Whether you love the water and sand in your toes, or you enjoy the drier aspects of being on land, staying active on Fort Myers Beach is as easy as heading outside to the nearest shore or park/preserve.
Living on the water brings a whole new meaning to an active and healthy lifestyle. Instead of heading to a gym, you can step outside, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and even spot local wildlife while staying active. Explore some of the outdoor activities in Fort Myers Beach that help residents and visitors get outside and get moving.
Waterfront living opens up many doors to fun beach activities that can either be high- or low-energy. On Fort Myers Beach, there are a plethora of things to do beyond taking a walk on the beach (although a walk on the beach at sunset is perfection) and swimming in the ocean. Here are some of the activities you’ll find in the area:
You can either bring your own equipment or take advantage of the many groups offering these services along the water.
Take your healthy living lifestyle further out into the water with a fishing charter or tour, or find a great local fishing spot to cast your line. A saltwater fishing license is required to fish from shore, but there is no fee for Florida residents. Non-residents have to purchase their license for about $17. Once you have it, you can enjoy this calming pastime from the docks or beach along Fort Myers Beach, with plenty of scenic spots extending into the Gulf of Mexico.
Be the Captain of your own ship by learning how to sail with the Offshore Sailing School. Founded by sailing experts Steve Colgate and Doris Colgate, the school offers world-class sailing instruction for both residents and visitors. Training begins in the classroom and continues on the water aboard performance cruising boats or the Colgate 26, designed specifically for sailing instruction. After completing the program, you’ll be ready to enjoy the active sailing lifestyle on the waters around Fort Myers Beach.
Lovers Key State Park offers both water and land activities for an active outdoor lifestyle. The park features a two-mile beach that can be reached by boardwalk or tram, where visitors may spot wildlife such as West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. Two scenic trails, the 2.5 mile Black Island Trail and the 1.1 mile Eagle Trail, wind through the maritime hammock and are popular for hiking or biking. Lovers Key also offers kayak tours and rentals for bicycles, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards so visitors can explore the park by land or water.
Bowditch Point Park is another local park on Fort Myers Beach that offers plenty of ways to lead an active and healthy Florida lifestyle. It is comprised of 17 acres located at the tip of Estero Island with seven acres dedicated to passive recreational use, while the remaining 10 acres are set as a restoration/preserve area. This dedicated space allows for the park to be designated as a Great Florida Birding Trail site with plovers, black skimmers, reddish egrets, brown pelicans, ospreys, and migrating songbirds as a sampling of the birds you may be able to spot on your hike or walk.
Bunche Beach Preserve is a peaceful coastal preserve where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of Southwest Florida. The area features tidal flats, mangrove forests, and scenic views of San Carlos Bay, making it a great spot for walking, wildlife viewing, and birdwatching. Bunche Beach Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, offering opportunities for kayaking and exploring the surrounding mangrove waterways. The quiet shoreline and natural setting make it a great place to experience the coastal ecosystem near Fort Myers Beach.
These are just some of the wonderful activities in which you can take part when you visit or live in Fort Myers Beach. Contact us for more information on our Florida lifestyle.