Manatee drinks at my dock

I was flushing my outboards and a thirsty Manatee decided to enjoy a little fresh water.
They're so cute! (in an ugly sort of way)

Manatee drinks at my dock VIDEO

Waterside at Bay Beach

Waterside at Bay Beach is a gated community of 404 luxury condominium residences situated at the south end of Fort Myers Beach. It consists of 7 high rise buildings and one vacant building site permitted for the last remaining high rise on Fort Myers Beach. The first building dates to 1998 and the last building (BLDG 7) was completed in 2008. There are 8 remaining new units available in building 7 and we have a number of re-sales in buildings 1,2,3,4,5,7 and 8. The pad for building 6 is for sale.

 

Each building has amenities like covered parking or garage, pool and spa, social rooms, exercise rooms and deeded beach access. The is a community fishing pier and tennis courts. There is a public 18 hole executive golf course located at Bay Beach. Docks, boat slips up to 60' are available for purchase to owners at Waterside.

Here is an aerial view of the community.

 

Click this link for my website and access to listings 

 

 

 

Fort Myers Beach Map

Here's a link to a printable map of Fort Myers Beach with all of the condominium locations marked and named. It's very handy if you're trying to find one or more of them.


Click for Fort Myers Beach Map

A little Boating fun off Fort Myers Beach

My buddy Kevin running alongside

Dolphins playing in the boats wake (not my video)

Veterans.. Put this in your calendar for August 11

Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive!
Junkanoo Restaurant
Start Sun August 11, 2013 4:30 PM
End Sun August 11, 2013 7:00 PM


         A special tribute to our WWII heroes! WWII Veterans and their guests/spouses are invited to arrive at 4:30pm at Junkanoo on the Beach, 3040 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach for cocktail hour (cash bar). Junkanoo is providing a free dinner to all veterans and their guests/spouses. All others may purchase food and beverages in the main restaurant. Reservations are required. Please RSVP to Casey at 239-560-4682. Everyone is welcome to attend Ceremonial Festivities beginning at 6:00pm. Entertainment will include: Color Guards Presentation by Local Veterans Organizations and Lee County Sheriffs Department, Bagpipers, National Anthem by Terry Stewart, Helicopter Fly-Over by Lee County Sheriffs Department, Aerial Salute to American Flag by Fort Myers Beach Fire and Rescue Dept., Wreath at Sea Ceremony, 21 Gun Salute, and Taps Across America at 7pm.


See more at: http://www.fortmyersbeach.org/official-fort-myers-beach-events-calendar/#sthash.PN8Xx3nu.dpuf

Check out this virtual tour of Estero Beach Club condo

Estero Beach Club http://www.realestateshows.com/show.php?mls=basic&id=685908

A little about Fort Myers Beach.... past and present.

                 

The town of Fort Myers Beach occupies Estero Island on the west coast of Florida just southwest of the City of Fort Myers in Lee County. The Bluegreen warm gulf waters are a glittering invitation for swimmers, fisherman, sunbathers and anyone who can appreciate the feel of white sugary sand between their toes. The island and surrounding waters of Estero Bay have historic significance that matches their great beauty.

Human habitation on Estero Island dates back roughly 2000 years, the island and nearby Mound Key were the center of the ancient Calusa Indian civilization. The name Calusa means "Fierce People" and they lived up to it. In 1513 Juan Ponce De Leon landed on Florida's east coast and claimed "la Florida" for Spain. he continued his exploration south along the east coast, the Florida Keys and the islands he named the Dry Tortugas. He continued north along Florida's west coast and stopped in the Charlotte Harbor area. As the Spaniards explored the area for fresh water and other resources they came upon the Calusa tribal village at Mound Key. (just southeast of Estero Island)The hostile Calusa drove them back to their ships and out of the area. Ponce Deleon returned in 1521 to establish a colony with over 200 settlers, horses and the tools needed to establish a settlement and begin some agriculture. The settlers had frequent skirmishes with the Calusa, Ponce Deleon was wounded in an ambush and the settlers abandoned southwest Florida and retreated to Cuba. Ponce De Leon died from his wounds a short time after at age 61.

In 1566 the Spanish conquistador Pedro Menendez De Aviles arrived and stopped at Estero Island. The Calusa Indian king whom the Spaniards called Carlos ruled an empire encompassing much of southwest Florida from his ceremonial settlement on Mound Key. Pedro Menendez was not successful in pacifying the Calusa people or establishing a Jesuit mission on Mound Key. The Calusa Indians gradually disappeared by the end of the 17th century, victims of disease and increased hostility.

From the late 17th century this area was settled by Cuban fisherman in seasonal fishing villages and by the Creek Indians who replaced the Calusa.

The first American settlements on Estero Island occurred in the late 1800s. The first subdivision and rental cottages were developed in 1911 and by 1914 all of the island property was homesteaded. Very little industry existed aside from fishing, some agriculture and a sawmill operated by the Koreshan Unity. The Koreshan's were an odd communal society that believed in a hollow, inhabited Earth and had established a settlement on the mainland across the bay in present day Estero.

Development on Crescent Beach as Estero Island was then called increased in the 1920s. After a toll bridge was erected in 1921 the construction of 2 casinos and hotels soon followed.

The Island was a popular recreation spot for Army Air Corpsmen during WWII who were training at Buckingham Air Field. Tourist development began in earnest in the 1950s with many new hotels and motels, the first swimming pool on the island and electric power to operate the swing bridge.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach was incorporated in 1995. Today Fort Myers Beach is a vibrant and eclectic mix of condos...low rise and high rise, single family homes that range from quaint but primitive beach cottages to multi-million dollar luxury homes. There are small motels and large hotels and an interesting mix of eateries and bars. A friendly and laid back attitude pervades the locals and visitors alike and is reminiscent of the Keys (without the weirdness).

Fort Myers Beach is convenient to the City of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Bonita Springs and Naples.
SW Florida international airport is an easy 30-40 trip. There are many shopping and golf opportunities in close proximity. Lovers Key State Park is a stones throw from the south end of Estero island.

If you enjoy dropping a fishing line in the water or enjoying the sunny skies while enjoying a cool drink or kayaking in the warm gulf waters or through the unspoiled mangrove island in the back bay. If you like good food and live music and cool gulf breezes, we have a place for you.