| For many years and generations the beaches of | | | | Bowman's Beach |
| Sanibel and Captiva Islands as well as Gasparrilla and | | | | Location: 1700 Bowman's Beach Road, off San-Cap |
| Cayo Costa Islands have been Fla Beach vacation | | | | Road, Sanibel Island |
| stars. They are located in Lee County which is also | | | | Hours: sunrise to sunset |
| home to Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach & Bonita | | | | Parking: $2/hour, 214 spaces |
| Springs. Lee is the most populous county in | | | | Amenities: changing room, showers, drinking |
| Southwest Florida, although you would never know it | | | | fountains, soda machine, grills, restrooms, picnic |
| once you cross the bridge to Sanibel and Captiva and | | | | tables, handicapped accessible |
| Gasparilla or ferry over to Cayo Costa. The feel on | | | | Activities: swimming, fishing, known for great shelling, |
| the Fla beach islands is so much different than the | | | | walking, sunbathing |
| mainland; it's as if you are in the middle of the | | | | Pets: yes, on 8' leashes |
| Caribbean. | | | | Of Special Interest: One of the best beaches in |
| If you are spending more than the day, Captiva | | | | Florida, it's a quarter mile walk from the parking lot to |
| Island hotels include the 'Tween Waters Inn Island | | | | the beach (over a bridge) through beach grasses and |
| Resort with its fabulous fine dining restaurant, the Old | | | | wetlands. Bowman's is located on the west end of |
| Captiva House. And, no visit is complete without | | | | the island and is the most remote of the beaches on |
| going to the Captiva restaurant, The Mucky Duck for | | | | Sanibel. |
| sunset watching, island music and great food. The | | | | Cayo Costa State Park |
| Mad Hatter is a Sanibel restaurant fine dining tradition | | | | Location: directly south of Boca Grande and West of |
| and a must visit! | | | | Pine Island, Cayo Costa Island |
| On to the beaches! We're featuring 6 of 12 in this | | | | Hours: 8 AM to sunset |
| article. | | | | Parking: Accessible only by passenger ferry or private |
| Natural Florida beach sand and warm waters invite | | | | boat. Ferry departs from Pine Island; 239-283-0015. |
| you to relax, read or partake in a favorite beach | | | | Park fees: $2/person |
| activity - shelling. Each beach has a personality all its | | | | Amenities: bike rentals, day boat slips, cabins, |
| own. Families will find soft, white sand great for kids. | | | | campfire circles, kayak and canoe rentals, restrooms, |
| Couples can experience solitude and exceptional | | | | interpretive programs, nature trails, pavilions, tent |
| sunsets. And active types can enjoy volleyball, | | | | camping sites, picnic tables and grills, showers |
| picnicking, shelling, cycling and skim boarding. | | | | Activities: biking, swimming, boating, camping, |
| Causeway Islands | | | | canoeing, kayaking, fishing, walking, hiking, scuba, |
| Location: SR/CR 867, from mainland traveling to | | | | snorkeling, wildlife viewing, campfire programs |
| Sanibel, pass through the Toll Booth, cross over "sky" | | | | Pets: Yes, on 6' leashes. State parks do not permit |
| bridge to first island. Continue over "flat" bridge to | | | | pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, |
| second island. | | | | cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. |
| Hours: sunrise to ½ hour past sunset | | | | Of Special Interest: The island is 7 miles long and has |
| Parking: free | | | | 9.5 miles of pristine beach on the Gulf. Its 256 acres |
| Amenities: accessible from water, restrooms, drinking | | | | look much like they did 500 years ago, when the first |
| fountains, picnic tables | | | | Europeans arrived here. |
| Activities: fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, wind | | | | Gasparilla Island State Park |
| surfing, kite boarding, shelling | | | | Location: a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast, |
| Pets: yes, on 6' leashes | | | | access is via Boca Grande Causeway at C.R. 775 and |
| Lighthouse Beach Park | | | | Placida |
| Location: 112 Periwinkle Way, east end of Sanibel | | | | Hours: 8 AM to sunset |
| Island | | | | Parking: $3/vehicle |
| Hours: sunrise to sunset | | | | Amenities: 2 miles of beach, hiking/nature trails, |
| Parking: $2/hour, 195 spaces | | | | restrooms, interpretive exhibits, picnic areas, |
| Amenities: restrooms, handicapped accessible, shell | | | | showers, visitors center |
| display, drinking fountains, bike racks, fishing pier on | | | | Activities: swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, |
| bayside | | | | shelling, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing |
| Activities: sunbathing, shelling, fishing, walking | | | | Pets: Yes, on 6' leashes. State parks do not permit |
| Pets: yes, on 8' leashes | | | | pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, |
| Of Special Interest: 32 acres on eastern tip of island. | | | | cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. |
| Strong currents make swimming inadvisable, especially | | | | Of Special Interest: The beaches are the Park's |
| for children. | | | | greatest asset. They end at Boca Grande Pass, |
| Tarpon Bay Road Park | | | | famous for its deep waters and tarpon fishing. The |
| Location: East End of Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island | | | | circa-1890 lighthouse once marked the pass for |
| Hours: sunrise to sunset | | | | mariners. It is now a museum that explores the |
| Parking: $2/hour, 75 spaces (use Trost Parking Lot) | | | | island's fishing and railroad heritage. |
| Amenities: restrooms, outside showers, handicapped | | | | You can't go wrong choosing shining Fla beach stars |
| accessible | | | | like Captiva or Sanibel for your next Fla beach |
| Activities: swimming, sunbathing, shelling, walking, | | | | vacation. Gift certificates for the Captiva restaurants, |
| fishing | | | | the Mucky Duck and Old Captiva House, as well as |
| Pets: yes, on 8' leashes | | | | the Sanibel restaurant, the Mad Hatter, can be found |
| Of Special Interest: .9 acres on midsection of island | | | | in The Florida Beach Book. |