Beaches
Port Charlotte
Beach Park
If you are looking for a beach with lots of family fun, Port Charlotte Beach Park is the place to be. This man made beach offers the perfect view along with plenty of family friendly amenities including boardwalk with fishing pier, boat ramp, canoe/kayak launch, horseshoe pits, bocce courts, basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, playground area, picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, heated swimming pool, and a recreation center. This beach is well known to locals, but not many tourists so it is a great spot for some local fun.
Captiva Island
Captiva has all of one beach, so let’s call it by its nickname—Captiva Bay Beach. This half-mile long stretch of sand is located directly across from Sanibel Island. If you’re looking for a quick escape from life, Captiva is your place. While vacationing on Captiva, you can enjoy excellent shelling along with boating and fishing opportunities. Locals love casual beach strolls on Captiva Bay Beach—just be sure to bring your binoculars to spot some osprey diving for their lunch. The town also offers several parks if you want to hike or throw a frisbee around. You can even rent paddle boards at either of two shops on Captiva Island.
Sanibel Island
You don’t have to take our word for it—Sanibel Island is frequently ranked among America’s best beaches by TripAdvisor and other travel sites. But even without all of those accolades, Sanibel Island would be a local favorite thanks to its 12 miles of pristine sand and a year-round average temperature of 73 degrees. Sanibel is perfect for families who want to let their kids loose on world-class beaches. The clear waters are extremely calm, making them great for snorkeling, but they also provide waves that experienced surfers can enjoy. In terms of dining, Sanibel has one of Florida’s largest concentrations of upscale restaurants serving fresh seafood from nearby waters.
Naples
Perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway, Naples offers miles of beautiful beaches and soft white sand that you can walk along, swim in, and enjoy some of Naples’ greatest restaurants on. This is one of those places where you can expect to see celebrities walking on the beach. In addition to great food, you’ll find great art as well as tons of shops and boutiques to check out before you head back to civilization. Naples also features plenty of fun activities from paddle boarding to parasailing if you’re looking for something more adventurous.
Bonita Beach Park
This 1.5-mile stretch of sand is among Bonita Beach’s most popular features, as it offers both scenic views and tranquil conditions. A large fishing pier also gives beachgoers a chance to reel in some seafood while enjoying picturesque ocean views. Lifeguards are on duty every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., which makes it an ideal location for families and first-time swimmers alike. Parking and restrooms are provided onsite as well, so visitors can enjoy a hassle-free beach trip year round.
Fort Myers Beach
One of the most stunning beaches in Southwest Florida is Fort Myers Beach. Clocking in at 7 miles long with sugary white sand, Instagramable views, and plenty of activities for all ages, Fort Myers Beach is a popular destination for locals and tourists. From hotels to dining to shopping to outdoor activities, Fort Myers has it all.
Venice Beach
Lifeguard towers and fire pits make it a destination for day trippers, while Venice Fishing Pier offers visitors access to one of Florida’s best fishing spots. If you like to surf, head to Venice Beach and rent a surfboard from Coco’s Surf Shop . If surfing isn’t your thing, you can simply enjoy looking at waves from either end of Venice Fishing Pier. Be sure to check out other great beaches such as Siesta Key and Boca Grande while you are here!
Englewood Beach
A Fort Myers beach just south of downtown, Englewood Beach is a family-friendly spot with great fishing, walking paths and volleyball nets. The water here is clean and shallow enough for kids to swim; lifeguards are on duty during summer. There’s even an on-site marina where you can rent kayaks or canoes for some exploration further out into calm waters. If you like seafood, try Harbor Docks restaurant for views of sunset over water (and super-fresh catches).
Nokomis Beach
This beautiful beach is great for surfing and swimming. It also features a fishing pier that extends 1,000 feet into Gulf of Mexico. For picnics and barbecues, there are picnic pavilions with barbecue grills at each end of Nokomis Park. As for restrooms, there are changing rooms located inside the park, but you can use facilities in neighboring parking lots if needed. Other amenities include playgrounds for children ages 6 to 12 years old and volleyball courts.
Boca Grande Beach
Boca Grande is known for its beautiful white-sand beach and views of nearby mangroves. The calm waters make it a great place to swim, snorkel, and kayak. Although it’s about a mile from town, restaurants like Doc Ford’s offer waterfront dining and donuts at sunset. Water temperatures stay at about 80 degrees year-round, making it great for swimming. A few local watersports companies can take you parasailing or jet skiing (both are available during high season only). This is a remote beach without a lot of touristy development, so keep that in mind when planning your trip here.
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