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(Updated: 10/3/2024)

Current Beach Status

Check out the current status of our beaches below. Please note that all parking fees are now through a mobile payment system.

Open Beaches:

Closed Beaches:

Currently Closed Long Term:

  • Newton Park Beach (Fort Myers Beach)
  • Causeway Island Parks (Sanibel Causeway)

 

Know Before You Go

  • Some beaches and beach parks have not been restored to pre-Hurricane conditions.
  • Facilities and beach accesses may be limited (you may need to walk further than you used to).
  • Some amenities such as restroom facilities, piers, and walkovers have not been repaired or replaced at this time. Many beaches have temporary restrooms available.
  • Beach/water shoes are recommended.
  • Closure signs are posted where necessary so we ask you to please adhere to these cautions.
  • Please respect posted wildlife areas and dune vegetation.
  • Swim at your own risk.

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bowman's beach

Explore Our Beaches

Learn more about the beaches in the Fort Myers area.

Learn More
Parking lot at Bowmans Beach

Beach Parking Fees

Most beaches require a fee to park and they must be paid through a mobile payment system. Payment stations are no longer offered at any of our beaches. Plan ahead and click the link below to learn more about parking at our beaches.

Learn More

 

Red Drift Algae & Red Tide

It's important to know that Red Tide and Red Drift Algae are two very different things. Check out this graphic to learn more about the differences.

red tide graphic
red tide

 

We highly advise that you use the additional Water Quality resources listed below on this page before planning to visit our beaches. Red Tide can affect your beach experience and it is important to know which beaches are being impacted prior to your visit. These conditions do change daily and we advise you to stay informed.

See a map where water quality samples were taken by clicking here. TIP: Click on a specific point on the map to see the date the sample was taken. We encourage all beachgoers review this daily sampling map prior to visiting their preferred beach park facility.

What is Red Tide?

In this video, learn about red tide's life cycle, what causes "blooms", what areas of Florida are affected by red tide, and more.

What is Red Tide title screen
Play Video

Beach Conditions & Water Quality

Beach Conditions Reporting System (Mote Marine Laboratory) - Map displaying beach conditions reports from participating locations

Red Tide Current Sampling Map - Updated bi-weekly by The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commissions (FWC)

Florida Healthy Beaches Program (Florida Department of Health) - Map with beach samples & advisory status

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)- A local foundation dedicated to the conservation of coastal habitats and aquatic resources on Sanibel and Captiva islands and in the surrounding watershed.

Algal Bloom Sampling Status - Interactive dashboard allows public to see where algal blooms were occurring in Florida. It features real-time updates, photos and information. Users can search by specific address, ZIP code, city or place. The tool includes quick links to other resources such as public health information. 

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) - This is an experimental forecast of potential respiratory irritation that may occur because of airborne toxins produced by the red tide organism Karenia brevis. It indicates a greater or lesser likelihood of negative conditions based on predicted wind and ocean currents. Please NOTE: This experimental forecast is currently being tested for efficacy and is not yet an official forecast. Daily availability of the product cannot be assured.

 Lee County's Water Quality Information

 

Contact

2201 Second Street
Suite 600
Fort Myers, Florida 33901

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