A Relaxing Girls’ Getaway To The Beaches Of Fort Myers And Sanibel

As a curious traveller I’m always jamming my trips with a gazillion things to see, do and eat. You know, the kind of vacays you need a vacay from? We’ve all had them. And although they’re super fun, it’s nice to head to a place where you can actually slow down the pace once in a while. In fact, over the last year or so I’ve received dozens of emails and messages from you guys asking for low-key travel recos. Sounds like we’re all in need of a bit of R&R! And for that, I think I found just the perfect place: the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel…

Over 50 miles of white, sandy beaches dotted with brightly-coloured umbrellas await you at this southwest Florida gem. And while it’s a great destination for family travel, I am convinced that Fort Myers and Sanibel is made for girlfriend getaways. Don’t get me wrong, I think my hubster would love the natural wildlife, water sports and golf. But there’s just something about the majestic dolphins, vibrant cocktails, heavenly desserts and chilled beach vibes that screams girls’ trip…

I recently went on a press trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel with some of my fave ladies and thought I’d share the highlights to help you plan your next girls’ getaway. If you’re in need of some R&R, here are my recommendations:

Stay At A Low-Key Hotel

I recommend booking a beach-front room at Sandpiper Gulf Resort on Estero Island. This is the place to stay if you want to escape the crowds. No frills, spacious rooms, two heated pools and great service. But the best part? The sugary white sand right outside your door…

Allow For Lots Of Relaxing Beach Time

Fort Myers and Sanibel have some of the most tranquil beaches I’ve ever seen (note: lots of people flock to the area for spring-break so try visiting during other months to avoid crowds). The white-sand beaches are the perfect place to recharge, load up on vitamin D and bond with the girls. While there are plenty to choose from, my faves were the unspoiled beaches of Sanibel and Captiva…

Bond With Dolphins

Ummm. So this is a MUST in my books. I loved hanging off the side of Captiva Cruises as the majestic dolphins swam beside us. The boat ride was relaxing (minus my occasional, high-pitched dolphin calls) and a great place to enjoy a cocktail while we learned about the natural wildlife and history of the area. Bonus: the excursion stops at Cabbage Key where we devoured a cheeseburger in paradise.

Explore The Islands Via Mini Road Trips

Hop in a rental car with the girls and explore Sanibel, Captiva or the other beautiful areas in the region. Into birding? Then you’ll want to drive straight to J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island (it’s one of the top birdwatching destinations in North America). But if history/science are more your thang (like moi), then make sure to visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers (it’s one of the top 10 most visited historic homes in the US). And, as with all good road trips, feasting must take place so here are some recos on Sanibel and Captiva: Sunset Grill (order the Key Lime Pie French Toast), George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille and Island Cow Restaurant…

Enjoy A Dinner On The Waterfront

For an intimate waterfront dining experience in Fort Myers, I suggest booking a table for your girlfriends at Bayfront Bistro. Perched on Estero Bay, you’ll be able to take in the beaut sunset, watch the yachts dock at the marina and feast on delish seafood — they only feature the freshest from the Gulf of Mexico so definitely stick to the sea creatures on the menu. This is a place for sharesies!

Sip On Fun Cocktails

You can’t have a girls’ getaway without a cocktail hop around the islands!! Almost every bar/resto in Fort Myers and Sanibel has a speciality that will make your eyes sparkle — from the Keylime Margarita at Key Lime Bistro and Jimmy Buffett’s Golden Margarita at Parrot Key Caribbean Grill to the epic, 60 oz Nervous Nellie at none other than Nervous Nellie’s!

Stuff Your Face With Dessert

Established in 1979, The Bubble Room has to be one of the most unique and quirky restaurants in Florida. A magical place where “it’s always Christmas” and cake arrives via Bubble Scout (a cheerful server who will walk you through the entire menu). They’re known for their award-winning desserts so I suggest you skip out on dinner and fill up on as many slices as you can stuff your face with. Don’t worry, there will be no shortage of cake: they produce 400-600/day onsite!!

Take In The Epic Sunsets

Ah yes, my favourite part. The west-facing beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are perfect for watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. The colours are just unreal. My reco: head to Fort Myers Beach with the girls, grab a spot on the soft sand and watch the sun dip below the horizon with ice cream in hand…

Oh, and if you find yourself on the road during sunset, make sure to pull over to take it all in. Trust me, it’s worth it…

And there you have it. My recipe for a relaxing and memorable girls’ getaway in Fort Myers and Sanibel: great friends, great food, great beaches. You won’t need anything else!

The accommodations, meals and activities listed above were complimentary as part of a press trip to The Beaches Of Fort Myers & Sanibel. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.