Florida
Fort Myers is the gateway to one of Florida's most varied stretches of Gulf coast: the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on the Caloosahatchee River, the lively sands of Fort Myers Beach, and the shell-strewn barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva, where a wildlife refuge and a shell museum set the pace.
This guide covers the essentials, from dolphin cruises, tiki boats and sunset sails to kayak routes through the mangroves, a Cayo Costa shelling trip and the state parks of Estero and Bonita Springs, and then matches them with hotels from beachfront resorts to a boutique riverfront stay downtown.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Thomas Edison and Henry Ford wintered next door to each other on the Caloosahatchee River. Their riverside homes, Edison's working laboratory, a museum of inventions and cars, and a giant banyan tree make Fort Myers' signature sight.
J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Thousands of acres of mangrove, mudflat and open water on Sanibel, with a four-mile Wildlife Drive, roseate spoonbills, wading birds and quiet paddling trails. The island's best free-range wildlife experience.
Shelling and Dolphin Kayak Tour
A guided paddle of about two and a half hours that combines shell hunting with dolphin watching. A gentle way to see the Gulf coast waters from eye level.
Fort Myers Beach Dolphin Wildlife Cruise
A relaxed boat cruise out of Fort Myers Beach to look for bottlenose dolphins, pelicans and other wildlife in the bays and passes. The easy first-day wildlife outing for families.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Thomas Edison and Henry Ford wintered next door to each other on the Caloosahatchee River. Their riverside homes, Edison's working laboratory, a museum of inventions and cars, and a giant banyan tree make Fort Myers' signature sight.
Thousands of acres of mangrove, mudflat and open water on Sanibel, with a four-mile Wildlife Drive, roseate spoonbills, wading birds and quiet paddling trails. The island's best free-range wildlife experience.
A 1884 iron-skeleton lighthouse at the eastern tip of Sanibel, a long sandy beach, a fishing pier and a shoreline trail. Classic Gulf scenery with sunrise views and easy parking.
America's only museum devoted to mollusks and shells, with living animals, a global collection and the context that turns a beach walk into a field trip. A smart stop on a Sanibel rainy day.
A guided paddle of about two and a half hours that combines shell hunting with dolphin watching. A gentle way to see the Gulf coast waters from eye level.
A boat trip to a car-free barrier island for beachcombing, then lunch at Cabbage Key's famous dollar-bill-covered inn. The classic out-island day from Southwest Florida.
Sanibel's smaller, quieter neighbor: sunset-facing beaches, colorful cottages, famous restaurants and a deliberately unhurried pace at the end of a narrow road.
A relaxed boat cruise out of Fort Myers Beach to look for bottlenose dolphins, pelicans and other wildlife in the bays and passes. The easy first-day wildlife outing for families.
A laid-back two-hour cruise on a thatched-roof tiki boat from Fort Myers Beach, combining dolphin spotting with a bar-boat atmosphere. Fun, casual and very Florida.
A sunset cruise from Fort Myers Beach that combines golden-hour light on the Gulf, a chance of dolphins and views toward Sanibel. The classic end to a beach day.
A quiet evening under sail on a small boat, with wind instead of engine noise, the Gulf horizon and a relaxed small-group atmosphere. The calmer alternative to a bar-boat sunset cruise.
A 400-foot flight above the Gulf from Fort Myers Beach, with views of the shoreline, Estero Island and the open water. A short, gentle thrill with a camera-friendly payoff.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Fort Myers Beach, Times Square
A beachfront resort at the center of Fort Myers Beach, steps from Times Square and the pier, with a Gulf-view pool scene, restaurants and a relaxed island-style mood.
Check rates →Estero Island, Fort Myers Beach
A long-running family beach resort on Estero Island with Gulf and bay frontage, a marina, pools and a mix of rooms, cottages and condo-style units.
Check rates →Sanibel Island
A Gulf-front stay on Sanibel with easy access to the island's shell-strewn beaches, bike paths and shops, in a setting that is quieter than the mainland coast.
Check rates →Sanibel Island
A large Gulf-front resort on Sanibel with condo-style suites, multiple pools, tennis, a spa and an easy, family-friendly resort rhythm.
Check rates →Sanibel Island, east end
A Gulf-front Sanibel resort with low-rise suites, pools and a quiet beach toward the lighthouse end of the island.
Check rates →Punta Rassa, Sanibel Causeway
A large full-service resort at the Sanibel Causeway end with bay and marina views, a spa, multiple pools and tennis.
Check rates →Captiva Island
A historic Captiva resort between the Gulf and Pine Island Sound, with cottages, a marina, a spa and restaurants in an old-Florida setting.
Check rates →Downtown Fort Myers, River District
A modern riverfront hotel in downtown Fort Myers with a rooftop pool and bar, boutique design, dining on site and walkable access to the River District.
Check rates →Downtown Fort Myers
A practical, good-value downtown Fort Myers hotel with a pool, breakfast service and an easy walk to the River District.
Check rates →Bonita Springs and Estero
A large lagoon-style resort in Bonita Springs and Estero with multiple pools, a spa and plenty of dining, a short drive from Lovers Key and Fort Myers Beach.
Check rates →How the region fits together, which beach town suits you, the sights that matter most and the practical details that save time on a first trip to Southwest Florida.
A three-day plan that mixes history, wildlife, beaches and boats, with sensible routing around traffic, tides and sunset.
How the main bases compare, from Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel to Captiva, downtown and Bonita Springs, with the trade-offs that matter for each type of trip.
When to go, where to walk, how to avoid living shells and the species worth hunting on the best shelling beaches in the Western Hemisphere.
How to choose between dolphin cruises, tiki boats, sailing trips, kayak tours and island charters, with tips on timing, seating and what to bring.
A season-by-season guide to weather, crowds, prices, wildlife, shelling and hurricane season, so you can pick the right months for your trip.
