Fort Myers Beach, FL
Things to do on Fort Myers Beach
A full-time local's guide to the island — the beaches and cruises, the best family days, where to eat and catch the sunset, what to do when it rains, and where to find out what's on this weekend.
On the beach & in the water
The island is built around the Gulf, so most days start here. Estero Island's wide, gently sloping sand is made for shelling, swimming, and long sunset walks.
- Bowditch Point ParkNorth endA 17-acre Lee County beach park at the very north tip of Estero Island, where the Gulf meets the back bay — Gulf and bay beach access, shaded picnic areas, trails, and a paddlecraft launch.
- Lovers Key State ParkSouth of the islandA protected barrier-island state park just south of the beach with quiet Gulf sand, kayak and paddleboard launches, and frequent dolphin and manatee sightings.
- Great Calusa BluewayLee County's 190-mile marked paddling trail winds through Estero Bay's mangroves right behind the island — the official route for kayaking and paddleboarding here.
- Mound House eco-kayak toursThe Mound House runs guided eco-kayak tours through Estero Bay's mangrove tunnels, where you may spot dolphins, manatees, and wading birds.
- Shelling & beach walksSouthwest Florida is one of the country's best shelling regions — early morning at low tide is the classic time to hunt the tide line.
- Dolphin & sunset cruisesSeveral operators run narrated dolphin-watch and sunset trips out of the local marinas — a relaxed way to see the island and its wildlife from the water.
- Parasailing, jet skis & fishing chartersWatersport outfitters and inshore/offshore fishing charters operate from the island's marinas for a more active day on the Gulf.
With kids & families
Fort Myers Beach is an easy family destination — the water is calm and shallow, and there's a good mix of beach time and low-key attractions when little ones need a break from the sand.
- Mound HouseA hands-on museum on a 2,000-year-old Calusa shell mound, with kid-friendly exhibits, guided grounds, and eco-kayak tours — the island's best rainy-or-shine learning stop.
- Ostego Bay Marine Science CenterAn indoor marine science center on the island's working waterfront with aquariums, a touch tank, and hands-on exhibits — a great stop for curious kids.
- IMAG History & Science CenterFort Myers (mainland)A hands-on science and history museum on the mainland with interactive exhibits, aquariums, animal encounters, and 3D movies — a reliable family day, rain or shine.
- Mini golf & family funThemed mini-golf courses and family entertainment centers on and around the island are an easy afternoon when you want a change of pace from the beach.
- Times SquareNorth endThe walkable, car-free plaza at the north end packs ice cream, casual eats, shops, and street performers into one spot the whole family can wander.
- Shelling & sandcastlesThe single most reliable kid activity on the island — a bucket, the tide line, and a couple of hours is a full morning's entertainment.
Dining, drinks & nightlife
Waterfront tiki bars, fresh Gulf seafood, and sunset happy hours are core to the island experience. Most of the action clusters at the north end and along the bay.
- Margaritaville Beach ResortNorth endThe resort anchoring the north end's comeback, with beachfront dining, bars, and live music that draw locals and visitors alike.
- Times Square dining districtNorth endThe island's most concentrated stretch of restaurants, bars, and cafes — walkable, casual, and steps from the beach.
- Waterfront & bayside diningBay-side and marina restaurants are the spots to catch dolphins and boat traffic over dinner, and to watch the sun go down over the water.
- Sunset happy hoursSunset is the island's nightly event — nearly every Gulf-facing bar and restaurant builds its happy hour around it.
History & culture
The island has a deeper story than the beach lets on — 2,000 years of Calusa heritage, plus the wider Edison-era history of the Fort Myers mainland a short drive away.
- Mound HouseFort Myers Beach's oldest standing structure, built atop a Calusa shell mound — six exhibits interpret 2,000 years of the island's cultural and environmental history.
- Edison & Ford Winter EstatesFort Myers (mainland)Thomas Edison's and Henry Ford's riverfront winter homes, laboratory, and botanical gardens on the mainland — Southwest Florida's signature historic attraction.
Rainy day & indoors
A Florida afternoon shower usually passes fast, but when you want to be indoors, there are good options on the island and a short drive over the bridge on the Fort Myers mainland.
- Ostego Bay Marine Science CenterAquariums, a touch tank, and marine exhibits under one roof on the island's working waterfront — an easy indoor pivot without leaving Fort Myers Beach.
- Mound HouseThe museum exhibits stay open regardless of weather — hands-on island history without leaving Estero Island.
- IMAG History & Science CenterFort Myers (mainland)Interactive science and history exhibits, aquariums, and 3D movies make this a strong rainy-day plan for families on the mainland.
- Edison & Ford Winter EstatesFort Myers (mainland)The museum, historic laboratory, and indoor galleries make this a classic rainy-day destination on the mainland.
- Downtown Fort Myers (River District)Fort Myers (mainland)The mainland's walkable historic downtown — restaurants, breweries, galleries, theaters, and shops packed into a compact grid.
Day trips nearby
Some of Southwest Florida's best-known spots are a short drive from the island — easy half- or full-day trips.
- J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife RefugeSanibelOn neighboring Sanibel Island — a protected mangrove estuary teeming with birds and wildlife, with a wildlife drive, trails, and paddling.
- Sanibel & Captiva IslandsSanibel & CaptivaWorld-famous for shelling and laid-back island living — the Sanibel & Captiva Chamber is the best planning resource for beaches, dining, and events.
- Edison & Ford Winter EstatesFort Myers (mainland)Thomas Edison's and Henry Ford's riverfront winter homes, laboratory, and botanical gardens — Southwest Florida's signature historic attraction.
- Bonita Springs & EsteroSouth Lee CountyJust south and east: outlet and open-air shopping, more beaches, and dining — an easy change of scenery from the island.
Events & what's on this weekend
There's almost always live music, a market, or a community event on the island. Dates change week to week, so these official calendars are the place to see exactly what's happening this weekend:
- Town of Fort Myers Beach — eventsThe town government's official special-events page for island-wide happenings.
- Fort Myers Beach Chamber — event calendarThe Chamber's day-by-day calendar of live music, markets, and community events on the island.
- Visit Fort Myers — regional eventsLee County's official tourism board, with a weekly “what to do” snapshot across the islands and beaches.
The island's signature annual events
A few traditions are worth planning a trip around. Exact dates shift each year — see the Chamber's full major-events list for current dates.
- Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp FestivalSpringThe island's longest-running tradition — a parade and festival celebrating the local shrimping heritage, held in early spring.
- American Sand Sculpting ChampionshipFallMaster sand sculptors build enormous works on the beach in a multi-day fall competition and exhibition.
- Island Hopper Songwriter FestFallAward-winning singer-songwriters play island bars, restaurants, and beachfront venues across a multi-day music festival.
- Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat ParadeDecemberDecorated, lit-up boats cruise the bay for one of the island's most beloved holiday traditions.
- Fourth of July on the beachJulyThe island's biggest single day — a beachfront celebration and fireworks over the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do on Fort Myers Beach?
- Fort Myers Beach centers on the Gulf: shelling, swimming, and sunset walks on Estero Island's wide sand, plus dolphin and sunset cruises, kayaking the back-bay mangroves, parasailing and fishing charters, and the walkable Times Square dining and shopping district at the north end. For history, the Mound House sits on a 2,000-year-old Calusa shell mound, and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates are a short drive away on the mainland.
- What is there to do on Fort Myers Beach this weekend?
- Weekend plans on the island revolve around the beach, waterfront dining, and live music, and there's almost always a community event, market, or concert on. Because dates change week to week, check the official calendars — the Town of Fort Myers Beach events page, the Fort Myers Beach Chamber calendar, and Visit Fort Myers — for exactly what's on this weekend.
- What is there to do on Fort Myers Beach when it rains?
- Florida showers usually pass quickly, but good indoor options include the Mound House museum on the island, and a short drive over the bridge on the mainland: the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, and downtown Fort Myers' River District with its restaurants, breweries, galleries, and shops.
- What is there to do on Fort Myers Beach with kids?
- The calm, shallow Gulf water makes the beach itself the easiest kid activity — shelling and sandcastles fill a morning. Beyond that, families enjoy the hands-on Mound House museum, mini-golf and family fun centers, dolphin cruises, and the ice cream and street performers at Times Square.
- Are there free things to do on Fort Myers Beach?
- Yes — the beach, shelling, sunset walks, and wandering Times Square are all free. Public parks like Bowditch Point at the island's north tip are free to enjoy, and simply watching the sunset over the Gulf is the island's nightly free event.
Curious how the island is rebuilding? Track live permits, flood-zone rules, and reopening activity on FMB Insider, our daily Fort Myers Beach public-records tracker.
Falling for the island? We help people go from visiting to owning here. Each stretch lives and rents differently — explore the north end, mid-island, and south end, or see all the areas we serve.
Thinking about Fort Myers Beach?
Talk to a full-time island specialist — The Gulf Coast Team at Royal Shell Real Estate.