Your family is happiest with sandy toes, salty air and a cooler full of snacks. You measure time by tides and sunsets, spend your days shell hunting and wave jumping, and believe no problem can't be solved by a late-afternoon ice cream run.
Here's your list of beachside fun.
Treat your family to a beachside playground for memories you’ll always cherish. Choose a beach resort with a children’s program for some "me time" while your kids are happily entertained. Insider tip: South Seas resort is debuting six waterslides and a lazy river at Captiva Landing.
Collect seashells on Sanibel Island, known as "The Seashell Capital of the World." See if you can find the “Sanibel Six.”
Visit the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum to learn about the island’s fascinating history. They also offer the chance to climb to the top of the lighthouse – check their website for dates and times. Enjoy the beach and have lunch at Key Lime Bistro & Loose Caboose Ice Cream Shop.
Find your spot in the powder-soft sand at Fort Myers Beach, a family-friendly playground. Join the sunset celebration at Times Square with free live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Or enjoy the Bayside Concert Series every Sunday from 4-7 pm.
Treat your kids to a three-hour marine science adventure at Sanibel Sea School, where hands-on exploration meets interactive learning.
Rent a jet ski from Holiday Water Sports for an exhilarating ride around sparkling waterways. (Anyone born after January 1, 1988, is required to have a NASBLA-approved Safe Boating License to drive a jet ski, though many locations offer a temporary license on-site.)
Try parasailing with Paradise Parasail for an adventure you won’t soon forget. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the beach as you drift across the sky.
Visit Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve to easily spot alligators, turtles and wading birds in the wetlands from the safety of the 1.2-mile elevated boardwalk, which is accessible for strollers.
Enjoy a cruise with Island Time Dolphin & Shelling Cruises in Fort Myers Beach. This family-friendly outfitter is known for finding pods of dolphins. You'll get an amazing up-close view of dolphins jumping in the boat’s wake.
Visit Bowman’s Beach, one of National Geographic’s beaches of a lifetime and a quiet haven for wildlife. See live sea urchins and crabs in its shallow tidal areas and manatees swimming near the shore. After relaxing on the beach, dine at The Bubble Room, a quirky favorite your kids will love.
Treat your kids to a Wild Wonder Animal Encounter at Wonder Gardens, where they’ll meet and feed Sulcata tortoises and Rainbow and Coconut lorikeets. Then stroll the scenic gardens to see everything from flamingoes to river otters.
Play 18 holes of championship golf with views of the shimmering Gulf waters at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club on Sanibel.
Stay and play pickleball at the Sundial Beach Resort, featuring 16 Plexicushion courts and professional-led clinics. Or enjoy the game at a number of other facilities throughout the area.
Enjoy beach fishing at Lovers Key State Park. Cast right into the surf to reel in a variety of Gulf species, from ladyfish and jacks to sharks and pompano.
Rent a surrey bike at Lakes Park for a bike ride the whole family can enjoy – even the little ones. Also enjoy the miniature train ride, playgrounds, splash pads, paddle boats and a children’s garden filled with interactive murals perfect for pictures.
Rent a boat from Snook Bight Marina and explore the area’s vast waterways. When your crew’s ready for a tasty lunch, dock and dine at Snug Harbor.
Climb aboard the Pieces of Eight, a 65-foot replica Spanish galleon to experience Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise. Your kids will love this interactive comedy adventure with treasure chests, face painting, pirate games and more. Adults can “wet yer whistle with grog” from the bar in the galley.
Enjoy an easy guided paddle along the Great Calusa Blueway perfect for kids with Tarpon Bay Explorers within the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Meander through calm, protected mangrove tunnels and tidal flats and see a wealth of wildlife, from manatees to roseate spoonbills.
Go paddleboarding at San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach Preserve; rental boards are available onsite from Kayak Excursions. The waters are calm and shallow for a long distance from the shore, making this a safe and easy place for your kids to enjoy paddleboarding.
Whether young or old, there’s something irresistible about finding seashell treasures. Collect shells at dusk, and you can also share a magical sunset. Then learn more about your finds together with a visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium.
Cruise with Captiva Cruises to Cabbage Key, where the historic Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant awaits. Thousands of dollar bills are taped on the walls (add your own!) and Jimmy Buffet was a frequent patron back in the day – rumor has it this place was the inspiration for “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”
Treat your fur baby to the best dog beach on the planet: Dog Beach Park. At this secluded tropical oasis in Bonita Springs, dogs run leash-free and play in the shallow waters. Then head to Doc’s Beach House and dine with your toes - and paws - in the sand and stunning views of the Gulf.
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