Fort Myers Beach sits on Estero Island, a 7-mile barrier island on Florida's southwest coast between Sanibel Island and Bonita Springs. Hurricane Ian flattened much of the town in 2022, and the rebuild has been a long road — but as of 2026, the beach is fully open, Times Square is back, and most of the tour operators and restaurants are running again.
Here's what's worth doing on Fort Myers Beach, from the rebuilt waterfront to the state parks and boat tours that make this stretch of coast one of the best on the Gulf.
1. Times Square
The rebuilt heart of Fort Myers Beach, where Estero Boulevard meets the beach at the north end of the island. Times Square was leveled by Hurricane Ian and has come back with new restaurants, bars, and shops around a pedestrian plaza. It's where the sunset crowd gathers — grab a drink at a waterfront bar and watch the sky go orange over the Gulf. It's the most walkable, social part of the island.
2. The Beach Itself
Seven miles of Gulf-facing sand with a gentle slope into calm, shallow water. The north end near Times Square is the busiest. Head south past the resorts and the crowd thins considerably — by the time you reach the mid-island area, you can have a long stretch to yourself. The sand is fine and white, the water is warm most of the year, and the sunsets are reliably spectacular.
Parking: Metered spots along Estero Boulevard and paid lots near Times Square. The Lynn Hall Memorial Park lot at the north end fills early. Mid-island beach accesses have more availability.
3. Lovers Key State Park
Just south of Fort Myers Beach, Lovers Key is a state park with two miles of pristine beach, mangrove kayak trails, hiking paths, and a nature center. The beach is accessible by a short tram ride or walk from the parking lot. It's quieter and more natural than the main beach — good for shelling, birding, and manatee spotting in the back bay. The kayak launch accesses tidal creeks where dolphins and manatees feed.
4. Dolphin and Sunset Cruises
Fort Myers Beach has several operators running dolphin cruises and sunset tours from the Salty Sam's Marina area near the north end of the island. The back bay waters between Estero Island and the mainland are reliable dolphin territory — resident pods feed in the channels and around the mangrove islands. Sunset cruises head into the Gulf for unobstructed views. Most run 90 minutes to 2 hours.
5. Bowditch Point Park
At the very north tip of Estero Island, Bowditch Point Park has beach on both the Gulf side and the bay side — you can watch the sunrise over the bay and the sunset over the Gulf from the same park. It's a quieter alternative to Times Square, with a nature trail through coastal scrub and mangroves. Good shelling at low tide, especially on the bay side where shells wash up against the jetty.
6. Shelling
Fort Myers Beach doesn't get the shelling reputation of nearby Sanibel Island, but the pickings are solid — especially after cold fronts and storms push shells onshore. The best shelling is at the north end (Bowditch Point) and the south end near Lovers Key. Go at low tide, early morning, before the beach walkers have picked it clean. Shelling tours by boat take you to sandbar islands and shell mounds that you can't reach on foot.
7. Mound Key Archaeological State Park
A 125-acre island in Estero Bay that was the ceremonial center of the Calusa people — the dominant indigenous civilization of southwest Florida for over 2,000 years. The island is entirely made of shell mounds built by the Calusa, rising 30 feet above the water. Accessible only by kayak or boat (no ferry), with hiking trails through the shell mounds and interpretive signs. It's a powerful, unusual place that most visitors to FMB never see.
Getting there: Launch a kayak from Lovers Key State Park or Koreshan State Park. The paddle is about 45 minutes each way. Bring water and bug spray — there are no facilities on the island.
8. Fishing
Fort Myers Beach is a legitimate fishing destination. The back bay has redfish, snook, and trout on the flats. Offshore, you're into grouper, snapper, and kingfish. Fishing charters run from Salty Sam's Marina and the Getaway Marina. For shore fishing, try the Matanzas Pass Bridge (between FMB and San Carlos Island) or the jetty at Bowditch Point — both produce snook and sheepshead regularly.
9. Matanzas Pass Preserve
A 60-acre nature preserve in the middle of Fort Myers Beach with a boardwalk trail through mangroves, tropical hardwood hammock, and tidal wetlands. It's a surprisingly wild pocket in the middle of a developed island — ospreys, herons, and roseate spoonbills are common. The trail is short (about a mile) and flat, making it an easy walk between beach sessions. Free admission, trailhead on Estero Boulevard.
10. Sanibel Island Day Trip
Sanibel Island is 30 minutes north by car (via the Causeway, $6 toll) and one of the best shelling destinations in the world. The beaches face west and south, creating a natural shell trap. Combine shelling with a visit to the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge — a 6,400-acre preserve with a scenic drive, kayak trails, and some of the best birding in Florida. Most FMB visitors do at least one Sanibel day trip.
11. Kayak Estero Bay
Estero Bay Preserve State Park protects 10,000 acres of mangrove islands, tidal creeks, and seagrass flats between Fort Myers Beach and the mainland. It's one of the best kayaking destinations on the Gulf Coast — calm water, abundant wildlife, and a maze of channels to explore. Manatees are common in cooler months, and dolphins patrol the deeper channels year-round. Guided eco tours run from multiple launch points.
12. Sunset Celebration at Times Square
Fort Myers Beach faces due west, which means the sunset drops directly into the Gulf from anywhere on the island. The most social way to watch it is from Times Square — grab a table at a waterfront restaurant, order a drink, and watch the sky. When the sun hits the water, the crowd applauds. It's corny and it's genuine and it happens every clear evening. For a quieter version, walk north to Bowditch Point or south toward the mid-island accesses.
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Browse All Tours →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Myers Beach still recovering from Hurricane Ian?
The beach is fully open, Times Square has been rebuilt with new restaurants and bars, and most tour operators are running. Some areas still show construction, but the beach and water activities are fully operational as of 2026.
What is the best time to visit Fort Myers Beach?
November through April is peak season — warm and dry. March–April has the warmest water without summer humidity. Summer is hot with afternoon storms but cheaper. Shelling is best after winter cold fronts.
Is Fort Myers Beach good for families?
Yes — gentle slope, calm shallow water, casual restaurants and ice cream in Times Square, and Lovers Key State Park has a nature center and trails. Dolphin tours and shelling trips are popular family activities.
How far is Fort Myers Beach from Sanibel Island?
About 30 minutes by car via the Sanibel Causeway ($6 toll). Many visitors combine a Fort Myers Beach stay with a Sanibel day trip for world-class shelling.
Where are the best sunsets?
The whole beach faces west. Best spots: Times Square (social, restaurants), Bowditch Point Park (quiet, unobstructed), and Lovers Key (natural setting, no buildings).