Fort Myers & Sanibel Holidays

Lively Fort Myers Beach, found on Estero Island, is the most popular stretch of sand in the area. Come spring and summer, it’s usually bustling with groups and holidaymakers of all ages soaking up the sun. Lynn Hall Beach Park, which backs the sands, is a great place for family games and picnics. Or you could wander along Fort Myers Pier, where you’ll find anglers and the best sea views.

Over on Sanibel Island, Bowman’s Beach is a huge family-friendly beach with a shaded playground and picnic tables. Captiva Beach is the best place to collect shells – it’s home to every variety, size and shape you can think of. The most eager hunters wander down before dawn with a torch, but you’ll find pretty souvenirs any time of day. If you’re seeking total peace, why not charter a boat to North Captiva Island? The secluded white beaches are the perfect place for a romantic day.

Tour the grand Edison & Ford Winter Estates, home a laboratory once used by Thomas Edison and a museum of the innovative pair’s treasures. You can also go back in time and learn about the Calusa people that first lived here, along the Calusa Heritage Trail on Pine Island or at the historic Mound House on Fort Myers Beach.

Catch a show at downtown Fort Myers’ Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, see visiting musicians at Buddha Rock Club, and enjoy seaside acoustic performances at The Cottage or The Beached Whale. Shopaholics should make the short trip down to Estero Island’s Coconut Point, where more than 100 shops, 25 restaurants and a cinema can be found. And if you’re looking for family-friendly activities, the IMAG History & Science Center and Aquarium in downtown Fort Myers or Sanibel Island’s Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will keep everyone entertained for a few hours.

Manatees are commonly spotted in the waters off Pine Island, but a dedicated boat trip will give you the best chance of a close encounter. The region’s beaches are also home to loggerhead turtles – they’re often seen in spring when they return to lay their eggs. Dolphins regularly swim through the waters and Fort Myers Pier is a great place to sit and watch them

Plenty of wildlife can also be spotted back on dry land. J.N ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is home to alligators, bobcats, iguanas and river otters, as well as more than 300 species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. It’s open all year round and the Education Center offers free seasonal tours. You can also drive, hike, cycle or kayak through the area any time you like. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a family-friendly way to get closer to nature, visit Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in Fort Myers.

Holidays to Fort Myers and Sanibel are popular during the winter, as temperatures are in the low twenties and virtually every day is sunny and dry. If you’re looking for great weather without the crowds, March to May is a lovely time to visit. Temperatures climb to the high twenties, but without the humidity of summer months. Fort Myers is a popular spring break destination, though, so the weeks either side of Easter can be busy.

Summer is a popular time for American holidaymakers, so you’ll find that Fort Myers is busy at this time of year. Temperatures climb to the mid-thirties and most days are very humid. Summer is also the wettest time of year, so is generally best avoided. Autumn, meanwhile, is the quietest time in the city. This is hurricane season, but you can enjoy crowd-free attractions and great deals.