NOTE: This area sustained damage during Hurricane Ian in October 2022.

Estero Bay is a shallow estuary south of Fort Myers. It's pleasant to take a boat trip into the bay to see the birds standing upright on signposts in the water and the dolphins arcing peacefully by. We even saw a bald eagle! The water is pretty how it changes color at the sandbars. It's nice to feel the breeze in your hair as you ride past mangrove islands and under the bridge. Jet skis whizz by, as do fishermen in their speed boats. Watch out for sandbars- we saw two fishing boats get stuck in the mud!
There are windswept islands where the estuary meets the sea, with scraggly native plants, fine whitish sand, and shallow water. If you stay at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point you can take their fun free boat trip in Estero Bay to Big Hickory Island, which is very exposed but has a nice building up on stilts where you can sit and look out on the water. This hotel is kind of far from other attractions but has a landscaped pool with waterfall and waterslide- if you do stay, request to not be on the north side of the building because it has a loud and ugly area below.
Otherwise, there are boat tour companies such as Estero Bay Express that offer a variety of different tours.
After your boat trip, eat at Bahama Breeze Restaurant, where wonderful live music on the patio fills you with joy as you eat a delicious meal surrounded by tropical landscaping.

Directions

You can launch your own boat at Estero Bay Preserve State Park. From Hwy 41, turn toward the ocean on Broadway West. Public access is free and is on the right-hand side of the road near the electric substation.
You can have a free ride through Estero Bay to Big Hickory Island if you stay at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. 5001 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134. From Highway 41, turn toward the ocean on Coconut Road.
Or you can take a boat tour with Estero Bay Express, 7225 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, call (239) 463-3600.
Bahama Breeze Restaurant, 14701 South Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL 33912, call (239) 454-9234.

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