This surprising city in Florida sees record -breaking tourism

Here at Travel Off Path we lost the count how many articles we have published in Florida and that is the incredibly popular all year round.

Despite the popular HBO Show It’s Florida, the person who does their best to paint the “Sunshine State” as nothing more than Hillbilly Mugshots and Trailer parks, we all know the truth -regardless of whether you are on the keys, or finding your slaughter of paradise on the stretched atlantic.

That said, one of the rising cities of Florida is a big surprise, all thanks to mother nature.

Destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and again defeated by extreme storms in 2024, the pastel -colored city of Fort Myers may have put on hold for a while, but it has been proven that it has never lost its luster despite so many postcards that have been sticking beach cities in the southwest of Florid.

Open and ready for the business community, nearly 650,000 travelers visited in August Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) – A record number For this underestimated vacation spot.

Back in business! White sandy coasts wait

If you think of Southwest – Florida, many travelers will reach the dynamic duo of Siesta Key and Clearwater – two beaches that drive out the year after year for the crown of ‘America’s Best Beach’.

Although it is not denying their image-perfect conditions and relaxed atmosphere of both (despite ugly pensioners Rockin ‘complicated swimwear), this side of Florida offers countless Whideaways with less crowd.

Fort Myers is certainly one of them, but because of a wave of natural disasters in recent years, it fell a bit off the radar when the locals rose through their bootstraps (or flip-flops) and pressing the reset button.

The city of Fort Myers has announced debris removal has ended. You can be sure that many of Fort Myers is just as beautiful as always.

In Visit Fort Myers“Own words,” we are happy to report that most public beach park facilities in the Fort Myers area are open “.

What attracts tourists to Fort Myers?

Firstly, Fort Myers may want to write a thank you letter to Southwest Airlines.

They led a quarter of the airlines at RSW and brought almost 108,000 passengers last month.

But why do travelers jump on board one of them?

Accessibility:

RSW stays in Fort Myers or not, one of the 4 busy airports in southwestern Florida that connects some of the best beaches in the state.

For a region with pleasant weather throughout the year (minus hit-of-Miss orcanes), Fort Myers is always an easy flight away, especially anchored by Southwest.

Relaxed vibes:

Compared to the hustle and bustle of Miami and even near Tampa, Fort Myers is much more relaxed – fewer boats that rowed through the intracoastal waterways, less busy beaches and a lively pastel cityscape without Miami’s Glitz and Glamor.

Beautiful beaches:

Many beaches have been cleaned up since horrible Stormen Fort Myers have plagued. Visit Fort Myers regularly places the current status of each beach, which you can see here (Last updated 9.15.2025)

From now on every beach, except the following, is open to the public:

• Fort Myers Beach access to #11-14; #16; #19-24; #27-28; #30 & #36
• Turner Beach
• Parking space on the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse or Gasparilla Island State Park

Sanibel Island is a destination in itself

Let’s face it – some golf beaches are more like the Tijuana river than any nearby Caribbean island.

However, Florida is blessed by Geography and lacks the brackish waters that you find in neighboring countries all the way to Texas.

Sanibel Island, one of the many island of Fort Myers, did not even escape compared to Biloxi or Galveston.

It is closer to the spectrum at the Bahamas, next to other famous names that we dream of, which is why southern life crowned this beautiful island as Florida’s top beach outing for 2025.

The coasts of Sanibel are covered with sugar -white sand loaded with sea shells, many of which are so intact that you don’t have to pay too much in a souvenir shop.

Years of recovery have brought Sanibel back to life. All beaches are now open on the island.

But it is not only a place for long walks on glossy white sand, spent hours collecting shells, or snorkeling bright, emerald green waters – many explore two wheels through picturesque mangroves and discover animals in the wild at JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Seafood and fruity cocktails is also a must here. There is no better place than Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille.

Sanibel’s Island Inn is a cozy hotel by the sea that extends typical charm in Florida, you would expect in Fort Myers, and has received rave reviewS.

A recent guest claimed: “This is the place to go for shells. And the rooms are very clean, quiet. Private beach. You can cycle, rent kayaks …”.

Sam Sears

SAM, our main writer and journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and wrote more than 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and throwing a light on lesser -known gems.