Do We Beach House

Fort Myers Beach is 20 minutes from RSW airport — close enough that a long weekend actually works, even from the Northeast or Midwest. Here’s how to do 72 hours right.

Day one: land, swim, sunset

Land at RSW, grab groceries on the way in, and you can be in the pool within an hour of wheels-down. Don’t overplan the first evening: walk the 600 steps to the beach, claim a stretch of sand, and watch the Gulf put on its nightly sunset show. Dinner is a short drive — beachfront seafood at Margaritaville’s Lah De Dah or the classic rum-bar standby, Doc Ford’s.

Day two: beach morning, water afternoon

Gulf mornings are calm and golden — shell hunters work the tide line early. Spend the morning on the sand, then pick your afternoon: a dolphin cruise out of the bay, a fishing charter, or kayaking the mangrove tunnels of Estero Bay Preserve. Back at the house, the heated pool and spa are the perfect landing spot before dinner.

Day three: Lovers Key or Sanibel

Ten minutes south, Lovers Key State Park is two miles of unspoiled barrier-island beach — bring water and stay all morning. Or head north to Sanibel and Captiva for the shelling that made this coast famous and lunch on the island. Either way, finish with one last sunset swim.

Getting home

RSW is close enough that you can swim at 10, shower at 11, and make a 1 PM flight. That’s the whole point of this island: maximum beach, minimum logistics.

Ready to book your long weekend? Our house sleeps 11 — 4 bedrooms plus a den, 4.5 baths, heated pool and spa, 600 steps from the sand. Check availability.