- Population: 6,561
- Avg. Single Family $422,240
- Home Price 3/2
- Avg. Condo Price 2/2 $327,604
Estero Island and its sister island, San Carlos, make up the community
of Fort Myers Beach. It is a tiny bit of an Island, seven miles long
and in no place as much as a mile wide. From the north-west point
to the south-east tip, a gleaming white sand beach fronts the Gulf
of Mexico.
Shrieking gulls and terns ride the winds, sandpipers twinkle-toe
after the receding wavelets seeking tiny bits of luscious sea foods;
stately herons, roseate spoonbill and a dozen other shore and water
birds abound in the mangroves of Estero Bay. Porpoises rise and dip
and roll as they play off-shore. The mighty tarpon whips the water
and flashes his silver sides as he rolls and tumbles until the very
ocean "boils." On the ocean floor are sand dollars, star
fish and prickly sea urchins. Palms, the trade-mark of the tropics,
bougainvilleas, flaming royal Poinciana, hibiscus and alamanda keep
the island a-bloom the year around. Sea grapes hang in great clusters
among huge golden-green leaves, and the tree (or sea) hibiscus glows
with blossoms opening in the early morning, changing during the day
from golden yellow to orange, then to russet and red until late in
the evening they drop their now maroon flowers ready to start another
golden day tomorrow.
A quiet town of friendly citizens, artists, fishermen and winter
residents, with a healthy quota of welcome tourists, makes up the
island population.
Truly is a vacation paradise. Located in the very heart of southwest
Florida, on the shore of the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it
offers everything one would possibly want. The balmy Gulf breezes
keep winter daytime temperatures in the comfortable 70's.
Fort Myers Beach runs the length of Estero Island with beautiful
white sand beaches for strolling, sunning, swimming, and surf fishing.
Famous for its colorful and exotic shells that wash up daily, shell
collecting has become a favorite pastime for many visitors.
Fort Myers Beach also offers every amenity. Shopping, fine dining,
sport fishing, boat rentals, fishing pier, banking services, and a
fine library are just a few of the many things enjoyed at the beach.
The beach is also home to a large shrimp fishing fleet. One of the
many festivals enjoyed annually is the Shrimp Festival that begins
with the blessing of the fleet. And many other nearby attractions
such as The Greyhound racing track, Edison's Home and the Shell Factory
provide continual entertainment.
Fort Myers Beach is a popular tourist destination. It is only 15
minutes from the greater Fort Myers area, on the Gulf of Mexico. Miles
of gleaming white sand, broken only by an occasional sheltering palm
or stately Australian pine. The beach is famous for swimming, since
it has little or no undertow.
Population: 14,000; doubles during the winter months. The largest
yearly event on the island is the Shrimp Festival. The Shrimp Festival
is held each year in February. The first official Shrimp Festival
was held in 1960. Before 1960, the event was part of the Fort Myers
based Edison Festival of Light and it was called Beach Day. An election
of a Shrimp Queen, shell and flower exhibits, fishing contests, parades
and more make up the family event.