Fort Myers Beach

Sampling by FGCU Water School researchers and SCCF marine scientist rules out karenia brevis; Town reminds residents of fertilizer restrictions.

In 2022, according to visitfortmyers.com, there were more than 4.4 million visitors, with the top three local attractions drawing crowds to the county being the beaches themselves at 66%, the Fort Myers Beach Pier at 36%, and the Sanibel Lighthouse at 26%. However, the year after Hurricane Ian, that number fell to nearly 3 million visitors. The pier’s visitation rate dropped to 15% while the beaches remained No. 1 at 51%. But now, with the promise of a new and improved pier on the horizon, those stats are starting to rebound.

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council has appointed John McLean to fill the vacated council seat formerly held by Jim Atterholt, following a 3–1 vote in favor of McLean at the town council meeting. After the motions for his appointment passed, McLean was sworn in during the same meeting.

The park is closed for duration of the project.

Water-quality testing in Southwest Florida occasionally reports high concentrations of enterococcus bacteria, which are found inside the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, similar to the spike in the bacteria discovered off Fort Myers Beach this week. New testing found the levels dropped and an advisory lifted.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach will begin issuing violation notices in the coming weeks to short-term rental properties that are not registered with the Town. The Town has identified approximately 500 short-term rentals currently operating without the required registration. Many of these rentals are managed by property management companies that have not completed the registration process.

Jim Atterholt is retiring after swerving six years on the Fort Myers Beach Town Council, effective at the end of the year. First elected in March 2019, Atterholt's tenure included navigating the Town through the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple major storm events, including Hurricane Ian.

FEMA has confirmed that Fort Myers Beach has earned a Class 5 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System, a step in the recovery from Hurricane Ian that could earn residents financial relief. The rating was formally confirmed in a December letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is also a national recognition for the Town’s flood mitigation and governance efforts.

Due to an austerity push, the Town of Fort Myers Beach will not hold a fireworks display this coming year.

Fort Myers Beach holds its 37th annual boat parade to usher in "season." An awards party is set for Dec. 11.