EVENTS

The Chamber of Commerce of Fort Myers Beach invites you to visit our family island.
Over 1.8 million annual visitors enjoy the beaches, fishing, shopping, dinning, golf, tennis and entertainment on the sandy shores.
The Beach gained a reputation as the World's Safest Beach because of no undertow and shallow water. People can walk the entire 7-mile length of the island along its sandy shores.

HISTORICAL NOTES

Estero and San Carlos Islands

Turn the hourglass and watch the sands of time trickle back to the past of Fort Myers Beach.
Return to the time when pirates buried treasure, Spaniards built forts, Indians hunted on the Beach, homesteaders staked their claims, shrimpers netted pink gold, a hurricane severed a land connection and mosquito hordes clouded the air.

The last homesteader staked his claim in Estero Island in 1914. Leroy Lemoreaux cleared his land and survived by growing vegetables and fishing.

Lemoreaux remembered bears stalking the island and panthers howling in the night. In the 1890's, the only weapon they had against the hordes of mosquitoes was smoke.
Those were the days before bridge linked the island to the mainland of Fort Myers area. A wooden swing toll bridge was the first bridge built in 1921. The toll was 50 cents for five people. The 1926 hurricane washed it away and severed the slim neck of land attaching San Carlos to the mainland making it and island. Today, it's still called Hurricane Pass.
In the 1870's, pirates plied their trade along the shores. That's how Black Island, south of Estero, got its name. After a defeat by the U.S. Navy, Black Augustus took his loot and settled on the island.
The family of John Butterfield squatted on Mound Key in Estero Bay during that time and provisioned the aging pirate with sugar, coffee, grits and other luxuries in exchange for vegetables.
When the pirate died, he showed the family where to dig up his booty. Perhaps more treasure is hidden along the shores. Rumors persist that pirates used to sink long boats laden with treasure to later recover.
And Pirates weren't the only sailors frequenting the island's waters. Juan Ponce de Leon may have sailed waters around Estero Island about 1513. Hernando de Soto may have also dropped anchor in front of Estero Island in 1539.
Relics of skulls and other artifacts found on Mound Key suggest that Spanish conquistadors may have passed through the Beach and perhaps built a fort on the hill on Mound Key.
But the aura of mystery surrounding Mound Key belongs to the first settlers, the Caloosa Indians.
The Caloosa's origins remain obscure but some scholars such as Rolfe F. Schell in his book, History of Fort Myers Beach suggest that Caloosas may have traveled by rafts from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Caloosa artifacts displayed in a Fort Walton museum would be claimed as early Mayan if displayed in Mexico, Schell wrote.
There's little doubt of what caused their demise. Diseases such as measles brought by European explorers probably caused many of the Indian's deaths.
The Caloosa Indians kitchen middens, containing shards and edible shellfish remains, were found at the end of Connecticut Avenue on Estero Island. Since these early people cannot speak for themselves, their artifacts tell tales of their lives.
Reverse the hourglass and return to our times. Today, the Beach's tourist industry flourishes. Thousands of people come to dine on "pink gold" shrimp and celebrate the industry and the blessing of the fleet with a week long Shrimp Festival, usually held in March.

ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS

The Beach hosts an annual Sand sculpting Contest in November and the Shrimp Festival in March draws thousands to the Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet. A 5-K run precedes the event.
A July 4 Fireworks Display and Old Fashioned Family Day sparks the annual Independence Day Festival.
Golf tournaments, Taste of the Beach, Annual New Year's Eve Celebrations, Offshore Powerboat Races and other sporting events liven life on the Beach.
Santa rides his boat along the Shoreline in the Christmas Holiday Boat Parade. A Christmas light decoration contest for homes, businesses and boats is included in the festivities.
Facilities that provide entertainment for the whole family include the Fort Myers Beach community pool (open to the public) and the Beach Movie Theater.

PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS

Lynn Hall Memorial Park provides bathhouses and parking for beachgoers and people fishing from the 600 foot fishing pier.
Balls bounce around the basketball, tennis and volleyball courts at Bay Oaks Recreation Center.
Lover's Key State Recreation Area shelling rivals the neighboring island of Sanibel. Trams ferry visitors over Oyster Bay to Lover's Key Barrier Island. Visitors can rent kayaks and canoes and tale boat tours of the area. Picnic areas and barbecue grills are conveniently located along the Lover's Key beaches.

The natural environment of the 16- acre Bowditch Point Park at the tip of Estero Island nourishes nature walkers and picnickers.
The Matanzas Pass Wildlife Preserve, featuring an historical restored cottage, nurtures 42 acres of wilderness and provides sanctuary for native plants and animals. Boardwalks and bridges over trails allow visitors access to a pavilion along Estero Back Bay where birds such as ospreys and pelicans fish. People in fishing boats also cast their line in search of supper.

CLIMATE
The Beach altitude is at sea level.

SW FLORIDA CLIMATE
Average Southwest Florida High and Low Temperatures and Gulf Temperature by the month:

CHAMBER INVITATION
Please feel welcome to stop by our offices when you are on the Beach. We have a Tourist Access Space in the Chamber office that provides trained professional to refer visitors and residents to reputable businesses and services.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITORS PACKAGE