A Beach Lover’s Paradise
Published On: April 4, 2014 Posted by: admin
One of the greatest benefits of investing in real estate in Southwest Florida is the proximity to some of the best beaches in the world. Siesta Key, Boca Grande, Cayo Costa, Sanibel & Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, and Lover’s Key are where most locals flock to enjoy their share of sand and surf.
Siesta Key State Park, located in Sarasota County, offers visitors eight miles of pristine white sand beaches. Having the distinction of being named “The Best Beach in the World” by Dr. Beach in 2011, Siesta Key is a favorite for vacations or just a lazy afternoon soaking up the sun. The east coast of the island runs parallel with Florida’s intracostal waterway. This scenic area grants boaters access to dense mangrove swamps and amazing fishing opportunities.
Boca Grande is another amazing beach experience located on Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County. Lighthouse Beach/Gasparilla State Park is the most popular of the beaches on the island and encompasses over 135 acres of beach including a lighthouse dating back to 1890. The lighthouse has been converted into a museum which offers up a dish of local history. Boca Grande is also well known for its excellent tarpon fishing.
Accessible only by boat or ferry, Cayo Costa State Park envelops visitors in over 2,426 acres of beaches and forested area. Cayo Costa is a favorite for beach lovers that enjoy the peaceful beach experience. Kayakers also enjoy the taste of true Florida nature that can only be experienced in the waterways of Cayo Costa.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands are world renowned for their public beaches, beach resorts, and shelling opportunities. The Sanibel Island Causeway links the islands to the mainland of Lee County and offers 3 miles of beaches, fishing, and picnic areas. Lighthouse Beach loops around the southern tip of the island and includes the Sanibel Lighthouse and a popular fishing pier. Further up the island, Bowman and Turner Beaches offer seclusion and the best shelling opportunities on the island. Captiva Island is located to the north of Sanibel and is accessible by road over Blind Pass from Sanibel Island. Captiva offers a much more private beach atmosphere and is home to the posh beach resorts of Tween Waters and South Seas Plantation. In 2010 The Wall Street Journal named the islands as one of the “10 Best Places for a Second Home” making investment properties in Sanibel & Captiva extremely desirable.
Fort Myers Beach creates a great atmosphere for family vacations, the young, and the young at heart. The busy Times Square area flanks the coastline and boasts surf shops, ice cream bars, and arcades. The beach is accessible through a variety of points, the most popular being Lynn Hall Memorial Park to the north on the Times Square District and its 560 foot wooden fishing pier.
Just south of Fort Myers Beach lies a true Florida gem: Lover’s Key State Park. Lover’s Key is a haven for wildlife that includes bottle nose dolphins, manatees, and hundreds of bird species. The state park covers over 713 acres of land. In addition to its wildlife opportunities, Lover’s Key also offers two miles of pristine beach.
Southwest Florida’s beaches have something to offer for each type of “beach personality”! For those that want to spend hours searching for the perfect shell, Sanibel and Captiva Islands are the best choice; for the nature lover in all of us, Lover’s Key hits the spot; or for those of us that like to bask in the sun on soft white sand, Siesta Key is the place to be!
If you’re looking for your piece of paradise, find Florida real estate for sale using our comprehensive search. Search by city: Cape Coral real estate for sale; by county: Lee County Florida real estate; or by keyword: Florida waterfront homes for sale.