Bonita Beach derives its Spanish name meaning 'beautiful' from the 1912 developer rebranding of Survey settlement established by 1870s US Army Corps of Engineers surveying the Imperial River (formerly Surveyor's Creek), with the beach area on Little Hickory Island formerly known as Fiddler-ville for its millions of tiny fiddler crabs before receiving the attractive Bonita designation. This Lee County barrier island beach evolved from 8,000-year Calusa Indian habitation contacted by Ponce de Leon in 1513 through 1880s Braxton Comer plantation bringing indentured families to 6,000 acres, serving Southwest Florida's Gulf coast heritage with the community named for a medicinal spring local Indians believed could heal the sick along Old Highway 41.
The beach offers shelling along sand-covered shores with abundant sea shells, swimming and sunbathing on isolated white-sand beaches with secluded feelings, and surf fishing as a favorite pastime along Little Hickory Island between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs. Visitors enjoy sunsets described as magical major highlights, beachcombing, picnicking at sheltered areas, and sand volleyball, while activities include paddle-boarding, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, parasailing, and wakeboarding. The park features public restrooms, shelters, picnic tables, boardwalk, showers, and accessible parking at per hour, with a laid-back vibe less touristy than neighboring beach spots offering great gulf views from this beachfront park location.
Bonita Springs dining includes Doc's Beach House for casual beachfront eats just steps from the sand with toes-in-the-sand dining and panoramic Gulf views upstairs, Coconut Jack's Waterfront Grille for breezy tropical dining with fresh local seafood overlooking the back bay voted Bonita's best waterfront restaurant, and Bonito Bistro on Bonita Beach Road for seasonal dishes, fresh seafood and thoughtfully prepared steaks, serving Lee County's Southwest Florida Gulf coast community along this pristine barrier island destination between Fort Myers Beach and Naples.
