Beaches
- Barefoot Beach State Preserve
- Fort Myers Beach
- Lighthouse Beach Park
- Lover's Key State Park
Barefoot Beach State Preserve
Barefoot Beach Road off Bonita Beach Road
From either I-75 or Tamiami Trail (US 41), take Bonita Beach Road, west.
Just before reaching the Gulf, turn left (South) onto Barefoot Beach Blvd.
Pass through the gate (a stop is not required, except for commercial vehicles)
and continue South through the residential area to the Preserve's North entrance gate.
All vehicles except Collier residents displaying a permit are required to pay a small parking fee of $8 per carload.
8AM to Sundown
(239) 591-8596
Distance: 29.1 miles
Barefoot Beach Preserve is 342 acres of natural land, one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast. This beach park is an excellent example of the shifts in habitat that occur within a very narrow strip of land with only slight changes in elevation and moisture. 8,200 feet of beach and sand dunes support the growth of sea oats, providing nesting sites for sea turtles during the summer months. The park also maintains a tropical coastal hammock of sabal palm, gumbo-limbo and sea grape trees among many others. The site is also home to the protected gopher tortoise. Barefoot Beach Preserve is popular for its gorgeous, plush surroundings and its opportunities for avid fishermen, who are able to enjoy many species of fish. The inland side of the island provides tidal creeks and mangrove swamps which serve as breeding areas and as a nursery for sport and commercial fish and shellfish. Barefoot Beach Preserve Park has a 356 space parking lot, one-mile nature trail, showers, picnic area and a concession are where equipment may be rented and food and drink is available for purchase. The preserve also offers handicapped beach wheelchair access.
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach Public Access:
Located on numerous beach access points along Estero Boulevard (County Hwy 865)
between Flamingo Avenue and Avenue A in Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931.
(239) 454-7500
Fort Myers Beach gained a reputation as the world’s safest beach because of no undertow and shallow water. People can walk the entire 7-mile length of the island along its sandy shores. Turn the hourglass and watch the sands of time trickle back to the past of Fort Myers Beach.
Return to the time when pirates buried treasure, Spaniards built forts, Indians hunted on the Beach, homesteaders staked their claims, shrimpers netted pink gold, a hurricane severed a land connection and mosquito hordes clouded the air. The last homesteader staked his claim in Estero Island in 1914
Leroy Lemoreaux cleared his land and survived by growing vegetables and fishing. Lemoreaux remembered bears stalking the island and panthers howling in the night. In the 1890's, the only weapon they had against the hordes of mosquitoes was smoke. Those were the days before bridge linked the island to the mainland of Fort Myers area.
A wooden swing toll bridge was the first bridge built in 1921. The toll was 50 cents for five people. The 1926 hurricane washed it away and severed the slim neck of land attaching San Carlos to the mainland making it and island. Today, it's still called Hurricane Pass.
Distance: 22.4 miles
Ligthhouse Beach Park
East end of Periwinkle Way at the tip of Sanibel Island
(239) 472-9075
Distance: 27.1 miles
Located at the east end of Periwinkle Way at the tip of Sanibel Island
Just follow Periwinkle to its end, and you'll be in the parking lot for the lighthouse.
Take a left immediately before entering the parking lot, to get to the fishing pier.
Concessions, restrooms and picnic tables are available
This 120 year old lighthouse sits on a wildlife refuge. The lighthouse itself is not open to the public, but you can snap some nice photos from the outside
There is beach access here as well. This beach has shells, but swimming is not recommended due to causeway currents.
Since it's so easy to reach, the Sanibel Lighthouse beach can get crowded.
The beach mile markers begin at mile 0 near the north end of the lighthouse parking lot.
Pets must be kept on a leash around the lighthouse grounds, and on the beach.
From 7AM until 7PM, you'll need to pay $2 per hour to park in the lot.
Map
It!
Lover's Key State Park
8700 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 463-4588
Located at the entrance on Black Island, between Bonita Beach and Fort Myers Beach on County Road 865
Restrooms, picnic tables and showers are available.
For years, Lovers Key was accessible only by boat and it was said that only lovers traveled to the island to enjoy its remote and solitary beach. Today, it is one of four barrier islands that make up this state park. A haven for wildlife, the islands and their waters are home to West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. The two mile long beach is accessible by boardwalk or tram and is popular for shelling, swimming, picnicking, and sunbathing. Black Island has over five miles of multiuse trails for hiking and bicycling. Anglers and boaters can launch their vessels from the park's boat ramp. The park's concession offers boat and fishing tours, as well as bicycle, canoe and kayak rentals. For tour reservations and rentals of bicycles, canoes and kayaks, call (239)765-7788.
Distance: 32.9 miles
home
| about Lehigh-Cottage | rates
| reservations | about
the proprietors | contact us
home | about Lehigh-Cottage | rates | reservations | about the proprietors | contact us