When the sun sparkles brightly on the water and waves lightly brush the shore, it's hard to ignore the call to get outdoors and enjoy another beautiful day in Fort Myers Beach. With an abundance of outdoor activities sometimes it's hard to decide where to begin. Start your day with a stroll on the beach, admiring the scenery and soaking up the atmosphere or wander through the charming seaside town and stop for a quick coffee. After charging your batteries pick from one of these fabulous outdoor activities that make Fort Myers Beach such an exhilarating place to live.
Related Blog: 10 Best Things to Do in Fort Myers Beach
Enjoy a Day at Beach
Colorful Estero Boulevard runs the length of the island and provides access to Gulf beaches with over twenty easy entry points. Three welcoming parks provide further access spanning the length of the island.
- At the northern end of the island, Bowditch Point Park is a peaceful location that encompasses the entire tip of the island. The back bay area offers shaded picnic areas to enjoy an afternoon in a serene setting with a sweeping view of boats entering and exiting the bay. On the gulf side relax and sunbathe or get active and take a swim. Walking trails wind through a restoration area offering ample opportunity for bird watching with gorgeous views of the bay in the background. In fact, the park has been designated a Great Florida Birding Trail Site with maps and guides available online. Free day docks are open for boats up to 28 feet, and there is a non-motorized boat launch for the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail. This 190 mile marked canoe and kayak trail weaves through coastal waters and inland tributaries attracting novices and advanced paddlers. Explore this marvel of marine life and shorebirds, and stop at several marina restaurants along the trail to relax or refuel.
- At Times Square in the heart of downtown Fort Myers Beach, lively Lynn Hall Memorial Park is open year round with a swimming beach and a fishing pier. Enjoy a day at the park which features a covered pavilion and picnicking amenities. Or if you prefer, stroll to the nearby restaurants and shops for a bite to eat at an outdoor cafe or indulge in window shopping throughout the town.
- Further south, enjoy a longer two-mile stretch of pristine beach at Lovers Key State Park. As the name implies, the park is a romantic destination for beachside weddings, but its mango forests and white sand beaches are open for everyone to enjoy. With biking and hiking trails, paddling on a protected estuary, fishing, swimming, and shelling, your only problem will be deciding what to do first! If you are new to kayaking or stand up paddle boarding Lovers Key Adventures will take care of all the planning, and before you know it, you will be floating among the dolphins and manatees with a knowledgeable guide entertaining you with the history and lore of early Florida.
Explore Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve
Long known for its dolphin populations, Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve is also home to many bird species including the blue stork, the black skimmer, and the tri-colored heron. Good Time Charters in Fort Myers Beach offers guided tours of the preserve with an expert naturalist making sure everyone gets a chance to view the incredible South Florida wildlife.
Scenic Sunset Cruises
There's nothing more relaxing than a sunset cruise, and The Fort Myers Princess departs Fort Myers Beach in the evenings for a delightful 90-minute cruise on a spacious catamaran. Bring your day to a close with a spectacular sunset over southwest Florida's stunning gulf coast.
Florida's southwest coast is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. Contact us at Grandview at Bay Beach for more information on outdoor fun in this coastal paradise.
