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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2025
CONTACTS: Ray Sarracino, Jackie Parker, Miriam Dotson 239-338-3500
What’s New from Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
LEE COUNTY, Florida (U.S.A.) – This month visitors will find white pelicans have returned to the islands, exciting college basketball tournaments are scheduled during Thanksgiving and sand sculptures will dot the beach.
Don’t miss this month!
35th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, Fort Myers Beach
Nov. 20-24
fmbsandsculpting.com
DiamondHead Beach Resort
Experience the work of eight master sculptors and 10 advanced amateur sculptors from 10 countries, each showcasing their extraordinary talents in sand sculpture. Attendees also enjoy food and beverage offerings, live entertainment and Quick Sand demonstrations, turning the resort into an interactive art experience for all ages. For younger visitors, a dedicated sand play area allows children to explore their creativity in the sand and have fun building their own masterpieces.
College basketball tournaments
We have four big college basketball tournaments to look forward to the week of Thanksgiving:
Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off
Beach and Palm divisions
Nov. 24-27
Suncoast Credit Union Arena at FSW
Schedule and tickets: fortmyerstipoff.com
Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off
Island and Shell divisions
Nov. 28-29
Suncoast Credit Union Arena at FSW
Schedule and tickets: womensfortmyerstipoff.com
Coconut Hoops Men’s Tournament
Nov. 24-26
Alico Arena, FGCU
coconuthoops.com
Coconut Hoops Women’s Tournament
Nov. 28-30
Alico Arena, FGCU
coconuthoops.com
Accommodations news
Make a difference during your stay
Visit Fort Myers is proud to be the first Florida destination to partner with Kind Traveler, an acclaimed innovator in sustainable travel. Participating hotels and their nonprofit partners offer a chance for visitors to give back with a portion of their booking going to a local organization that supports sustainable travel. Check accommodations and their nonprofit partners at visitfortmyers.com/kind-traveler
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Bonita Springs, renovations
A multimillion-dollar renovation of meeting and event space is underway at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. With completion this fall, the renovation complements recent updates to its rooms, waterpark and restaurants.
With ocean blues, deep lush greens and sandy beige accents, the meeting space will be updated with new carpeting, wall coverings and artwork. Lighting will feature an extravagant mesh chandelier reminiscent of a brilliant conch shell in the Estero Ballroom and lighting installations with opalescent glasswork and silver accents throughout the additional spaces. The Calusa Ballroom Terrace renovations include redesigned landscaping providing settings reminiscent of a tropical garden. hyattregencycoconutpoint.com
Welcome back Shalimar Beach Resort, Sanibel Island
Shalimar Beach Resort has opened as the first Sanibel Island resort to be completely rebuilt, post-Hurricane Ian. The new construction, 33-room resort offers Gulf-front studios, one- and two-bedroom villas.
The first new hotel to open on Sanibel in 40 years, the property was built with hurricane resiliency in mind: impact doors, windows, walls, roof structure. Buildings are 6 feet above the base flood elevation. More than 500 concrete pilings are installed below the foundation. With a sensitivity to the natural environment, turtle lighting has been installed for protection during nesting season. shalimar.com
More reopenings
Best Western Plus Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach
After a complete renovation, the 75-room, beachfront property has reopened. Suites, rooms, a private beach, complimentary breakfast, heated pool, watersports and pet-friendly accommodations are available. bwbeachresort.com
Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina, Captiva Island
Popular since its opening in 1977, the vacation and fishing spot with direct access to Pine Island Sound, is welcoming visitors. With 14 historic cottages decorated in nautical and seashell themes, the property includes a fueling station, boat rentals, store and everything visitors need for a vacation in this treasured spot of Captiva Island’s history. jensensmarina.com
White Pelican Villas plans to open in early 2026
Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts purchased the property formerly known as Beachview Cottages, a 22-unit condo property that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Plans are underway to rebrand the new build as White Pelican Villas, with 22 units in three buildings tied together with a shared, covered walkway. The resort is farther back from the beach and plans to open in early 2026. sanibelcaptivabeachresorts.com
Attractions news
Fort Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum has reopened
Following beach renourishment and repairs, this popular attraction is open. And along with the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, the popular climbs have returned. Climb one or both of these historic treasures and experience beautiful views while exploring a historic lighthouse. Reservations are required. Check dates and times at bips.org/calendar
Lovers Key State Park free programs
Take a “Walk on the Wildside” and other free programs this month at Lovers Key State Park. Check topics and signup at loverskey.eventbrite.com
Surf’s up in Cape Coral
Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral has opened Paradise Cove, a $4 million wave pool. The 12,000-square-foot pool features seven wave patterns and varying intensities. In addition, a 16-foot movie screen will be added for "dive-in movies" and other events. sunsplashwaterpark.com
Explore Sanibel Island's Wild Mile
Visit the area’s extraordinary natural attractions with this exclusive mobile pass, including:
- CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife)
- J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
- Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
- And much more. Simply check in at each location to earn points and prizes.
Sign-ups are easy and free. Your Sanibel Wild Mile pass will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email. Also save it on your home screen for one-tap access. Sign up now and get ready for a fascinating look at nature during your visit. visitfortmyers.com/digital-passes/sanibel-wild-mile
Explore and win prizes with Parks, Points & Perks
The Lee County VCB and Lee County Parks & Recreation have partnered to give visitors new ways to kick off summer fun and win great prizes.
Parks, Points & Perks encourages exploration of area parks, beaches, preserves, recreation centers, events and much more throughout our islands, beaches and neighborhoods. Running now through May 2026, the free pass makes it easy to visit favorite spots or discover new adventures.
Participants have a range of family-friendly locations to visit that include Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Lakes Park in Fort Myers; Dog Beach in Bonita Springs; Phillips Park in Bokeelia and Bowditch Point Park in Fort Myers Beach. More than 30 sites are included.
- Go to visitfortmyers.com/ParksPass and sign up.
- Pass will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email.
- Select your location, plan a visit and start having fun.
- Visit any location in the pass and earn 20 points when you check in.
- Special monthly events give you the chance to add up even more points.
- Earn rewards like a drawstring backpack, and unlock choices for memberships, parking passes or recreation center access.
- Check in at 20 locations on the pass, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a grand prize, a two-night stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops and a Family Fun Day at Lakes Park.
Check out area webcams
We hope you will visit soon but until then, drop in with a live view of each area of our destination. visitfortmyers.com/webcams
Big fun at Big City Kids, Bonita Springs
Perfect for a break from the beach or an afternoon shower! Drop by the ultimate indoor play space where kids explore, create and dream big. A mini city full of interactive play zones and a café for the parents to relax while the kiddos are having fun. Check out this new attraction at bigcitykidsfl.com
Dining & entertainment
New! Beach House, South Seas, Captiva Island
Unwind and enjoy coastal charm at Beach House, South Seas’ new refined beachfront restaurant. From vibrant starters to indulgent desserts, the menu offers a rich tapestry of flavors inspired by land and sea. The opening of Beach House is part of the resort’s expanding culinary lineup, which also includes Redfish Grill, Scoops & Slices and Harborside. southseas.com
The Bubble Room on Captiva Island is back
Bubble Bread, model trains, holiday lights and memories are back. The iconic Bubble Room Restaurant has opened after three years of renovations following Hurricane Ian and delays from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The restored restaurant retains its vintage, nostalgic charm and famous desserts. Open for lunch and dinner. https://bubbleroomrestaurant.com
Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina opens in Cape Coral
Located at the base of the Cape Coral Bridge, the waterfront park features 10 on-site food trucks, a full-service bar, shaded seating options, 30 boat slips, a fuel dock, Ship Store and views of the Caloosahatchee River. Offering outdoor fun and entertainment, Slipaway offers daily live music and special events throughout the year. Visit slipawaycape.com
Marina Cantina Tin Tiki opens on Fort Myers Beach
Located next to Salty Sams, the restaurant includes a seafood and Mexican menu and offers indoor and outdoor waterfront dining. The historic tin building was once used by the Fort Myers Beach shrimping fleet as a warehouse to distribute the famous Pink Gulf Shrimp. Since Hurricane Ian, the building has been renovated with bamboo and nautical accents. marinacantinatiki.com
The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach returns
After almost three years, The Beach Bar has reopened. With a new building that is a walk-up, open-air design that will withstand future storms, this island favorite is a huge part of the Fort Myers Beach recovery story. Another reason to celebrate and visit soon. Follow for updates: www.facebook.com/FMBthebeachbar
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar opens in Fort Myers
Located in Bell Tower, this new, upscale dining experience with a casual vibe, includes a rooftop bar that is open Wednesday through Saturday with live music. Contemporary American cuisine is served against the backdrop of Versace wallpaper and plush leather booths. tap42.com/locations/fort-myers
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) news
New air service at RSW. For more information, visit flylcpa.com
Southwest Airlines
Orlando-McCoy (MC), daily
Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), weekly, starting Nov. 2
Austin (AUS), weekly, March 5-April 6, 2026
Porter Airlines
Toronto, Canada (YYZ), weekly, now year-round
Allegiant (new airline)
Allentown, Pennsylvania (ABE), starting Nov. 13
Appleton, Wisconsin (ATW), starting Nov. 21
Des Moines (DSM), starting Nov. 21
American Airlines
Phoenix (PHX), daily, limited holiday service, operating Nov. 20-Dec.3 & Dec. 19-Jan. 6, 2026
Breeze Airways
Albany, NY (ALB), weekly, starting Dec. 17
Rochester, NY (ROC), weekly, starting Jan. 8, 2026
JetBlue Airways
Islip-Long Island (ISP), weekly, starting Dec.18
Delta Airlines
Salt Lake City (SLC), daily, starting Dec. 20
Sun Country
Appleton (ATW), weekly, starting Jan. 30, 2026
United Airlines
Los Angeles (LAX), limited holiday service Dec. 6-Jan. 5, 2026
San Francisco (SFO), limited holiday service, Nov. 15-Jan. 5. 2026
In the news
Cabbage Key was named No. 5 on TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for “Best Hidden Gems,” the recognition says: “Cabbage Key’s laid-back vibe, open-air seating, and waterfront views set the scene for a fun meal. You’ll find fresh local seafood, big salads, and their popular cheeseburger on the menu. Try a drink at the bar while live music plays. The staff keep things friendly and welcoming, making it easy to relax and stick around for a while.”
Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025
We’re happy to share wins for the Fort Myers area for The Conde Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Sanibel Island was ranked No. 15 in the Top Islands for the United States. On the Top Florida Resorts list, The Gasparilla Inn & Club on Boca Grande ranked No. 10 and the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs ranked No. 13. This annual survey recognizes the best in travel, showcasing the top destinations, hotels and resorts as voted by travelers from around the globe. cntraveler.com/inspiration/readers-choice-awards
Travel Dreams Magazine explores the Fort Myers area beyond the beaches with an article about our historical landmarks, archeological sites and museums. traveldreamsmagazine.com/beyond-the-beach-explore-the-fort-myers-areas-history-through-its-museums
2025 annual festivals and events
Lovers Key State Park free programs
Schedule runs throughout November
loverskey.eventbrite.com
Clay Walker & Drake Milligan
Nov. 2
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
caloosasoundamp.com
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
Nov. 7-8
FGCU
fgcu.edu/siwc
BIG ARTS 2024 Film Festival, Sanibel Island
Nov. 14-15
bigarts.org/event/inaugural-fall-film-festival
Once Upon a Christmas Time, Gulf Coast Symphony
Nov. 19-Dec. 6
Music & Arts Community Center, Fort Myers
gulfcoastsymphony.org
35th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, Fort Myers Beach
Nov. 20-24
fmbsandsculpting.com
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers
Main Theatre: A Christmas Story, the Musical, Nov. 21-Dec. 28
Off Broadway Palm: Winter Wonderettes, Nov. 27-Dec. 25
Children’s Theatre: The Nutcracker, Dec. 2-24
broadwaypalm.com
Saigon Night Market
Nov. 22
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
caloosasoundamp.com
Edison and Ford Winter Estates Autumn Garden Festival, Fort Myers
Nov. 22-23
edisonfordwinterestates.org
'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa Tree Lighting Celebration, Captiva Island
Nov. 24
tween-waters.com/tree-lighting-celebration
Coconut Hoops Men’s Tournament
Nov. 24-26
Alico Arena, FGCU
coconuthoops.com
Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off
Beach and Palm divisions
Nov. 24-27
Suncoast Credit Union Arena, FSW
Tickets: fortmyerstipoff.com
Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off
Island and Shell divisions
Nov. 28-29
Suncoast Credit Union Arena, FSW
Schedule and tickets: womensfortmyerstipoff.com
Coconut Hoops Women’s Tournament
Nov. 28-30
Alico Arena, FGCU
coconuthoops.com
Holiday Nights on the Lawn, Cape Coral
Cape Coral City Hall
Nov. 28-29
tinyurl.com/ccholidayevents
Edison and Ford Winter Estates Holiday Nights, Fort Myers
50th anniversary
Nov. 28-Jan. 4, 2026
edisonfordwinterestates.org
A Very Special Tree Lighting, Sanibel Community Park
Nov. 29
sanibelcommunityhouse.net/event/city-of-sanibel-tree-lighting-ceremony-holiday-celebration
The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
Dec. 2-21
Florida Repertory Theatre, downtown Fort Myers
Historic Arcade Theatre
floridarep.org
Festival of Trees, downtown Fort Myers
Dec. 4-7
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
fortmyersfestivaloftrees.com
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, Fort Myers
Holiday Lights on Pine Loop Trail
Friday, Saturday, Sunday in December beginning Dec. 5
calusanature.org
40th Sanibel Island Holiday Luminary Stroll
Dec. 5 on Sanibel Island; Dec. 6 on Captiva Island
sanibel-captiva.org
37th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 6
fortmyersbeach.org
Boca Grande Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 8
bocagrandewomansclub.org/events/boca-grande-annual-christmas-tree-lighting
Cape Coral Holiday Boat-a-Long
Dec. 20
Bimini Basin
tinyurl.com/ccboatalong
Murder Mystery Dinner Train, “Holiday Havoc,” Fort Myers
Dec. 22-24
semgulf.com/events
Santa’s Dolphin and Wildlife and Christmas Eve Sunset Cruise
Adventures in Paradise
Dec. 24 (check times)
adventureinparadiseinc.com/cruises/holiday-cruises
2026 annual festivals and events
41st annual Cape Coral Art Festival and Market Place
Jan. 10-11
capecoralartfestival.com
Yacht Rock Revue
Jan. 22
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
caloosasoundamp.com
21st annual “Ding” Darling Winter Lecture Series
Jan. 22-April 16
dingdarlingsociety.org
34th Tour De Cape in Cape Coral
Jan. 23-25
Rotary Park
tourdecape.net
Fort Myers Seafood and Music Festival, downtown Fort Myers
Jan. 30-Feb. 1
paragonfestivals.com/festival/fort-myers-seafood-music-festival
ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown Fort Myers
Feb. 6-8
artfestfortmyers.com
88th Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
Feb. 21
Downtown Fort Myers
edisonfestival.org
Southwest Florida Ag Expo
Feb. 26-March 8
“Roots ’n’ Rides: A Celebration of Tradition”
Mike Greenwell Regional Park
swflagexpo.com
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
February/March
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
Minnesota Twins
mlb.com/twins/spring-training
February/March
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
24th annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
Feb. 28
Rotary Park Environmental Center
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
89th annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island
March 5-7
Sanibel Community House
sanibelcommunityhouse.net/shell-festival
27th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 7
Fort Myers Regional Library, downtown Fort Myers
readfest.org
Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival
March 7-8
fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com
Little River Band
March 13
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
caloosasoundamp.com
CROW Taste of the Islands, Sanibel Island
March 13-21
tasteoftheislands.org
Fort Myers Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 14
fortmyersbeach.org
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March tba
echonet.org
4th annual SWFL Mural Fest, Fort Myers
March tba
artsembleunderground.com/swfl-muralfest
Get The Led Out
March 19
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
caloosasoundamp.com
11th annual Bonita Springs Film Festival
April tba
Prado Stadium
bonitaspringsfilmfestival.org
World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, Boca Grande
May 13-14
bocagrandechamber.com/worlds-richest-tarpon-tournament
16th annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May 14-18
fortmyersfilmfestival.com
14th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island
May 15
dingdarlingsociety.org/tarpon-tournament
National Seashell Day
June 20
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
30th annual MangoMania
July 11
pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 18-27
island-hopperfest.com
41st Cape Coral Oktoberfest
October TBA
German-American Social Club
capecoraloktoberfest.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Alva, Buckingham and Lehigh Acres. For more information, go to visitfortmyers.com.
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