Fort Myers to Sanibel & Captiva – The Ultimate Self-Guided Island Drive
Places: 20 POIs
Distance: 34.42 mi
Duration: 1h:42m
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Tour #2707
About this English self-guided 1h:42m driving tour in Fort Myers
Welcome to the Fort Myers to Sanibel and Captiva Island Drive — one of the most beautiful coastal journeys in Southwest Florida.
Over the next about 36 miles, we’ll guide you from the historic riverfront of Fort Myers all the way to the stunning beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
Along the way, you’ll discover the fascinating history of Fort Myers, including the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, drive beneath the famous royal palms of McGregor Boulevard, and cross the spectacular Sanibel Causeway, where the road seems to float across the turquoise waters of San Carlos Bay.
Once we reach the islands, you’ll learn why Sanibel is known as the “Seashell Capital of the World,” explore the natural beauty of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and continue north to the charming village atmosphere of Captiva Island.
We’ll finish our journey at one of two beautiful beaches — Turner Beach or Captiva Beach — perfect places to relax, hunt for shells, or enjoy a famous Gulf Coast sunset.
So sit back, enjoy the drive, and let’s begin our journey from Fort Myers to the beautiful islands of Sanibel and Captiva.
Let’s get started.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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This tour is available in 1 more language:
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Marina
2311 Edwards Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
Fort Myers Yacht Basin – Gateway to the Gulf
Starting our tour with a U-turn!
Please follow the navigation instructions as we pass by the Fort Myers Yacht Basin, one of the city’s most scenic waterfront spots and a favorite starting point for life on the water.
This marina sits along the Caloosahatchee River, which flows westward for about 70 miles before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. For boaters, that makes this a perfect gateway to the barrier islands, fishing grounds, and the turquoise waters of the Gulf.
You’ll often see sailboats, fishing vessels, and cruising yachts docked here, many preparing for a day exploring nearby islands like Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa. Some boats stay here only briefly, while others travel thousands of miles along the famous Great Loop, a boating route that circles the eastern United States.
The marina has been part of Fort Myers’ waterfront culture for decades, and it’s a lively place to watch boats come and go, especially around sunset when the river lights up with golden reflections.
Please follow the navigation instructions as we pass by the Fort Myers Yacht Basin, one of the city’s most scenic waterfront spots and a favorite starting point for life on the water.
This marina sits along the Caloosahatchee River, which flows westward for about 70 miles before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. For boaters, that makes this a perfect gateway to the barrier islands, fishing grounds, and the turquoise waters of the Gulf.
You’ll often see sailboats, fishing vessels, and cruising yachts docked here, many preparing for a day exploring nearby islands like Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa. Some boats stay here only briefly, while others travel thousands of miles along the famous Great Loop, a boating route that circles the eastern United States.
The marina has been part of Fort Myers’ waterfront culture for decades, and it’s a lively place to watch boats come and go, especially around sunset when the river lights up with golden reflections.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.04mi
, Attraction : Art Gallery (Recommended selfie spot).
2320 FL-80, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
Title: Davis Art Center – Creativity by the River
On your right is the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, one of Fort Myers’ most vibrant cultural landmarks.
This beautiful building dates back to 1933 and was originally constructed as a federal post office during the Great Depression. Its solid stone architecture and grand interior reflected the importance of Fort Myers as a growing regional hub at the time.
Today, the building has been transformed into a lively arts and culture center, hosting art exhibitions, concerts, theater performances, film festivals, and community events throughout the year. Inside, you’ll find galleries featuring works from local and international artists, along with a stunning grand atrium that often serves as a performance space.
The center is named after Sidney and Berne Davis, philanthropists who helped preserve and revitalize the historic structure so it could continue serving the community in a new way.
If you ever have time to explore downtown Fort Myers on foot, this is definitely a place worth stepping inside. It’s a perfect example of how historic buildings can be reimagined into spaces full of creativity and life.
This beautiful building dates back to 1933 and was originally constructed as a federal post office during the Great Depression. Its solid stone architecture and grand interior reflected the importance of Fort Myers as a growing regional hub at the time.
Today, the building has been transformed into a lively arts and culture center, hosting art exhibitions, concerts, theater performances, film festivals, and community events throughout the year. Inside, you’ll find galleries featuring works from local and international artists, along with a stunning grand atrium that often serves as a performance space.
The center is named after Sidney and Berne Davis, philanthropists who helped preserve and revitalize the historic structure so it could continue serving the community in a new way.
If you ever have time to explore downtown Fort Myers on foot, this is definitely a place worth stepping inside. It’s a perfect example of how historic buildings can be reimagined into spaces full of creativity and life.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Fort Myers Yacht Basin – Gateway to the Gulf
Place 2
Title: Davis Art Center – Creativity by the River
Place 3
The Historic River District – Heart of Old Fort Myers
Place 4
Centennial Park
Place 5
Title: Edison & Ford Winter Estates – Innovation on the River
Place 6
Caloosahatchee River & Cape Coral
Place 7
Pine Manor & Whiskey Creek – Fort Myers’ Growing Communities
Place 8
McGregor – A Historic Corridor of Fort Myers
Place 9
McGregor Boulevard – The Palm-Lined Legacy
Place 10
Sanibel Causeway Toll Plaza
Place 11
Driving the Sanibel Causeway – Gateway to Island Life
Place 12
Causeway Islands Park – Beaches in the Middle of the Bay
Place 13
Welcome to Sanibel Island
Place 14
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – A World of Shells
Place 15
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge – A Sanctuary for Wildlife
Place 16
Bowman's beach
Place 17
On the Way to Captiva – Two Grand Finale Beaches
Place 18
Turner Beach – Your Optional Island Finale
Place 19
Driving Toward Captiva Beach
Place 20
Captiva Beach – The Perfect Island Finale
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 20 stops, covering top attractions such as Fort Myers Yacht Basin – Gateway to the Gulf, Title: Davis Art Center – Creativity by the River, The Historic River District – Heart of Old Fort Myers, Centennial Park, Title: Edison & Ford Winter Estates – Innovation on the River.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Fort Myers Yacht Basin – Gateway to the Gulf (Address: 2311 Edwards Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!