We just spent a few days in Fort Meyers Beach as part of our “Explore Florida Bit-By-Bit”project. Located on the SW coast of our large state, this city fills Estero Island, connected to the mainland by causeway bridges. Two smaller islands, Sanibel and Captiva are attached like beads on a string to Ft. Meyers Beach by smaller bridges. Two posts following this one will chronical the visit to both of those islands.

We stayed at the Pink Shell Resort, located at the north end of the island on a narrow strip of land with the waters of Matanzas Pass on one side, and the Gulf on the other. Both beautiful bodies of water were visible from each side of our 5th floor room.

Clearly designed to accommodate hundreds of vacationers, the Resort was deeply discounted and sparsely populated, reflecting the hit to tourism occasioned by fears of COVID-19. Sanitations measures were thorough and highly touted. The Pink Shell features a location right on a narrow strip of white sand beach. This beach extends to the mangrove filled, woody Bowditch Park on the northern end and stretches the length of the island to the south. Three pools, three restaurants (with great food- we tried them all) spa, and gym are on site. We spent a brief time in the main “Octopool” which drew families as it boasted underwater music, a bridge with waterfall, and poolside food and bar service. A giant Octopus sculpture grasped the bridge in its tentacles, hence the pool’s name. A second, shallow splash/fountain pool was perfect for the smaller kiddies, and a more secluded “adult” pool had adjoining two-person hammocks and drink service. All had great views of the beach. Kayak and paddleboard usage was included as part of the room fee, you just had to reserve a time.

We spent much of our time walking the smooth white sand beach. Shore birds: gulls, willets, ruddy turnstones, plovers, and egrets abounded. Boat-tailed grackles roamed the shell-strewn edge, picking fish from the shallows and small crustaceans from seaweed washed ashore. Crows, osprey and pelicans flew above. Many small clumps of multi-colored seaweed species were washed ashore, and oxeye daisies, sea grape, cocoplum bushes and mangrove occupied the land just off the beach. The waters were quite warm, and we saw continuously evolving spectacular anvil thunderheads, rainbows and lightning storms. These played offshore throughout each of our three days, generally sparing the island itself.

A mile’s walk straight into the center of town led past multiple vacation rentals of all sorts, single houses, hotels, duplexes, some under construction. Again, these were not even half full, making for quiet strolls. The island was barely wide enough for some circular side streets on which there were a few beautiful and mansion-like private homes. A beach park, fishing pier, and many small shops and eateries began at the crossing of the two main streets, Old San Carlos and Estero Boulevards.

We breakfasted twice al fresco at Plaka, a Greek restaurant. Tom had the traditional egg, pancake, grits and bacon breakfast, while Paula enjoyed the Greek omelet: spinach and feta with a side of gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, Kalamata olives and pita bread. This fare gave us plenty of fuel for beach exploration.

We had a great fresh fish dinner at the Snug Harbor Restaurant overlooking Matanzas pass and connected to the Snug Harbor marina where fresh catch arrives daily. Tommy had snowy grouper Florentine, and Paula had snapper Vera Cruz.

As the weather forecast for the next day showed thunderstorms passing over Estero Island and surrounds, we decided that we’d drive North to see Sanibel and Captiva islands after breakfast.