Fort Myers, Sanibel and Charlotte Harbor
Charlotte Harbor, the Caloosahatchee River and the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva make this boating and shelling country. Much of it was hit hard by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and has been rebuilding since.
On average, strongest on boating, the outdoors and peace and quiet. Weakest on nightlife.
Average of the 9 town scorecards. How we score
Port Charlotte
A canal community on Charlotte Harbor with some of the most affordable waterfront homes in Southwest Florida.
Punta Gorda
A small harbor town with brick streets, a waterfront Harborwalk and sailboat canals that lead to the Gulf.
CompareFort Myers
The City of Palms, with a brick street River District downtown and the winter homes of Edison and Ford on the river.
Matlacha
A colorful fishing village of galleries, bait shops and bridges.
Cape Coral
A city of more than 400 miles of canals, where a boat in the back yard is normal and waterfront is still within reach.
Captiva Island
A small, lush island known for shelling, sunsets and slowing down.
Fort Myers Beach
Seven miles of soft sand on Estero Island, rebuilding after Hurricane Ian with its beach town spirit intact.
Sanibel Island
A barrier island famous for shells, with 25 miles of bike paths, no traffic lights and more than half the island preserved.
Bonita Springs
A city between Naples and Fort Myers with a small historic downtown, golf communities and a quiet Gulf beach on Little Hickory Island, next to Lovers Key.