The Fort Myers area is recovering and rebuilding from the impact of Hurricane Ian. For information about the accommodations and attractions that are currently open, please visit visitfortmyers.com/open. As information is rapidly changing and there may be limited availability, hours and amenities, please check with the individual businesses on their status.
Support hospitality workers
Those who work in the hospitality industry to make sure our visitors have a great vacation are hurting. Many have lost homes, jobs, cars and more. Many of our guests from all over the world have contacted us asking for ways they can help.
Your contributions to the SWFL Relief Fund will directly support hospitality workers on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel & Captiva islands, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande and the outer islands, and in Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Alva, Buckingham and Lehigh Acres. SupportFortMyers.org
More than half of guest rooms open
Since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Lee County, 62% of the county’s guest rooms have recently opened with more to come in the weeks and months ahead. With the Oct. 19 reopening of the Sanibel Causeway, this milestone of about 8,893 rooms opening throughout Lee County is another step in the right direction. Realizing that most of the available rooms are currently occupied by those helping with recovery and assisting displaced residents, we are confident that we will welcome our visitors back as soon as the area is ready.
Airport news
New air service at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
Eurowings will resume Saturday flights to Frankfurt on Dec. 17 and continue through March.
Sun Country Airlines: Eau Claire EAU) weekly beginning Dec. 19.
Avelo Airlines Raleigh-Durham (RDU) beginning Feb. 16, 2023, Wilmington, Delaware, (ILG) weekly, beginning Feb. 3, 2023.
Keep in touch with the latest Shellcast episode: Fort Myers Beach shows its resiliency
Fort Myers Beach business owners and visitors talk about the recovery and cleanup efforts that continue weeks after Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane slammed into Southwest Florida on Sept. 28. Interviews with Peter Ennis, owner of Wahoo Willie’s; Tom Fritz, resident of Fort Myers; Rebecca Henderson, general manager of Bayfront Bistro; Tom Houghton, owner of La Ola; Bill Ignatti, general manager of Wahoo Willie’s; Jacki Liszak, president of Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce; Cameron Roper, host at Bayfront Bistro; and Diane and Jeff Stone, visitors from upstate New York. Recorded Nov. 16. Shellcast is available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, at VisitFortMyers.com/shellcast and at youtube.com/watch?v=bbAqtI5xYL0
The Sanibel Captiva Guide Podcast
Sanibel residents Nick and Lori Adams, and son Max, interview the people who make Sanibel and Captiva special. They celebrate the history and experiences of the islands. thesancapguide.com/category/podcast
Otocast audio guide features Fort Myers historic sites
Available in the App Store and Google Play, Otocast features a tour of more than 30 historic sites in Fort Myers. otocast.com
River District Holidays, downtown Fort Myers 2022 myriverdistrict.com/events
Downtown Countdown
Dec. 31 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Five stages with musical performances, a midnight ball drop and fireworks will welcome 2023.
myriverdistrict.com/event/downtown-countdown
Annual festivals and events 2023 (Dates subject to change, please confirm)
38th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral
Jan. 14-15
capecoralfestival.com
ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown River District
Feb. 3-5
artfestfortmyers.com
21st annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
Feb. 25
Rotary Park
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
Feb. 18
edisonfestival.org
Spring training 2023
Boston Red Sox
February-March
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
mlb.com/redsox/tickets/spring-training
Minnesota Twins
February-March
Lee County Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
mlb.com/twins/tickets/spring-training
24th Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 4
readfest.org
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March 7-11
echonet.org/events/global-food-and-farm-festival
National Seashell Day
June 21
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 22-Oct. 1
IslandHopperFest.com
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
November TBD
fgcu.edu/siwc
