Apartments for Rent in Fort Myers Beach FL

Fort Myers Beach sits on Estero Island along the Gulf of Mexico, a three-square-mile barrier island town that trades city bustle for salt air and sweeping white-sand shorelines. Incorporated in 1995, it has a close-knit, small-town character that sets it apart from the larger metros nearby. The island's layout naturally divides into the lively Times Square area near the north end pier and the quieter residential stretches further south, giving renters a real choice in how laid-back or social they want daily life to feel. Florida Gulf Coast University, located on the mainland just a short drive away, adds an educational anchor to the broader region, while Fort Myers and Cape Coral provide access to a substantial business corridor for those commuting from the island. The housing mix here leans toward low-rise apartment communities, beach cottages converted into rentals, and mid-size waterfront buildings, with many options offering Gulf views or quick access to the water. Estero Island's history stretches back thousands of years to the Calusa people, who thrived here long before Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s. That deep sense of place still lingers, making Fort Myers Beach feel less like a stopover and more like somewhere worth putting down roots.