A tropical destination awaits for your summer or fall beach getaway, and it’s right within easy reach. Situated roughly halfway between Tampa and Miami along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Myers Beach offers that oceanfront getaway you’ve been dreaming of. With a balance of leisurely white sand beaches and exciting activities, Fort Myers Beach brings a great vacation experience whether your idea of fun is lounging along the shore or dancing the night away. This guide to summer and fall things to do in Florida will ensure you’re ready to hit all the top sights, beaches, restaurants, and entertainment venues on your vacation to Fort Myers Beach!
Must-See Destinations in Fort Myers Beach
It’s probably no surprise that some of the best sights in Fort Myers Beach are along the oceanfront. This beach town is known for its stunning white sand beaches, and the coastline here will not disappoint. Fort Myers Beach, with its long stretch of pure white sand and picturesque fishing pier is a great place to settle in when you’re ready for a beach day. A walk along the shoreline reveals treasures to be found such as sea shells and sand dollars. This beach is a particularly beautiful place to watch the sunset, especially near the fishing pier, which creates a picturesque silhouette in the foreground as the fiery sun sinks below the horizon.
Another top Fort Myers Beach destination is Lovers Key State Park. This impeccable white sand beach stretches for two miles along protected mangrove forests. As hinted in the name, this romantic, secluded beach is a top spot for couples due to its beauty but is also a family friendly beach where you’ll find plenty of activities to keep everyone engaged. The canals and lagoons that wind their way through the mangroves are perfect for exploring by kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board (rentals available onsite) and wildlife such as manatee and shore birds can often be spotted here. Five miles of wooded trails also weave their way through the estuary, and renting a bike is an easy way to explore in its entirety. The beach here is good for swimming and snorkeling, or simply find a picturesque spot to settle in with your beach gear and enjoy the views!
When you’re ready to take a break from the beach, consider adding the Mound House to the itinerary. A visit here will give a window into the history of this area where the Calusa Indians once lived. This site of a 2,000-year-old Calusa Indian Shell Mound and surrounding natural environment provide multiple options for exploration. Participate in Calusa Indian tools and weapons demonstrations, view ancient Calusa-made objects that have been discovered by archaeologists, and engage in arts and crafts activities great for the whole family. In addition, the natural environment of surrounding Estero Bay is ideal for a guided kayak tour in which knowledgeable guides share more about the area and its rich history.
Things to Do in Fort Myers Beach
Many of the best Florida summer things to do (and even the fall things to do) center around the oceanfront. Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, parasailing, jet skiing, and boating are just a few of the water activities that are easily accessible in this beach town. Whether you want to lounge on the shore and work on your tan or get active in the water, Fort Myers Beach offers an undeniably beautiful and exciting oceanfront experience!
To explore the Gulf waters even further from the Fort Myers Beach shoreline, consider booking a boat excursion. A variety of boat charter companies can help fulfill your vision for the day, whether that includes dolphin watching, sunset viewing, shelling, or another idea you’ve been dreaming of. Island Time Dolphin & Shelling Cruises is a well-loved local company that offers customized water experiences. The experience of pods of dolphins jumping and playing alongside your boat will surely be a highlight of your trip!
In addition to all that’s available in Fort Myers Beach, you’ll also find some easily accessible day trips for those who want to venture further afield. Key West Express is a boat charter company that offers a high-speed ferry ride to the shores of Key West, getting you to your destination in just a few hours and offering the enjoyment of sundecks and scenery all along the way! Surrounding towns also offer additional shopping and entertainment options for those up for a short drive.
Of course, there’s plenty to do right in Fort Myers Beach if you prefer to spend your time enjoying your surroundings rather than commuting. Top-notch dining, drinking, and shopping venues are all available in Fort Myers Beach, so be sure to add some of these sites to your itinerary!
Where to Eat in Fort Myers Beach
Enjoy delicious cuisine and stunning views when you dine in Fort Myers Beach, where many of the best restaurants are situated right along the shoreline, offering stunning water views. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is an obvious must-visit, situated right on the waterfront and offering some of the freshest seafood and best mojitos around. Arrive by boat or by car and claim a table on the outdoor deck where you can enjoy serene water views. The service here is outstanding, and you can’t go wrong with dining on an order of fresh shrimp with a mojito in hand as you watch the largest shrimp boat fleet in the U.S. head in and out of the Gulf!
To dine even closer to the waterfront, snag a table in the sand at The Salty Crab Bar & Grill. Here, brightly painted picnic tables and umbrellas create a laid-back, tropical vibe while still delivering in quality. Keep your toes in the sand as you dine at this outdoor venue situated right on the beach, or head inside for a less casual experience. Enjoy live entertainment Thursdays through Saturdays as you dine on fish tacos or a juicy burger and be sure to order a rum bucket to share!
Nervous Nellie’s is yet another waterfront favorite in Fort Myers Beach. A generous outdoor seating area spread across a lower and upper deck means you’ll have front row waterfront views. The brightly painted buildings here keep in step with the laid-back, tropical vibe you’ve come to love in Fort Myers Beach. Nervous Nellie’s is known for their excellent dishes both from the land and the sea, as well as their well-crafted tropical beverages. Boasting one of the largest menus in the area, the options here are nearly limitless. And with frequent live music events on the calendar, you can let your cares drift away as you relax with good eats and good tunes.
Where to Drink in Fort Myers Beach
Beer lovers who appreciate a local craft brew should be sure to head to House of Brewz, connected to the sushi joint Zushi Zushi. This quaint venue boasts 50 rotating craft beers, the majority of which are from local breweries. The large variety of beers on draft make it a perfect location for trying some unique local beers.
To take things up a notch, the party crowd can often be found frequenting Lani Kai, where live music and games are often in full swing. Especially during spring break season, this is where the crowds congregate, the atmosphere is always buzzing, and the drinks are always flowing. With both a bar situated right on the beach as well as on the rooftop, you can place yourself right within the action or view it from above with a tropical drink in hand.
Situated on the bay side of the island, Parrot Key Caribbean Grill offers live music and fun events nearly every night, so it’s often found with a buzzing vibe. Arrive by car or by boat and enjoy a tropical cocktail or cold brew in this Fort Myers Beach favorite!
Best Shopping in Fort Myers Beach
Whether you forgot a key piece of the wardrobe at home or you simply want to take a break from the beach and enjoy a day of browsing, Fort Myers Beach and the surrounding area has a wide selection of options for shopping. Within Fort Myers Beach, the go-to place is Times Square, conveniently situated near the beach and pier. This outdoor mall is dotted with palms, keeping in step with the beach vibe. The majority of shops here are geared toward picking up keepsakes and gifts to bring back home. The mall also offers a variety of restaurants and treats for when hunger strikes.
For a more serious shopping excursion, head to one of the outlet malls located in nearby Fort Myers or Estero. Just a short drive away, Sanibel Outlets and Miromar Outlets both promise a full day of scoring top name brands at great prices. Miromar Outlets is the larger of the two, but well-known brands such as Banana Republic, GAP, Calvin Klein, and Coach, among others, can be found at both locations. Pick up the latest trends on your Fort Myers Beach shopping trip and arrive to your waterfront dinner in style!
Fort Myers Beach Summer Activities
Beat the heat of summer in Fort Myers Beach with some extra time in the water. Aside from postcard perfect beaches, the largest waterpark in Southwest Florida is located just a short drive from Fort Myers Beach in nearby Cape Coral. Perfect for the whole family, you’ll find everything from a slide that has you whipping through a dark tunnel to a lazy river tube ride. Those who dare can take the ultimate plunge from five stories high, racing at 30mph down the steepest slide in the park.
The summer months are also ideal for hitting the beach! In addition to swimming in the refreshing Gulf waters, add interest to beach days by participating in one of the many water Florida summer things to do that are readily accessible. Rent jet skis for cruising the coastline, kayak in the ocean or in the canals and estuaries or try your luck at stand-up paddle boarding. Wildlife watching and sunset viewing can all be added to your fun on the water to make those summer evenings on the ocean even more memorable!
Fort Myers Beach Fall Activities
Daytime temperatures remain well into the 80s throughout the fall in Fort Myers Beach, so even as temperatures dip elsewhere in the country, Fort Myers Beach offers nearly a perpetual summer. While hitting the beach is still a definite for the itinerary, you’ll also find additional fun fall things to do in Florida popping up on the calendar during the fall season.
Ring in the fall months with special festivities surrounding Oktoberfest, Halloween carnivals, fall festivals, and corn mazes located in Fort Myers Beach and the surrounding areas. While you won’t find much of a chill in the air, added fall festivities add more choices for when you’re ready to take a break from the beach!
Where to Stay in Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach has its share of upscale vacation rentals, ranging from swanky beachfront condos to lavish private homes on the ocean. The vast majority of these rentals have amenities you won’t find in a hotel room, such as a full kitchen and spacious floorplan. Live the life of luxury and enjoy the beach vacation you deserve from one of these Fort Myers Beach vacation rentals! Whether you’re traveling on a romantic oceanside getaway or a vacation with the entire family in tow, you’ll find a variety of square footage represented among the listings with us at Luxury Vacation Rentals.
Stay right on the beach or within walking distance, quickly turning your beach vacation into a reality. These upscale rentals boast all that you’ll need to fully enjoy your time in Fort Myers Beach!
Contact Us
At Luxury Vacation Rentals, we specialize in Fort Myers Beach vacation rentals that take vacations to the next level. Each of our accommodations offer top-notch quality and tropical touches that welcome you to relax and stay awhile in Fort Myers Beach. Contact our staff today to learn more, or easily make your booking online!
