The waters around Fort Myers Beach are made for paddling. Whether you’re easing into the sport for the first time or you keep a kayak on the roof year-round, the back bay, lazy canals, and Gulf-side coves off our stretch of Estero Island offer miles of water worth exploring. Here’s where to go, what to bring, and what you’ll see along the way.
The quick version
Rent a kayak or paddleboard at one of several outfitters within a 5-minute drive of the "Do We" Beach House. Paddle the mangrove-lined back bay for wildlife. Go early (sunrise) or late (late afternoon) to beat the heat and catch the best light. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a dry bag for your phone.
Where to launch
Matanzas Pass — This is the go-to for most paddlers. Matanzas Pass runs between the back bay and the Gulf, and you’ll find public kayak launches off Estero Boulevard near the bridge. The current is manageable, and you can head south into Estero Bay’s protected waters or north toward the open Gulf. On a calm morning, the water is glassy — you can see stingrays gliding beneath your board.
Lovers Key State Park — About 10 minutes south of the house, Lovers Key rents kayaks and paddleboards right on the water. The park’s back-bay trails wind through red mangrove tunnels where you’ll flush herons, egrets, and the occasional manatee surfacing for air. The park entrance fee is $8 per vehicle, and the rental counter opens at 8 AM. Go early — the ranger station sells out of rental slots by 10 AM in season.
Estero Bay Preserve State Park — A lesser-known option off US 41. The launch is small, but the preserve opens into miles of paddling trails through mangrove islands and tidal creeks. Great for kayakers who want a quiet, uncrowded morning. No rentals here — bring your own.
What you’ll see out there
- Dolphins — Common in the back bay, especially near the mouth of Matanzas Pass. They surface slowly in pairs, dorsal fins slicing the green water. Give them space (50 feet minimum — it’s the law).
- Manatees — Look for a rounded snout and ripples that don’t fit the wave pattern. Manatees graze on seagrass in the shallows and barely break the surface. Quiet approach is key; a paddle splash sends them away.
- Birds — Ospreys, bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, pelicans, cormorants, and the occasional great blue heron standing motionless at the water’s edge like a statue. The mangrove tunnels at Lovers Key are especially bird-heavy.
- Rays and sea turtles — In the calm shallows near the beach, you can spot cownose rays and, with luck, a juvenile sea turtle.
What to bring
You don’t need much, but a few things make the difference between a great morning out and a sunburned, phone-soaked story you’ll tell over beers:
- Dry bag — $15 on Amazon. Big enough for keys, phone, sunscreen, a snack.
- Reef-safe sunscreen — The mineral kind (zinc or titanium). Chemical sunscreens harm marine life. Most FMB shops carry it.
- Polarized sunglasses — You’ll see twice as much wildlife and protect your eyes from the Gulf glare.
- Water — A liter minimum. The Florida sun doesn’t negotiate.
- Water shoes — For shell-laden launch points. Flip-flops float away.
- A hat with a strap — The afternoon breeze off the Gulf will take a loose one straight to the water.
When to go
Sunrise to 9 AM is prime. The water is calm, the air is cool, and the wildlife is active. You’ll share the bay with a handful of early-bird anglers and other paddlers, but it’s a quiet world out there before the boats start running.
Late afternoon (4-6 PM) is the second window. The heat breaks, the light turns warm and golden, and you can paddle over to Times Square for a post-paddle drink at one of the waterfront bars. The sunset paddle — launching 90 minutes before sunset — is a Fort Myers Beach rite of passage.
A note on wind: The Gulf breeze picks up reliably around 10 AM and builds through the afternoon. Morning is flat. By midday you’re paddling into chop. Plan accordingly.
Rental outfitters near the house
- Sun & Fun Rentals — 7205 Estero Blvd (about 3 minutes from the house). Kayaks, paddleboards, and jet skis. Walk-in friendly.
- Lovers Key Adventures — Inside Lovers Key State Park. Kayaks and boards. Call ahead in season.
- Gulf Shore Rentals — Estero Blvd near Bowditch Point Park. Boards and kayaks by the hour or half-day.
Tips for paddling FMB waters
- Check the tide — Paddling against an outgoing tide in the back bay is a workout. Slack tide or incoming is ideal.
- Paddle the canals — The residential canals around the house are surprisingly good for a short paddle. Calm, protected, and full of fish activity. Great for beginners.
- Watch for boat traffic — In the main channels, stay to the right (starboard) and hug the shoreline. Wear a bright shirt or life jacket. Boats can’t always see a low-profile kayak.
- Bring a camera — Not just a phone in a dry bag, but a real camera if you have one. The light on the water at sunrise, the silhouette of a dolphin arching through the green Gulf water — those shots are worth taking.
And if you’re staying with us at the "Do We" Beach House, the best part is this: you walk out the door, down Fairweather Lane, and the bay is a three-minute walk away. You don’t need a car, a launch fee, or a plan. Just a paddle and the willingness to get wet.
— The "Do We" Beach House team
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