Jetsettersblog

LEE COUNTY, FL (USA) – If a tropical vacation is calling out to you, head to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel on the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors explore many barrier islands off this southwest Florida paradise by land or by boat.

Some of the 100 coastal islands are uninhabited mangrove clusters while others impress with their beautiful beaches.

Island hopping by land!

With 590 miles of shoreline and the warm Gulf waters, the area’s islands have plenty of character – sunsets, shelling, great dining and picnicking, water sports, boating, biking and exploring. Best known are Sanibel and Captiva islands, connected to the mainland by a three-mile causeway. They are connected to each other by a bridge.

Sanibel & Captiva islands

Sanibel is known worldwide for its abundant shelling – more than 400 varieties of shells. Collectors enjoy hours of sun along some of North America’s best shoreline. “Must-see” sites include the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and the 1884 Sanibel Lighthouse. More remote than Sanibel, Captiva Island’s main attractions are its laid back pace, several great restaurants, sunset views and beautiful beaches.

Estero Island, Fort Myers Beach

Estero Island, home of Fort Myers Beach, offers soft, white sand. During the winter, Estero Bay is home to an extensive shrimp and fishing fleet. The “must see” is Lovers Key State Park, just south of Fort Myers Beach.

Pine Island

Step back to old-time Florida on Pine Island. Accessible by land via “the fishingest bridge in the USA,” entertain yourself with several eclectic art galleries, while the Calusa Heritage Trail offers insight into the 2,000-year-old Indian tribe.

Gasparilla Island

Accessible by boat and car via a causeway, this island’s charming, turn-of-the-century harbor town, Boca Grande, was founded in the late 1800s. This sleepy, upscale town comes with small shops, cozy restaurants, waterside accommodations and beautiful beaches. Celebrities along with family members, enjoy annual visits, staying at the legendary, 1911 Gasparilla Inn & Club.

Island hopping by boat!

Hop on a water taxi, rent a boat, or take one of the scheduled services to the outer islands, such as Cabbage Key, North Captiva, and Cayo Costa. These narrated boat or guided kayak/canoe tours provide sightseeing, shelling, sealife encounters, dolphin watch cruises, nature and heritage cruises, and more.

Adventures in Paradise – www.adventureinparadiseinc.com.

Captiva Cruises – www.captivacruises.com

Tropic Star of Pine Island – www.tropicstarcruises.com

To explore on your own, area marinas offer private boat rentals with or without guides. http://fortmyers-sanibel.com/marinas

Island hop along the Great Calusa Blueway

A popular way to see the area and its wildlife is the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, with launch sites and landings around the 190-mile marked trail, as well as easy access to rental kayaks and canoes. www.calusablueway.com

For more information on island hopping or planning a vacation to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com ; Facebook:
www.Facebook.com/SocialLeeVCB ; Twitter:
www.Twitter.com/FtMyersSanibel @FtMyersSanibel; YouTube:
www.YouTube.com/FtMyersSanibel . The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel include: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.