Best Beaches and Beach Parks in Fort Myers and Lee County (2026 Guide)

Updated September 15, 2026. Several Lee County beach park parking lots closed for Hurricane Ian repairs on September 8, so check this list before you drive out.

The Gulf Coast is one of the best places in Florida to spend a day by the water. From quiet nature preserves to famous shelling beaches, Lee County has a shoreline for every kind of beach day. Here is a friendly guide to some of the best beaches and beach parks near Fort Myers, with hours, parking, and a few tips to help you plan.

A quick note before you go: many of our beaches are still recovering from past storms. Some parking lots and amenities are closed right now, so it is smart to pack water and beach shoes and to check the official park page before you head out. Lee County also runs a free Beach Park and Ride trolley, which is the easiest way to reach Fort Myers Beach while lots are closed.

Open right now

Crescent Beach Family Park (Fort Myers Beach)

This is the easiest full service beach on Fort Myers Beach at the moment. The 2.25-acre park sits at the foot of the Matanzas Bridge along about 400 feet of sand, and it reopened on July 29, 2026 after repairs. You get two modular restrooms, pavilions, showers and four separate paths down to the water. Pets are not allowed at this park.

Address: 1100 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach. Hours: dawn to dusk.

Bunche Beach Preserve (Fort Myers)

If you love birds, tide pools, and “Old Florida” scenery, Bunche Beach is for you. This 718-acre tidal wetland on San Carlos Bay is a favorite for birdwatching, fishing, kayaking, and slow morning walks. Bring bug spray and a camera. About 100 vehicles can park between the site and the beach.

Address: 18201 John Morris Rd, Fort Myers. Hours: dawn to dusk. Parking: about $2 per hour, and the county annual pass works here.

Bowman’s Beach (Sanibel)

Bowman’s Beach is one of Sanibel’s most loved beaches and a top spot for shelling. You will find a playground, picnic grills, restrooms, showers, fitness stations and a kayak launch, plus room to spread out. Note that you walk a short path from the parking lot to the sand, which keeps the crowds thinner.

Address: 1700 Bowmans Beach Rd, Sanibel. Hours: open 24 hours. Parking: about $5 per hour, enforced around the clock; the county annual pass works here.

Turner Beach (Sanibel)

Turner Beach sits right by the bridge to Captiva and is famous for sunsets and jetty fishing. Parking is limited, so arrive early. Lee County warns that swimmers should avoid the area near the bridge, because the water deepens quickly and the current runs hard there. Families with little ones should swim a bit down the beach where it is calmer.

Address: 17200 Captiva Dr, Sanibel. Hours: open 24 hours. Parking: about $5 per hour, mobile pay only; the county annual pass works here.

Dog Beach (Bonita Springs)

Dogs run free here, and parking does not cost a thing. There are portable toilets rather than full restrooms, and a donated rinse station so you can wash the salt off your dog before you get back in the car. Check the tide first. This is a tidal flat, and at mid to high tide you have to wade to reach the beach. No glass and no alcohol.

Address: 14436 Bonita Beach Cswy, Bonita Springs. Hours: dawn to dusk. Parking: free.

Lovers Key State Park (Bonita Springs)

Lovers Key is a state park with about two miles of beach, calm water for kayaking, and the Black Island Trail for walkers and bikers. The Discovery Center is worth a stop with kids and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Three things to know. The tram has been discontinued, so you reach the beach on foot or by bike over two bridges: the Mid-Beach Wood Bridge is about 1,000 feet from parking lot #1, and the South Beach Concrete Bridge is about half a mile. There is no gift shop, bait shop or food and beverage service at the park as of May 1, 2026, though paddling, fishing and beach rentals are available daily. The boat ramp has been partially closed for improvements since July 2026, and parking is limited while that work goes on.

Address: 8700 Estero Blvd, Bonita Springs. Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year. Entry: $8 per vehicle. Phone: 239-707-6328.

Parking closed for repairs this fall

The sand at these three parks is still there. The parking is not. All three closures are Hurricane Ian repair work.

Bowditch Point Park (Fort Myers Beach). As of September 8, 2026, the parking lot and the park amenities are closed for construction. The LeeTran stop for the Park and Ride and seasonal beach trolley stays open, and you can still walk to the beach. Bowditch is 17 acres at the northern tip of Estero Island, with about 10 acres kept as restored natural land.
Address: 50 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach.

Bonita Beach Park (Bonita Springs). Parking closed on September 8, 2026. You can walk in through nearby Bonita Beach Access #1, or use LeeTran ULTRA On Demand to get there.
Address: 27954 Hickory Blvd, Bonita Springs.

Lynn Hall Memorial Park (Fort Myers Beach). The park closed in April 2026 for improvements and the parking lot is closed during construction. You can still reach the beach using the free Beach Park and Ride trolley. This is the park next to Times Square in the heart of downtown Fort Myers Beach, so it is worth the ride.
Address: 950 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach.

Good to know at every Lee County beach

Alcohol, glass bottles, jet ski launching and hammocks tied to plants are all prohibited at Lee County beach parks. Fishing is free at county beach sites, though you may still need a Florida saltwater fishing license. Lee County posts beach water quality online, which is worth a ten second check before you load the car.

Frequently asked questions

Which beach is best for shelling? Sanibel’s Bowman’s Beach is the classic pick for shells. Early morning, after a low tide, is the best time to look.

Which beach is best for families with young kids? Crescent Beach Family Park. It reopened in July 2026 with restrooms, showers, pavilions and four short paths to the water, and it is the easiest full service beach on Fort Myers Beach right now.

Are dogs allowed on the beach? Dog Beach in Bonita Springs allows dogs off leash and parking there is free. Many other beach parks do not allow pets at all, including Crescent Beach Family Park. Rules differ from beach to beach, so check the official page before you bring your pet.

How much does parking cost? Most Lee County beaches charge about $2 to $5 per hour. A Lee County annual beach parking pass is accepted at many of them, including Bowman’s Beach, Turner Beach and Bunche Beach. Dog Beach is free, and so is the Beach Park and Ride lot.

Are the beaches fully open after the storms? The beaches are open. Three county park parking lots are closed for repairs this fall: Bowditch Point, Bonita Beach Park and Lynn Hall Memorial Park. Use the Beach Park and Ride trolley or LeeTran ULTRA On Demand to reach those stretches, and check the county park page for the latest before your visit.

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