img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}Here at Travel Off Path, we’ve lost count of how many Florida articles we’ve published and that’s its insanely popular year-round.
Despite popular HBO show It’s Florida, Man doing their best to paint the “Sunshine State” as nothing more than hillbilly mugshots and trailer parks, we all know the truth — no matter if you’re on the Gulf, in The Keys, or finding your slice of paradise along the sprawling Atlantic coastline, there’s no shortage of dreamy beach towns to visit.
That being said, one of Florida’s surging cities is a huge surprise, all thanks to Mother Nature.
Ravaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and beaten down again by extreme storms in 2024, the pastel-painted city of Fort Myers may have put travel plans on hold for a bit, but it’s proven it never lost its luster despite so many postcard beach towns dotting Southwest Florid.a
Open and ready for business, nearly 650,000 travelers visited Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in August — a record number for this underrated vacation spot.
Back in Business! White-Sand Shores Await
When you think of Southwest Florida, many travelers scope out the dynamic duo of Siesta Key and Clearwater — two beaches duking it out year after year for the crown of ‘America’s best beach’.
While there’s no denying their picture-perfect conditions and laid-back atmosphere of both (despite unsightly retirees rockin’ form-fitting swimwear), this side of Florida offers numerous white-sand hideaways with fewer crowds.
Fort Myers is certainly one of them, but due to a spate of natural disasters in recent years, 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 City of Fort Myers announced debris removal has ended. You can rest assured that much of Fort Myers is as beautiful as ever.
In Visit Fort Myers‘ own words, “We’re happy to report that most of the public beach park facilities throughout the Fort Myers area are open”.
What’s Drawing In Tourists To Fort Myers?
First off, Fort Myers may want to write a thank-you letter to Southwest Airlines.
They led a quarter of airlines at RSW, bringing in nearly 108,000 passengers last month.
But why are travelers hopping aboard any of them?
Accessibility:
Staying in Fort Myers or not, RSW is one of 4 busy Southwest Florida Airports connecting some of the state’s top beaches.
For a region with pleasant weather year-round (minus hit-or-miss hurricanes), Fort Myers is always an easy flight away, especially being anchored by Southwest.
Laid-Back Vibes:
Compared to the bustle of Miami and even nearby Tampa, Fort Myers is way more laid back — fewer boats speeding by the intracoastal waterways, fewer crowded beaches, and a vibrant pastel cityscape without Miami’s glitz and glamour.
Gorgeous Beaches:
Many beaches have been cleaned up since horrific storms plagued Fort Myers. Visit Fort Myers periodically posts the current status of every beach, which you can check out here (last updated 9.15.2025)
As of now, every beach but the following is open to the public:
- Fort Myers Beach Accesses #11-14; #16; #19-24; #27-28; #30 & #36
- Turner Beach
- Parking lot at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse of Gasparilla Island State Park
Sanibel Island Is A Destination Unto Itself
Let’s be honest — some Gulf beaches look more like the Tijuana River than any nearby Caribbean island.
However, Florida has been blessed by geography and lacks the brackish waters you find in neighboring states all the way to Texas.
In fact, Sanibel Island, one of Fort Myers’ numerous island escapes, doesn’t even come close to being compared to Biloxi or Galveston.
It’s closer on the spectrum to the Bahamas, among other household names we dream of visiting, hence Southern Living crowned this stunning island as Florida’s top beach getaway for 2025.
Sanibel’s shores are blanketed with sugar-white sands laden with seashells, many of which are so intact you won’t need to overpay at a souvenir shop.
Years of recovery have brought Sanibel back to life. All beaches are now open on the island.
But it’s not solely a place for long strolls on gleaming white sand, hours spent collecting shells, or snorkeling clear, emerald waters — many love to explore on two wheels through scenic mangroves and discover wildlife at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Seafood and fruity cocktails is a must here too. There’s no better place than Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille.
Sanibel’s Island Inn is a cozy seaside hotel exuding quintessential Florida charm, you’d expect in Fort Myers, and has received rave reviews.
One recent guest claimed, “This is the place to go for shells. And the rooms are very clean, quiet. Private beach. You can rent bikes, kayaks…”.
Sam SearsSam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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