Fort Myers Beach is one of Florida’s most popular coastal communities, known for its seven-mile shoreline, scenic wetlands, old-school local businesses and cozy residential streets. While the Gulf Coast beach town has a population of just over 7,000 full-time residents, more than 1.8 million people visit each year. “The community of Fort Myers Beach is best described as close-knit, resilient and welcoming, with a mix of locals, seasonal residents and tourists,” says Aaron Parvey, a Fort Myers native and broker and owner of Armada Real Estate. “It has a laid-back, small-town feel but also a strong sense of pride and spirit, especially in times of adversity like Hurricane Ian and other recent hurricanes. The people of Fort Myers Beach come together around their shared love for the environment, the beach and the sense of belonging that comes from living in a tight-knit coastal town.” Tourist activity typically peaks mid-January through early May, sometimes followed by an active hurricane season, which isn't uncommon in the warm waters of the Gulf.
Beaches and nature preserves aplenty on the Gulf
Fort Myers Beach is located on Estero Island, a barrier island south of Fort Myers. Seven miles of coastline means an abundance of beaches for swimming and relaxing, including dozens of public access points on the slender island. Small but mighty Lynn Hall Beach Park is a popular spot among vacationers, as is Crescent Beach Family Park. “The dolphin tours, sunset tours, wildlife tours and pirate cruises are a big hit with tourists and locals alike,” Parvey says. “One of the most interesting things about Fort Myers Beach is its unique blend of natural beauty and local history. The Mound House museum explains the shell mounds and the Calusa people who first occupied Fort Myers Beach.” Recent years have seen a greater emphasis on conserving and preserving the area’s natural resources and fragile ecosystems, featuring numerous nature preserves and protected wildlife areas. The island’s northernmost point, Bowditch Point Park, is a go-to spot for birdwatchers, with scenic views of the Gulf and San Carlos Bay, while the mangroves, canals and lagoons of Lovers Key State Park are popular grazing spots for dolphins, manatees and shorebirds. “When you go boating, you see dolphins. They’ll come and jump in the wake of your boat,” Parvey says. “You don’t ever get tired of seeing them.”
Crescent Beach Family Park offers public beach access to vacationers and locals alike.
The Mound House museum explains the shell mounds & the Calusa heritage of Fort Myers Beach.
Bowditch Point is located at the North end of Fort Myers Beach and offers views of Sanibel.
A short walk across the causeway puts you on the beach at Lover's Key State Park.
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Vibrant nightlife in Times Square
With its restaurants, retailers and beach access, Times Square is the island’s hub for entertainment and nightlife. Margaritaville, in particular, helps keep tourism alive after Hurricane Ian caused massive destruction in 2022 and the town continues to rebuild. Visitors and locals flock to the Jimmy Buffet-themed resort for Lah De Dah Beach Bar and Grill, a waterfront spot known for live entertainment. Yucatan Beach Stand is another favorite that offers laid-back vibes and live music. Seafood is abundant, and nearly every menu features some variation of in-season catch.
Locals brag that every day feels like a vacation on Fort Myers Beach, and part of that is thanks to a slate of events and festivals held throughout the year. The Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival is one of the most beloved and longstanding traditions in the area, and it draws locals and visitors together to celebrate the region’s rich history in the shrimping industry. Held in March by the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club, it’s a highlight of the year for the community. The American Sand Sculpting Championship also draws a major crowd. “They get about 15,000 attendees, and they have advanced amateur and master sculptors from all over the world,” Parvey says.
Publix is located at the island’s midpoint, but shoppers looking for more retail need to leave the island and head to Fort Myers, Bonita Springs or Estero. Fort Myers Beach also lacks a hospital, but HealthPark Medical Center is about 8 miles north on the mainland.
Margaritaville has helped keep tourism alive after Hurricane Ian caused massive destruction.
The Yucatan Beach Stand is another favorite spot that offers laid-back vibes and live music.
The American Sand Sculpting Championship draws a crowd of about 15,000 each year.
Fort Myers Beach has a brand new Publix that was built from scratch after Hurricane Ian.
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New construction and million-dollar homes
Fort Myers Beach has a range of housing, including manufactured homes, condos, townhouses and single-family homes. Land prices are at a premium, especially lots with deeded beach access or proximity to Times Square. New construction must comply with the Florida building code, intended to improve structures' ability to withstand hurricanes and severe weather. Rebuilding is an ongoing process after the huge hit from Hurricane Ian, and changes are happening to the beach village as modern designs begin to sprinkle in. “We lost a lot of the properties that were built like the ’40s and ’50s, so we see a lot of land still available,” says Chad Damitz, Realtor and founder of AnchorPoint Real Estate. The median price for a townhouse is $500,000, and the median single-family price is about $1.2 million. The overall median cost of a home is $660,000.
Manufactured homes can be found scattered throughout the canals of Estero Island on FMB.
Many homes on Fort Myers Beach have been converted to townhomes for vacation rentals.
High rise condominiums line the coast along the shoreline of in Fort Myers Beach.
The median single-family home price is about $1.2 million on Fort Myers Beach.
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Reinventing Fort Myers Beach
“There’s a lot of new opportunities in Fort Myers Beach for businesses and homeowners,” Parvey says. “To me, it’s totally changed. Some restaurants that were there growing up were totally washed away, so it’s like a clean slate in some areas. You’re seeing Fort Myers Beach being reinvented. But I think it’ll be reinvented into a major tourist attraction in the United States.” Redevelopment has been slow due to post-hurricane building code revisions and changes to FEMA flood maps, plus a debate over the city's pre- and post-hurricane identity. “Some owners are still kind of holding onto their property even though it’s destroyed because the land is so valuable,” Damitz says. “I was doing a valuation for a lady who owns [less than a half-acre of land] and she could sell it for $12 to $15 million because it’s right here in Times Square. So I think some [owners] are trying to see if prices will go up or if there’s going to be a big developer that buys it all.” The iconic Fort Myers Beach Pier is slated for a $17 million makeover — nearly doubling the length of the original pier — and a potential $100 million redevelopment plan could revitalize Times Square with more resiliency, density and pedestrian-friendly designs.
Redevelopment has been slow due to post-hurricane building code and FEMA map revisions.
The iconic Fort Myers Beach Pier is slated for a $17 million makeover post hurricane Ian.
The mural on top of the tower at Little Times Square welcomes visitors to FMB.
Pedestrian-friendly designs are a major improvement slated to be added to Fort Myers Beach.
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Lee County Public Schools
Lee County Public Schools serve Fort Myers Beach students, receiving a B from Niche. Fort Myers Beach Elementary School — the only public school on the island — receives an A-minus. However, the school was damaged by Hurricane Milton in October 2024 and has since been closed. Older students must venture off the island every day, where they can take advantage of Florida’s open enrollment system. Middle school and high school students rank which schools they’d like to attend based on their attendance zone, and admittance is determined by a lottery system. Many high schools offer specialized programs such as the International Baccalaureate program, designed to prepare students for secondary education. Some schools are collegiate partners with Florida Gulf Coast University. Private schools are off the island as well. Canterbury School, about 10 miles away, offers pre-K through Grade 12. It receives an A-plus from Niche while being ranked the No. 1 private high school in Lee County.
Fort Myers Beach Elementary school is a historic school being rebuilt from Hurricane damage.
Cypress Lake Middle School Ft. Myers goal is to ensure students achieve their highest potential.
South Fort Myers High School partner with FGCU for college accreditation.
Canterbury School in Ft. Myers has a spirit of college guidance and optimism.
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Only two bridges on Estero Island
Fort Myers Beach sits on Estero Island, and only two bridges connect the island to the mainland. The Matanzas Pass Bridge connects to Fort Myers, while the Big Carlos Pass Bridge leads to Barefoot Beach. It can take an hour to get off the island to Fort Myers during peak traffic hours, and ongoing construction compounds the issue. Estero Boulevard runs the length of the island and experiences frequent congestion. There are bike lanes and bus stops throughout the area, as well as a ferry that leaves from San Carlos Island to Key West. The closest airport is Southwest Florida International Airport, 20 miles away.
Hurricanes damage and storm surges
Hurricane risk is a reality from June through November. The massive storms can spawn tornadoes before and after landfall, but one of the biggest threats is flooding caused by storm surges. In 2022, Fort Myers Beach suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Ian, which caused a 15-foot storm surge that washed away homes and businesses. The beach town was also hit by back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. FEMA has placed Fort Myers Beach on a two-year probation with the National Flood Insurance Program, which means policyholders will no longer receive a 25% discount from FEMA starting in April 2025. Crime statistics for Fort Myers Beach are not readily available.
Shane "Waterfront" Wilson, Your Real Estate Professional As a Florida native and 3rd generation Realtor, Shane is a boating enthusiast who lives and works on the water.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
