Any Estero Island/Ft Myers experts?
 

I'm looking to take my toddlers to the gulf side for the first time for an easy, bike-friendly beach vacation. We have found an affordable beachfront unit on the "quiet side" of Estero Island (near Santine Mall) and I wanted to know the drawbacks of this area It's much cheaper than Sanibel which we were initially drawn to for its bike paths. Is Estero Island bike-friendly and family friendly? The pics around Times Square look very College Spring Break-ish which make me a bit wary.

Should we pay 50% more and stay on Sanibel? We are hoping to bike everywhere all week.

I would think the time of year might make a difference so how about a little more info.

We like Sanibel and even if it WERE "breakish" I'm not sure where those kids would be hanging out since the place is not exactly party central.

Ideally mid March but can also travel in low season, anytime in May.

Sanibel looks ideal to us but it's so expensive in March (but affordable in May). I was wondering how Estereo compares to Sanibel as it's much more affordable for March travel.

The main road on Estero Island is often clogged with bumper to bumper traffic from end to end... it is extremely unfriendly to bikes... and dangerous... you could use backstreets, but you will encounter traffic often...

With toddlers, you are asking for great difficulty on bikes...

If you just were planted at the beach, you could possibly ride the trolley back and forth on the island, but this combination of bikes, toddlers, and traffic, makes me warn you against it...

Sanibel, however has a separate bike path, rentals, shops, food,and trails that are very family friendly... the drawback is that it is more spread out...

Thanks so much - this is really helpful and I'm able to cross Estero off.

Do you possibly know anything about Anna Marie Island and how it compares to Sanibel?

I would take the little people to Sanibel.

Anna Maria would be better if you are interested in restaurants and adult activities. It would be fine in May, but I wouldn't expect children to be happy in the water in March, but I don't go into the water when it is below 72.

Sanibel would be fine either time, and in addition to Gary's recommendations, it has really good shelling and the Darling Nature Reserve, where there are both alligators AND flamingos. Very, very low key.

I agree, that Estero Island (Ft. Myers Beach) is not very bike friendly. There isn't much of it that can be done using back streets as few go through, but most streets simply run off the main -- very busy one. I'd definitely seek out a "deal" on Sanibel in May -- they should exist -- even condo rentals.

Thanks for so quickly narrowing this down for me! We'll push the trip to May so we can afford Sanibel. There are range of options -- last two are a bit more expensive but we can do it. Any feedback? Looking for pools that are small-kid friendly. We will not have a car -- only bikes with kid carriers.

Pine Cove

Tarpon Beach

Loggerhead Key

Sundial

Ocean's Reach

How are you going to get from the airport to Sanibel?

IIRC, and I may not, the big[gish] grocery store on Sanibel, the one you would need to buy groceries for the kids, is well west of center, I.e., not convenient if you are staying near the lighthouse or mid island.

If you are serious cyclists and can bring panniers etc, no problem because the island is dead flat. If this is an idea about trying something new, you might wait for another time.

We planned on cab or uber for air transport unless it's cheaper to rent a car for the week.


We bike for groceries - husband takes kids to Costco (in chicago) on his Dutch cargo bike. The Sanibel rentals have little baskets and we will rent a trailer &/or kiddie seat for both bikes. I'm not a serious cyclist but both kids ride with him so it's safer. As long as the market is within a few miles, that should be ok. Is the nature preserve less than 10 miles away from these condos?

We haven't done a bikes only vaca since Bonaire, before kids....excited about this possibility.

In May it really may be as cheap to rent a car for a week (via Costco) as paying for round trip airport And don't forget to set your clocks back 200 years. Plus it gives you a nice alternative sometimes, particularly on rainy days.