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Welcome to Fort Myers Beach, where flip-flops count as formal wear and the biggest decision of the day is whether to watch the sunset from the sand or from the dock.
The island has been through a lot these past few years, and we’re happy to report it’s open, looking better every month, and every bit as laid-back as you remember. We send guests out to explore it every week, so think of this as your insider’s cheat sheet.
The short version: our favorite things to do in Fort Myers Beach right now
- Sink your toes into 7 miles of freshly renourished white sand.
- Catch the nightly sunset show over the Gulf (no tickets required).
- Grab food truck eats and live music at Times Square.
- Paddle the mangroves, where dolphins and manatees like to say hello.
- Hike, paddle, and shell your way through Lovers Key State Park.
- Dig into years of history at the Mound House.
- Hop aboard a dolphin or sunset cruise.
- Ferry over to Key West for the day. Yes, really.
- Hunt for treasure on the famous shelling beaches of Sanibel and Captiva.
Rebuild check (October 2026). Hurricanes Ian (2022) and Milton (2024) gave the island a rough ride, but it has come a long way since. The beach is renourished and open, Times Square is back in business, and new spots keep popping up. The one big project still underway is the new fishing pier, expected around fall 2027. Until then, Lynn Hall Park and the beach access right at Times Square are fenced off. Everything else on this list was open at our last check.
On the Island: Sand, Sunsets & Times Square
Claim your spot on the sand
Fort Myers Beach sits on Estero Island, a 7-mile barrier island with powder-soft sand, gentle waves, and shallow water that kids (and grown-ups who’d rather float than swim) love. Shells wash up all along the shoreline, so bring a bag. The best finds turn up early in the morning and right after a storm.
While the Times Square beach access is closed for pier construction, here are two easy places to set up camp:
- Crescent Beach Family Park (1100 Estero Blvd) reopened on July 29, 2026, after a $1.3 million makeover. Think shaded seating, picnic tables, and bike racks, open dawn to dusk.
- The north end of the island is the quiet stretch, with views across the water toward Sanibel. Bowditch Point Park itself closed for restoration in September 2026, but you can still walk that end of the beach from the south side, near the Pink Shell Resort.
Want the full beach lineup, from Lovers Key to Sanibel? Check out our guide to the best beaches near Fort Myers Beach.
Soak up Times Square
Times Square is the island’s little downtown, right where the bridge lands, and it’s back in business. Expect restaurants, food trucks, and live music on plenty of nights, with new buildings opening in phases (so a little construction comes with the scenery). Getting hungry? Our guide to the best restaurants in Fort Myers Beach has you covered.
Local tip: the Lynn Hall Park lot next to Times Square is closed until the pier is done, so parking goes fast. From Siesta Dreams, it’s about 5 minutes by car (longer in peak season). Or skip the parking hunt altogether: it’s a 2-minute walk to the trolley stop and a 75-cent ride to the beach.
Don’t miss the sunset
Fort Myers Beach faces west, so the sun puts on a show over the Gulf every single evening. Depending on the season, that’s anywhere from about 5:35 p.m. in early December to about 8:25 p.m. in late June. Our favorite front-row seats:
- Right on the sand, toes in the water.
- The quiet north end of the beach, where the sky lights up over the water toward Sanibel.
- The deck of a sunset cruise (more on those below).
- Back home at Siesta Dreams, where the sky over the canal and mangroves turns every shade of pink and gold.
On the Water: Kayaks, Dolphins, Fishing & Boats
Paddle the mangroves
The calm back bays behind the island are a paddler’s dream: winding mangrove tunnels, herons and ibis wading the shallows, and every so often a dolphin or manatee drifting by to check you out. Here’s how to get out there:
- Right out our back door. Siesta Dreams guests grab our complimentary kayaks and launch straight into the mangroves on the north side of the property. No car, no rental counter, no fuss.
- Bunche Beach Preserve (18201 John Morris Rd), about 10 minutes away, has a kayak launch onto San Carlos Bay and its shallow, bird-filled flats.
- Guided mangrove tours through Estero Bay leave from the Mound House on the island.
- Lovers Key State Park rents paddling gear daily and has its own launch.
Our full guide to kayaking near Fort Myers Beach has routes, tide tips, and the best spots to see manatees.
Go dolphin spotting
Bottlenose dolphins are year-round locals in Matanzas Pass and the back bays. Several dolphin and sunset cruises leave from the marinas around the bridge, and they’re a guaranteed hit with kids. Sometimes you don’t even need a boat: one of our guests watched dolphins play in the canal across the street while she sipped her morning coffee.
Cast a line
Inshore, anglers chase snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, and sheepshead along the passes and mangrove shorelines. Charter captains run inshore and offshore trips from the marinas near the bridge. Fishing on your own? You’ll need a Florida saltwater fishing license (licensed charters cover their passengers).
Bring your boat (or rent one)
Boaters, welcome to your playground. Matanzas Pass, Estero Bay, and San Carlos Bay are all close by, and the open Gulf is just minutes away. Siesta Dreams has two brand-new docks with power. They’re often leased long-term, so ask us about availability when you book. No boat? Several marinas near the bridge rent pontoons and deck boats by the half or full day.
Get some air
In season, parasailing and jet ski operators run right off the beach. It’s a quick thrill, and the view of the island from up there is worth every second.
Nature, Wildlife & a Little History
Lovers Key State Park
Just south of Fort Myers Beach, Lovers Key is the place to truly unplug: over 2 miles of quiet beach, trails through the mangroves, and calm water where manatees graze and dolphins cruise past. It’s about a 20 to 25 minute drive from Siesta Dreams (longer in season).
Before you go:
- Hours and fees: 8 a.m. to sunset daily, and $8 per vehicle at the time of writing.
- Getting to the sand: the beach tram has been retired, so it’s about a 1,000-foot stroll from parking lot #1 over the Mid-Beach Wood Bridge.
- Pack a picnic: since May 2026 there’s no food, gift shop, or bait shop in the park. Kayak, fishing, and beach gear rentals are still available daily.
- Ranger programs: ranger-led bird walks, beach walks, and fishing clinics run through the fall and winter.
And yes, our Lover’s Key Suite is named after it. We’re big fans.
Bunche Beach Preserve
Our closest beach is about 10 minutes away on San Carlos Bay, and it’s a different kind of beach day. Instead of waves, you get wide sandy flats at low tide and some of the best bird-watching in Southwest Florida (it’s on the Great Florida Birding Trail). Come for a sunset stroll, a paddle, or some shorebird spotting. Feeling ambitious? Guests can kayak there straight from our property.
The Mound House
The island’s oldest standing structure sits on top of a shell mound the Calusa people built over 2,000 years ago. Head inside for the museum and an underground exhibit that shows the mound’s layers, or hop on a guided kayak tour through Estero Bay.
- Where: 451 Connecticut St, Fort Myers Beach
- Museum hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (grounds open daily, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Tip: call ahead at (239) 765-0865 to confirm hours.
Matanzas Pass Preserve
This mangrove preserve on the bay side of the island has been closed since Hurricane Ian while Lee County rebuilds its boardwalks, and we can’t wait to have it back. Check Lee County Parks for reopening news before you plan a visit.
Our Picks by Type of Trip
Romantic getaway, family vacation, or a crew of adventure seekers? Here’s where we’d point you, plus the suite that fits best.
| Traveling as | Don’t miss | Best suite |
|---|---|---|
| Couples | Sunset on the quiet north end of the beach, live music at Times Square, a sunset cruise, and a day trip to Key West | Lover’s Key Suite: our upstairs boho hideaway, with a screened porch and open-air deck over the mangrove lagoon |
| Families | Crescent Beach Family Park, shelling at Lovers Key, a dolphin cruise, the Mound House, and a round at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf (about a 20-minute walk from the suites) | Turtle Cove or Blue Oasis: two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a screened porch over the canal |
| Adventure seekers | Kayaking from the property into the mangroves, exploring the flats at Bunche Beach, and biking to the beach | Any suite. Kayaks and bikes are on us. |
| Boaters and anglers | Bringing your own boat, a backwater fishing charter, and a run out to the Gulf | Any suite. Ask about our two new docks when you book. |
| Big groups | All of the above, plus grill nights and s’mores at the fire pit | Book all four suites together and share the outdoor space |
Easy Day Trips
Sanibel & Captiva
Sanibel is famous for its shelling, and between the wildlife refuge, the bike paths, and that slow-down-and-breathe island pace, it makes a perfect day away. The Sanibel Causeway is about 10 minutes from Siesta Dreams, with no Fort Myers Beach bridge to cross. Serious shell seekers should head to Bowman’s Beach or Blind Pass. For a shorter outing, the Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel’s east end is right off the causeway. Our Sanibel & Captiva day trip guide maps out the whole day.
Key West by ferry
Yes, you can do Key West in a day, and you don’t even have to drive. The Key West Express leaves year-round from 1200 Main St on Fort Myers Beach, about 5 minutes from Siesta Dreams. Boats depart at 8 a.m., take about 3.5 hours each way, and head back from Key West at 6 p.m. (schedules vary by season) That leaves most of the afternoon for Duval Street, a slice of key lime pie, and some serious island wandering. Our Fort Myers Beach to Key West ferry guide covers tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your hours.
Fort Myers Beach FAQ
Yes. The beach is open and has been renourished, Times Square is open, and restaurants, shops, and places to stay keep reopening. Rebuilding is still underway in spots, most visibly the new pier, which is expected around fall 2027.
Fort Myers Beach is on Estero Island, a 7-mile barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast in Lee County, southwest of the city of Fort Myers. Siesta Dreams sits about 2 miles north of the island, on the mainland side of the bridge.
It depends on the season, from about 5:35 p.m. in early December to about 8:25 p.m. in late June. Plan to be on the sand 20 minutes early for the best color.
Often. Bottlenose dolphins swim in Matanzas Pass, Estero Bay, and right off the beach. A dolphin cruise or a quiet paddle through the back bays gives you the best odds.
LeeTran trolleys run on and to the island for 75 cents a ride ($2 for an all-day pass) as of October 2026. Route 410 runs the length of the island, from the north end down to Lovers Key, and Route 490 connects the Summerlin Square Park & Ride to the beach. A free tram also runs on the island in season, November through April. From Siesta Dreams, the trolley stop is a 2-minute walk away.
The Gulf here runs from the mid-60s (°F) in midwinter to the upper 80s in late summer. Spring and fall are the sweet spot for swimming without the heat.
Where to Stay: Close to the Fun, Away From the Crowds
After Hurricane Ian, we saw how badly our community needed places for visitors to stay, so we created Siesta Dreams: four newly renovated waterfront suites about 2 miles north of the island. You get easy access to everything on this list without the island traffic, and you’ll never have to cross the bridge for groceries, Sanibel, or the airport.
Here’s what’s waiting for you:
- About 5 minutes by car to Fort Myers Beach (longer in peak season)
- A 2-minute walk to the trolley stop, with a 75-cent ride to the beach
- Free kayaks and bikes, plus a kayak launch right in the mangroves
- Two brand-new boat docks with power (ask about availability)
- A grill, a fire pit, beach chairs, and free off-street parking
- About a 10-minute walk to Surf Style and 20 minutes to Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, with Publix and Walmart close by
Book your suite
| Suite | Layout | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Turtle Cove | 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, screened porch over the canal | Airbnb · VRBO |
| Blue Oasis | 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, screened porch over the canal | Airbnb · VRBO |
| Tommy Bahama | 1 bedroom (king), 1 bath, queen sleeper sofa, private screened porch | Airbnb · VRBO |
| Lover’s Key | Upstairs efficiency (queen), screened porch and deck over the mangrove lagoon | Airbnb · VRBO |
Bringing the whole crew? Book all four suites together.
* A quick note from your hosts: this guide mixes our own local know-how with research from official and local sources. Prices, hours, and openings change often around here, especially while the island keeps rebuilding, so please double-check with each business, park, or operator before you go. We’re not affiliated with the places we mention. These are just some of our top picks and other favorites around the area. Siesta Dreams can’t be held responsible for information that changes or is updated after it’s published.
About the authors: Anne & Shane are the owners of Siesta Dreams and Florida-licensed real estate brokers who opened Siesta Dreams after Hurricane Ian to help bring visitors back to Fort Myers Beach.
