Guide for Best Fort Myers Boating Destinations
With over 1,300 miles of coastline, Florida is a haven for boating enthusiasts and nowhere is that truer than in Fort Myers. Situated in the southwestern part of the state with a climate that offers year-round boating opportunities, Fort Myers is a go-to boat lover’s destination. From secluded coastlines filled with wildlife to island hopping adventures and unbeatable fishing, Fort Myers is one of the best places to explore, relax, and join in the boating fun. Let’s take a look at Fort Myers boating destinations and give you all you need to know to take advantage of all this boating haven has to offer.
Best Places to Go Boating in Fort Myers
Fort Myers is situated on the eastern bank of the Caloosahatchee River and is surrounded by Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This location offers up any number of boating destinations for any number of boat related activities. If you are looking to fish, whether salt or freshwater, Fort Myers can accommodate you. If you are looking to explore the laid-back culture on the picturesque islands that dot the Gulf, Fort Myers can accommodate that too. And if your list includes seeking out nature and wildlife, collecting seashells, or enjoying a beach picnic there are Fort Myers boating destinations available for you to do that too.
Sanibel Island
Located not far off the coast, Sanibel is one of Fort Myers best boating locations because of its pristinely preserved beaches and 25 miles of paved trails. And, if you are a seashell enthusiast, this island’s beautiful beaches is a shell collectors paradise. Dubbed the “Seashell Capital of the World,” the tides wash ashore unique shells each day on Sanibel’s natural beaches.
Captiva Island
If you are a nature lover looking to explore, then a boating place in Fort Myers to put on your list is Captiva Island. This flower-filled island offers quiet, breathtaking beaches, exotic wildlife, and to-die-for views. If you are up for some on-the-water activities, then Captiva will not disappoint you either. The island offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, parasailing, and more.
Estero Island
Another one of the boating places not to be missed in Fort Myers is Estero Island and Lovers Key State Park. On the northern edge of Estero Island is Fort Myers Beach, famous for its white sands and beach town vibe filled with restaurants, bars, and colorful nightlife. South of Estero is Lovers Key State Park, a series of lush islands filled with two miles of untarnished sugar sand beaches, mangrove forests, and over five miles of trails. When exploring the park’s many canals and lagoons you may also spot manatees, tortoises, dolphins, osprey, and other shorebirds.
Cayo Costa
Another one of Fort Myers boating destinations is Cayo Costa. This small, remote barrier island about 10 miles long and a mile wide is home to Cayo Costa State Park and is filled with much to enjoy and explore, including acres of wilderness, crystal-clear waters, and stunning beaches. Although heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022, the island is bouncing back, with much of its flora and fauna restored. The island is accessible only by boat and you do need to plan ahead, bringing provisions with you, as there is no running water or infrastructure on the island.
Cabbage Key
Located off the western edge of Pine Island within Pine Island Sound, Cabbage Key is mostly a wooded state park offering 100 acres of lush vegetation. You can climb the historic water tower for a 360-degree view of the island. You might also catch a glimpse of the tortoises that call Cabbage Key home. The island is also home to the Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant, which offers delightful cuisine in a relaxed island environment.
10,000 Islands
Located south of Fort Myers and north of the Everglades is a stretch of islands waiting to be explored via boat. The area does not contain 10,000 islands, as the name suggests, but there are more than plenty to fill your adventure card. Many of the islands are uninhabited and sport mangrove wilderness, natural wildlife habitats, and quiet beaches, making this area one of the top Fort Myers boating destinations. There are also exceptional fishing opportunities in the area.
Boca Grande and the Outer Islands
Off the coast of Fort Myers and on the doorstep of Charlotte Harbor is the exclusively charming coastal village of Boca Grande, nestled on the southern part of Gasparilla Island. The northern part of the island is home to Gasparilla State Park. With its historic downtown, sugar sand beaches, and world class fishing, Boca Grande is a Fort Myers boating destination not to be missed.
The blue waters off Boca Grande, fed by the Peace and Myakka rivers, get fairly deep fairly fast, which makes them abundant fishing spots. These waters are known as a place to catch the mighty and challenging Tarpon, or Silver King, as well as King and Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, Snook, Red Snapper, Mahi Mahi, Jacks, and more.
Other Notable Fishing Spots
Florida is a fishing mecca with more than 200 native species of freshwater fish and more than 500 species native to its ocean. There are any number of Fort Myers boating destinations that provide ideal fishing opportunities in addition to Boca Grande. These include Riverside Park, North Shore Park across from the Caloosahatchee Bridge, Billy Creek, a small tributary of the Caloosahatchee River, and Blind Pass between Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
A Few Places to Dine and Explore by Boat
Besides the Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant mentioned above, there are any number of places in the Fort Myers area that offer up unique places to dine and explore. Below are a few notable places to explore by boat.
Boca Grande Marina
Pull your boat up to the Boca Grande Marina and explore the local scene in this historic island community. Dine in the fine elegance of the second-floor restaurant, the Eagle Grill, overlooking Charlotte Harbor or enjoy the lively, casual atmosphere on the water’s edge at Miller’s Dockside. Both restaurants boast unique, freshly prepared coastal cuisine.
Marina at Cape Harbour
Located in Cape Coral and the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, this quiet city is a boating haven filled with waterfront dining, shopping, and exploring. Enjoy an array of restaurants serving up everything from fresh seafood to pizza and finely crafted global cuisines.
Royal Shell Port Sanibel Marina
Located in the harbor in Punta Rassa Cove and reached through San Carlos Bay, Port Sanibel Marina is a perfect spot to dock your boat and access the outdoor dining options nearby, including the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant, which features island conch chowder and other fine dining options.
Beaches to Explore by Boat
No Fort Myers boating guide is complete without taking a look at the many beaches available for relaxing in the sun and soaking in the fun. Below are a few beach destinations best explored by boat.
Fort Myers Beach
As mentioned above, Fort Myers Beach is located on the northern edge of Estero Island, and although accessible by bridge, the island’s amazing seven-mile stretch of sugar sand beaches is best reached by boat. The water depth varies along this stretch of beach, so in parts, you will need to anchor further out and wade in, while in other parts, you can pull up to shore. Besides its waterfront bars and restaurants, the beach is also a popular place for water sports, including parasailing and kayaking.
Lighthouse Beach Park
On the south end of Sanibel Island sits one of Florida’s 30 lighthouses, giving this popular white sandy beach its name. Wrapping around the end of the island, Lighthouse Beach Park is one of the most visited beaches in the area, so go in knowing that. It offers amenities, such as restrooms, grills and picnic areas, and a pier for fishing. To reach the beach by boat, you will need to anchor further from shore and wade into the beach.
Bowman’s Beach
This stretch of pristine sand is the most remote beach on Sanibel Island and also one of the most picturesque. It is most easily accessible by boat, which also makes it a less crowded beach for relaxing and exploring. It also has amenities, such as restrooms, drinking fountains, outside changing rooms and showers, and barbecue grills and picnic areas. The beach’s beautiful expanse is perfect for long walks and searching for that perfect seashell.
The Final Word on Fort Myers Boating Destinations
Whether you are looking for coastal adventure, world-class fishing, or to soak in relaxed, laid-back island culture, then Fort Myers boating destinations can no doubt fill up your leisure with what you want. For beach picnics and seashell explorations you have Sanibel Island and for wildlife adventures, you can easily slip over to Captiva or 10,000 Islands and then off to Boca Grande to catch the mighty Tarpon. With all there is to explore and do, it is no wonder Fort Myers boating destinations rank high on vacationers must-go lists. Isn’t it time you start planning your own trip?
