Top Rated Parks to Visit in North Captiva Island

"Travel to the eastern tip of Sanibel Island to reach Lighthouse Beach and Fishing Pier, which is owned and operated by the city and encompasses 32 acres of beachfront property. A fishing pier is open to visitors on the northern San Carlos Bay side of the park and a boardwalk nature trail is also available. The park's namesake 102-foot lighthouse was built in 1884 and is still functioning."

"If you’re looking for the perfect photo op, then of course you’re going to want the sunset and a lighthouse as your backdrop. At Sanibel Lighthouse Beach, one of the best beaches in Sanibel, you get both!. After you’ve crossed the Causeway connecting Fort Myers to Sanibel, turn left at the intersection."

"Lighthouse Beach is just off the causeway, to your left at the first intersection. In addition to a gorgeous white sand beach, there is a historic lighthouse, fishing pier and boardwalk nature trail. There are bike racks if you choose to cycle around the island."

"A beautiful beach with stunning white sands, Gulfside City Park offers both grassy and sandy areas for visitors to spend some time and listen to the waves. This beach, despite being located on a highly popular touristic island, never gets too crowded, so it's a nice spot to visit if you're looking for a little peace and quiet. Restrooms and showers can be found here, and there are also picnic areas and even grills open for public use, so it's a super spot to visit on a sunny weekend or special occasion."

"This 27-acre mid-island Park located on Algiers Lane off of Casa Ybel Road goes by two names, Gulfside City Park and also Algiers Beach after the road it’s on. It’s a quiet, pet-friendly beach park with plenty of space for kids to run around and pets to play, but it’s also one of our favorite beaches on Sanibel for sunbathing because of its private feel. Algiers Beach is perfect for dog-lovers!"

"This beach is toward the middle of the island along Algiers Lane off Casa Ybel Road. It’s not normally as busy as other island beaches. Walking this Sanibel beach is a treat."

"The Causeway Beaches can be found on the slim sliver of land leading out from the Fort Myers area over to Sanibel Island itself. Small beaches can be found along both sides of the road, allowing drivers to simply pull over at almost any point and step out onto the soft sands. There are no fees at these beaches and the local amenities include restrooms and picnic tables."

"First up on our list of Dreamy Beaches on Sanibel Island is the first string of beaches you’ll encounter on your way to Sanibel. Causeway Beach Park sits on the man-made spit of island that was built to support the causeway which connects Sanibel Island with Ft. Myers on the mainland."

"Water lovers will appreciate kayak opportunities, and professional beach loungers will enjoy the sprawling picnic area, fishing spots, and sunbathing. There’s also plenty for water sports enthusiasts, including windsurfing and kiteboarding. Getting here can be a little challenging."

"Myers, the lovely Manatee Park provides close-up views of lovably awkward manatees located in a beautiful waterfront setting. (Please note that the Manatee Park is a non-captive manatee refuge and it is rare to see them between May and November due to rising water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico.  The best time to come is in the winter months.) You can also rent kayaks and walk along the many paved trails."

"This beautiful 3500 acre wetland park is home to a plethora of amazing creatures including turtles, otters, alligators, birds, and more. At Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, you can walk along a boardwalk to get a close look at the wetlands or visit the interpretive center to learn more about the flora and fauna that live there. It is a great place to visit before heading to the Everglades if you want to develop a decent base of knowledge about what you will be seeing."

"Measuring roughly 3,500 acres, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has a fantastic 1.2-mile boardwalk through the Florida wetlands. Nature lovers will really enjoy taking a few selfies at this preserve’s many lookout points. This preserve is usually open between dawn and dusk every day, but always check the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve’s website for info on closures."

"Crescent Beach Family Park is actually a little sliver of Fort Myers Beach just south of the Fort Myers fishing pier. But this this section of shoreline is distinguished from the remaining seven miles, because it’s typically where many families hang out – as the name of the park implies. It’s one of the public beaches Fort Myers has that are super family-friendly."

"One of the most under-the-radar places to watch the sunset in Ft Myers Beach is Crescent Beach Family Park. This little slice of land is often overlooked for the larger beaches in the area, including Fort Myers Beach and Bowditch Point Park. That said, Crescent Beach Family Park is still worth a visit."

"One of the most popular places to fish in the area is Fort Myers Beach Pier. Parasailing allows you to watch all the action of anglers fishing from this pier in the Gulf of Mexico. Look closely, and you may see fishermen hauling in Spanish mackerel, cobia, pompano, redfish, bluefish and mangrove snappers."

"The fishing pier at Fort Myers Beach is well-known as one of the most amazing places to watch the a Ft."

"If you’ve gotten enough sun and want a shadier place for a walk, this free park offers a glimpse of what this area look like before development. Trails totaling 1.25 miles extend to the bay through hardwood forest and mangrove swamp."

"Not only is it a free attraction, but this untouched 60-acre sanctuary is home to one of the best beach spots in Fort Myers."

"Their to-go breakfast sandwhiches coupled with a cup of coffee, is a great way to get your morning up and running. This small resaurant does having some seating inside and outside, where meals are served with plasticware and paper plates. However, that does not hinder the quality of Mom’s home cooking."

"From the original founder of Heavenly Biscuit, Mom's makes those same luscious biscuits and cinnamon rolls, just in a homier and more subdued setting. Unlike Heavenly, there's rarely a line out Mom's door. Her options are more limited, but they're just as lovely."

"This unassuming, counter-service restaurant makes the best waffles this side of Belgium. And I'm not exaggerating. Tuckaway's Liege-style waffles are things of beauty, made the traditional way, with a yeast-based dough that's sprinkled with pearl sugar for a here-and-there crunch."

"This spot opened in the old Fish House on the south end of Estero Island in November 2017. The once shack-like space has been stunningly updated, right down to the floorboards. There's an open-air tiki hut and a more versatile screened-in patio with windows that close when it's too hot or too cold."