theo, Tropical Sands sounds nice, thanks. We would be delighted with an exchange between early December and early April. Our idea of congested is a more urban setting with lots of concrete, tall buildings, loud traffic, and crowded beaches. In SC, Myrtle Beach feels more congested and Hilton Head Island feels less so. In FL, Daytona Beach is more, St. Augustine is less. Since we've never been there, how does Fort Myers Beach compare?
I can't and won't make comparisons, having been to HHI and / or Myrtle Beach only once each, both visits quite a few years ago --- and Daytona Beach and / or St. Augustine not at all. I'll instead just try to objectively and very generally "describe" Fort Myers Beach (aka Estero Island):
It's
about 5 miles long and about 1/2 mile wide, a barrier island with a combination of residential neighborhoods, high rise condos and non-high rise rental properties which are timeshare resorts and motels, for the most part. The Gulf of Mexico is on one side of the island, Estero Bay on the other.
The northern end of FMB (The Pier, Times Square, Matanzas Pass) is usually quite congested and frankly (IMnsHO) also quite tacky --- T shirt / trinket / tourist shops, more than a few bars --- a Hooters, several pubs, two liquor stores. Public beach at Times Square / Pier has the only public (metered, iirc) beach parking available on Estero Island and is accordingly usually very crowded. Many (too many?) drunken college Spring Break "students" grace the northern end of FMB with their inebriated presence during a few weeks (mostly weeks 9, 10) in March each year. Many seem to lodge at a huge place called Lani Kai, if not staying in Mommy and Daddy's condo or timeshare. They are generally harmless --- just immature, too loud, a bit obnoxious and "not ready for prime time".
The southern end of Estero Island is much quieter. No public parking available, so the beach there is never too crowded. There is a small strip mall called Santini Plaza with some shops and several restaurants, a hardware store, a very mediocre quality ice cream shoppe, but no Tshirt / trinket / souvenir joints. Vehicle traffic
anywhere on Fort Myers Beach is frankly a nightmare in "high season" at any time of day except early morning. That horrendous traffic situation is currently exacerbated further by a multi-year sewer and drainage installation project, moving in segments from north to south on Estero Blvd.
That's all I can tell you. I like Tropical Sands and the southern end of FMB, but chances of exchanging in anytime during the winter months are slim to none. With the exception of an excellent restaurant called Fresh Catch Bistro and / or an occasional visit to water-surrounded, County run Bowditch Park, we don't go out of our way to spend much time at the northern end of FMB. Publix grocery store is about in the middle of the island on Estero Blvd. Trolley runs up and down Estero Blvd, but the trolley obviously moves at the very same pace (i.e., slowly or not at all) as all the rest of the vehicle traffic.
Hope this limited bit of random info helps you a little. If not, I gladly offer a 110% refund of what you have paid me for the input.
I really appreciate your thoughts! 