36 Hours in the Fort Myers Area

Day 1: Relax on the Beach

Roll into Sanibel Island in time for a leisurely lunch at Gramma Dot’s. Enjoy fresh seafood while you watch the boats go by and start to realize why this charming island is a favorite of the well-traveled. 

Check into accommodations on Sanibel or Captiva Islands. Choose from cozy beach cottages to luxurious resorts, spacious vacation homes and more.

Unwind on a long walk on the beach and collect seashell treasures – Sanibel Island is known as the “Seashell Capital of the World,” with more than 400 kinds of seashells to discover. See if you can collect the “Sanibel Six.”

Now that the rhythm of the waves and the fresh sea breeze has thoroughly relaxed you, it’s time for a refreshing dip in the pool and a luxurious nap.

End your tranquil day with some wining and dining at Crow’s Nest Steakhouse on Captiva Island. With its 180-degree views of the Gulf, you’ll enjoy a sunset as spectacular as the food and service. 

On the way back to your accommodations, stop at the Bubble Room for a piece of the famous orange crunch cake. 

Day 2: Explore Breathtaking Nature

Start your second day with breakfast at the Over Easy Café, offering a variety of hearty options and healthy choices like “That Ain’t No Yoke,” an egg white omelet with spinach and tomato. 

Head to Tarpon Bay Explorers (Tues.-Sat.) at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where you can rent a bike, canoe or kayak and meander through the natural beauty at your own pace, or enjoy a guided tour via kayak or tram. You can also tour Wildlife Drive in your own car – or golf cart.

No matter how you explore, you’re sure to get a fascinating view of wildlife, including the vibrant Roseate Spoonbill (below). Home to 250 species of birds, the refuge is a must for birding enthusiasts. 

After a delicious lunch at the Lazy Flamingo – and maybe catching a sports game on their big screen TVs – head to Sanibel Island Golf Club for 18 holes of magnificent golf with picturesque views of the Sanibel River. Enjoy the majestic fairways and natural beauty, reset your brain by focusing on the game, walk the course to release mood-enhancing endorphins and share the fun with family and friends.

Enjoy another glorious sunset and waterfront dining at the Green Flash, a Captiva institution. Get your seafood fix with some freshly shucked oysters on the half shell or a grilled Florida lobster tail. Enjoy a nightcap at the lively bar where you can rub elbows with the locals. 

Day 3: Cruise to One of the Best Hidden Gems in America

After breakfast at Lighthouse Café, enjoy a relaxing cruise with Captiva Cruises to Cabbage Key, an island only accessible by boat. Kick back and bask in the sunshine and beautiful views, including dolphins jumping in the wake of the boat.

Hop off at Cabbage Key and enjoy lunch at its historic inn’s open-air restaurant atop a 38-foot Indian shell mound offering panoramic views of Pine Island Sound. Bring a dollar bill to add to thousands of others taped to the wall at this legendary eatery where Jimmy Buffett was a regular guest.

Fun fact: Rumor has it that he dedicated his song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” to the inn. Along with the cheeseburger, try the fresh peel-and-eat Gulf shrimp and homemade key lime pie for a true taste of Florida.

Cabbage Key and its inn and restaurant have a fascinating history and have been recognized nationally in 2025, awarded the No. 5 spot on TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards for Best Hidden Gems in America.