Fort Myers is one of the prettiest cities in Florida. The broad, flat Caloosahatchee River forms its northern shoreline, and water views soften the businesslike cluster of downtown office buildings. Between rows of stately palms you can catch glimpses of old Southern mansions. Although the nearest beach is a half hour away, there is still plenty to do in this inland city that was the winter home of inventors Thomas A. Edison and Henry Ford.
Twenty-three miles southwest of downtown Fort Myers is Sanibel Island, a barrier islands reached by the Sanibel Causeway. There is a $3 round-trip bridge toll (collected on the way over), but avid shell collectors and nature enthusiasts will get their money's worth, for Sanibel's beaches are among the best shelling grounds in the world, since the protected eastern waters of the Gulf provide a home to a multitude of shell animals. For the choicest pickings, arrive as the tide is going out or just after a storm -- you'll probably see plenty of other shell seekers with the telltale "Sanibel stoop."
Reached from Sanibel is its quieter northern neighbor, Captiva Island. Captiva has more private development than Sanibel, and its resorts reflect this sense of seclusion. Resorts and restaurants are clustered at the northern end of Captiva and the southern end of Sanibel. In between are residential areas and a wildlife refuge.
Naples, 45 miles down the coast from Fort Myers, is fast becoming Florida's west-coast version of Palm Beach. Twenty-story condominiums now line much of the north shore, and many sophisticated (and pricey) restaurants have opened, as have a number of upscale shopping areas, including tree-lined 3rd Street South. Though golf, tennis, and miles of beach draw visitors to this area year-round, the winter months are by far the most crowded, and it can be difficult to find a room or get a reservation at the popular restaurants.
Another barrier island connected to the mainland by causeways, Marco Island is off the Florida coast 20 miles south of Naples. It stubbornly tries to retain its isolated feeling despite the high-rises that line parts of its shore. Many natural areas have been preserved, and the fishing village of Goodland resists tourism-induced change. Surfing, sunning, swimming, and tennis are the primary activities.
