10 Tips for Planning the Perfect Beach Vacation

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2 10 Tips for Planning the Perfect Beach Vacation Tip #1: What to Pack Tip #2: What to Do Tip #4: Where to Eat Tip #6: Where to Shop Tip #7: Hit the Beaches Tip #8: Sail into the Sunset Tip #9: Try Your Luck on a Floating Casino Tip #10: Best Places to Stay on the Beach

3 Tip #1: What to Pack Congratulations! You ve made the decision to get away from the stress of life and treat yourself to a beautiful beach vacation! But, before you set out on your travels, you need to make sure you have some beach essentials that will allow you to enjoy your vacation to the fullest. We re giving you the inside scoop on beach fashion, making sure you don t weigh down your suitcase with things you don t need! The following attire is basically acceptable anywhere you go on the beach, including restaurants, bars, shops, etc. Here are a few things we suggest: Ladies should pack: Bathing suits (If you have 2, bring both so you ll always have one that s dry. Also, you will most likely be leaving with a tan! So, be mindful of styles that may give you funny looking tan lines.) Bathing suit cover up Sundresses Tank tops or short sleeved, lightweight shirts Comfortable shorts or skirts One lightweight, long sleeved shirt (if you ve been swimming & sunning all day, sometimes the air conditioning inside can feel chilly) Flip flops that can get wet or water shoes Flip flops or sandals for going out in the evening (leave the heels at home! Sandals are acceptable anywhere on Fort Myers Beach)

4 Men should pack: Hawaiian or lightweight, breezy shirts T-Shirts or Polos Swim trunks Lightweight shorts or khakis, (some men wear jeans in the bars at night, but shorts are always more comfortable) One lightweight, long sleeved shirt Flip flops that can get wet or water shoes Flip flops or deck shoes for going out in the evening Everyone Should Bring: Sunglasses Sunscreen Lip Balm Spending Cash (the beach shopping is great!) A desire to relax and have FUN! Now that you re all packed and ready to go, keep reading for more tips on what to do once you arrive in paradise!

5 Tip #2: What to Do If we listed all of the fun things to do on your beach vacation, this ebook would take you weeks to read! So, we re just going to give you a few highlights. Here are some of the popular activities that you can enjoy on Fort Myers Beach, FL: Bask on the beach At Fort Myers Beach, we have a little secret. We ve uncovered the recipe for happiness and tranquility Mix these ingredients together, and you ll see what we mean... 1 blue sky with lots of sunshine 7 miles of white, sugar sand beaches 1 Gulf with glistening water, gentle lapping waves, and chirping seagulls 1 shady beach umbrella 1 towel 1 refreshing, fruity beverage (umbrella optional) Once you ve gathered the ingredients (which are already waiting for you on Fort Myers Beach!), just stir in yourself and you have found the recipe for pure bliss! It s like nature s therapy. Rent Jet Ski s Relaxation on Fort Myers Beach is glorious! But, sometimes, you want to to spice it up and have a little fun! Well, we have just the cure. A great way to enjoy the Gulf is by skimming across the water on a Jet Ski or Wave Runner. You ll find Jet ski rental stands all along Fort Myers Beach. Once you ve settled on a spot, the instructor will give you a crash course in

6 jet ski operation and safety. There are buoys in the water indicating how far out into the Gulf you can ride. Take it slow and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the beach, or zoom at higher speeds as you bounce along waves and get an exhilarating rush! Go Parasailing Want to try something new? Parasailing can be fun for the whole family! You ll get a bird s eye view as you glide over the Gulf of Mexico on a Parasail ride. The Parasailing tours will take you out on a boat, and hook you up to a specially designed harness & parachute. As the boat takes off, you are lifted into the air for a fun & enjoyable ride, as well as an AMAZING view of the waters and beaches of Estero Island. Most parasailing companies give you the option to fly solo or double. Be Entertained Fort Myers Beach always has something going on! During the day, many of the bars and restaurants have live entertainment, like someone playing your favorite hits by Jimmy Buffet on acoustic guitar, or other great music to add to the beach atmosphere. At sunset, you will usually find street performers near the sunset pier that provide entertaining magic acts or music performances that are great for the whole family. In the evenings, many of the bars feature bands and live music that make you want to dance the night away!

7 Tip #3: Where to Fish Are you looking for the best fishing around? Well, look no further! The waters around Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, and Captiva offer some of the best fishing opportunities in Florida. You ll find plenty of amazing fishing near your Fort Myers Beach vacation rental whether you re an avid angler, a weekend fisherman, or just enjoy the relaxation of a fishing boat. Simply purchase a non-resident fishing license and enjoy fishing from the docks, beach, or public fishing pier on Fort Myers Beach. This pier stretches hundreds of feet into the Gulf of Mexico at the Beach s Lynn Hall Memorial Park. You can also find some great fishing from the Lighthouse Pier on the eastern tip of Sanibel. Do you prefer to fish from a boat? There are many deep sea fishing charters or private fishing guides available to you near Fort Myers Beach. Here are just a few: Catch Me If U Can Fishing Charters (239) Paradise Charters Exclusive 4765 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, Florida (239) Fort Myers Fishing Adventures 2500 Main Street, Fort Myers Beach, Florida (239) Capt. Tony s Fishing Adventures San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, Florida (239) Good Time Charters 7225 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, Florida (239) Capt Richard Cain s Dock

8 18650 San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, Florida (239) You can also rent a kayak and bring your fishing pole, or go on a guided kayak fishing tour for a unique, tranquil experience. You may even want to try spinning reels or fly-fishing! In Southwest FL, you have year round opportunities to catch fish such as: Jack Mackeral Cobia Pompan Spotted Sea Trout Grouper Red Fish Tarpon Many more!!! If you are an angler, and have never experienced Tarpon Fishing in Southwest Florida you are in for a treat! Boca Grande Pass on the West coast of Florida is regarded as the Silverking Capitol of the World!! This deep water pass is the primary opening into Charlotte Harbor, just North of Fort Myers Beach. It lies between the southern point of Gasparilla Island and the northern shore of Cayo Costa Island. Large amounts of water flow in and out of this pass and carry huge amounts of food for the tarpon, which arrive by the thousands. The fish begin to show up in early April and congregate in the 80-foot deep hole just off the tip of Gasparilla Island. Tarpon continue showing up in the pass feeding on the thousands of small crab that flow out to the Gulf from Charlotte Harbor. With the arrival of the tarpon comes the arrival of the tarpon fishermen eager to take on the great silverkings. Each year, the fishing here gains even more popularity. It is a very exciting place during the tarpon season, due to the number of fish in the pass. Schools containing hundred of tarpon will roll beside your boat. The atmosphere in the pass is very exciting, with as many as 20 fish being fought at the same time by the anglers!

9 Tip #4: Where to Eat This is another tip that could go on for pages if we listed all the fantastic restaurants to enjoy on Fort Myers Beach. So, in the interest of time, we re just going to give you a few suggestions for great places to eat, that are only a short walk or trolley ride from your Fort Myers Beach vacation rental. Times Square Restaurants - You ll find a plethora of great little restaurants with outdoor seating and amazing food in Times Square. Here, you ll find everything from a wonderful Greek restaurant, an Italian pizza parlor, a Burrito joint, and a variety of fresh seafood restaurants. Here are a few other restaurants you may want to check out: The Beached Whale Casual atmosphere, great food, menu variety, rooftop seating, live music at night 1249 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach (239) Beach Pierside Grill On the beach, outdoor seating overlooks the Gulf, casual, seafood and other variety of food, live music outside, best place to watch the sunset! 1000 Estero Blvd # 3, Fort Myers Beach (239) Doc Ford s Rum Bar and Grille

10 On the water (bayside), casual outdoor seating or indoor dining, 3 bars, live entertainment outside, great place to dock your boat and grab a bite to eat 708 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach - (239) Parrot Key Caribbean Grill On the water at the bayside docks before the bridge, fun, tropical atmosphere, amazing food, varied menu, features live Caribbean music, located next to the Key West Express docks 2500 Main Street, Fort Myers Beach (239) Lani Kai Island Resort Hotspot for music and dancing, central location on the beach, casual indoor or outdoor dining at the rooftop restaurant, experience the best views on the beach! 1400 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach (239) Gulfshore Grill and the Cottage Bar Located right on the water s edge on the beach, all seating overlooks the Gulf, fun, casual atmosphere, good seafood and menu variety 1270 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach (239) The Yucatan Beach Stand Spacious, open breezy restaurant with casual atmosphere, good seafood, menu variety, live background music 250 Old San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL FUN The staff at Beach Accommodations is very island-savvy, and will know the best place to go for whatever it is you re looking for! So, you can always call us at BEACH-IT for recommendations during your stay at one of our beach vacation rentals!

11 Tip #5: Where to Find the Best Shells If you enjoy browsing the beach for unique, colorful shells, you ve come to the right place! Southwest Florida is the Mecca of shelling, as the beaches are lined with an abundance of beautiful shells! Although you may find some great little treasures on Fort Myers Beach, for the best shelling, we recommend taking a day trip to the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island have been referred to as the Shell Islands because they are actually made out of shells. This phenomenon was created over thousands of years because of the unique geography of the islands. Sanibel Island winds and twists along the coastline, among a string of lined islands. The east-west torque of the south end of the island acts almost like a shovel for the shells that come in from the Gulf, Caribbean, and other southern seas. As you comb the islands for these amazing little treasures of the sea, expect to find: Conchs Whelks Scallops Clam shells

12 Coquinas and the rare Junonias (one of the most prized shells!) Often, these shells can be found perfectly intact! If you ve had your fill of searching the beaches for shells, but still want to bring home some shelly souvenirs, you may want to consider a visit to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum at some point during your trip. This museum features over 30 exhibits of shells from around the world! They also have activities such as a learning lab, with a hands-on display area for children, games, and a tank with indigenous mollusks. The mission of the Shell Museum is more than just to show off the beautiful shells of Southwest Florida. It is also to educate about a further awareness of nature and promote collection-based research on shells and mollusks in Southwest FL. They focus on art and history, as well as shell habitat. Ready to do some treasure hunting? Browse vacation rentals online, or call us at BEACH-IT, and we ll find you the perfect beach vacation rental that will give you access to the most beautiful shells you ve ever seen!

13 Tip #6: Where to Shop With all of the fantastic shopping opportunities on Fort Myers Beach, you may secretly hope the airline loses your luggage! In the shops around Times Square, you ll find everything from a variety of clothing boutiques and beachwear shops, to unique gift shops and specialty stores. There is something for everyone s taste. If you venture off the island, you can visit the nearby Tanger Outlets, only minutes away from Fort Myers Beach. This outlet center features 39 outlet stores from top designers and brands in an open-air, boardwalk lined shopping mall. But, there s really no need to leave the island! Here are just a few of the shops right on the beach you may enjoy browsing through on your vacation:

14 West Coast Surf Shop Huge showroom featuring a wide variety of beach attire and beach gear, as well as novelties and gifts. Unit 1, 1035 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, FL (239) Mango Bay Two story showroom featuring beach attire, surf gear, beach gear, and novelty gifts. 151 Old San Carlos Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, FL (239) Pier Peddler Located near the sunset/fishing pier, featuring unique gifts and beach attire Estero Blvd # 2, Fort Myers Beach (239) East Winds 159 Old San Carlos Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach (239) Tropical Sunset Boutique featuring tropical island attire and jewelry 159 Old San Carlos Boulevard,Fort Myers Beach (239) Sand Dollar Boutique featuring beach attire, casual clothing, gifts and jewelry 959 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach (239) Your beach vacation rental will be only a short walk or trolley ride to the best shopping around!

15 Tip #7: Hit the Beaches The best part of any beach vacation is, of course the beach! If you want a day of peaceful relaxation, just enjoying the soft Gulf breezes, and gentle lapping of the waves you have found eureka! Enjoy miles of tranquil beaches to just soak in the sun and let all your worries drift away. Fort Myers Beach features seven miles of white sugar sand beaches, stretching the length of Estero Island. Or, if you want to experience a little more nature and wildlife, take a stroll through the nature trails on the North end of the island. There are picnic tables and restrooms available. Hint: The dolphins love to play at the North end of the island around sunset! If you re looking for entertainment and fun in the sun, find a nice spot near Times Square and be in the middle of the action. Enjoy beachfront restaurants, pubs, live music, volleyball, jet skiing, and parasailing. Witness breathtaking sunsets every day! The southwest exposure of the beaches allow you to enjoy inspiring sunsets throughout the year. World s Safest Beach! Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island), is also recognized as one of the World s safest beaches due to the gently sloping shoreline.

16 These are some of the area beaches close to your Ft Myers Beach vacation rental. Simply take a short drive or hop on the Beach Trolley and check out these beautiful beaches Lynn Hall Memorial Park (Times Square) Walking distance from your vacation rental property! Features the fishing & sunset pier, parking, picnic tables, BBQ grills, swings, bath house, restrooms, rentals, volleyball, playground, shopping, dining 950 Estero Blvd Bunche Beach Features serene beaches and some parking John Morris Road Bowditch Point Regional Park Features restrooms, showers, picnics, grills, hiking paths, pavilion 50 Estero Blvd. Lover s Key State Park Whether you are lovers or just a lover of serene beaches and nature, this island has been a popular destination for years! In the past, it was a remote, solitary beach, only accessible by boat. Today, it is one of four barrier islands that make up a beautiful State Park. In addition to the beaches, you may also want to explore the many back bays, estuaries and lush mangrove forests for great boating and spectacular views of wild life!

17 Tip #8: Sail into the Sunset As you ve probably realized by now, you will have the opportunity to witness some of the most amazing sunsets you can imagine on your beach vacation. You can easily just take a short walk from your vacation rental onto the sandy beach, and sit back to witness the glorious sunset each night. OR, you can see it up close and personal from the glistening waters of the Gulf of Mexico! Fort Myers Beach offers a variety of sunset and dolphin cruises that allow you to have the full experience of witnessing the sun sink into the ocean. Imagine the wind in your hair, the dolphins frolicking alongside the boat, and a sky filled with brilliant colors and swirling clouds. Fort Myers Princess Cruise - These sunset cruises depart out of Fort Myers Beach. They sail out into the Gulf of Mexico, cruising though Matanzas Pass and heading toward Sanibel lighthouse. They take individuals or private groups to view a sunset that will stay with you long after your beach vacation is over. Dolphin Cruises Although there s a good chance you will see some dolphins on a sunset cruise, you may also want to try one of the Dolphin Cruises designed specifically for spotting dolphins. You will witness some of the most spectacular scenes ever imagined. The goal of this cruise is to get these energetic mammals to play their favorite game Dolphins love to surf along the side of the boat jumping, rolling, and catching glances at you.

18 Tip #9: Try Your Luck on a Floating Casino If you re enjoying a beach vacation in beautiful Southwest Florida you probably already consider yourself very lucky! But, why not have some fun and try your luck at a little Black Jack, Roulette, or 3-Card Poker? The Big M Casino Cruise takes cruising the Gulf of Mexico to a whole new level and it docks only minutes away from your vacation rental on Fort Myers Beach. The Big M is a luxurious 162 Gambling Ship! Here you can enjoy all of your favorite casino table games, including: Blackjack Three Card Poker Roulette Craps The Newest Slots If all that winning works up an appetite, you can also enjoy the All You Can eat Buffet! The Big M Casino is a fun destination for all types of guests. Here are some tips for choosing the day that s right for you: Friday and Saturday evening cruises have an exciting, fun atmosphere, often featuring live entertainment Wednesday and Thursday morning cruises feature Senior discounts if you re 55+ If you like to avoid crowds, the best selection of available slots and table games is Sunday evenings. Did you know Fort Myers Beach is ALSO the docking and departure point for the Key West Express high speed ferry? It will get you to Key West in only 3 hours, so you can make a day trip of it from your Ft Myers Beach vacation rental!

19 Tip #10: Best Places to Stay on the Beach If you re vacationing on Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island), you have a lot of choices. You can choose to enjoy the peaceful tranquility of properties along the bayfront or quiet areas of the beach, or you can choose to stay close to Times Square, with all of the shopping, dining, and entertainment. Whether you choose to stay right on the beach, or tucked away on the island, all of the properties at Beach Accommodations are only a short walk or trolley ride from the white sandy beaches, as well as everything that Times Square has to offer. In addition, many of the properties are close to marinas, boating and fishing charters, for those who are ready to get out on the water! Beach Cottages If you re looking for a quaint island style cottage to spend your vacation, Beach Accommodations has a variety of beach cottages available. (661 Estero) Villas - Some of the most popular villa style properties in Southwest Florida are the Estero Island Beach Villas or Gateway Villas, both located on the North end of beautiful Fort Myers Beach. These villas provide breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico from your screened in lanai. You will also enjoy some wonderful amenities, such as a beachfront Heated Pool, BBQ Grills, and covered parking.

20 Beach Condos There are many styles of beach condos to choose from on Fort Myers Beach from elegant and spacious floor plans, to quaint, island-style condos. Beach Accommodations has beachfront condos that will provide the perfect spot for your beach vacation getaway. House Rentals When you re ready to make your escape to paradise, you may want to consider renting your very own island bungalow. There are a number of cottages and houses on Estero Island that are available for you to rent, at an affordable cost, from smaller 2 bedrooms, to larger homes that sleep up to 14 people. You can choose to stay for a week, a month, or just rent it out for a few days (based on the time of year and availability for each property). SEE YOU ON THE BEACH!!! Hopefully this ebook has helped you prepare for the perfect beach vacation on beautiful Fort Myers Beach, Florida! If you have any questions about planning a beach getaway, or would like information or rates on beach vacation rentals, don t hesitate to call us at BEACH-IT or visit