Looking for a place to kick back and enjoy Florida’s sun and sand, but avoid large crowds? Fort Myers Beach is a great place to go.
South of Tampa and north of Naples, Fort Myers Beach is easily accessible from I-75.
White sands, clear blue waters, this is a place you can relax.
Arriving on the fly, we were lucky to find a great hotel on the beach, the Outrigger Beach Resort. The hotel has wonderful staff who were very welcoming and helpful throughout our stay. They provided us with coupons for a free drink and discounts on dinner at a partner restaurant across the street.
Its 295 rooms have recently been renovated and feature a sitting area and a kitchen, something that can really help keep you on budget. The hotel also has a beachfront tiki bar and a small restaurant, Deck side Cafe, that offers a buffet breakfast and some nice options for lunch and dinner. Our experience was very pleasant and we will definitely consider returning here during our next visit!
Friday evening, we were able to enjoy the sunset and took a stroll on the beach behind our hotel before grabbing dinner.
We drove north a couple of miles for dinner to a seaside bar/restaurant called Junkanoo. Known for their pizzas, we enjoyed a great Hawaiian Pizza while sitting under the stars on their seaside deck. The waiter was also very kind and made our dinner very pleasant.
Saturday morning, we decided to go for an early swim. Florida’s beaches in the morning can be quite nice. It is usually cooler, the sun is not as taxing and you are able to enjoy the beach before the crowds come out.
We spent the day enjoying the beach and the relaxing.
In the afternoon we headed into town. We found a nice place on the corner of Estero Blvd and San Carlos Blvd. It is the location of the Fort Myers Beach Pier.
There are a few bars and restaurants, shops and in the late afternoon there is live music.
We enjoyed a great meal at Pete’s Time Out. Their crab cakes were delicious and it is located in a great sidewalk location with direct view to the live band that was playing that evening. The venue has a great atmosphere to sit back and people watch.
Sunday we took an early swim before heading out.
It was a great relaxing weekend and we are ready to head back to Fort Myers Beach for another!