STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More Explore

• Jonathan Foerster: Meditations on Music
• Nifty Thrifty
• Tea Time

Share and Enjoy [?]

It's no secret that the state of Florida boasts of some beautiful beaches. And, supposing you don't want to drive for hours to reach the Florida Keys, and you want to lounge around seaside where you can catch a knockout sunset, then it's Southwest Florida that you want. Unlike the crowded Keys, Southwest Florida offers some beaches that will grant you peace and solitude, and unlike the rambunctious East coast, Southwest Florida bears witness to spectacular ocean-view sunsets, painting the sky with every imaginable shade and hue.

However, if you want to visit Southwest Florida to experience these fabled beaches for yourself, you'll need to know where to go. Different beaches offer different activities and amenities, so first you need to decide what you want out of a trip to the beach. To make things easier for you, here's a brief overview of a handful of the best beaches in Southwest Florida. You're welcome!

SANIBEL and CAPTIVA:

Sanibel and Captiva islands are popular destinations for anyone seeking fishing, shelling, sunning, or sight-seeing. Both islands are places you really have to see to believe, as the beaches and the nature there are pristine, exotic, and in every way simply gorgeous. The upscale neighborhoods you drive past on your way to any of the many beaches there feature some very swanky mansions and seaside homes that are great fun to look at. A lot of the beaches on Sanibel require certain permits to park there, but they offer public parking for $2.00 an hour as well. To learn more about Sanibel Island and the beaches it offers, visit http://www.sanibelflorida.com/sanibelislandbeaches.htm/

Captiva would probably be the better option if you don't want to deal with all the hassle and red tape, as many of its beaches are public access (also costing $2.00 an hour for parking) and there's a plethora of beautiful locations to choose from. You'll drive by plenty of places to stop, so don't worry if the first few you pass are all filled up. If you want to know a few things about some of the beaches on both islands, or if you want to know any of the rules for the visitors to the beaches, you can find it at http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/play/beaches.asp .

BONITA BEACH:

Bonita Beach is the perfect spot if you want to be close to nature and relaxation but also want to be near fun beach activities.

Photo by KRISTEN ALSTON

The northern part of Bonita Beach gives you all the solitude you need to unwind after a crazy week at school or work. Relax here, there's plenty of room to stretch out and breathe!

The northern end of Bonita Beach is a great place for seclusion. If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of some of the more crowded beaches in the area, Bonita Beach has two beachfront parks and many beach access points to go and relax in the white, sugary sand. An added perk of Bonita Beach would be the ten beach access points along a three-mile stretch of Hickory Blvd. Each access point has anywhere from three to seven parking spots available, all with a handicap spot, all of which offer free parking to anyone lucky (or early) enough to find one. These lazy beaches make you feel worlds away, as most of the coastline is filled with small condominiums and private residences, instead of large hotels and shopping centers.

If seclusion is not what you have in mind make sure you park by Doc's Beach House restaurant for a fun-filled and active beach experience. Here you'll find chairs, umbrellas and jetskis for rental as well as hot dogs, burgers, seafood and cold beer. If that's not enough for you, you can also play a game of beach volley or, for the more adventurous, you can book a parasail ride. You can learn more about Bonita Beach and it's waterfront parks at http://www.southwestfloridabeaches.com/bonitabeaches.htm/ .

FORT MYERS BEACH:

Photo by CHIARA ASSI

Tiny bikinis, pina coladas and watersports: Fort Myers Beach is the perfect spot for a party animal.

Another high-energy location is the famous Fort Myers Beach, which calls itself ‘the world's safest beach' despite the rickety condition in which most motels and high buildings are. It's a self-contained paradise, completely packed with tons of shopping, dining, dancing, and everything your partying heart desires. It might be action-oriented, but it's also laid back and allows you to breathe and enjoy your surroundings however you'd like. If you want to do water sports, they're there. If you want to walk around and go shopping, you can also do it there. If you want to get an ice cream from Kilwin's and enjoy it while watching the waves come in, you can do it there. If you want to go dancing and enjoy the nightlife, Junkanoos and the Lani Kai are there. Fort Myers Beach is there to fulfill your every island fantasy, from chartering fishing boats to water skiing, to shopping and eating and partying till you drop. The only thing you'll need to bring for yourself is some patience, because parking and traffic around the island can get cramped, but it's all worth it in the end. Besides, everyone knows that being popular comes with a price! For a complete guide to Fort Myers Beach along with a calendar of events and listing of activities, check out http://www.fortmyersbeachonline.com/” .

NAPLES PIER:

Another big attraction in Southwest Florida that many people go to every year is the famous Naples Pier. This is the place to go for catching a pretty sunset or a legendary big fish. Tourists and natives alike go to the Pier to enjoy the scenery and to spend a few tranquil hours fishing. If that's what you want to do, go ahead and throw a line in the water, no license is required here. You can also watch for manatees and dolphins, they often make an appearance here! For refreshments, you can find coffee, smoothies, popsicles and similar treats from a booth halfway down the pier. This location is also a nice place for swimming and relaxing. And to top it all off, parking is absolutely free! Just be sure to come early to find a good spot, or else you might have to do some walking – but it's worth it! For more information, visit http://www.explorenaples.com/naples_municipal_beach_fishing_pier.phtml/ .

TIGERTAIL BEACH:

For another nice beach that has a little bit of everything, Marco Island's Tigertail Beach is ideal for those who want it all, from great swimming to great adventure. Here you'll have access to showers and bathrooms, concession stands for food and beverages along with picnic tables for a pleasant lunch, volleyball nets/courts, and even a children's play area. Another convenience here is a rental stand, lending out a variety of beach amenities, including water sports for the active beachgoer, and chairs and umbrellas for anyone wishing to stay cool or work on getting a tan. The beach is pristine and spacious, so you'll have plenty of room to stretch out. Parking for Tigertail is abundant, so come at any time of day, it's $6.00 to park. To find out about everything that Tigertail Beach and Marco Island have to offer, learn more at http://www.southwestfloridabeaches.com/tigertailbeach.htm/ .

In all honesty, any beach you go to in Southwest Florida is going to be great. Just remember a few important things: Don't forget your sunscreen!!! Don't leave any valuables in your car; Remember to keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water; Beach trips are fun to remember, so bring a camera; and remember it's always a good idea to bring an extra towel and a few bucks in cash for tolls and parking fees. Now get out there and have some fun!