Three days is enough to taste the best of Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel and Captiva if you plan the routes carefully. The main rule is to keep each day in one geographic area so you spend your time on the sights rather than on the road. This plan puts history and the river first, then the beach and boats, and finally the islands and wildlife.
Day one: history and the river
Start at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates when the grounds open, ideally with a guided tour of the homes and laboratory. Allow about three hours so you can see the museum and sit under the giant banyan tree without rushing. Have lunch in the River District, where independent restaurants and cafes line the historic streets. In the afternoon, join a guided historic walking tour of downtown, or take a quiet walk along the riverfront. If you prefer nature to streets, trade the walk for a stroll on the boardwalk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which is shady and full of birds. Finish the day with dinner downtown and an easy night.
Day two: beaches and boats
Head to Fort Myers Beach for a morning on the sand while the water is calm and the parking is easier. Walk the pier and Times Square, and visit the Mound House if you want a quick lesson in the island's Calusa history. In the afternoon, board a dolphin cruise, a tiki boat or a kayak tour, depending on your mood. Families with young children will enjoy a dolphin cruise, couples can choose a sailing trip and adventurous visitors might add parasailing. Time your cruise so that you are on the water for the last light, because a sunset in the bay is the highlight of the beach day. Have dinner at a waterfront restaurant and linger as the sky fades.
Day three: Sanibel and Captiva
Start early to beat the causeway traffic. Visit the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge first, when birds are active and the light is soft, and drive or cycle Wildlife Drive slowly. Check which day the drive is closed before you go and adjust the order of the day if needed. Continue to the Sanibel Lighthouse and its beach for a walk and a swim, then visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum during the hottest part of the day. Have a late lunch at an island cafe. In the late afternoon, drive on to Captiva, find a spot on the beach and watch the sunset, then have dinner on the island. Reserve in advance in winter, and allow extra time to drive back.
Adjustments for different travelers
With young children, simplify the days: keep the Edison and Ford visit to the gardens and the museum, shorten the beach time and choose a short cruise rather than a long tour. For couples, switch the afternoon cruise on day two for a sunset sail, and add a spa or a quiet dinner in the evening. For active travelers, replace some sightseeing with an e-bike ride on Sanibel or a guided kayak tour through the mangroves. For nature lovers, add a morning at Lovers Key or Koreshan State Park.
If you have a fourth day
Choose a full-day trip to Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key for shelling and lunch, or explore the southern part of the region with Lovers Key State Park, Koreshan State Park and a clear-kayak tour in Bonita Springs. A swamp buggy tour is a good option for visitors who want a taste of the wilder interior.
Logistics that matter
Rent a car, because the sights are spread out, and keep a bag in it with sunscreen, hats, water and towels. Leave early on island days, since traffic and parking get worse after ten in the morning in winter. Check tide tables if you want to shell or watch birds, because low tide is best for both. Keep your schedule flexible in summer, when afternoon storms can interrupt boat trips and beach time, and carry a light rain jacket.
Where to base yourself
For this itinerary, a hotel on Fort Myers Beach is the most balanced base, putting day two on your doorstep and leaving a manageable drive to the other areas. A downtown hotel suits day one best but adds drive time to the others, while a Sanibel hotel makes day three easy and requires early starts for the rest. If you prefer to stay in two places, spend the first night downtown and the next two on the coast.
Eating along the way
Plan a casual lunch on day one, a seafood dinner on the water on day two, and a sunset dinner on Captiva on day three. Fresh grouper sandwiches, shrimp and local oysters are easy to find, and many places offer outdoor seating with a view. Make reservations for the popular spots in season, and keep an open mind about small, unadvertised places that locals recommend.