Finding your island is liberating Just a few hours from Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Key West visitors will discover endless stretches of white-sand beaches and hundreds of islands waiting to be explored. Hundreds of secluded islands dot the sun-splashed coastline like tiny jewels, some uninhabited and accessible only by boat or seaplane. Each community holds its own personality - take in the music and nightlife of Fort Myers Beach, the world renowned nature parks and alfresco cafes in Fort Myers or find bohemian beachside craft stores in Sanibel and Captiva. Each island offers a healthy dose of peace and quiet, and beach life with exceptional sunsets. The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are perfect for a relaxing beach holiday or as part of a fly-drive along the Florida coast. The beach of your dreams is here.
Finding your island is natural
Many of the islands provide sanctuary to wildlife, so take advantage and get close to the natural side of Florida. Watch dolphins play in the wake of your boat, or glide beneath the shade of mangroves while on a guided kayak tour of the Great Calusa Blueway. Paddle inches from manatees bobbing near the water’s surface, or spy on them at Manatee Park. Spot the pink Roseate Spoonbill and more than 300 kinds of birds in the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the U.S.
Finding your island is inspiring
Art galleries of every colour and variety burst from the seams on Matlacha and Pine Island. The Boca Grande and Sanibel lighthouses are inspirational to visit and the brilliant minds of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford enjoyed their visits so much they put down roots here. Their historic estates are filled with tropical gardens, workshops and museums which encourage creativity in every heart and prove the only limit on success is one’s imagination.