Guidebook for Fort Myers Beach
Food Scene
Excellent beach restaurant/bar! Very casual, fun happy hours and specials. GREAT place to watch the sunset. Short walk from our house.
44 locals recommend
Junkanoo Beach
4761 Estero BlvdExcellent beach restaurant/bar! Very casual, fun happy hours and specials. GREAT place to watch the sunset. Short walk from our house.
Very small place but VERY BIG FOOD! You have to stop at least once on your trip. They have amazing cinnamon rolls smothered in icing and pecan rolls too. My husband LOVES their biscuit sandwich: eggs, cheese, sausage (homemade patties) or bacon, tomato....deliciousness!
72 locals recommend
Heavenly Biscuits
110 Mango StVery small place but VERY BIG FOOD! You have to stop at least once on your trip. They have amazing cinnamon rolls smothered in icing and pecan rolls too. My husband LOVES their biscuit sandwich: eggs, cheese, sausage (homemade patties) or bacon, tomato....deliciousness!
Excellent food - have yet to complain about any item on the menu (look up Yelp reviews). So fun to sit in the bar and grab an appetizer and watch the shrimp boats. OR dine in and listen to the local music - loads of people spontaneously get up and dance! Great to watch or participate.
144 locals recommend
Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille - Ft. Myers Beach
708 Fishermans WharfExcellent food - have yet to complain about any item on the menu (look up Yelp reviews). So fun to sit in the bar and grab an appetizer and watch the shrimp boats. OR dine in and listen to the local music - loads of people spontaneously get up and dance! Great to watch or participate.
Hands down THE BEST crab legs anywhere (well, in my opinion, of course). This place is a locals favorite. Great service and gosh darn great food. It looks like a hole in the wall, but it is super clean and friendly.
80 locals recommend
Smokin Oyster Brewery
340 Old San Carlos BlvdHands down THE BEST crab legs anywhere (well, in my opinion, of course). This place is a locals favorite. Great service and gosh darn great food. It looks like a hole in the wall, but it is super clean and friendly.
Great happy hour: 3:30 (get there early) bar only $5 martinis and discounted appetizers. Food is amazing, excellent seafood, a bit fancier than it's neighbor Junkanoo.
45 locals recommend
Fresh Catch Bistro
4761 Estero BlvdGreat happy hour: 3:30 (get there early) bar only $5 martinis and discounted appetizers. Food is amazing, excellent seafood, a bit fancier than it's neighbor Junkanoo.
Affiliated with Doc Fords, great food always, reasonable prices, close to Time Square.
39 locals recommend
The Whale
1249 Estero BlvdAffiliated with Doc Fords, great food always, reasonable prices, close to Time Square.
Recently remodeled - amazing salad bar (I know that sounds like a nasty restaurant, but this is all class). Great wine selections, very good food.
24 locals recommend
Charley's Boathouse Grill
6241 Estero BlvdRecently remodeled - amazing salad bar (I know that sounds like a nasty restaurant, but this is all class). Great wine selections, very good food.
Fun indoor/outdoor restaurant in Time Square. Great views of the pier and gulf. Very good food and reasonable too!
13 locals recommend
PierSide Grill and Famous Blowfish Bar
1000 Estero BoulevardFun indoor/outdoor restaurant in Time Square. Great views of the pier and gulf. Very good food and reasonable too!
Fun and lively atmosphere - go to the back by the bar and swing! Entertainment and very good food, enjoy!
27 locals recommend
The Yucatan Beach Stand
250 Old San Carlos BlvdFun and lively atmosphere - go to the back by the bar and swing! Entertainment and very good food, enjoy!
We don't recommend the food, BUT it is a great place for happy hour and people watching. South end of the island
173 locals recommend
Pinchers
6890 Estero BlvdWe don't recommend the food, BUT it is a great place for happy hour and people watching. South end of the island
Affiliated with Doc Fords, great place to watch the boats going in and out and to dream of that yacht you will buy with your lottery winnings. Great place to watch a football game in the fall, nice place to grab a drink, appetizers and even dinner....we can't complain about the place at all.
55 locals recommend
Dixie Fish Co.
714 Fishermans WharfAffiliated with Doc Fords, great place to watch the boats going in and out and to dream of that yacht you will buy with your lottery winnings. Great place to watch a football game in the fall, nice place to grab a drink, appetizers and even dinner....we can't complain about the place at all.
The Salty Crab Bar & Grill on Ft. Myers Beach just south of Time Square. With live music daily and a beautiful. breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late night. New American menu and seafood, great breakfast
30 locals recommend
The Salty Crab Bar & Grill
1154 Estero BoulevardThe Salty Crab Bar & Grill on Ft. Myers Beach just south of Time Square. With live music daily and a beautiful. breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late night. New American menu and seafood, great breakfast
Don't get hung up on the name, this is not just about hot dogs:
Hot dogs. Cheese burgers. Cubans. Reubens. Sausages. Smoked pulled pork. Panini.wraps.jerk
chicken.salads.kids menus.
I love their cuban! but everything is great, give it a try, breakfast served all day.
The Doghouse
1207 Estero BlvdDon't get hung up on the name, this is not just about hot dogs:
Hot dogs. Cheese burgers. Cubans. Reubens. Sausages. Smoked pulled pork. Panini.wraps.jerk
chicken.salads.kids menus.
I love their cuban! but everything is great, give it a try, breakfast served all day.
This is off the south end of the island, worth the drive for the views of the bay. Watch the dolphins play while you dine! I went with a girlfriend and we split an entree - perfect amount. Great yelp reviews too.
51 locals recommend
Flipper's on the Bay
8767 Estero BlvdThis is off the south end of the island, worth the drive for the views of the bay. Watch the dolphins play while you dine! I went with a girlfriend and we split an entree - perfect amount. Great yelp reviews too.
and Petey's upper deck
best known for waterfront views, fresh seafood and coastal Florida ambience, lunch and dinner served
Matanzas on the Bay offers seafood from Blue Star Seafood Company, produce from Pair-A-Dice Produce, rum from the Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery and draft beer from Fort Myers Brewery
20 locals recommend
Matanzas on the Bay
416 Crescent Stand Petey's upper deck
best known for waterfront views, fresh seafood and coastal Florida ambience, lunch and dinner served
Matanzas on the Bay offers seafood from Blue Star Seafood Company, produce from Pair-A-Dice Produce, rum from the Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery and draft beer from Fort Myers Brewery
Located in Diamond Head
This is a special occasion kind of place, but heck you are on vacation so THIS IS a special occasion. If you want to splurge and have excellent service and amazing food, go for it. My husband took me here for my birthday last year, guess where we are going this year?
9 locals recommend
Cōste Island Cuisine
2000 Estero BlvdLocated in Diamond Head
This is a special occasion kind of place, but heck you are on vacation so THIS IS a special occasion. If you want to splurge and have excellent service and amazing food, go for it. My husband took me here for my birthday last year, guess where we are going this year?
Great views, nightly entertainment, and the food is pretty darn good too! Several options for dining: glass-enclosed dining room, outdoor area, toes in the sand at the Beach Bar, or sitting right at the chair rails facing Fort Myers Beach
46 locals recommend
Shucker's at the Gulfshore and The Cottage Bar
1250 Estero BoulevardGreat views, nightly entertainment, and the food is pretty darn good too! Several options for dining: glass-enclosed dining room, outdoor area, toes in the sand at the Beach Bar, or sitting right at the chair rails facing Fort Myers Beach
MoJoe's is a cozy Island Coffee House featuring a full Breakfast and Caffeine menu. Specializing in the
freshest coffee and espresso on the island. The pastries and baked goods are baked fresh daily. Lounge on
the huge patio under the shade of a 25 foot rubber tree.
9 locals recommend
MoJoe's Coffee Cafe
1740 Estero BlvdMoJoe's is a cozy Island Coffee House featuring a full Breakfast and Caffeine menu. Specializing in the
freshest coffee and espresso on the island. The pastries and baked goods are baked fresh daily. Lounge on
the huge patio under the shade of a 25 foot rubber tree.
I love that they are close to the house and deliver! The pizza is huge and it is a bit pricey, but it is very good.
6 locals recommend
Fort Myers Beach Pool
2600 Oak StI love that they are close to the house and deliver! The pizza is huge and it is a bit pricey, but it is very good.
Parks & Nature
Matanzas Pass Preserve is nearly 60-acres of unspoiled sanctuary located one mile south of Matanzas Pass Bridge just off Estero Blvd. The Preserve offers 1.25 miles of trails that wind through the canopies of mangroves and an oak hammock. Follow along with the interpretive stations during your trail. Take the time to rest under the pavilion as you take in a view of the Estero Bay. Watch for the plentiful wildlife and native plants as you enjoy an afternoon hiking in the Preserve. There is also a paddle craft landing that is part of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail so you can also paddle in and enjoy the preserve. Parking is limited at this preserve.
19 locals recommend
Matanzas Pass Preserve
199 Bay RdMatanzas Pass Preserve is nearly 60-acres of unspoiled sanctuary located one mile south of Matanzas Pass Bridge just off Estero Blvd. The Preserve offers 1.25 miles of trails that wind through the canopies of mangroves and an oak hammock. Follow along with the interpretive stations during your trail. Take the time to rest under the pavilion as you take in a view of the Estero Bay. Watch for the plentiful wildlife and native plants as you enjoy an afternoon hiking in the Preserve. There is also a paddle craft landing that is part of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail so you can also paddle in and enjoy the preserve. Parking is limited at this preserve.
Mound House is a unique archaeological and historical site on Fort Myers Beach located directly off Estero Bay. Experience this one of a kind museum that sits atop a 2,000 year old Calusa Indian Shell Mound. Take a tour inside to learn about our island from many many years ago. Take a kayak tour of the mangroves and witness the beautiful nature all around us.
72 locals recommend
Mound House
451 Connecticut StMound House is a unique archaeological and historical site on Fort Myers Beach located directly off Estero Bay. Experience this one of a kind museum that sits atop a 2,000 year old Calusa Indian Shell Mound. Take a tour inside to learn about our island from many many years ago. Take a kayak tour of the mangroves and witness the beautiful nature all around us.
Community park that is behind the library, you can pay a guest fee to workout in the gym or to use the fun pool (check the web for rates) or you can catch some kiddos playing baseball! Great place to ride your bike or take a nice walk.
15 locals recommend
Bay Oaks Recreation Center
2731 Oak StCommunity park that is behind the library, you can pay a guest fee to workout in the gym or to use the fun pool (check the web for rates) or you can catch some kiddos playing baseball! Great place to ride your bike or take a nice walk.
At the northernmost point of our island is this great little park. They have bathrooms, yes, real bathrooms! Walking trails and a great span of beach. Parking is available for a price.
38 locals recommend
Bowditch Point Park
50 Estero BlvdAt the northernmost point of our island is this great little park. They have bathrooms, yes, real bathrooms! Walking trails and a great span of beach. Parking is available for a price.
You can let your furry friend off leash on this beach intended just for dogs and their favorite human. All other beaches dogs must be on leash.
104 locals recommend
Bonita Beach Dog Park
8800 Estero BlvdYou can let your furry friend off leash on this beach intended just for dogs and their favorite human. All other beaches dogs must be on leash.
Family friendly public beach with informative kiosk signs. Beautifully landscaped grounds make this a perfect destination for your next gathering. Free beach walk programs every Tuesday morning at 9am (conditions permitting). For the beach walk, just show up - VERY interesting and informative. Each beach walk is different, the guide discusses what they find on the beach that day.
7 locals recommend
Newton Beach Park
4650 Estero BlvdFamily friendly public beach with informative kiosk signs. Beautifully landscaped grounds make this a perfect destination for your next gathering. Free beach walk programs every Tuesday morning at 9am (conditions permitting). For the beach walk, just show up - VERY interesting and informative. Each beach walk is different, the guide discusses what they find on the beach that day.
Sand volleyball, picnic tables, restrooms, next to Time Square. No pets allowed
Crescent Beach Family Park
1100 Estero BlvdSand volleyball, picnic tables, restrooms, next to Time Square. No pets allowed
Off the south end of the island: Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, shelling, fishing, hiking, bicycling, wildlife watching, canoeing/kayaking, geocaching and more.
280 locals recommend
Lovers Key State Park
8700 Estero BlvdOff the south end of the island: Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, shelling, fishing, hiking, bicycling, wildlife watching, canoeing/kayaking, geocaching and more.
Neighborhoods
North End of the Island: Time Square
Nightly entertainment, loads of shopping (hit Local Color, my favorite place to shop), you name it food and bars. We have yet to have a bad meal in this area. Walk out to the end of the pier and enjoy watching the boats pass by or an excellent place to watch the sunrise or set.
Santini Plaza: towards the south end of the island
Great shopping and lots of restaurant choices.
436 locals recommend
Fort Myers Beach
North End of the Island: Time Square
Nightly entertainment, loads of shopping (hit Local Color, my favorite place to shop), you name it food and bars. We have yet to have a bad meal in this area. Walk out to the end of the pier and enjoy watching the boats pass by or an excellent place to watch the sunrise or set.
Santini Plaza: towards the south end of the island
Great shopping and lots of restaurant choices.
Entertainment
Family owned dine in theater with first run shows! Come early and have a meal or just buy a big old popcorn and a drink! Full bar if interested.
34 locals recommend
Beach Theater LLC
6425 Estero BlvdFamily owned dine in theater with first run shows! Come early and have a meal or just buy a big old popcorn and a drink! Full bar if interested.
Sightseeing
We have never been BUT I hear it is a blast! Great for adults and kids alike. Fun to watch the ship depart from Doc Fords or Dixie Fish Co.
26 locals recommend
Salty Sam's Pirate Cruise
2500 Main StWe have never been BUT I hear it is a blast! Great for adults and kids alike. Fun to watch the ship depart from Doc Fords or Dixie Fish Co.
We have not booked a tour, BUT have had friends do this and they say it is outstanding, check it out!
FMBeautiful Bay Company
414 Crescent StWe have not booked a tour, BUT have had friends do this and they say it is outstanding, check it out!
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Join Facebook Groups
I love Fort Myers Beach
The Best of Fort Myers Beach
These are two great resources to review past posts and to ask anything and many many people will give you their candid advice. I agree with most things put out here.
Don't miss
Baptist Church Farmers Market Estero and Connecticut
Great produce, cute shops, and a wonderful place to grab lunch.
Don't miss
Check out the local beach papers for what's happening
http://www.fort-myers-beach-observer.com/page/category.detail/nav/5051/Community-News.html
https://fortmyersbeach.news/
http://www.islandsunnews.com/
Don't miss
Drive to Sanibel for the day
There is a toll on the bridge, but pack a lunch and hang out on Sanibel or drive over to Captiva.
What to pack
It gets really warm during the day
Bring a lot of casual clothing, Fort Myers Beach only has a few dresses restaurants. Most people will wear flip flops everywhere!
Loose cotton clothing works well.
During December and January it can get chilly so a sweatshirt or long sleeves will help.
Book before you go
Charter Cruises/Fishing Trips
These both have a tendency to book up fast.
Don't miss
Grocery Stores
On island you have a small Publix that is a mile south of the house. They have most things but not specialty items. Plenty of sunscreen in the front of the store.
Off the north end of the island is a larger Publix and Walmart, we have found that Walmart has the best beer prices so stock up there! The bigger Publix has a liquor store too. Both are on San Carlos Blvd.
7/11s all over the island.
Book before you go
Excursion Suggestions
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g34231-zfg11865-Fort_Myers_Beach_Florida.html
Getting around
Lee Tran from RSW Airport
If you're staying on Ft. Myers Beach, gather your luggage, and head out the door of the baggage claim at RSW Airport. You'll see an island in the divided road. Cross that crosswalk that's right there to the island mid-road, and you're 50 feet from the Leetran stop for their Rte. 50 bus. The other end of this bus' line connects with the Ft. Myers Beach Trolley, which will drop you very close to any resort/hotel/condo on Estero Blvd.
The bus is $1.50/person.
The trolley is $0.75/person.
There is no extra charge for luggage or large groups, like Uber and Lyft are known to add on here. There is no