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BEACHES
IN CAPE CORAL AND AROUND
Lighthouse Park Beach Sanibel
DIRECTIONS: Across the Sanibel Causeway to the 4-way stop, left on
Periwinkle Way; go all the way to the east end of the island. Look for beach
signs.
DETAILS: A real family affair. Although the beach is long, people won't
find too much width. Medium sand quality, good shelling. Clear view of the
Gulf, with large shade trees by the parking area to chill under.
There's a little shell-and-animal-guide hut en route to the historic
lighthouse/bathroom area. It offers explanations of objects you'll find.
The nature trail is wheelchair-accessible, and the fishing pier has been
remodeled. Check it out.
Around the corner from the beach and just beyond the bathrooms, people will
find a smaller beach. They can see the Sanibel Causeway pretty well from there
- nice Kodak moment.
The Fun Time food wagon is usually parked in the lot until 4 pm, selling
crackers, hot dogs and ice cream. Paid parking is fairly plentiful. Fine is
$35. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the pier.
Lover's Key/Black Island, Inner Key
DIRECTIONS: Follow Estero Boulevard south, cross over to Black Island. Sign
is on your right.
DETAILS: $4 a car with two to eight passengers, $2 for just a driver, and
$1 for walk-ins. Fishing is allowed under the boardwalks and at the northern
end of the park which borders Big Carlos Pass.
There are acres to explore on nature trails. The beach is pristine and the
water is clear. It's a family affair, but singles looking for a nice beach and
less of a meat-market mentality hang there as well. Manatee sightings are
frequent. Picnic tables are available on the beach.
Bring your own food/drinks. Canoeing is allowed in the inland waterways. No
motorized craft are permitted. Hours: 8 am to sunset.
From the parking area a free tram will take visitors over to the south side
of the beach. There is a picnic area along the beach. Dogs are allowed in the
park as long as they are on a leash. Call 463-4588.
Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach, Sanibel
DIRECTIONS: Across Sanibel Causeway, right at 4-way on Periwinkle Way, left
on to Casa Ybel Road to West Gulf Road. Turn left on Algiers Lane.
DETAILS: It's called Algiers by the locals because of the old steamboat of
the same name that once was pulled ashore to be a house. It's a wonderful spot
for picnics.
Tables are shaded by a grove of trees. Boardwalks offer a comfortable
access to the beach.
This beach is a well-kept secret, hard to find but worth it. Offers
restrooms, paid parking.
Tarpon Bay Road Beach, Sanibel
DIRECTIONS: Right on Periwinkle Way, left on Tarpon Bay Road.
DETAILS: Features lots of parking - even for large vehicles - although the
lot is a tad far from the beach.
High sand quality, good shelling. New restrooms. An ice cream truck
occasionally swings by.
Bowman's Beach, Sanibel
DIRECTIONS: Right on Periwinkle Way to Tarpon Bay Road. Turn right, head
north to Sanibel-Captiva Road. From this road, turn left to Bowman Beach Road.
DETAILS: No South Beach or Fort Lauderdale, but this is probably the
island's most popular beach. Medium sand quality; great shelling.
It's a hike to the beach from car. Amenities include picnic tables, a pay
phone, bathrooms and bike racks. Bring own food/drinks; it's kind of isolated,
but that's what's great about it. $3 to park via an automated system.
Turner Beach, Captiva
DIRECTIONS: Sanibel-Captiva Road to Blind Pass. It's just after the bridge
to Captiva, on the left.
DETAILS: Water gets deep quickly and there can be a strong undertow. Best
advice: Move farther down the beach away from strong currents by the bridge.
Good fishing from the beach and on the rock jetty there. Great place for
sunsets, romantics.
Parking is 75 cents an hour; about 20 spots. Good sand quality and a nice
beach thanks to 1996 renourishment project.
Bars and restaurants are across the street nearby. A really nice spot for
shelling is at Blind Pass beach just before this one, other side of the
bridge. Parking is 75 cents an hour there as well, or accessible by walking
across the bridge.
Sanibel Causeway Beach, Sanibel
DIRECTIONS: Either side of causeway.
DETAILS: The long, thin stretch of beach starts just before the toll gate
and continues along the causeway. It's fun to watch the windsurfers, boats and
dolphins, but don't expect a nice, soft beach to sit on.
Take a chair. Water's shallow. Fishing's good. Bathrooms are available.
Bunche Beach, between Sanibel and Fort Myers
Beach
DIRECTIONS: Take Summerlin Road toward Sanibel, turn left on John Morris
Road at the Circle K. Follow to end.
DETAILS: This bay beach is no good for swimming. What draws people here is
that it's uncommercial and not closely watched. Dogs are popular here,
although they're not allowed on county property.
Most of the property is private and has been used for years by the public.
The county does own the small lot, where parking is hassle-free and cost-free.
A good beach for catching rays without aggravation. No bathrooms.
Bowditch Point Regional Park, Fort Myers Beach
DIRECTIONS: Take Matanzas Pass Bridge onto Fort Myers Beach. Turn right at
foot of bridge, follow Estero Boulevard to the end.
DETAILS: If people like an unspoiled, uncrowded, wide sandy beach with lots
of native vegetation, check out Lee County's passive park at the north end of
Estero Island.
The peaceful 17-acre park fronts both the bay and the Gulf. Amenities
include restrooms, showers, changing rooms, picnic tables, grills, hiking
paths, benches, bike racks, a handicap-accessible boardwalk to the beach and
beautiful courtyard pavilion, which can be rented for weddings and private
parties.
No concessions. Free admission. Six handicapped parking spots available.
A trolley (25-cent fare) runs every 15 minutes. Park free at Main Street
Park and Ride lot, just north of Matanzas Pass Bridge. Or park in Times Square
area and walk. 75 cents per hour parking.
Lynn Hall Memorial Park, Fort Myers Beach
DIRECTIONS: Turn right at foot of Matanzas Pass Bridge. Left off North
Estero Boulevard.
DETAILS: A family affair, plus lots of teens. The parking lot is huge. Cost
for parking is 75 cents for hour.
Get there before 11 am to get a spot. Features a playground for the kids,
fishing pier, picnic huts, benches, information kiosk and loads of shops and
restaurants around at the newly improved Times Square, now a pedestrian mall
with lights, trees and outdoor tables.
The bathrooms score high, and workers keep the park clean. Water fountains
have ice-cold water. There also are change and soda machines and paid lockers.
Free admission.
Parking lot open 24 hours. Fine for not paying: $18.
Assorted Beach Access at various points along Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers
Beach
DIRECTIONS: People should keep their eyes open and they'll see white fabric
signs denoting beach access points. Parking is free, although some have no
parking.
DETAILS: These are great places to enjoy the beach - and peace and quiet.
Sand quality usually is high. They're often isolated, so bring a cooler. Some
are within a short walk to cafes. Shelling can be decent on the right day.
Little Hickory Island Beach Park
DIRECTIONS: Head southeast down Estero Boulevard. It's on the right at
Hickory Boulevard between condominiums.
DETAILS: Little Hickory Island has access positioned all along Hickory
Boulevard behind nice homes overlooking the gulf. There is room for several
cars at each access. 75 per hour for parking.
Bonita Beach Park
DIRECTIONS: Follow Estero Boulevard southeast. It's on the right, just
before Collier County.
DETAILS: Beautiful ocean view and high sand quality. Food concession or
several beach restaurants are within easy walking distance. Parking is 75
cents per hour.
There are handicap spaces and wheelchair access bathrooms. It is located at
the end of Bonita Beach Road. Yearly parking stickers may be bought for $40
each at this location on Monday and Saturday only 1 pm to 3 pm
