Why Your Next Family Vacation Should Be In Fort Myers & Sanibel

Having just returned from a beach vacation in Fort Myers & Sanibel with Hubster and Little L, I now understand why so many Canadian families flock to the sunny Florida destination year-round. Think: large, sandy beaches with shallow entry, safe and easy-to-navigate streets (with a rental car or stroller), friendly locals and plenty of affordable/free activities to fill your days with…

Between swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat, sunset walks on the pier and leisurely meals on patios, I’m certain every member of your family will be in their respective happy place. So, if you’re thinking of taking a relaxing family vacay down south, I highly recommend heading to Fort Myers & Sanibel. Here’s why…

Wildlife Spotting On Sanibel

Within minutes of stepping foot onto Lighthouse Beach in Sanibel, we were surrounded by dolphins, collecting seashells and watching exotic birds dart across the sky. Who needs a trip to the zoo when places like Sanibel exist?!

Home to 230 kinds of birds, 50 types of fish and tons of other species (there’s a freshwater river that attracts alligators, river otters, bobcats etc.), Sanibel is a barrier island sanctuary where the majority of the land is protected. Woot! This means your family will have endless entertainment courtesy of Mother Nature. Did I mention that Sanibel is one of the world’s shelling capitals? Yup, with over 250 kinds of shells it’s been named one of the best shelling spots in North America by Travel & Leisure. This is one island that kids (both big and small) will never get bored on…

Beaches For Days

With over 50 miles of white, sandy beaches, the most difficult decision you’ll face when in Fort Myers & Sanibel is where to anchor your beach umbrella. Here are four of my personal favourites:

1. Lover’s Key State Park – Rated the #4 beach in the entire state of Florida by the Travel Channel, journey here if you’re looking for some solitude. In fact, until 1965, these islands were only accessible by boat (it’s said only lovers made the effort to visit). The park is now fully-accessible by road and although it’s still quite romantic, it’s also great for families — especially the nature-lovers out there as the four barrier islands are a haven for wildlife (manatees, dolphins, rabbits, bald eagles etc.) TIP: The beach is huge (2.5-miles) so I recommend taking the courtesy tram to the south beach where the gazebo, restroom and picnic area are located.

2. Captiva Beach – The beach here is gorgeous and Captiva Island as a whole is very eclectic and fun. You’ll want to walk over to the Bubble Room if you have younger kids or a sweet tooth yourself — it attracts dessert-lovers from all over the globe. TIP: Parking on Captiva is hard to come by. I suggest grabbing some drinks at the Mucky Duck and parking at the beachfront resto if you want to go for a quick dip. Their patio has a great vibe, games and offers plenty of shade for the little ones.

3. Fort Myers Beach – This is my favourite beach to catch a sunset (the Causeway is a close second). There’s just something about the way the sun dips below the horizon here — every second that passes is even more breathtaking than the last. Pure magic. TIP: Grab some ice cream at Kilwin’s and take a stroll on the pier. Or if you’re like me and love sunset swims, this is the place to indulge…

4. Lighthouse Beach – Head to this beach for the best wildlife viewing and shelling opportunities! Shallow entry and calm waters make it a perfect choice if you have young kids. TIP: While you are welcome to take a few shells home as souvenirs, it’s illegal to remove any that have inhabitants. Makes sense, right? It’s their home so please let them be!

Family-Friendly Dining In Fort Myers & Sanibel

Pretty much every restaurant that I’ve ever dined at in Fort Myers & Sanibel is family-friendly. I suggest kicking your day off with breaky at The Lighthouse Cafe (order the blue crab omelette), The Island Cow or McGregor Cafe (their homemade quiche is one of the best I’ve ever had)…

For lunch you’ll want to hit the patio at Bayfront Bistro, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Gramma Dot’s Restaurant (the grouper sandwich is amazing) or my personal favourite: The Veranda (it’s stunning and one of Southwest Florida’s most award-winning restaurants)…

For dinner, enjoy some ethnic cuisine at El Gaucho Inca Restaurant (they serve up some incredible Peruvian and Argentinian dishes)…

Oh, and if you’re able to skip out for a date night with your partner sans kids (yeay for multi-gen travel and older siblings), head straight to Azure Restaurant for the best food in the county. Order the Snapper ‘En Papillote’ or Kurobuta Pork Chop — you will not regret it.

Cheap & Cheerful Hotel Near Fort Myers Beach

Located in the heart of the Times Square entertainment district, Lighthouse Resort Inn & Suites is just steps away from Fort Myers Beach. The suites are spacious (ours had two Queen beds, a large living room, kitchen and a balcony overseeing one of the heated pools), there’s a world famous Tiki Bar onsite (so either mom/dad can escape after the kids are in bed for some fun) and it’s pet-friendly for those of you taking your furry friends along.

The average nightly rate for a deluxe one bedroom suite was $200 USD when we stayed there so it’s definitely budget-friendly since the suite can accommodate up to six people — there are even more affordable rates for smaller rooms. The highlight? You are minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico and the iconic pier…

I really hope this recap inspires you to consider a trip to Fort Myers & Sanibel! Beyond what I’ve outlined above there are endless reasons to visit the southwest Florida destination with those you love. It’s the kind of place we will certainly return to again and again. The memories we made are truly priceless…

Our accommodations, meals, activities and flights to Fort Myers & Sanibel were complimentary as part of a press trip with Visit Florida. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.