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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2026
CONTACTS: Jackie Parker, Miriam Dotson 239-338-3500
What’s New from Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
LEE COUNTY, Florida (U.S.A.) – Spring has arrived in Southwest Florida! Sun-warmed Gulf waters and bright blue skies set the scene for days that drift from island hopping and paddling trails to fresh catches, nature encounters and arts and culture. Add family-friendly adventures and outdoor dining, and the season practically plans itself. Visit the Visitor Digital Guide to begin planning.
Protecting our wildlife
Each May, we witness the beginning of sea turtle nesting season, which runs through Oct. 31. And like our visitors, who return year after year to enjoy our beautiful beaches, the loggerheads return to the same beach time after time to deposit their eggs.
Our destination is known for its wildlife. That’s why sea turtle nesting season is so special to those of us who live here as well as to the visitors who travel from all over the world to experience it. This ritual is one of nature’s miracles and we all play a part in protecting our natural resources.
A fun fact is that sea turtles are among the world’s oldest creatures. The seven species that can be found today have been on the earth for about 110 million years. Most common to our area is the loggerhead sea turtle, which lives to be 40-60 years old. They are big – they weigh 250-400 lbs.
Tips to protect our wildlife
Shield your lighting so that it is not visible from the beach. Sea turtles go toward the light instead of heading for the water.
When enjoying our beaches, take a bag and remove any litter that you may find on your walk. Balloons, plastic bags, foam and other non-degradable pollutants can cause the deaths of sea turtles if mistaken for food.
At the end of the day, take in beach furniture and fill any holes when you leave.
Observe a nesting sea turtle from a distance. Don’t shine lights on or around her or she may abandon her effort to nest. Forgo taking photos or using smartphones and stay far away where she cannot see you as she crawls back to the water.
Turtle resources
For more information about sea turtle nesting season and how you can help, contact the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) at sccf.org/what-we-do/protect-wildlife/sea-turtle-program or Turtle Time, Inc. at turtletime.org.
Check out details on how you can help protect and support sea turtles or adopt a nest, at these organizations:
CROW opens Harkey Sea Turtle Complex
CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) on Sanibel Island celebrated its first step in a journey to once again rehabilitate sea turtles with Harkey Sea Turtle Complex, which replaces a facility demolished by Hurricane Ian in 2022. With funding provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and donors, the new state-of-the-art facility has larger tanks, heaters and chillers, ionization filters, and other features to elevate the care of turtle patients.
The nearly $3 million facility will also include cameras to allow the CROW team to evaluate and the public to witness firsthand the sea turtles’ recovery process. crowclinic.org
Accommodations news
Pointe Estero Resort, Fort Myers Beach reopens
Following extensive renovations, the Fort Myers Beach property has reopened for visitors. Located on the south end of the beach, the refreshed accommodations, enhanced amenities and reimagined spaces include 60, one- and two-bedroom suites and two penthouse suites. Check details and make reservations at pointeestero.com
Beachview Villas to open in 2026
Beachview Villas on Sanibel Island plan to open this year with 22 Gulf-view villas. Check for reservations at beachview-villas.com
Happy 100th Birthday, Tarpon Lodge
A century of history and Old Florida charm, with views of Pine Island Sound, greet visitors for overnight stays and dining for lunch and dinner. Check out details at tarponlodge.com
Welcome back: Casa Ybel and Thistle Lodge on Sanibel Island
After three years, the luxury all-suite resort has reopened following extensive renovations. Beginning a new chapter on Sanibel, the beachfront property is accepting reservations for accommodations. casaybelresort.com
Under construction
- Captiva Island Inn, opening late 2026
- HomeTowne Suites by Red Roof, Fort Myers, 2026
- Beachview Villas (former Beachview Cottages), Sanibel, spring 2026
- Lake Shadroe Resort & Marina, Cape Coral, early 2027
- Hampton Inn at Bell Tower, Fort Myers, early 2027
- Cambria Hotels, Fort Myers, late 2027
Visit Fort Myers partners with Kind Traveler
Visit Fort Myers is proud to be the first Florida destination to partner with Kind Traveler, an acclaimed innovator in sustainable travel. Participating hotels, adventure operators and experience providers, 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
Attractions news
Beat the Heat beach walks
Join an expert from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium and learn about the shells found on our beaches. Walks run June through October. Check for details and dates at: shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/field-education
Celebrating 100 years
Matlacha, the tiny town with its colorful buildings, art, shops, spectacular sunsets, fresh seafood and Old Florida fishing town charm, recently celebrated 100 years. It’s a special place that you can’t resist as you approach Pine Island. To learn more about this special neighborhood that draws locals and visitors alike, visit visitfortmyers.com/neighborhoods/matlacha
It (tourism) all started with the silver king
Do you ever wonder how this area became a popular tourist destination? It began in Tarpon Bay on March 19, 1885, and Southwest Florida was changed forever.
A mighty silver-sided tarpon was captured on a rod and reel for the first time on record. Southwest Florida became the epicenter of a new sport that generated interest around the globe. Celebrities and presidents were drawn to the area to catch the silver king. As a result, the area became a major tourist destination. Anglers still come in search of the silver king of gamefish beginning each April. This month, three tarpon tournaments (catch and release) take place.
42nd Annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, Boca Grande
May 13-14
bocagrandechamber.com/worlds-richest-tarpon-tournament
14th Annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island
May 15
dingdarlingsociety.org/tarpon-tournament
3rd annual South Seas Tarpon Tournament, Captiva Island
May 22
southseas.com/tarpon
Murals tell the story of area’s unique culture and history
Discover vibrant murals throughout our islands, beaches and neighborhoods, each offering amazing photo ops, interactive fun and a fascinating look at our unique culture and history. These murals were created in partnership with the Fort Myers Mural Society, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving local history and fostering community pride through artistic expression. Check them out here and put them on your list for your next visit. visitfortmyers.com/murals
Lovers Key State Park free programs this month
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
Walks with CREW in Bonita Springs
Check out the walks and programs offered this month at CREW in Bonita Springs. Each year, more than 100,000 people visit CREW Trust’s four trail systems to explore more than forty miles of marked hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as outdoor pavilions, primitive campsites, elevated boardwalks, and observation platforms. crewtrust.eventbrite.com
Explore and win prizes with Parks, Points & Perks
The Lee County VCB and Lee County Parks & Recreation has 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
Dining & entertainment
Blossom & Brie named top brunch spot
The North Fort Myers open-air, farm-to-table dining experience has been named one of the best brunch spots in Florida by USA Today Florida Network. A favorite among locals and visitors, it serves weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. blossomandbrie.com
Mucky Duck on Captiva Island has reopened. Visitors can return to one of their favorite waterfront hangouts for drinks, food, entertainment and happy beach vibes. Following back-to-back hurricanes and extensive repairs, including a new kitchen, the popular neighborhood pub at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is back. muckyduck.com
Cheers to two new breweries
Resurgence Brewing has opened on Exchange Lane near Lee County Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers (resurgencebrewing.com) and Anarchy Ale Works is open on Palm Beach Boulevard in Alva (anarchyaleworks.com). These two new additions bring the total of breweries located in Lee County to 13, according to the website Drink Local Florida (http://drinklocalflorida.com/breweries-lee.html).
Legno Italian Kitchen has opened on the south end of Fort Myers Beach in Santini Plaza. In addition to Italian cuisine from scratch, it hosts live music and standup comedy. Facebook page
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) news
New air service at RSW. For more information, visit flylcpa.com
Breeze Airways
- NEW Madison, Wisconsin (MSN), weekly starting Oct. 21
JetBlue Airways
- NEW Buffalo (BUF), weekly
In the news
Fort Myers recognized in Midwest Living
As a winner of its Best of the Midwest Awards 2026, the destination was featured on the list of the Best Warm-Weather Destinations of 2026. midwestliving.com/bomw-warm-weather-destinations-11909055
Highlights include:
- “Natural beauty and cultural riches await among the islands, beaches, and neighborhoods of this heavenly haven in southwest Florida.”
- “Historic homes include the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, where the fellow inventor-snowbirds lived next door to each other.”
- "Fort Myers Beach beckons with a wide stretch of sugary sand. Wildlife and nature preserves abound, such as the highly regarded J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge."
Travel + Leisure says Sanibel is the ‘Seashell Capital of the World’
In its comprehensive article on planning the perfect getaway to Sanibel Island, Travel + Leisure says: “This Peaceful Florida Island Is the ‘Seashell Capital of the World’ — With 400+ Shell Species and No Traffic Lights.” travelandleisure.com/sanibel-island-florida-11926426
The New York Times places to travel in 2026
Sanibel and Captiva Islands included in The New York Times article about 52 places to travel in 2026. Jennifer Reed writes about the “Post-hurricane comeback story in the Gulf,” mentioning the Bubble Room, Shalimar Beach Resort, Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium and She Sells Sea Shells. She also notes that “now open” signs describe the celebratory mood. nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/places-to-travel-destinations-2026.html
Festivals and events
National Seashell Day
June 21
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
Oct. 17-19 & 24-26
German-American Social Club
capecoraloktoberfest.com
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
November tba
FGCU
fgcu.edu/siwc
36th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, Fort Myers Beach
Nov. 19-23
fmbsandsculpting.com
38th Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 5
fortmyersbeach.org
2027 Festivals and Events
42nd annual Cape Coral Art Festival and Market Place
January tba
capecoralartfestival.com
36thth Tour De Cape in Cape Coral
January tba
Rotary Park
tourdecape.net
ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown Fort Myers
Feb. 5-7
artfestfortmyers.com
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife 9th Annual Ground Owl Day
February tba
Pelican Baseball Complex
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/events/2026/ground-owl-day
89th Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
February tba
Downtown Fort Myers
edisonfestival.org
25th annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
February tba
Rotary Park Environmental Center
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Southwest Florida Ag Expo
Feb. 25-March 7
Mike Greenwell Regional Park
swflagexpo.com
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
February-March tba
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
Minnesota Twins
mlb.com/twins/spring-training
February-March tba
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
90th annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island
March tba
Sanibel Community House
sanibelcommunityhouse.net/shell-festival
28th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March tba
Fort Myers Regional Library, downtown Fort Myers
readfest.org
Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival
March 13-14
fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com
Taste of the Islands event
March tba
Sanibel City Hall
tasteoftheislands.org
12th annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival
April tba
Prado Stadium
bonitaspringsfilmfestival.org
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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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