As fall arrives in Lee County, Florida, the region is preparing for a series of events, reopenings, and new attractions. The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns for its 11th year from September 19-28, featuring dozens of BMI songwriters performing at various locations including Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach.
A preview party will be held on September 4 at Swamp Cat Brewing Co. in Fort Myers. Local favorite Sheena Brook and Angie K will perform and host the event. Most Island Hopper shows are free, but there are also ticketed performances by artists such as Frank Myers with Cut the Chord String Quartet and Jimmy Nichols on Captiva Island (September 20), a Songwriter Sunset Cruise with Ruby Amanfu and Sam Ashworth (September 21), LOCASH in Cape Coral (September 22), Lilly MacPhee aboard the Silver King Water Taxi (September 23), Julianne Ankley and Tim McGeary at Luminary Hotel & Co. (September 24), an Americana Community Music Association Showcase at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (September 24), Essex County at Luminary Hotel & Co. (September 25), Canvas and Chords with Danny Myrick and Katrina Cain alongside artist Lacy McClary at Alair Custom Homes (September 27), and Chris Young closing the festival with a pool-party performance at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on September 28.
“More than 60 singer-songwriters will perform over 80 performances during the 10-day music fest,” according to event organizers. Locations include Captiva Island (Sept. 19-21), Cape Coral (Sept. 22-23), downtown Fort Myers (Sept. 24-25), and Fort Myers Beach (Sept. 26-28). The festival is presented by BMI, iHeart Radio’s Cat Country 107.1, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods.
Several accommodations have announced news for the season. 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 with updated interiors reflecting local colors and themes.
Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel Island plans a soft opening on September 28 as the first resort fully rebuilt after Hurricane Ian. The new construction includes hurricane-resilient features such as impact doors and windows, elevated buildings above flood elevation, concrete pilings for stability, and turtle lighting to protect wildlife during nesting season.
South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island has reopened amenities including pools, restaurants, golf, and fitness facilities following restoration work. Best Western Plus Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach has also reopened after renovations; Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island is again welcoming visitors to its historic cottages.
Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts purchased the former Beachview Cottages property destroyed by Hurricane Ian; it will be rebranded as White Pelican Villas with plans to open in early 2026.
Area attractions have introduced new programs as well. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve continues its wet walks through October 25—guided tours allowing participants access to areas usually closed to the public—and Lovers Key State Park offers free educational programs throughout September.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral recently opened Paradise Cove, a $4 million wave pool offering seven wave patterns; additional features like a movie screen for “dive-in movies” are planned.
Causeway Islands Park has reopened after serving as a staging area during reconstruction of the Sanibel Causeway by FDOT following hurricane damage. Further improvements including structured parking areas, restrooms, beach access upgrades for ADA compliance, showers, drainage systems, shade structures, and landscaping are planned for completion by late 2026.
The sea turtle nesting season continues through October; local officials remind residents to shield beachfront lighting so turtles do not become disoriented when nesting or hatching.
The region has launched digital passes such as Sanibel Wild Mile—offering points for visiting natural attractions—and Parks, Points & Perks—an initiative by Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau encouraging visits to parks across Lee County with rewards available for participation.
Several dining establishments have reopened or launched: The Bubble Room Restaurant on Captiva Island has resumed operations after three years of renovations; Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina opened in Cape Coral offering food trucks along with boat slips; The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach is back with storm-resilient construction; Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar debuted at Bell Tower; Lazy Flamingo returned to Sanibel Island; Key Lime Bistro reopened on Captiva Island; Sweet Melissa’s relocated from Sanibel Island to south Fort Myers under chef Melissa Donahue.
Southwest Florida International Airport has announced expanded air service from carriers including Frontier Airlines (Atlanta); Southwest Airlines (Orlando-McCoy daily service starting soon; Chicago-O’Hare weekly beginning November); Porter Airlines (Toronto now year-round); Allegiant Air adding routes from Allentown PA., Appleton WI., Des Moines IA.; American Airlines offering seasonal service from Phoenix; Delta launching Salt Lake City flights December; Sun Country adding Appleton WI route January next year.
Local media coverage highlighted Bonita Springs’ outdoor offerings in Southern Living magazine’s recent feature about Southwest Florida’s nature destinations (“Explore a Nature Lover’s Playground in Southwest Florida”).
Upcoming annual festivals include Wet Walks at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve through October; Lovers Key State Park programs throughout September; Edison and Ford Winter Estates Fall Festival October18; Cape Coral Oktoberfest October17-26; BIG ARTS Film Festival November14-15; American Sand Sculpting Championship November20-24 among others.
