Whether you’re new to the area or vacationing, Fort Myers Beach has a wealth of activities and natural treasures to explore.
However, we’ve all played that game—you know the one—where you go somewhere fun but then end up wasting time trying to figure out what to do now that you are finally there.
I know.
Or worse, going online and being deluged with information. Hello, ‘option paralysis.’
If you are looking for things to do in Fort Myers Beach, we’ve made a tidy list of our top favorite places to go and things to do. It includes everything from where to eat to where to find the best seashells. And it contains highlights like Fort Meyers Beach boat tours, unique museums, and wildlife encounters.
Let’s start…
1) Lover’s Key State Park (one of our favorite Fort Myers Beach Attractions)
The recently expanded Lover’s Key State Park covers 1616 acres and is spread over four islands: Lover’s Key, Black Island, Inner Key, and Long Key. It boasts a pristine, white-sand beach that stretches for 2 ½ miles. Perfect for shelling and swimming and picnicking.
Black Island offers 5 miles of trails winding through the maritime hammock and is a favorite place for birdwatchers. Though the endangered gopher tortoise, manatees, and alligators are also common sights as well. The park is a haven for wildlife and is soothing for anyone looking for a little quiet escape.
The park has a boat ramp for vessel owners but also offers fishing and boating tours. Or, you can rent a canoe, kayak, or bicycle and explore on your own or as a family. Paddle through the mangrove in Estero Bay or in the clean Gulf waters.
Then, finish the day off with the State Park’s free tram to the beach for great sunset views.
2) Fort Meyers Beach Boat Tours and Boat Rentals
There are more than thirty boat rental and boat tour companies in Fort Myers Beach alone.
Surely, you can find one that matches your level of seamanship. From theatrical pirate adventures to eco-tours, from sailboat rentals to powerboat rentals, you’ll find the right boat tour to get you afloat. Some come with a captain, others let you play captain for the day. Some are full-service, and others are BYOB.
The options seem endless.
Besides, renting a boat or taking a boat tour is a great way to visit some of the more remote locations around Estero Bay and see the area from a different perspective. It will give a chance to find your own secluded beaches and more intimate wildlife encounters. Or just a way to hang out with family and friends.
Here are a few options to illustrate the variety of Fort Myers Beach boat tour options:
Wildlife and Shelling Cruise
Fort Meyers Beach is known for its extraordinary shelling opportunities. Good Time Charters boat tour gets you the opportunity to find shelled treasures on more remote beaches and you get to have dolphin and other marine life encounters on the trip there and back.
Harness the wind and go for a sail
If watching sailboats with their white billowing sails, gently bobbing on the horizon looks enticing, book your own sailboat tour with Sail Magic Wind. Spend a few hours trimming the sail and feeling the salty air blowing through your hair.
Pirate Themed Theatrical Cruise
Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise provides a one-of-a-kind interactive comedy experience aboard their 65-foot replica Spanish galleon, Pieces of Eight. The 90-minute Fort Myers Beach boat tour includes pirates, skits, shenanigans, live cannons, and grog. Everyone can partake in the fun as they provide both family-friendly and adult-only cruise options. Arrrg!
Deep-Sea Fishing
Fort Myers Beach provides easy access to Atlantic Ocean making a trip offshore for some deep-sea fishing easy. Captain Tony’s Fishing adventures provides half-day, full-day, and even night fishing tours. Nothing is tastier than dinner you caught that day. Yummo-grouper fingers.
Be the Captain of Your Own Boat
If you are looking to take your own self-guided Fort Myers Beach boat tour, Fish Tale Marina has several types of boats you captain yourself. Whether you spend the day zooming across the water or pulled up on your own little hidden beach, you are in control, Captain. Design your day away.
3) Lagerhead Cycleboats
Lagerhead Cycleboats is one of the newest and most unique activities to do in Fort Myers Beach.
Whether you call it a ‘cycleboat’ or a ‘pedal-powered-pub,’ this adventure will have you experiencing the best of the Fort Myers Beach Waterfront while having an absolute blast with up to 16 of your friends. The catamaran-style pedal powered boats are fueled by you, giving you control of the ride.
Riding a cycle boat (with the pub attached) gives you the exhilaration of biking and the entertainment value of a booze cruise.
All the cruises include an US Coastguard Master Licensed Captain and a crew member to take care of everything for you. Plus the boats are equipped with engines. (Just in case you’d rather sit back and relax.) The tours are BYOB style which means you get to sip on your favorite bevs and snacks. Lagerhead’s takes care of the coolers, ice, cups, and details.
Taking the experience up another level, some of the cruises pull right up to some of Fort Myers Beach’s hottest waterfront bars and grilles. Essentially making the tour a fabulous watery, pub-crawl.
Lagerhead Cycleboats also have cruises that focus on one of Fort Myers Beach’s most famous charms—their spectacular sunsets.
Decide which way you want to experience a day on the water and make a reservation.
4) Go to the Beach
Visit Fort Myers Beach’s beaches. This may seem obvious but cannot be overstated. Fort Myers Beach has it all: swimming, sunbathing, boutique shopping, and plenty of opportunities to eat and drink at the water’s edge.
The waters are generally warm all year, and the famous sugar-sand beaches stretch for miles provide the perfect setting for a relaxing visit. Whether your ideal beach day is lounging under a cabana, playing an enthusiastic game of volleyball, or searching the white sand for treasures (nature-made or otherwise), Fort Myers Beach will accommodate.
Just don’t forget your reef-friendly sunscreen. Pink feet hurt when it’s time to put the shoes back on.
5) Sea Shelling by the Seashore
With shell names such as angel wings, baby’s ear, kitten’s paw, alphabet cone, paper fig, jewel box, and King’s Crown Conch, it’s easy to understand why sea shelling is a popular activity. And because of the ocean floor’s gently sloping topography shells from all over the Caribbean get gently deposited on our local beaches.
Sanibel Island, Captiva Island and Fort Myers Beach attract people from worldwide who come just for the colorful and rare seashells. It can make a great day activity trying to find as many different shells as you can. Plus, you’ll be taking home the most beautiful and sentimental souvenirs of all.
If you are super serious head out before the sun comes up and have first dibs on the shells that washed ashore in the moonlight. Or, if getting out of bed early while on vacation isn’t speaking to you, refer to a Fort Myers Beach tide calendar and go at low tide.
Don’t forget the sunscreen and a bag for your “treasures.” You can keep your eyes open for shark’s teeth, sand dollars, and sea glass too.
6) Watersports
For those needing to expel a little more energy and make the most of all the water-based activities, there are plenty of options from adrenaline pumping to tranquil. Some of the most popular watersports in our area are:
- Rent Jet skis and zoom across the water
- Try out your acrobatic skills with a water jet pack session
- Get up close to the dolphins and manatees on Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP)
- Get a pelican’s view with a parasailing boat tour
- Kayak or Canoe through the 1000s of miles of waterways, canals, and bays
7) Matanzas Pass Preserve
When you need to step out of the sun for a bit, Matanzas Pass Preserve provides a shady reprieve. Raised deck paths lead through the mangroves and oaks where crabs scuttle about below. Other wildlife like Great Blue Herons, raccoons, hawks, and egrets make the preserve their home as well.
There is an interactive historical tour that you can listen to on your phone or take the free guided tours.
And if you are in town for a full moon, definitely sign up for their full moon walk. It’s a fun nature walk that will end in watching the full moon light up Estero Bay.
8) Mound House Museum and Sanctuary
The Mound House provides a unique cultural and ecological experience. The island sanctuary and museum are located on a 2000-year-old Calusa Indian grounds and are surrounded by the beautiful Estero Bay. The park offers a well-curated museum that beautifully illustrates the story of the previous inhabitants starting with the Calusa Indians.
Refreshingly knowledgeable guides give both historical and ecological walking tours as well as kayak tours. Boat tours are also available and include stops at the Dog Key archaeological site. Along the way you can spot manatees, dolphins, and birds while learning about them from the guides.
9) Dining on the Fresh Seafood and the Caribbean Flavors
Fort Myers Beach is brimful of fresh dining options with many restaurants giving you the option of dining in the salty air and overlooking the water. Fresh seafood and bright Caribbean flavors influence many of the menus. Here are a few of our favorite go-to’s:
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
There’s nothing better than enjoying good food and live entertainment against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset. But if you are craving some shade, Parrot Key Caribbean Grill also offers a lively bar where you can catch the game. They serve up mouthwateringly good fresh seafood, steaks, salads, and sandwiches. They have vegan selections too.
Arrive by land or sea (by pedal boat for example) and prepare yourself for the tropical fusion of great food and drinks.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille
Based on the popular book series written by local author Randy Wayne White, our friends at Doc Ford’s dish up some amazing food right on the water. The New York Times said, “For the sun-kissed and the sun-desirous alike, a vacation on a plate.” Don’t know where to start on the beverage menu? They are known for their mojitos. Doc’s is a can’t-go-wrong dining choice.
Heidi’s Island Bistro
If your needing a little variety from all the seafood, Heidi’s Island Bistro features an authentic German menu and popular bakery. From their delicious Black Forest Cake to the breads and German Rolls, Heidi’s got you covered for the comfort foods.
Heavenly Biscuit
This is where you come when you are getting tired of your hotel’s continental breakfast. This cute and colorful café gets rave reviews on their pecan and cinnamon buns. But they do the savory side of breakfast too.
10) Relaxing and Watching the Sunset
If, in the end, what you are really looking for is scoping out the best lounge chair, stretching out, sipping on something coconut-y, and reading that novel you haven’t had time to open. That’s OK too. In fact, it’s a perfect way to enjoy Fort Myers Beach.
The salty breeze feels perfect, the views are breathtaking, casual dining is easy to come by, and—maybe the best part of the day—the sunsets are stunning. So go ahead and allow yourself to slow down and soak them up if that’s what you really want to do.
Have questions about your Fort Myers Beach visit or want to learn more about the Lagerhead Cycleboat tour options? Contact us. We’d love to say Hi and show you around.
