The Florida Guide
Southwest Florida, FL
Florida's lower Gulf Coast, from Sarasota to Marco Island: barrier island beaches, shelling, wildlife refuges and easygoing downtowns.
950 places This weekend in Southwest Florida
Today in Southwest Florida
- Tonight Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy 68°
- Thursday Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy 79°
- Thursday Night Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers 67°
Forecast: National Weather Service
Tides
- High 3:12 AM 1.7 ft
- Low 12:10 PM 0.1 ft
- High 6:20 PM 0.8 ft
- Low 9:39 PM 0.7 ft
Predictions: NOAA CO-OPS
Southwest Florida is the stretch of Gulf Coast between Sarasota and Marco Island, known for soft white sand, calm Gulf water, world-class shelling and sunsets over the water. It pairs beach towns and barrier islands with real wildlife country, from the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to the edge of the Ten Thousand Islands. Most visitors come for the winter warmth and stay for the slower pace.
Where is Southwest Florida?
Southwest Florida covers the lower Gulf Coast of the peninsula, generally Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties, with Manatee County often included at the north end. Two main roads tie it together: Interstate 75 runs inland the full length of the region, and U.S. 41, the Tamiami Trail, runs closer to the coast through each downtown. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), southeast of Fort Myers, is the main gateway, and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) serves the northern end. Driving from Sarasota to Naples takes about two hours on I-75 without traffic.
Towns and islands in Southwest Florida
At the north end, Sarasota is the arts and culture capital, home to The Ringling museum complex and the barrier islands of Lido Key and St. Armands Key. Just south across Roberts Bay, Siesta Key is famous for the powdery quartz sand of Siesta Beach. Farther down the coast, Venice is a laid-back, planned 1920s town and the self-styled Shark Tooth Capital of the World.
In Lee County, Fort Myers sits on the Caloosahatchee River, with the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and spring training baseball. Fort Myers Beach fills the north end of Estero Island with a wide, gently sloping beach. Across the Sanibel Causeway, Sanibel and Captiva are quiet, low-rise islands built around shelling, bike paths and wildlife refuge land.
In Collier County, Naples is polished and walkable, with Fifth Avenue South, Third Street South and miles of public beach. Marco Island, the largest barrier island in the Ten Thousand Islands area, is the jumping-off point for boating and paddling the mangrove backcountry.
When to visit Southwest Florida
The busiest and most comfortable season runs from January through April, when days are warm, dry and sunny and seasonal residents fill the region. Expect heavier traffic on U.S. 41 and full beach parking lots, especially in February and March, when spring training draws baseball fans to Fort Myers. Late spring and fall bring warm water and thinner crowds. Summer is hot and humid with near-daily afternoon thunderstorms, and hurricane season runs June through November, so check conditions before booking. Several beach parks and piers are still being rebuilt after recent hurricanes, so confirm what is open before you go.
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