Why Fort Myers & Sanibel Are Top Choices for Your Summer Family Vacation
Don't assume all Florida destinations are interchangeable, offering only sunshine and palm trees.
Far from it.
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel on Florida's southwest coast deliver a relaxed escape from high-adrenaline trips. In Captiva, Sanibel, and Matlacha, traffic lights are nonexistent, and bicycles plus golf carts often outnumber cars on serene two-lane roads.
Families return annually for breathtaking sunsets, abundant seashells, and tranquil seclusion. Explore the reasons your family will love it here.
America's Premier Shelling Destination
Sanibel and Captiva Islands are celebrated for their shelling, thanks to east-west beaches that capture Gulf and Caribbean currents. Unlike typical shores with scattered finds, these beaches are blanketed in pristine shells. 
Spot visitors doing the iconic "Sanibel Stoop" or "Captiva Crouch." Expert tip: Visit early at low tide for the best treasures. Join celebrations for National Seashell Day on June 21.
Seek the "Sanibel 6": banded tulips, lightning whelks, lettered olives, alphabet cones, lace murexes, and Florida fighting conchs.
Prime shelling awaits at Blind Pass Beach between Sanibel and Captiva; at low tide, wade 50 yards to pools and sandbars teeming with shells. Refuel at The Mad Hatter with black grouper or black truffle sea scallops.
Visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel for 30+ exhibits (daily access; free for kids under 5 and active military). Save 50% on admission with a guided beach walk by their marine biologist.
Exceptional Gulf Waters for Family Fun
Florida's Gulf Coast offers calmer waters than the Atlantic, ideal for families. Warm temperatures and gentle waves perfect swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
In 2012, the USS Mohawk was sunk 30 miles offshore at Redfish Pass as a reef and diving attraction—America's first military vessel as a memorial reef for U.S. veterans.
Shore-based options include kayaking, paddleboarding, jet packs, and Flyboards at Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva.
190 Miles of Paddling Trails
The Great Calusa Blueway spans 190 miles through Fort Myers and Sanibel's bays and tributaries, suitable for all skill levels—from Estero Bay to Pine Island.
Enjoy birdwatching, manatees, and dolphins. Download a free trail guide map.
Bike Paths for Effortless Exploration
With 25 miles on Sanibel, 90 in Cape Coral, and 7 on Fort Myers Beach's sands, cycling thrives. Both Sanibel and Cape Coral are bicycle-friendly, with paths through preserves and marinas.
Challenge yourself at Caloosahatchee Regional Park amid pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, gopher tortoises, hawks, and swallow-tailed kites.
Rent bikes from Billy's Rentals on Sanibel—no need to bring your own.
A Paradise for Anglers
March to June draws tarpon anglers to Boca Grande Pass, the world's Tarpon Fishing Capital since the 1880s. Catch-and-release only, per Florida Fish and Wildlife.
Inshore, offshore, saltwater, or freshwater options abound. Fish from bridges like Matlacha Pass (the "world's fishingest bridge"). Local spots like The Fish Monger, The Nauti Mermaid, and The Fish House cook your catch.
Matlacha: From Fishing Village to Artists' Haven
Matlacha (mat-la-SHAY), once a fishing village, became an artists' enclave post-1992 gill net ban. Its 800 residents maintain vivid, colorful charm. Visit Wild Child Art Gallery and Leoma Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens; fish from Matlacha Pass Bridge.
Sanibel's Thriving Wildlife
The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge spans 6,400 acres of mangroves, seagrass, marshes, and hammocks—one of America's largest undeveloped ecosystems. Hike, bike, kayak, or paddleboard trails.
Spot over 200 bird species.
Loggerhead turtle hatchings start in May—observe from afar at night, avoiding lights.
Home to Edison and Ford's Legacy
Thomas Edison and Henry Ford's adjacent Fort Myers estates along the Caloosahatchee River feature gardens, a museum of inventions, and the Edison Botanic Lab.
Try the Young Inventors' Tour Saturdays at 11 a.m. ($12 adults; $5 kids 6-12; free under 6).
Iconic Island Dining Experiences
Reach remote outer islands by boat—no roads. Cabbage Key's restaurant, inn, and cottages are famed for dollar-bill walls, possibly inspiring Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise."
On Captiva, Joey's Hot Dog Boat delivers beachside eats (cash only).
Unmissable Sunsets and the Green Flash
Catch the rare "Green Flash" at sunset over the Gulf. Prime viewing: Mucky Duck on Captiva—arrive by 3 p.m.
Plan Your Summer Family Vacation
Book your trip to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel today—explore hotel and attraction deals.
