Things to do in Fort Myers
Sort
Dolphin and Manatee Paddling Tour Fort Myers: SUP or KayakA guided paddling tour of Fort Myers waterways where you paddle a stand-up board or kayak spotting dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, pelicans and mangroves. The tour runs two hours with a live English-speaking guide, all equipment included, and welcomes children from age 4. You choose between a SUP board or kayak at checkout.Is it for me?Paddle through calm waters where manatees and dolphins appear naturally, combining the serenity of kayaking with wildlife encounters motorboats can't match.
Fort Myers: Big Hickory Pass Kayak Tour & Mangrove PaddlingYou paddle through mangrove tunnels in Estero Bay for 2.5 hours with a guide who grew up on this water, stop at a shell-covered private beach, and watch for dolphins and manatees along the way. All gear — kayak, paddle, life vest, dry bag — is included and new. Dogs and your own kayak are welcome. Small groups, all fitness levels, and the whole trip fits into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day.Is it for me?Book this if you want to paddle through mangroves and see wildlife without arranging your own boat or worrying about gear — the guide handles the navigation and knows where to find dolphins and manatees, which is what makes a 2.5-hour trip feel like a real escape instead of a paddle around the bay.
Fort Myers: Sunset Sail on 36ft Catamaran & DrinksYou board a 36-foot catamaran in Fort Myers for a two-hour evening sail timed to catch the sunset. Soda and water are included, and the crew—fourth-generation local sailors—handle the boat while you stand on deck and watch the sky turn colors that don't photograph right. No experience needed, and the protected waters mean a smooth ride from start to finish.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see a Southwest Florida sunset without standing on a crowded beach or arranging your own boat—the catamaran gives you open water and a stable platform, and the timing is already built around the light.
Big Hickory Island Kayaking: Premium Crescent FleetThis eco kayak tour takes you through Big Hickory Island's mangrove tunnels, hidden inlets, and a secluded beach stop in a brand-new Crescent Primo or Crew kayak. You'll paddle alongside manatees (April through October), dolphins year-round, and coastal birds while an expert guide leads the route. The tour includes complimentary water, professional photos, high-quality life jackets and carbon fiber paddles, dry bags, and free parking.Is it for me?Choose a single kayak if you want to paddle independently, or pick a tandem to share the boat and the paddle with someone else. The clear tandem lets you watch the water and the seafloor as you move, which changes what you notice below the surface.
Bonita Springs: Hobie Kayak EcoTour & Private Shelling BeachYou’ll pedal through Bonita Springs’ winding estuaries on premium Hobie kayaks with a local guide who knows every twist of the mangroves. Expect close-up wildlife moments, a stop at a private shelling beach (shell bag included), and candid photos to remember it all by. There’s something quietly joyful about gliding under those tangled roots—you might find yourself wanting to linger longer than planned.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise Fort Myers Beach: Sanibel Lighthouse ViewsA 90-minute sunset cruise through Fort Myers Beach's back waters where you watch for dolphins, manatees, iguanas and birds while passing the historic Mound House and the famous shrimp fleet, ending at Bowditch Point as the Sanibel Lighthouse appears against the sunset. The tour includes a complimentary alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage, a live English-speaking guide, and access to a wheelchair-accessible boat suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?You want to see dolphins and the Fort Myers Beach sunset without arranging a separate boat, guide or itinerary—the 90-minute cruise bundles the route, the wildlife viewing and the timing into one departure, so you show up and the day unfolds.
Everglades Day Safari: Airboat, Big Cypress, manateesA full-day Everglades safari from Fort Myers pairs an airboat ride through pond apple swamps and cattail marshes with a wildlife drive through Big Cypress National Preserve, a nature walk among ancient cypress trees, and a boat cruise through the Ten Thousand Islands to spot manatees, dolphins and osprey. A naturalist guide leads all four segments, lunch is included, and hotel pickup is provided for select properties.Is it for me?The guide speaks English throughout, so the commentary and wildlife information are live and in real time rather than recorded or translated. Children from age 6 can join, and the mix of airboat speed, van drives, walking and boat cruising means the day has rhythm and variety—no single segment lasts so long that younger travelers or anyone with limited stamina gets stuck in one mode.
Fort Myers: Haunted History Walking Tour & Night StoriesYou’ll step into nighttime Fort Myers with a small group and a local guide who shares haunted history and oddball tales as you walk past historic sites like the Florida Repertory Theatre. Expect laughs mixed with chills, real-life ghost stories, and those strange moments when the air feels heavier than usual. You might not see a ghost — but you’ll probably feel something linger after the tour ends.
Fort Myers Beach: Dolphin Sightseeing Tour with RefreshmentsYou board at Moss Marina and spend two to three hours on a catamaran moving through the back bay toward Mound Key, watching for dolphins, manatees, herons and other wildlife among the mangrove islands and shoreline homes. Refreshments are included, and the boat stays under 16 passengers so you're not fighting for a view or a quiet moment.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to spot dolphins and manatees without fighting crowds or spending hours waiting in one spot. The small group size and slow pace through the bay are what make spotting wildlife actually possible instead of just hoped for.
Fort Myers Beach Sunset Cruise: Dolphins and Gulf ViewsA 90-minute sunset cruise on Fort Myers Beach where you glide through calm Gulf waters past Bowditch Point Park and the Sanibel Lighthouse, with a crew sharing insights about local wildlife and the coastal ecosystem. Complimentary soda and bottled water are included; infants sit on an adult's lap. Dolphin sightings are common but not guaranteed.Is it for me?Most sunset cruises here stop at the same two or three spots and call it done. This one keeps moving through four different zones—the park, the causeway, the lighthouse, and the dolphin grounds—so you're watching something change the whole time.
Fort Myers: Dolphin & Manatee Sailing Tour with Soda & WaterYou board a sailboat in Fort Myers and spend the morning or afternoon drifting past mangroves and shallow bays where dolphins, manatees and sea turtles surface regularly. Refreshments are included, and the pace is set by wind and wildlife sightings rather than a clock. No experience needed; all fitness levels work.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a few hours on the water without planning stops or timing yourself around a schedule; the sail moves at the pace of wind and wildlife, which is exactly what makes it feel like a break instead of another thing to manage.
Kayaking Bunche Beach: Mangrove tunnels & wildlifeGuided kayaking through mangrove tunnels and shallow bays at Bunche Beach in Florida, with kayak and lifejacket included. You paddle yourself through narrow waterways where dolphins, manatees, turtles, rays and wading birds congregate, then beach to search for shells and photograph wildlife. The outing runs 2.5 to 3 hours with a live English-speaking guide. Choose between single and tandem kayaks depending on whether you want to paddle solo or share the boat.Is it for me?Choose a single kayak to paddle solo, or a tandem kayak if you're sharing with a partner or family member; the guide-led route with set stops lets you focus on spotting dolphins, manatees, and birds rather than navigating yourself.
Bonita Springs: Clear Kayak Island EcoTour & Shelling BagsYou’ll paddle through Bonita Springs’ mangrove tunnels in a clear kayak, following easy-to-read maps with top-notch gear at your side. Expect salty air, quiet moments on hidden beaches perfect for shelling, and maybe even dolphins or manatees if you’re lucky. It’s self-guided but never lonely—the little details stick with you long after you’re dry.
Historic Walking Tour of Fort Myers: Founders & Frontier FortThis 1.5-hour walking tour of Fort Myers starts at Franklin Shops in downtown and follows a local guide through the historic avenues where the city's founders built their legacies. You'll hear the stories behind the original fort, the first settlements, and the personalities who turned a frontier outpost into a modern destination. The tour includes shaded stops along the way and passes the Florida Repertory Theatre and a 1933 historic building.Is it for me?Start downtown at Franklin Shops without needing a car or arranging transport—the meeting point is walkable from most downtown hotels and near public transit, so the tour fits easily into a morning whether you're staying nearby or passing through.
Fort Myers Beach: Dolphin & Shelling Cruise with NaturalistYou board at Fort Myers Beach, cruise through Estero Bay and the Gulf with a certified naturalist, spend an hour shelling and wading at a barrier island, and hunt for dolphins and manatees the entire time. The boat holds 28 max, so sightlines stay clear. Plan for three hours total, and bring sunscreen — the water reflects hard.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see what actually lives in Fort Myers waters without arranging your own boat or guide — the naturalist handles the route and the knowledge, and the small group size means you can actually see when something shows up. Plan for three hours on the water, which is what lets you cover the bay, the island, and have time to hunt.
Fort Myers: Don Pedro Island Kayak & Mangrove Eco TourYou kayak narrow mangrove channels and seagrass flats on Don Pedro Island with a certified naturalist who explains how the ecosystem connects — from the roots that trap sediment to the dolphins that hunt here. The tour includes your kayak, safety gear, and a guide trained to spot wildlife and read the water. You launch from the state park land base and return the same way, no separate transport needed.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the real Florida ecosystem — dolphins, manatees, birds, and small marine life — without figuring out which channels are safe or what you're actually looking at; the naturalist guide handles both the navigation and the education, which is what makes a kayak tour different from paddling on your own.
Fort Myers: Tiki Pub Dolphin Sunset Cruise BYOB & Adults OnlyYou’ll share laughs with fellow travelers as dolphins surface near your tiki boat, sip your favorite drink chilled in an onboard cooler, and watch Fort Myers’ sky turn gold at sunset—all with a friendly local captain guiding you through hidden corners of these waterways. It’s casual, warm, and leaves you with more than just photos.
Fort Myers Beach: Parasailing Adventure 400ft FlightYou’ll feel nerves melt into pure calm as you lift off from a custom boat for a 400-foot parasailing flight above Fort Myers Beach. Enjoy real laughs with the local crew, spot dolphins if you’re lucky, and see Florida’s coast from a whole new angle—with all equipment included and no worries about logistics.
Fort Myers Beach Dolphin Cruise: 2-hour floating party with BYOBYou bring your drinks, the boat brings the cooler and ice. Spend two hours on the water from Excursions Marina playing games, sunbathing, and talking to whoever else is aboard — or book it private for your own group. The captain handles the navigation; you handle the fun. Small enough that it never feels like a cattle call, affordable enough that it doesn't wreck the day's budget.Is it for me?Right for travelers with a free afternoon who want to be on the water without planning a full excursion, or groups looking for a party vibe that doesn't require a big budget or advance logistics. Expect a casual, social atmosphere — this is floating and talking, not sightseeing or instruction.
Fort Myers fishing charters: Back bay and offshore tripsFort Myers fishing charters operate in the back bays and offshore waters of southwest Florida, where you target Snook, Redfish and Trout inshore or Snapper, Grouper and Shark in deeper water. Trips run 4 to 6 hours; the longer the outing, the more fishing grounds you can cover and the better your odds of landing something substantial. A live English-speaking guide, fishing poles, bait and fish cleaning are included.Is it for me?You land fish because the boat reaches both the shallow bays where Snook and Redfish hold and the deeper channels where Snapper and Grouper bite -- and Captain Mike knows which grounds are producing on the day you go out.
