What is the closest beach to fort lauderdale airport

Fort Lauderdale to gulf coast

I will be in Fort Lauderdale in February and I would really like to see the west coast. Can I do this as a day trip? How far would one of the islands be? Marco or Sannibel? Thank you.

I believe that Sanibel is about 3 hours from Ft. LAuderdale. It's probably best for an overnight trip so that you can enjoy the sunset and the quiet beaches. Also, driving across alligator alley when tired is dangerous.

We did this on our last trip to Florida. We stayed in FLL and went to Ft. Myers, and Sanibel for 3 days. Way to much for a one day trip. You must stay at least one night. You cross over Aligator Alley. As Jason says it is a good 3 hour drive or so. I believe it brought us to Naples which is also a lovely town to stay in. We actually went back to FLL after 3 nights in Ft. Myers. Stayed another 2 nights in FLL. We liked it in FLL better. The sunsets are gorgeous and worth seeing. If you got to Sanibal eat dinner at the Mucky Duck. It is right on the beach, go around dinner time and see the sunset.

There is no way you can do it in a day trip. Often the traffic will get backed up on the Naples side of Alligater Alley and you could add hours to your trip.

Honestly I travel from Miami to the west coast on business often, and frankly I find it nondescript, and certainly not worth the torture of a day trip.

You should instead use the time to explore the area you will be in and go down to Key Biscayne which will not be much diferent than seeing Sanibel Island.

Also, I find the everglades very interesting, and you don't have to go much farther than a few miles west of Miami on Alligator Alley and stop at one of the rest areas.

The wildlife that is just off the road is amazing, and no matter where you stop your going to see alligators in the water. Whenever I have tourist in I bring then there, and they always love to see it.

IF you want to see the West COast then I wwould recommend making that an additional trip and as one other person suggested stay in Naples. Also a favorite of mine is Sarasota where they have a great arts community and probably the best food on the west coast.

Good luck.

I've flown out of Ft. Lauderdale airport after visiting family on the west coast (Naples). The drive was about 2 hours. For a day trip - that's not too bad, but only if you know exactly what you want to see there.

Ohh I would also like to add, since you are in Ft. Lauderdale, I would highly recommend that for Carribean/Latin fusion cuisine go to the Samba Room on Los Olas Blvd.

It is an amzazing restaurant, and even better than the South Beach one. But make reservations they are always busy.

If there was one restaurant I would recommend to a visitor to must try, it would be this one, and it is right in the middle..not too expensive .. not cheap.

Just got back from Miami and spent New Years in Naples. Took us about 2 hours to go across Alligator Alley and about 2 1/2 hours to get back (we were in the line-up that was caused by that horrendous accident on New Years Day). We loved Naples and old Naples. We loved the boat tour we took and we especially loved the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs that we got on Priceline. Gorgeous resort! I would head to Sanibel/ Ft. Myers, but also see Naples.

To Dave: HUH? I live in Naples and go back and forth to Lauderdale all the time. The most I have EVER seen the traffic back up at Alligator Alley is maybe 5 minutes, two turns of the nearest light. Of course there have been occasional times when the Alley was closed due to a major accident, but that is far and few between. I often leave Naples about 7:30 AM and go to Lauderdale on business, arriving there at 9, work most of the day, have a late lunch at about 2 and drive back to Naples before 5. It can be done the other way. As bad as the traffic may be on the Naples side, it will not compare with the backups you will encounter at the Ft. Lauderdale end.
Of course, I'm not saying you'll accomplish a lot as a day trip, but the idea of being backed up for HOURS at Alligator Alley in Naples is something I've never heard of in the 25 years I've lived here full time!!! Are you sure you didn't mean MINUTES, Dave?

And even note from what Bonnie said above. Even with the horrendous back up from the traffic accident it still was only 2 and 2 1/2 hours each way -- to go about 100 miles. That's not that bad!!! That's still not "adding hours to your trip". In her case it added maybe a half hour total.

I've got caught several times on the west side of alligator alley that cost me over an hour to get to naples.

Once was rush hour 5:30 and the other time I believe it was police activity.

I just fly now, cause I'm too impatient to put up with it when it does happen.

During peak times however you can easily add 30-45 minutes, and you also know how often AA gets closed for something!

Anyway still for a day trip to see so little, why bother with the aggrevation, cost and possible problems when you have so much to do on the east side.

I'm not saying it isn't nice there, just that meaby that is another trip.

I think a better trip for another day would be a Disney, Sarasota, Naples trip.

What is ALLIGATOR ALLEY?... (guessing route 75??)

I was interested in a similar trip (3 days)... but, driving from West Palm Beach to Ft Myers and up the coast.

Should I take Alligator Alley or 98 to 80 thru Belle Glade?

Thanks!

I live in Naples, FL. I find the most efficient and direct route (Fort Myers and south FL area) is to travel on Alligator Alley (75).
Rout 80 is often a two lane, slow traffic when congested road. Alligator Alley is 70 mph, flows freely. Take West Palm to Sawgrass Express Way, that feeds into 75.
And look out for the wonderful wildlife, still visible sometimes even though 75 is a major highway. We can do Naples to West Palm in 2-1/2 hrs or less. Tack on 1/2 to go onto Fort Myers from Naples.

We are chartering a boat with friends in sanibel. Where would be a nice place to stay?? Coming from delray Beach. Is Ft Meyers Beach nice?? Is Naples?? Is i night stayover enough time?? thanks, phyllis

Thanks Linda for the driving advice.

I think I will take 75... then I can peek or stop at Naples on my way to Ft Myers.
thanks again!

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