Lonely Planet Discover the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

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No populated area in South Florida offers access to nature quite like The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. You can lose yourself in miles of primordial wetlands, watch flocks of birds migrate across land and sea, and see alligators and manatees dance along the drivable safari trail through J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (p48).

Two of the most prolific innovators of American industry, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, spent their winters in Fort Myers itself wonderfully preserved and left behind the magnificent Edison & Ford Winter Estates (p29). You can also go back further and learn about the Koreshan settlers, Florida pioneers and the areas original inhabitants.

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Theres a vibrant creative energy in the air here, evidenced by art walks in downtown Fort Myers, an extremely active local theater community, gallery openings and events from Cape Coral to Bonita Springs, plus small artists colonies on the islands. Drive to Matlacha (p66) and stroll through some truly funky, fresh galleries on Main Street.

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Professional sandsculpters come to Fort Myers Beach each November for the American Sand Sculpting Championship & Beach Festival (p110), utilizing whats considered to be the best sculpting sand in the world. Although excellent throughout the region, the sugar-powder sand on Fort Myers Beach is said to be perfect. Amateur sculptors can join in, with daily lessons given by a master sculptor, and amateur division awards.

THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL

Anhingas dive, pelicans flap, alligators cut through the water like a knife and manatees roll like giant gray jelly beansanimal lovers will find a lot to like here. Watch dolphins with outfitters such as Captiva Cruises (p119). Or come to Sanibel and visit Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW; p51).

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Take a walk. Or get in a golf cart. Thats as fast as folks like to take things on islands such as Gasparilla, North Captiva and the superbly named Cabbage Key. The most important thing in life is taking time to enjoy it, and nowhere does this philosophy find fruition like on boat-accessible Cayo Costa (p59).

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What two words better capture spring? Fort Myers is spring training central. The Minnesota Twins call this their spring home-away-from-home, while The Boston Red Sox play just a few miles away. Visit Terry Park (p105), one of the nations great ball fields where legends have playedand pass the Cracker Jacks.

THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL

From March through June, anglers from all over the world come here for Megalops the tarpon, one of the worlds great game fishes. You can catch some yourself at Boca Grande Pass, on the south edge of Boca Grande (p56), known as the Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World.

THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS & SANIBEL

as the Calusa Indians. Head out on one of the largest, best executed networks of water trails in the country. Get geared up with one of the local outfitters at Estero River Outfitters