Bunche Beach Preserve

We went to Bunche beach Sunday February 14^th, 2015. It is a small beach off the beaten track. The best part is that you do not have to spend an hour driving over the bridges and hunting for parking. They do ask you to pay $ 2/​hour for parking. When we were there the solar powered parking label machine was out of order.
If you are into walking the beach it is about an hour to make the loop. Nice white sand and fairly level for walking. It is shallow if you want to walk in the water.

We have been to Bunche Beach twice. First time was in December. We were looking for something a little off the beaten path and to avoid the traffic and crowds of Ft. Myers Beach. We stumbled across Bunche and were very pleasantly surprised. The beach was nothing fancy, not groomed, but just fine. No crowds and the water was really nice. We went back in July of this year and there was a huge difference. The beach seemed really dirty, it smelled horribly and the water seemed a bit stagnant. Also, beware there are lots of raccoons around and they are not afraid of humans. Keep any food closed up in your cooler. I would go back again but definitely would go in the winter and not in the summer

On a day trip here and I wasn’t sure what to expect, however, after looking at some of the suggestions on Unilocal,I decided to try this beach. I wanted a nice beach that you didn’t have to walk miles & miles from the parking lot, to the actual water, as with Bowman’s beach in Sanibel.
I was pleasantly greeted by white powdery sand, and clear water. We found a picnic table nestled in between a few palm trees for shade which was perfect. Afterwards we decided to take a walk down the beach to the right side. Just watch out for little stumps of driftwood protruding from the sand, if not careful you can stub your toe or trip. The scenery is gorgeous and sand so smooth. Parts of it reminded me of The Bahamas a little. When the tide starts receding, it creates these neat sandbars and pools, great for kids to play and adults alike!
Sidenote: Also made friends with a local who happened to be celebrating her b’day the same day as mine. She gave us some good tips.
I’d definitely recommend this nicely hidden beach to anyone. Get there early to find a decent parking spot, and parking is $ 2 an hour. Can’t wait to go back.

This is a really great place. The $ 2/​hour parking is only draw back, but there’s no admission charge! The beach here is much wider than at light house and less people. Better options to plant your towel away from other people (or others screaming children). The view of the key is fat more interesting as you can see causeways and buildings on both sides. The water has multiple areas, not simple beach. You can walk in tidal pools and estuaries!
But the good part, I found my fossilized shark tooth! Not big about size of dime. There are lizards all over the place on the mangroves. The water you can see starfish (9 legged type, don’t know their name). They are all over water line and while you think they need help out of water, they will bury themselves rather quickly.
This is prefect for the quiet beach visit. If you came to relax, you’re at the right spot.

My grandparents lived right up the street at Plantation Estates and this was our go-​to beach. I’ll never forget my childhood years when we used to see alligators on the side of John Morris Rd or later in my 20’s on my last visit when we took my dying grandmother here one last time. I don’t know when, if ever I’ll be back to this beach… but I can still clearly see it and remember wading out to a sandbar and plunging my legs into the gently rolling water and looking out to Sanibel Island, Ft. Myers Beach and out further into the Gulf of Mexico…