Things to do when traveling from Miami to Fort Myers
Did you know that you can go to Florida to enjoy beaches and paradise islands full of dolphins? Extend your trip from Miami to Fort Myers and enjoy beautiful sights.
Fort Myers and Sanibel and Captiva Islands are located in a region full of wonderful beaches and protected areas, where you can see dolphins.
Sanibel and Captiva, two small islands connected to Fort Myers, are true havens that shelter animals in their habitat. They are connected to the mainland by the Sanibel Causeway bridge, which in itself is worth the road trip to the destination.
Under the Sanibel Causeway, when on land, there are several beautiful beaches where you can stop by car to enjoy. You can book Mundi’s car service when traveling from Miami to Fort Myers.
Passing the bridge you reach Sanibel, the biggest island. Continuing along the road that cuts through the island, another smaller bridge leads to Captiva, an islet between land and sea, with only one main road.
It is one of Florida’s most amazing places to see wild wildlife such as dolphins, sharks, pelicans, turtles and the dreaded alligator.
How to organize your trip from Miami to Fort Myers
We highlight three essential tours for those going to the destination. These are the Edison and Ford Museum in Fort Myers, dolphin cruises from Captiva and the nature reserve in Sanibel.
And, of course, along the way, schedule strategic stops at the beaches and sensational restaurants. Our chauffeurs can drive you anywhere and give you tips on great local spots.
For the brave, you can even paddle in a kayak amongst alligators.
We must also mention the sunset, a spectacle in Florida in general. Book your evenings to enjoy the moment on the beaches, piers, and bars.
Sanibel: kayak with alligators
A visit to Sanibel’s JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge should be on your to-do list. There you can see the alligators and other wild animals.
The reserve is part of the largest mangrove ecosystem in the United States. The visit can be made by rented bike, on foot or with the reservation’s bus, booked at the visitor’s center. This is a great option for your trip from Miami to Fort Myers.
The alligators that live there can measure up to 10 ft and weigh more than 800 pounds. It creates a certain contradiction when walking around the reserve because while you really want to see them, you’re terrified that they’ll actually cross your path.
Fort Myers: Edison and Ford Museum
To be known only as the inventor of the light bulb would be an injustice to the genius Thomas Edison (1847-1931), one of Fort Myers’ most distinguished residents.
The inventor has patented more than a thousand inventions, many of which today have evolved and are part of our daily lives.
Among them are the phonograph, the world’s first record player, microphone, cinematograph – the first film camera.
He perfected the telephone and, after the light bulb, created Edison General Electric, in 1888, which years later became the GE company, General Electric.
The museum and former mansions are now part of The Edison and Ford Winter Estates complex, a tour of Fort Myers history.
He arrived in Fort Myers in 1885, when he bought his mansion, facing the Caloosahatchee River.
In the museum, you can see original pieces by Edison and cars created by Ford. A small children’s lab offers activities for kids to enjoy science discoveries.
The 1906 mansion can also be visited. In 1947, Edison’s wife Mina donated the property to the city of Fort Myers.
Edison’s fan and friend, Henry Ford, the car inventor, became his neighbor.
You can also visit the businessman’s house and see firsthand Ford’s first car projects, including a wooden prototype.
There are other museums in Fort Myers, such as the Southwest Florida Museum of History which tells the local story from dinosaurs and evolution through time. Many interesting things to do on your trip from Miami to Fort Myers.
Are we going to collect shells?
There’s even a name for the activity: shelling.
Shell collecting is serious and a lot of fun in this part of Florida. And the beaches are so unspoilt that you find huge, colorful shells.
Furthermore, the tide collaborates with the diversity of sizes and colors and always reveals new shells, thanks to the Caribbean currents.
The best time to look for shells is in the morning, at low tide. It is possible to find rare specimens, with spots and colors that you only see there.
The beaches on the islands of Sanibel and Captiva are the champions of different models. Make time for this. Some resorts even have a place for you to clean up the delicacies you’ve found on the beach.