Springtime in Fort Myers

It’s spring in Southwest Florida which means days of fun along the Gulf of Mexico.

Expect warm May days of island hopping, paddling trails, fishing, nature, arts and culture, and so much more.

Visit the new 2025 Visitor Digital Guide to plan a vacation and see what not to miss in Fort Myers this month:

Sea turtle nesting season

Each May heralds the beginning of sea turtle nesting season, which runs through Oct. 31. The loggerhead turtles return to the same beach time after time to deposit their eggs. Sea turtles are among the world’s oldest creatures. Most common here is the loggerhead sea turtle, which can live to be 40-60 years old and weigh 250-400 lbs.

Tips to protect wildlife

Shield your lighting so that it is not visible from the beach. Sea turtles go toward the light instead of heading for the water.

When enjoying the beaches, take a bag and remove any litter that you may find on your walk.

Enjoy your fun at the beach but be sure to fill any holes when you leave.

Observe a nesting sea turtle from a distance.

Don’t shine lights on or around nesting turtles.

Turtle resources

For more information about sea turtle nesting season and how you can help, contact the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) sccf.org/what-we-do/protect-wildlife/sea-turtle-program or Turtle Time, Inc. at turtletime.org

To support or adopt a nest, contact these organizations:

SCCF

Friends of Lovers Key, Inc.

Friends Of Cayo Costa State Park

North Captiva Sea Turtle Foundation

BocaGrandeSeaTurtles.org

TurtleTime.org

Explore Sanibel Island’s Wild Mile
Visit the area’s natural attractions with this mobile pass, including:

CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife)

J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

Simply check in at each location to earn points and prizes.

Sign-ups are easy and free. Your Sanibel Wild Mile pass is instantly delivered to the phone via text and email. It can be saved the home screen for one-tap access. visitfortmyers.com/digital-passes/sanibel-wild-mile

State parks

For more exploration, nature lovers and hikers have access to six Florida state parks in Lee County:

Gasparilla Island State Park, Boca Grande
visitfortmyers.com/beaches/gasparilla-island-state-park

Koreshan State Park, Estero
visitfortmyers.com/listing/koreshan-state-park/42037

Mound Key Archaeological State Park, Estero
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/mound-key-archaeological-state-park

Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach
visitfortmyers.com/beaches/lovers-key-state-park

Cayo Costa State Park, Cayo Costa
visitfortmyers.com/beaches/cayo-costa-state-park

Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Estero
visitfortmyers.com/listing/estero-bay-preserve-state-park/39904

Big fun at Big City Kids, Bonita Springs
Perfect for a break from the beach. The ultimate indoor play space where kids explore, create and play. This is a mini city full of interactive play zones and a café for the parents to relax while the kids are having fun. bigcitykidsfl.com

McCollum Hall public art installation, Fort Myers
Learn something interesting about one of our community’s most colorful public art installation projects at Dunbar-McCollum Hall mural wall in Fort Myers. Take a walk through the most recent Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) Industry Partner Spotlight with Fort Myers Mural Society executive director Shari Shifrin. Both the history and the project are colorful.youtube.com/watch?v=V4Dv4S7CneU

Neighborhood Mural Program
Highlighting what makes each area special, visitors can experience the colorful neighborhood mural program. The placemaking initiative by the VCB is done in partnership with the Fort Myers Mural Society. The project gives visitors a chance to interact with the murals’ designs by taking and sharing photos. Locations include:

Estero Community Park

Veteran’s Park, Lehigh Acres

The side of Eagle’s Nest Restaurant on Pine Island

A double mural on both sides of the entrance doors into the North Fort Myers Recreation Center

Lakes Park in Fort Myers for a series of murals in the children’s garden

The side of the Community Redevelopment Agency building at 1231 Lafayette St., Cape Coral

The side of the Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce building on Sanibel Island

To learn more about the mural program in the Fort Myers area: visitfortmyers.com/murals

Gasparilla Island Lighthouse climbs
Take part in the popular Barrier Island Park Society history tour climbs and take 134 steps to the top for a sweeping view. Visit bips.org/event-details/climb-the-gasparilla-island-lighthouse-9 for dates and details.

For country music fans: Shenandoah’s Extra Mile tour at Fort Myers
On May 11, Shenandoah performs at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in downtown Fort Myers. For tickets and details: tixr.com/groups/caloosasoundamp/events/shenandoah-the-extra-mile-tour-135730

Related News Stories:  Spring into Scottsdale, AZ wildflower season     Top May happenings in the Florida Keys & Key West     Partner News - TravelMole