What The Plantation Is
The Plantation is a gated golf and resort community in south Fort Myers with over 1,100 homes and an 18-hole championship golf course. The community offers a mix of single-family homes, attached villas, and condominiums across a landscaped setting. It is a well-established resale-only community with a loyal resident base and a strong social calendar year-round.
The Plantation is not strictly 55+ by age restriction, but its demographic skews firmly toward active adults 55 and older. The lifestyle programming, club operations, and overall community feel place it squarely in the active adult category despite the lack of a legal age restriction.
Golf: Club Membership Model
Golf at The Plantation operates through a private club membership structure — golf is not bundled into the HOA. Homeowners who want access to the 18-hole course and the full club facilities (dining, fitness, tennis) purchase a membership separately. Multiple tiers are typically available. Contact the club directly for current membership pricing before you run your true monthly cost calculation.
The HOA itself covers common areas, gated access, landscaping, pools, and community infrastructure regardless of club membership status. You do not have to join the golf club to live here.
The Plantation sits off Plantation Road near Summerlin Road — one of the more beach-proximate inland locations in Lee County's active adult market. Fort Myers Beach is approximately 15 minutes. Sanibel Island is 20 minutes. Cape Coral's waterfront district is 15 minutes north. For buyers who want a golf-community lifestyle without sacrificing beach access, this location optimizes reasonably well for both.
Amenities
Club amenities include the 18-hole golf course, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, resort-style pools, and a full-service clubhouse with dining and social event spaces. The programming calendar is active throughout the year including during summer months, which is not true of all South Florida golf communities that thin out when the snowbird contingent departs.
Homes and Price Range
The Plantation's home stock spans a wide range: condominiums typically start around $150K–$300K, attached villas run $250K–$500K, and single-family homes range from $350K to over $800K depending on size, lot position, and condition. The community's age (many homes built in the 1990s) means buyers should budget for potential roof replacement, HVAC updates, and renovation in some units.
True Monthly Cost
On a $450,000 single-family home at The Plantation, non-golf member: HOA $350–$550, property taxes $330–$430 monthly, homeowners insurance $350–$650. Total: $1,030–$1,630/month. Add golf club dues for members — verify current pricing directly with the club.