Welcome to a tropical island getaway on southwest Florida’s gulf. We invite you to enjoy an atmosphere that’s a little quieter, a little less hurried and a lot less like the rest of the world. A place of exotic tropical wildlife, pristine white sand beaches and hundreds of uninhabited islands. The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel include Sanibel & Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs & Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres.
Given the area’s wealth of natural resources, it’s no surprise that the Fort Myers/Sanibel area in southwest Florida is also rich in history. An abundance of intriguing attractions and museums throughout the county will satisfy visitors seeking a different perspective on our nation’s heritage. The Calusa Indians were the first to discover the charms of the Fort Myers/Sanibel area as long ago as 5,000 B.C. By the turn of the 20th century, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and other prominent Americans who spent their winters here, helped put the area on the modern-day map. Bird watching has become one of the most popular American pastimes, and nowhere can it be enjoyed more fully than on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. In fact, such a variety of birdlife thrives here, that it easily can be considered an ornithologist’s Mecca. Southwest Florida boasts more than one million acres of nature sanctuaries, most of which have paths or boardwalks that allow visitors to easily explore and enjoy. These refuges boast unspoiled wetlands where everyone can experience the beauty of the state in its virgin condition and an abundance of wildlife thriving in its native setting.
More than 100 barrier and coastal islands snuggle up to the Lee County, Florida shoreline, home to 50 miles of sandy white beaches that shelter some of the best shelling in the United States. Tourists and residents alike search the beaches for Neptune’s treasures. Some don miner’s hats with lights, arising before sunrise to find the best specimens washed ashore. While some visitors of southwest Florida never leave its sun-kissed shores and challenging golf courses, there are plenty of attractions and activities to keep everyone busy. Singles, couples and families find new places to explore and new things to do each time they visit.