Planning · Quick answers
Is Fort Myers Beach rebuilt after Hurricane Ian?
Photo by Juan Pablo Mascanfroni via Unsplash
What the beach looks like now
The beach — the reason people come — is wide, clean and arguably better than before, having been renourished after the storm. Shelling, swimming and sunsets are entirely unaffected.
The built environment recovered unevenly. Large resorts and established restaurants came back first; some smaller motels and family businesses never reopened, and their lots sit empty or under construction. Expect a beach town that looks newer and patchier than a mature resort strip.
What this means for your trip
Practically: book a property and read its most recent reviews rather than relying on older photos, expect some construction noise on the island midweek, and know that new-build hotels command higher rates than the pre-Ian market did.
Sanibel and Captiva were also hit hard and have similarly reopened, with the Sanibel Causeway fully repaired and operating normally.
Related questions
Is Fort Myers Beach open to tourists?
Yes. Fort Myers Beach is fully open, with public beach access, hotels, restaurants and the Times Square district operating.
Is the Sanibel Causeway open?
Yes. The Sanibel Causeway was rebuilt and reopened after Hurricane Ian and operates normally, with the standard $6 toll onto the island.
Should I worry about hurricane damage when booking?
Check recent guest reviews and photos from the last few months rather than the property's own gallery, and confirm on-site amenities like pools and restaurants are open at the time of your stay.