Fall in Lee County, Florida, is marked by a series of reopenings, new attractions, and special events as the region continues to recover from recent hurricanes. The area is preparing for the 11th annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, which will take place September 19-28 across Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. More than 60 singer-songwriters are scheduled for over 80 performances during the ten-day event.
The festival begins with a preview party at Swamp Cat Brewing Co. on September 4, featuring BMI singer-songwriters Sheena Brook and Angie K. Highlights include unique ticketed shows such as Frank Myers performing with Cut the Chord String Quartet and Jimmy Nichols at Captiva Civic Center on September 20, sunset cruises with live music on September 21 and 23, and a closing pool-party performance by Grammy-nominated Chris Young at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on September 28.
“Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is presented by BMI, iHeart Radio’s Cat Country 107.1, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. For the full lineup and ticket information, visit IslandHopperFest.com or download the Island Hopper app. Follow the festival hashtag #islandhopperfest as well as Instagram and Facebook.”
Accommodations in the region are also seeing significant changes. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation of its meeting and event spaces to complement previous updates to rooms and amenities. Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel Island plans a soft opening on September 28 as the first resort fully rebuilt after Hurricane Ian; it was constructed with hurricane resiliency measures such as impact-resistant structures and turtle-friendly lighting.
Other properties have reopened following renovations or repairs. South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island has resumed operations for pools, restaurants, golf, and fitness facilities. Best Western Plus Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach has completed renovations of its beachfront property. Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina welcomes visitors again with its historic cottages.
Looking ahead, White Pelican Villas is set to open in early 2026 on Sanibel Island as a rebranded replacement for Beachview Cottages destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
Several attractions have new offerings this season. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is hosting wet walks through October 25 that allow access to normally restricted wetlands under guided supervision—a program running for more than five decades. Lovers Key State Park offers free programs throughout September.
In Cape Coral, Sun Splash Family Waterpark has opened Paradise Cove—a $4 million wave pool—adding to its family-friendly activities. Causeway Islands Park has reopened its beach areas after serving as a staging site for Sanibel Causeway reconstruction; further improvements including parking facilities and ADA accommodations are planned for completion in 2026.
Environmental awareness remains central during sea turtle nesting season through October 31; local authorities urge residents and visitors to reduce light pollution near beaches and remove litter that can harm wildlife.
Visitors can participate in digital initiatives like the Sanibel Wild Mile mobile pass—which offers rewards for visiting conservation sites—and Parks, Points & Perks—a partnership between Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) and Lee County Parks & Recreation encouraging exploration of local parks with prize incentives.
Dining options have expanded with several notable reopenings: The Bubble Room Restaurant on Captiva Island has resumed service after three years of post-hurricane renovations; The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach is back with a storm-resilient building; Sweet Melissa’s restaurant has reopened in south Fort Myers following closure from hurricane damage.
Travelers arriving via Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) will find expanded air service from airlines including Frontier Airlines (Atlanta), Southwest Airlines (Orlando-McCoy/Chicago-O’Hare), Porter Airlines (Toronto), Allegiant (multiple U.S. cities), American Airlines (Phoenix), Delta Air Lines (Salt Lake City), and Sun Country (Appleton).
A variety of annual festivals round out the calendar through late fall—including Oktoberfest celebrations in Cape Coral, film festivals on Sanibel Island, sand sculpting championships at Fort Myers Beach, holiday parades, luminary strolls, garden festivals at Edison and Ford Winter Estates—and other community events throughout Lee County.
