Cape Coral's proximity to Southwest Florida's world-renowned beaches (frequently ranked among the top beaches nationwide) adds another dimension to our water-oriented lifestyles. Southwest Florida beaches are typically free access but with a nomimal hourly meter fee for parking. LeeTran runs a fun beach trolley from various locations in Fort Myers to various Fort Myers beaches.

FORT MYERS BEACHES
FORT MYERS BEACH
Fort Myers Beach is actually a number of beaches stretching along the gulf and bay sides of Estero Island. All along Estero Boulevard you'll see signs indicating public beach access points -- some are located near restaurants and cafes, others are private little oases.
Jet-ski's and para-sailing available for rental. Directions: San Carlos Blvd south over Matanzas Pass Bridge into Fort Myers Beach, take left at foot of bridge onto Estero Blvd, look for signs on Gulf side of the road for public access points.

BOWDITCH POINT RK, Fort Myers Beach
50 Estero Blvd. 239.765.6794
At the north tip of Estero Island you'll find this gem of a 17-acre nature-lovers hideaway flanking both the bay and the Gulf.  If you prefer communing with dolphins, shorebirds, and the endangered golpher tortoise and meandering along paths through native vegetation, this is the beach for you.  Amenities include a quaint snack shack, picnic tables, bike racks, restrooms and showers. Directions: San Carlos Blvd south over Matanzas Pass Bridge into Fort Myers Beach, take right at foot of bridge onto Estero Blvd to parking lot at the end of the road. 

LYNN HALL MEMORIAL RK, Fort Myers Beach
950 Estero Blvd. 239.765.6794
Great family beach abutting bustling Times Square, you'll enjoy fishing pier, pelicans, picnic tables, playground, bike racks, restrooms, showers. Directions: San Carlos Blvd south over Matanzas Pass Bridge into Fort Myers Beach, take right at foot of bridge onto Estero Blvd, take left into parking lot.

LOVERS KEY STATE RK
8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach
239.463.4588  or 239.314.0110  FloridaStateParks.org/loverskey 
Gorgeous beach and state park. Ranger/naturalist programs throughout the month. Guided kayak tours, sunset cruises, backwater fishing trips. Ranger-led bicycle tours of Black Island. Kayak, canoe, bicycle rentals.

SANIBEL BEACHES
SANIBEL CAUSEWAY BEACHES, Sanibel
On both sides of the causeway leading onto Sanibel Island, you'll find peaceful atolls reminiscent of Hawaiin roadside beaches. These beaches are about sitting under palm trees, fishing, watching manatees, dolphin, pelicans and other sea creatures along with the occasional human windsurfer. 

LIGHTHOUSE RK BEACH, Sanibel
Great family beach located on the southeastern tip of Sanibel island adjacent to the historic Sanibel lighthouse.  You'll find sweet amenities like a fishing pier, nature boardwalk trail, and a guide-manned hut to learn a bit about the local shells and beach creatures. Also has picnic tables and restrooms. Directions: Sanibel Causeway to four-way stop, take left on Periwinkle Way - beach is at end.

GULFSIDE CITY RK ALGIERS BEACH, Sanibel
Further west on the south shoreline of Sanibel you'll find a wonderful beach named after a steamboat which transformed into a landlubber house.  Beautiful pinic area, foot paths, dunes, picnic tables and restrooms.  Directions: Sanibel Causeway to four-way stop, take right on Perinkle Way, take left onto Casa Ybel Road, take left on West Gulf Drive, take left onto Algiers Lane.

TARPON BAY ROAD BEACH, Sanibel
On the southwestern coast of Sanibel Island is a gorgeous beach noted for its fantastic shelling and ample parking. Directions: Sanibel Causeway to four-way stop, take right on Perinkle Way, take left on Tarpon Bay Road -- beach is at the end.    

BOWMAN'S BEACH, Sanibel
On the northwest shore of Sanibel Island, just before you wander onto Captiva, is Bowman's beach - with miles of peaceful and picturesque white sand beach offering more great shelling and tranquility.  Picnic tables, bike racks, bathrooms and showers. Directions:  Directions: Sanibel Causeway to four-way stop, take right on Perinkle Way, take right on Tarpon Bay Road, take left on Sanibel-Captiva Road, take left onto Bowman's Beach Road.   

CAPTIVA BEACHES
TURNER BEACH, Captiva
Just as you enter Captiva from Sanibel, you'll find one of my favorite beaches, especially for a spectacular dusk experience with pelicans and just about every type of shore bird diving against the explosive sunset sky.  You'll always find serious yet helpful shellers, shore fisherman from every corner of the world, and an isolated romantic vibe that will reset your pysche. Directions: Sanibel Causeway to four-way stop, right on Perinkle Way, take right on Tarpon Bay Road, take left on Sanibel-Captiva Road until Blind Pass Bridge - beach is on left just after entering Captiva.  

ESTERO BEACHES
LOVERS KEY STATE RK, Black Island, Lovers Key, Inner Key, Long Key, Estero
Beautiful beach especially appealing for nature lovers. Nature trails, canoeing or kayaking along mangrove estuaries, manatees and fishing.  Canoe rentals, playground, picnic tables, pavillion, concessions, canoe rentals.  Leashed dogs allowed. Tram from parking lot to beach. Directions: Estero Blvd south onto Black Island, look for park signs.

BONITA BEACHES
LITTLE HICKORY ISLAND BEACH RK, Bonita Beach
Great beach especially if you like white sand, shells and fishing off the shore. Picnic tables, restrooms, showers. Directions: Estero Blvd south, take right onto Hickory Blvd.

BONITA BEACH RK, Bonita Beach
Enjoy beautiful beach and still walk to nearby beachy restaurants.  Another great beach for surf fishing, too.  Volleyball courts, picnic tables, concessions, restrooms, showers. Directions: Estero Blvd south, take right onto Hickory Blvd, beach entrance on the right before Hickory Blvd turns into Bonita Beach Road.

BAREFOOT BEACH STATE PRESERVE, Bonita Springs
356 acres of beaches and meandering nature trails though this combination park and tropical hammock and mangrove state preserve.
Learning center highlights sea turtles, shore birds, shelling, fossil collecting and more.  Concessions, picnic tables, restrooms, showers. Directions: US 41 south take right onto Bonita Beach Road, take left at Lely Barefoot Beach guardhouse.

NAPLES BEACHES
DELNOR-WIGGINS SS STATE RK, Naples
Another gorgeous state park a 166-acre setting that combines gorgeous beaches accented with native plants like sea oats and cabbage palms along with mangrove forests and tidal creeks. Enjoy more of the vistas of this park via the boardwalk down to the pass or via the observation tower.  Nature trails, picnic tables, restrooms, and showers. Directions: US 41 south take right onto 111th Avenue which turns into Bluebill Avenue after the bridge - beach is at end.

VANDERBILT BEACH, Naples
A beautful beach located between restaurants and Wiggins Pass.
Parking garage/lot being built for more convenient access. Directions: US 41 south take right onto Vanderbilt Beach Road - beach is at the end.

CLAM SS COUNTY RK, Naples
Nearly mile long gulf shore beach within this 35 acre park featuring coastal dunes, tidal bays, and mangroves.  Concessions with kayak, canoe, sailboard, and beach gear rentals, observation tower, nature trails, picnic tables, restrooms and showers. Tram from parking lot to beach.  Directions: US 41 south take right onto Seagate Drive - beach is adjacent to Naples Registry Resort.

GULFSHORE BOULEVARD beaches, Naples
The public can access the gorgeous beaches running all along Gulf Shore Boulevard between Seagate Drive to the north and Naples pier to the south.  Parking is limited to metered parking along the street.  Directions: US 41 south take right onto Park Shore Drive head west to Gulf Shore Boulevard - beach access points dotted along the boulevard.

LOWDERMILK RK BEACH, Naples
Great for families or just for fun, Lowdermilk features a playground and is across the street from shops and restaurants. Volleyball courts, concessions, picnic tables, restrooms and showers. Directions: US 41 south take right onto Banyan Blvd, parking lot at Banyan and Gulf Shore Blvd.

NAPLES MUNICI L BEACH AND PIER, Naples
Another great beach noted for its wonderful fishing pier extending out into the Gulf of Mexico. Picnic tables, snack bar, bait shop, restrooms, showers. Directions: US 41 south dead-ends into Ninth Street South, take right onto Ninth Avenue South, talke left on Gulf Shore Blvd South -- pier is at 12th Avenue South.

MARCO ISLAND BEACHES
TIGERTAIL BEACH, Marco Island
32 acres of nature-oriented fun -- including playground, kayak, paddleboat and beach gear rentals, picnic tables, restrooms and showers. Directions: From 951 south into Marco Island, take right onto Tigertail Court, left on Hernando Drive, beach is at the end.

For more information about these beaches a hop skip and a jump from Cape Coral, click on Lee County Parks and Recreation and Collier County Parks and Recreation.

Should you choose to venture a bit further and head north from Cape Coral, there is a similar variety of renowned fantastic beaches with unique personalities --throughout Port Charlotte, Englewood, Boca Grande, Venice, Siesta Key, Brandenton and Sarasota.