The Whale: A Fort Myers Beach Favorite Reimagined

The Whale is back—and this longtime Fort Myers Beach favorite has returned with a completely new look. Rebuilt following Hurricane Ian, the three-story restaurant combines fresh seafood, slow-smoked barbecue, craft cocktails and live entertainment with panoramic views of the Gulf.

Located at 1249 Estero Boulevard, The Whale is approximately 1.2 miles from the Key West Express terminal, making it an easy addition to your Fort Myers Beach plans.

Fresh Seafood and Slow-Smoked Favorites

The menu brings together Florida seafood, island-inspired dishes and hearty barbecue favorites. Choices include grouper sandwiches and tacos, Caribbean shrimp, seafood boils, oysters, smoked wings, brisket, ribs, burgers and pasta.

There are also salads, vegetarian selections and a children’s menu, making The Whale a comfortable choice for families and groups with different tastes.

View the restaurant’s current selections on The Whale’s official menu.

Three Floors of Gulf Views

Each of The Whale’s three levels offers a different Fort Myers Beach experience:

The open-air Low Tide Lounge delivers relaxed, ground-floor beach vibes.
The Sea Glass Lounge pairs dinner and cocktails with Gulf views and live entertainment.
The rooftop Lookout Lounge offers sweeping views and an especially memorable setting around sunset.

Large televisions throughout the restaurant also make The Whale a popular place to watch sporting events.

Live Music and Island Atmosphere

Daily live entertainment adds to the restaurant’s casual coastal energy. Performers and special events change regularly, so check The Whale’s entertainment and events calendar when planning your visit.

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., although hours and entertainment schedules can change.

Close to Key West Express

The Whale is located at 1249 Estero Boulevard, approximately 1.2 miles from the Key West Express Fort Myers Beach terminal.

Whether you visit before departing for Key West or after returning to Fort Myers Beach, it is a convenient place to extend the island atmosphere over seafood, cocktails and a Gulf Coast sunset.

Explore more Fort Myers Beach restaurants or start planning your journey aboard Key West Express.

Yes. The restaurant reopened in November 2025 following a complete post-Hurricane Ian rebuild and is now known as The Whale.
The Whale is located at 1249 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931.
The restaurant is approximately 1.2 miles from the Key West Express Fort Myers Beach terminal at 1200 Main Street.
The menu includes fresh seafood, grouper, shrimp, oysters, smoked wings, barbecue, burgers, tacos, pasta, salads and children’s selections.
Yes. The Whale offers regularly scheduled live entertainment. Visitors should check the restaurant’s official events calendar for the latest schedule.