Do We Beach House

Half the battle of a beach trip is the suitcase. Fort Myers Beach is one of those rare places where you genuinely need less than you think — soft white sand, warm Gulf water, and a rhythm that runs on swimsuits and sunscreen. So before you pack a fourth pair of shoes, here’s the honest list we hand to friends heading to the island, built around a stay at “Do We” Beach House — about 600 steps from the beach, with a private heated pool and hot tub waiting when you get back.

The Beach-Day Bag

This is the bag that actually matters. Everything else is negotiable.

• Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher. The southwest Florida sun is intense even when the breeze makes it feel mild. Bring a full-size bottle for the house and a travel size for your bag — then reapply more often than feels necessary.
• A rash guard or long-sleeve sun shirt. The best sun protection is fabric. You’ll see half the beach wearing them by noon, and they mean fewer reapplications.
• Polarized sunglasses. They cut the glare off the Gulf, which makes dolphin spotting easier and shell hunting far less squinty.
• A wide-brim hat. Baseball caps leave your ears and neck to fend for themselves.
• Water shoes. The sand is soft quartz, but the shoreline mixes in shell pieces, and they’re handy for boat days and estuary paddles.
• A small dry bag. Keys, phone, sunscreen, and a license all live in one waterproof pouch instead of buried in a beach bag.

Evenings on the Island

Fort Myers Beach dining is relaxed — think sundresses and linen shirts, not jackets. A few things earn their space in the suitcase anyway:

• One light layer. Air conditioning runs cool, and an evening breeze off the water can surprise you. A thin long-sleeve or light sweater solves both.
• Comfortable walking shoes. Sunset strolls and shelling walks add up. If your only shoes are sandals, your feet will let you know.
• Something for the pool deck. Evenings at the house with the pool lights on and the hot tub running are a real part of the stay — an insulated tumbler and a good book cover them nicely.

If the Dog Is Coming Along

“Do We” Beach House is pet-friendly, and plenty of guests bring the whole family — the four-legged branch included.

• Bring their home basics: food, bowls, leash, waste bags, medications, and a towel for sandy paws.
• Pack comfort, not just supplies. A new house smells unfamiliar. Their bed or a favorite blanket makes the first night easier for everyone.
• Check ahead on pet rules. Island beaches and wildlife areas each have their own dog policies, and restaurant patios vary. A two-minute call before you head out saves an awkward turnaround with a disappointed pup in the back seat.

What to Leave Home

• Formal wear and heavy layers. You will live in swimwear and island-casual. Anything requiring dry cleaning stays in the closet.
• The entire shoe collection. Sandals, water shoes, and one pair of walkers covers 100 percent of island life.
• Printed maps and guidebooks. Your phone plus this site covers the island’s restaurants, events, and day trips — and it updates itself.
• Weather worry. September afternoons can bring a quick storm that rolls through and clears just as fast. One packable rain jacket is enough insurance.

The Easy-to-Forget List

• Medications — plus extras like motion-sickness tablets if boat days are on the calendar.
• Chargers and cables. The obvious ones for phones, and the less obvious ones for cameras, e-readers, and watches.
• A refillable water bottle. Florida heat is sneaky. Fill it at the house before you head out and you’ll actually drink the water.
• Extra glasses or contacts if you wear them. Salt air and sand are hard on backups you didn’t bring.

Pack Light, Stay Long

The best part of this list is how short it is. Fort Myers Beach rewards the traveler who shows up with less — more time on the sand, more sunsets from the outdoor living spaces, fewer decisions about what to wear. When your dates firm up, head to Coastal Vacation Properties to check availability at “Do We” Beach House. The pool is warm, the Gulf is green, and the only thing missing is you.

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