No matter the context, one million people anywhere is hard to fathom.
Well, that’s how many people flew into one forgotten beach city in just one month’s time — and the shortest month of the year, at that.
That’s right, one of Florida’s most beautiful coastal getaways that was ravaged by multiple natural disasters is back on track as a bona fide beach hotspot.
Taking a page from Acapulco, this is America’s undisputed comeback destination for 2026. 🏆
Despite the 7-figure visitor count in February, there’s still ample room to kick back on a white-sand island or by a glistening resort pool for a sunny Florida vacay.
Fort Myers: Then & Now
It’s been a while since you’ve heard that name, huh?
That’s because Mother Nature unleashed wrath in 2022, followed by yet another hurricane in 2024.
In short, Fort Myers didn’t have a chance to fully recover during that period.
Now, though?
By all accounts, it’s as ready for a tourism rush as it will ever be with fingers crossed they’re not on the wrong side of weather reports again.
Before these natural disasters, Fort Myers wasn’t exactly a secret, but a beautiful pastel hotspot laden with white-sand paradises, such as Estero Island and Sanibel Island, each boasting its own appeal.
In town, you’re welcomed by a hard-to-find Old Florida feel with colorful palm-lined streets and the historic River District.
On the outskirts, its glowing emerald waters and gleaming sand have been some of Florida’s most spacious beaches in recent years, since it’s flown under the radar.
Even with a million tourists pouring in a single month, don’t worry. That doesn’t mean every single traveler is plopping in Fort Myers’ sand — it means they’re using one of Southwest Florida’s 5 airports to explore this region brimming with gorgeous coastal hideaways.
The official Tourism Board states in their last update, “We’re happy to report that all but one of the public beach park facilities throughout the Fort Myers area are open”.
The only beach closed for the foreseeable future is Newton Park Beach, meaning you have the green light for a glorious Fort Myers vacation anywhere but here.
Florida’s Island Oasis
Say what you want about Miami and Orlando, the vacation powerhouses of the “Sunshine State”, but we believe if you give Fort Myers itself and the surrounding area a fair shake, like a surge of travelers appears to be doing, you won’t be dreaming of South Beach or endless days of Disney fun any longer.
The greater Fort Myers region is home to over 100 barrier islands. However, we’ve narrowed them down to our top 5 since that’s way too many to tackle:
- Estero Island
- Sanibel Island
- Captiva Island
- North Captiva Island
- Pine Island
The first 3 are the most well-known, but if you’re anything like me and love uncovering a textbook hidden gem, Pine Island is where Fort Myers feels most under the radar.
Even though it’s marketed as the ‘largest island on Florida’s Gulf Coast’, it doesn’t come close to attracting the level of beachgoers that Sanibel and Estero do.
Stop at Matachla’s tiki bar, enjoy a sunny beach day with fewer footprints, and catch dinner — literally — before the day’s over.
Will Horrendous Weather Strike Again?
They say “the third time’s the charm”, right? Well, there would be nothing charming if Fort Myers were again struck by a powerful storm.
The good news is if you plan a spring getaway, you’re as good as gold as records would indicate.
Fort Myers’ hurricane season is the standard Atlantic one: June 1st through November 30th.
Plus, not to sound like Al Roker, the weather is phenomenal right now, especially for those who were shoveling their driveways during winter.
From March until the kickstart of hurricane season, expect highs ranging from 78 – 88 and lows 63 – 76 without summer stickiness.
Even in Florida, there are times you don’t want to be outside and the peak of summer is one them.
No matter if you book a name-brand resort like Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach to lounge poolside with a ‘frozen concoction’ or rent a bike to explore the vibrant cityscape, spring is last call before you’ll flip the A/C on full blast and lug coolers with extra ice through soft white sand — not an easy task, fellas.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
