Ft myers beach (Clearwater, Pensacola, Sarasota: restaurants, shops, pool)

[DonaldJTrump]

is ft myers beach the best on floridas west coast?

is there any red tide situation now?

how is covid affecting the area? is everything normal (no masks, no restrictions)?

[SellingNWCape]

I think "best beach" is a very subjective thing as they are all pretty different over here from what I've experienced. Technically, Siesta Key north of here by Sarasota is regularly voted best beach by all the travel sites/mags. What I like about Fort Myers Beach is the cool, white sand. Doesn't burn your feet like the sand in a lot of other places and feels like you're walking on powdered sugar. It's a totally different experience. A lot of things to walk around and do right by the pier there with Times Square. That being said, I like visiting the other beaches in the area, too. Naples is nice to walk around and check out the pier but that's about it. Sanibel is great for shelling and checking out the area near the lighthouse and a lot of great shops and restaurants nearby, plus an amazing Farmer's Market. Captiva is also very nice, less crowded. Boca Grande has a decent beach with a cute little shopping/dining district nearby. Venice has a nice pier and a nice little restaurant/shop building right there and is good for hunting for shark teeth. Clearwater is great to check out the pier and easily walkable to many shops and restaurants. Have not personally been to Siesta Key nor Anna Maria Island so can't speak to how they are.

Haven't gone to the beaches in forever as we have a pool so I can't speak to your other questions. Must be okay, though as everything is open and people are still flocking to the beaches. I don't think there are any mask restrictions other than what individual businesses might have. Shopping and dining open for business as normal and it seems like a 50/50 split on masks around the area. No outdoor mask mandates, nothing like what they have down in Key West.

[Ste68]

I visited Florida west coast many times and I think that is very difficult to say which beach is more beautiful. First of all the question is very subjective and in any case from Marco Island to Pensacola there are a lot of wonderful beach. It is very difficult to make a ranking.