Island Destinations
You don't need to travel to the South Pacific or Caribbean to enjoy the tropical beauty of an island vacation. Florida's islands are the perfect vacation spots for boating and beach enthusiasts. Each island has its own unique personality, and there is one for everyone.
Car Accessible Islands:
Captiva Island
Connected to the mainland of Fort Myers via Sanibel Island and its causeway, Captiva is a great spot for families. You'll find Captiva to be upscale yet casual and laid back. Driving through Captiva is a real tropical treat. As you first come onto the island, you'll pass the beautifully landscaped estate homes. Continue driving and you'll wind through the quaint yet eclectic village of Captiva- the heart and soul of the island. Many of the island's restaurants and shops are located here. Continue driving and you'll end up at the famous gated community of South Seas Island Resort- a tropical haven on 330 acres, which occupies the entire north end of Captiva Island. Captiva is a great spot to enjoy miles of pristine white sand beaches, or get our on a boat to discover the abundant marine life surrounding the islands. Captiva is a good launching point to explore the "outer islands" of Cayo Costa, Useppa, North Captiva, etc.
Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island)
Fort Myers Beach bills itself as "the world's safest beach" due to its outlying sandbars which makes for very shallow waters and safe swimming. Just 7 miles long by 1/2 mile wide Fort Myers Beach is lined with mid-rise to high rise condo buildings from its northern end at Bowditch Park to its southern end near the tip of Lovers Key. Canal houses tend to populate the bay side of the island. A very busy beach town with a high energy level, it is popular with college "spring-breakers" and families alike. Most of the action is centered in the Times Square area, which is home to the famous Ft. Myers Beach pier. Times Square has numerous shops and restaurants. The beach is of the gorgeous white powder sand variety. There are lots of water sport and boating activities to be found on Fort Myers Beach.
Marco Island
A tropical haven and the launching point for Florida's ten thousand islands , Marco is a popular family vacation spot with 3 miles of gorgeous beach frontage. Marco is the largest and most northern of the ten thousand islands chain. Mid to high rise condos and hotels line the gulf shore, and there are plenty of canal homes on the bay side of the island. A casually elegant world class island destination with restaurants, water sports, and beautiful pristine beaches, Marco has something for everyone.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel is an upscale yet casual island destination and a traditional family favorite. Sanibel's unique east-west orientation makes it the spot where multitudes of shells wash ashore every day, and the reason why Sanibel is renowned as one of the best places in the world to shell. Low rise condominium complexes (max height is 4 stories) line much if the Gulf of Mexico shore, from the historic lighthouse at the east to gorgeous Bowman's beach to the west. Three quarters of the island is nature preserves. Favorite activities on Sanibel include shelling, biking (20 miles of bike paths through gorgeous tropical foliage), wildlife viewing, boating, fishing, kayaking, golfing, tennis, and enjoying the gorgeous, uncrowded beaches.
Need to really get away and unwind? Here are some great Florida islands which are accessible only by boat or small plane:
North Captiva Island
Connected to Captiva Island until a hurricane in 1926 separated them, North Captiva is accessible only by small plane or boat. Ferry's and water taxis make the crossing usually from Pine Island. North Captiva is dotted with a number of private homes, many of which are serviced by either the North Captiva Island Club or the Safety Harbor Club, which have many amenities for your vacation fun. On North Captiva, you'll get around by golf cart or bicycle, and have miles of pristine beach practically to yourself.
