Visitors to the Fort Myers area in November will find a range of events, new attractions, and accommodations updates across the region’s islands, beaches, and neighborhoods.
The 35th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship is scheduled for November 20-24 at DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach. The event will feature eight master sculptors and ten advanced amateurs from ten countries. Attendees can enjoy food and beverage options, live entertainment, Quick Sand demonstrations, and a sand play area for children.
Several college basketball tournaments are set for Thanksgiving week. The Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off runs November 24-27 at Suncoast Credit Union Arena at FSW with Beach and Palm divisions. The Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off follows on November 28-29 at the same venue. Alico Arena at FGCU will host the Coconut Hoops Men’s Tournament from November 24-26 and the Coconut Hoops Women’s Tournament from November 28-30.
In accommodation news, Visit Fort Myers has partnered with Kind Traveler to promote sustainable travel. Participating hotels donate a portion of bookings to local organizations supporting sustainability initiatives. Details about participating hotels are available at visitfortmyers.com/kind-traveler.
The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation of its meeting and event spaces, expected to be completed this fall. Updates include new carpeting, wall coverings, artwork, lighting installations such as an extravagant mesh chandelier in the Estero Ballroom, opalescent glasswork throughout additional spaces, and redesigned landscaping on the Calusa Ballroom Terrace.
Shalimar Beach Resort has reopened as Sanibel Island’s first fully rebuilt resort after Hurricane Ian. The property features Gulf-front studios and villas built with hurricane resiliency measures such as impact-resistant doors and windows, elevated buildings above base flood elevation, over 500 concrete pilings beneath foundations, and turtle lighting for nesting season protection.
Other properties reopening include Best Western Plus Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach after full renovations; Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island; while White Pelican Villas is planned to open in early 2026 on Sanibel Island following reconstruction after Hurricane Ian.
Attractions have also seen developments: Fort Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum has reopened following repairs; Lovers Key State Park offers free programs throughout November; Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral has launched Paradise Cove—a $4 million wave pool with seven wave patterns—and plans for a large movie screen for “dive-in movies.”
A mobile pass called Sanibel Wild Mile allows visitors easy access to natural attractions via their phones. Parks, Points & Perks is another initiative by Lee County VCB and Lee County Parks & Recreation that encourages exploration of parks across the region through May 2026.
New dining options include Beach House restaurant at South Seas on Captiva Island; Marina Cantina Tin Tiki next to Salty Sams on Fort Myers Beach; Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina in Cape Coral; Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar in Bell Tower (Fort Myers); along with reopenings like The Bubble Room Restaurant (Captiva) after three years of renovations due to hurricane damage; and The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach with a new storm-resilient building design.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) has announced expanded air service including new routes by Southwest Airlines (Orlando-McCoy daily; Chicago-O’Hare weekly starting Nov. 2), Porter Airlines (Toronto now year-round), Allegiant (Allentown PA starting Nov.13; Appleton WI Nov.21; Des Moines IA Nov.21), American Airlines (Phoenix limited holiday service), Breeze Airways (Albany NY Dec.17; Rochester NY Jan.8), JetBlue Airways (Islip-Long Island Dec.18), Delta Airlines (Salt Lake City Dec.20), Sun Country (Appleton Jan.30), United Airlines (Los Angeles Dec.-Jan.; San Francisco Nov.-Jan.).
Cabbage Key was named No.5 among TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for “Best Hidden Gems,” recognized for its laid-back atmosphere and waterfront views.
Sanibel Island ranked No.15 among Top Islands in the U.S., Gasparilla Inn & Club ranked No.10 among Top Florida Resorts, while Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa ranked No.13 according to Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (https://www.cntraveler.com/inspiration/readers-choice-awards).
Travel Dreams Magazine published an article highlighting historical landmarks around Fort Myers (https://traveldreamsmagazine.com/beyond-the-beach-explore-the-fort-myers-areas-history-through-its-museums).
Upcoming festivals include music performances by Clay Walker & Drake Milligan (Nov.2); Sanibel Island Writers Conference (Nov.7-8); BIG ARTS Film Festival (Nov14-15); Once Upon a Christmas Time by Gulf Coast Symphony (Nov19-Dec6); Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre shows including “A Christmas Story” musical; Saigon Night Market (Nov22); Edison and Ford Winter Estates Autumn Garden Festival (Nov22-23); ‘Tween Waters Tree Lighting Celebration (Nov24); Holiday Nights celebrations across various locations through December into January.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The coverage area includes Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers city proper as well as Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island/Matlacha/Boca Grande/Outer Islands/North Fort Myers/Alva/Buckingham/Lehigh Acres.
