Right here at Journey Off Path, we have misplaced rely of what number of Florida articles we have revealed and that is its insanely common year-round.
Regardless of common HBO present It is Florida, Man doing their finest to color the “Sunshine State” as nothing greater than hillbilly mugshots and trailer parks, everyone knows the reality — regardless of in case you’re on the Gulf, in The Keys, or discovering your slice of paradise alongside the sprawling Atlantic shoreline, there is no scarcity of dreamy seashore cities to go to.
That being mentioned, one in every of Florida’s surging cities is a large shock, all because of Mom Nature.
Ravaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and overwhelmed down once more by excessive storms in 2024, the pastel-painted metropolis of Fort Myers could have put journey plans on maintain for a bit, nevertheless it’s confirmed it by no means misplaced its luster regardless of so many postcard seashore cities dotting Southwest Florid.a
Open and prepared for enterprise, practically 650,000 vacationers visited Southwest Florida Worldwide Airport (RSW) in August — a record number for this underrated trip spot.
Again in Enterprise! White-Sand Shores Await
If you consider Southwest Florida, many vacationers scope out the dynamic duo of Siesta Key and Clearwater — two seashores duking it out yr after yr for the crown of ‘America’s finest seashore’.
Whereas there is no denying their picture-perfect situations and laid-back environment of each (regardless of ugly retirees rockin’ form-fitting swimwear), this facet of Florida presents quite a few white-sand hideaways with fewer crowds.
Fort Myers is definitely one in every of them, however as a consequence of a spate of pure disasters in recent times, it fell off the radar for a bit as locals picked themselves up by their bootstraps (or flip-flops) and hit the reset button.
The Metropolis of Fort Myers introduced debris removal has ended. You’ll be able to relaxation assured that a lot of Fort Myers is as lovely as ever.
In Visit Fort Myers‘ personal phrases, “We’re pleased to report that a lot of the public seashore park amenities all through the Fort Myers space are open”.
What’s Drawing In Vacationers To Fort Myers?
First off, Fort Myers could wish to write a thank-you letter to Southwest Airways.
They led 1 / 4 of airways at RSW, bringing in practically 108,000 passengers final month.
However why are vacationers hopping aboard any of them?
Accessibility:
Staying in Fort Myers or not, RSW is one in every of 4 busy Southwest Florida Airports connecting a few of the state’s high seashores.
For a area with nice climate year-round (minus hit-or-miss hurricanes), Fort Myers is at all times a straightforward flight away, particularly being anchored by Southwest.
Laid-Again Vibes:
In comparison with the bustle of Miami and even close by Tampa, Fort Myers is far more laid again — fewer boats rushing by the intracoastal waterways, fewer crowded seashores, and a vibrant pastel cityscape with out Miami’s glitz and glamour.
Attractive Seashores:
Many seashores have been cleaned up since horrific storms plagued Fort Myers. Go to Fort Myers periodically posts the present standing of each seashore, which you’ll be able to take a look at here (final up to date 9.15.2025)
As of now, each seashore however the next is open to the general public:
- Fort Myers Seaside Accesses #11-14; #16; #19-24; #27-28; #30 & #36
- Turner Seaside
- Car parking zone on the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse of Gasparilla Island State Park
Sanibel Island Is A Vacation spot Unto Itself
Let’s be sincere — some Gulf seashores look extra just like the Tijuana River than any close by Caribbean island.
Nevertheless, Florida has been blessed by geography and lacks the brackish waters you discover in neighboring states all the way in which to Texas.
In reality, Sanibel Island, one in every of Fort Myers’ quite a few island escapes, would not even come near being in comparison with Biloxi or Galveston.
It is nearer on the spectrum to the Bahamas, amongst different family names we dream of visiting, therefore Southern Dwelling topped this beautiful island as Florida’s high seashore getaway for 2025.
Sanibel’s shores are blanketed with sugar-white sands laden with seashells, a lot of that are so intact you will not must overpay at a memento store.
Years of restoration have introduced Sanibel again to life. All seashores at the moment are open on the island.
However it’s not solely a spot for lengthy strolls on gleaming white sand, hours spent accumulating shells, or snorkeling clear, emerald waters — many like to discover on two wheels by scenic mangroves and uncover wildlife at J.N. “Ding” Darling Nationwide Wildlife Refuge.
Seafood and fruity cocktails is a should right here too. There is not any higher place than Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille.
Sanibel’s Island Inn is a comfortable seaside resort exuding quintessential Florida allure, you’d anticipate in Fort Myers, and has acquired rave evaluations.
One latest visitor claimed, “That is the place to go for shells. And the rooms are very clear, quiet. Personal seashore. You’ll be able to hire bikes, kayaks…”.
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