Parking near beach

Question

Can you park at Santini Plaza for beach parking since most stores aren’t open yet? Or, will I get a parking ticket there? The increase to $5/hour parking at access points seems high. Does anyone know if parking at access points is checked 24 hours a day? Was looking to go early morning shelling from 6:00-9:00 am. Do they start checking that early?

Answer

Santini Plaza in Fort Myers Beach is primarily a shopping and dining area, and its parking is intended for customers of the businesses there. While some people do park there early in the morning before stores open, this is technically not permitted, and there is a risk of receiving a parking ticket.

Regarding beach access parking:

The public beach access points on Fort Myers Beach have metered parking, which recently increased to $5 per hour. Enforcement is generally focused on peak hours, but early morning enforcement can vary.

Based on local reports and resident experience:

Parking meters are typically enforced from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, depending on the specific access point.
For a very early morning shelling trip, such as 6:00–9:00 am, most access points are not checked at 6:00 am.
However, by 8:00–9:00 am, some enforcement officers may begin issuing tickets, especially during high season or busy weekends.

Tips for early morning beach parking:

If you want to avoid paying the meter, plan to arrive well before 7:00 am. This gives you a window before enforcement typically starts.
Do not park at Santini Plaza for beach access unless you are a customer, as tickets can be issued at any time and signage is posted.
Consider checking smaller side streets near the northern or southern ends of Fort Myers Beach, which may have free or less monitored parking, but always read signs carefully.
Another option is to pay the meter briefly; at $5/hour, a 2–3 hour morning stay is about $10–$15.

In summary, early morning shelling from 6:00 am to about 8:00 am is usually fine at the beach access points, but Santini Plaza is not a safe bet for parking unless you are using the shops. To be safe and avoid any risk, plan on using the designated beach parking and check the meters around 8:00 am.