours: 8 AM to sunset
Parking: $8/vehicle
Amenities: 700 acres, 2 miles of beach, 5 miles of bike trails, bike rentals, boat ramp, food & equiPMent rental concessions, playgrounds, picnic shelters with grills, restrooms, nature trails, pavilion, outdoor showers, guided ranger tours
Pets: Yes, on 6′ leashes. State parks do not permit pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities
Of Special Interest: A haven for wildlife, the islands and their waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. The two mile long beach is accessible by boardwalk or tram and was selected as the #4 beach in Florida by the Travel Channel.
Fort Myers Beach
Location: Accesses #11 thru #35 are on Estero Blvd. from Big Carlos Pass to the south to Matanzas Pass Bridge to the north. Colored banners designate their location, number and have symbols indicating whether they have amenities, accessibility or parking (fee required) #37 through #41 north of the Matanzas Bridge on Estero Blvd. allow for foot-traffic only-no parking.
Phone: 239-765-0202 Town of Fort Myers
Hours: dawn to dusk
Parking: Metered parking is located on Old San Carlos Blvd., Estero Blvd., Center St., and Fifth St. $2/hour, 2 hour limit. On Fifth St., the spaces are $1/hour. Long term parking is available on all beach access streets and in the lot under the Matanzas Pass Bridge. $1/ hour, no time limit. In season, get there very early to find a spot or park on the mainland and take the trolley over.
Amenities: Lynn Hall Memorial Park (Pier): restrooms and Times Square with beachfront restaurants and shopping
Of Special Interest: Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island) boasts miles of white, sandy beaches, where the ocean floor slopes gently towards the horizon with no sudden drop-offs or big waves. All of the beaches are “natural beaches”, meaning that they are not raked or otherwise groomed. This allows beach visitors to enjoy all of the coast’s amenities while preserving its native environment. The busy intersection of San Carlos Boulevard and Estero Boulevard is packed with bars, beach-apparel shops, restaurants, and motels that draw singles and families. It’s a Coney Island atmosphere that is referred to as “Times Square.”
Lynn Hall Park
Location: 1050 Main St., Fort Myers Beach, in the heart of downtown
Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks and Recreation
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: $2/hour, 100 spaces
Amenities: licensed fishing pier with bait shop, picnic shelters with grills, playground, outdoor showers, restrooms, shopping
Of Special Interest: Located just north of the foot of the Matanzas Pass Bridge, next to “Times Square” in the heart of downtown Fort Myers Beach, this lively gulf front park is adjacent to shopping and restaurants.
Bowditch Point Regional Park
Location: 50 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach
Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks and Recreation
Hours: 8 AM to 1/2 hour past sunset
Parking: $1/hour, 75 spaces
Amenities: day docks for boats up to 28 ft, paddle craft launch onto Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, walking trails through preserve area, picnic tables and grills, food concession, restrooms and changing facilities
Of Special Interest: Located on the northern tip of Fort Myers Beach, this park has access to the Bay and the Gulf and provides a much quieter experience than the beaches in town.
Bunche Beach (Preserve)
Location: 18201 John Morris Road, Fort Myers
Phone: 239-533-7275 Lee County Parks and Recreation
Of Special Interest: This 731 acre preserve is a natural tidal wetlands area. It is pristine and completely natural offering a sandy beach, mangrove forests, salt flats and a wide variety of wildlife for viewing.
About the Author
Maria Norton published The FLORIDA BEACH BOOK which is a Guide to over 350 Florida Beaches and the Best Restaurants On or Near Them. It includes OVER $750 in restaurant gift certificates and Florida Beach Maps. TO GET YOUR COPY visit http://www.florida-retirement.net. Fort Myer’s Location Wedding Pictures by Terpstra Photography
