Beaches

Lighthouse Park Beach Sanibel

To reach the east end of the island, cross the Sanibel Causeway, turn left at the 4-way stop, and proceed to Periwinkle Way. Find the beach signs.

Beach details: This is a beach for the whole family. Beaches aren’t usually too wide, despite being long—sand of medium quality, shelling of good quality. The parking area has large shade trees where you can relax in the shade. There is a good view of the Gulf.
Near the historic lighthouse/restroom area, there is a shell-and-animal hut. The site provides information about the objects you will find.
Currently, the fishing pier and nature trail are wheelchair accessible. The views are stunning, and the fishing is excellent.
Just beyond the restrooms and around the corner from the beach is a smaller beach. It’s a nice spot for a Kodak moment as you can see the Causeway pretty well from there.
We usually have the Fun Time food truck in the parking lot until 4 pm, selling beverages, crackers, hotdogs, and ice cream. It’s pretty easy to park for a fee. A $35 fine is imposed for expired parking. On the pier, alcohol is prohibited.

Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach, Sanibel

Take the Sanibel Causeway to Periwinkle Way, then turn left onto Tarpon Bay Road.

The lot is large enough to accommodate large vehicles, although it is a few blocks away from the beach.
Excellent shelling, high-quality sand. Bathrooms were renovated. Occasionally, a truck selling ice cream swings by.

Bowman"s Beach, Sanibel

From the Sanibel Causeway, turn left onto Periwinkle Way and right onto Tarpon Bay Road. Turning right will take you to Sanibel-Captiva Road. Turn left onto Bowman Beach Road from this road.

A popular beach but not as well-known as Fort Lauderdale or South Beach. Medium sand; excellent shelling.
Parking is $3 per day with an automated system. Amenities include a payphone, restrooms, and bike racks. Bring your food and drinks.

Turner Beach, Captiva

Once you pass the Bowman Beach Road, continue on the Sanibel-Captiva Road until you reach the Blind Pass. There are two houses on the left immediately after the bridge leading to Captiva.

There is a strong undertow here, as well as water that gets deep quickly. We recommend moving farther down the beach away from strong currents near the bridge. It is possible to fish on the jetty and the beach there. Florida sunsets are spectacular here.
Approximately 20 parking spots are available for 75 cents per hour. Re-nourishment in 1996 produced good sand quality and a nice beach.
Nearby restaurants and bars can be found across the street. Shelling is excellent on the beach just before here, just across the bridge. Additionally, there is a 75-cent parking fee. You can also walk across the bridge to get there.

Sanibel Causeway Beach, Sanibel

DIRECTIONS: Either side of the Causeway.

The long, thin beach stretches between the toll gate and the Causeway. Windsurfers, boats, and dolphins are fun to watch but don’t expect a nice, soft beach.
Take a chair with you. The water is shallow. It’s good to go fishing. Toilets are available in the building.

Bowditch Point Regional Park, Fort Myers Beach

Turn right onto Fort Myers Beach after crossing Matanzas Pass Bridge. After turning right at the foot of the bridge, follow Estero Boulevard to the end.

A nature preserve park at the northern end of Estero Island has an unspoiled, uncrowded beach with lots of native vegetation.
There are both a bay and the Gulf of Mexico in this peaceful 17-acre park. Bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, picnic tables, grills, hiking paths, benches, bike racks, and a handicap-accessible boardwalk to the beach are among the many amenities at the park. A beautiful courtyard pavilion for weddings and private parties is also available for rent.
It does not offer concessions. Admission is free. Parking spaces for handicapped people are available in six places.
There are 15 trolley rides every 15 minutes (25 cent fare). You can park free at the Matanzas Pass Bridge “Park and Ride” lot on Main Street. Walk to Times Square from a nearby parking lot. There is a 75 cent hourly parking rate.

Lover"s Key/Carl Johnson State Recreation Area - Black Island, Inner Key, and Lover"s Key

You will find Black Island across Estero Boulevard. The right side of the sign.

The cost is $4 for a car with two to eight passengers, $2 for just a driver, and $1 for walk-ins. Under the boardwalks in the park and its northern boundary, which is called Big Carlos Pass, fishing is allowed.
Nature trails cover acres of land. The water is clear, and the beach is pristine. Manatee sightings are frequent. Picnic tables are available at the beach. It is a family affair, but singles looking for a nice beach can also visit.
Food and beverages are your responsibility. Inland waterways allow canoeing. Boats that use motors are not allowed—eight o’clock in the morning until sunset.
Visitor parking is located on the south side of the beach, and there is a free tram that takes visitors to the south side. The beach has a picnic area. The park allows dogs on leashes as long as they are on a