Headliners announced for Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Sept. 19-28

Multi-platinum BMI singer-songwriter and global entertainer Chris Young will headline the closing concert for Island Hopper Songwriter Fest on Sept. 28, at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach.

Island Hopper also welcomes country music favorite and BMI singer-songwriters LOCASH. The popular duo will perform Monday, Sept. 22, at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral.

While most Island Hopper shows are free, both the Young and LOCASH performances, along with a few other shows will be ticketed including:

  • Frank Myers will play with Cut the Chord string quartet at the Captiva Civic Center on Sept. 20.

  • Songwriter Cruises departing from Captiva Island & Cape Coral.

  • Essex County will perform at Luminary Hotel & Co.'s Island Hopper Dinner Experience on Sept. 25.

More than 60 singer-songwriters will perform over 80 performances during the 10-day music fest. Be sure to catch a live performance at these four locations around the Fort Myers area: Captiva Island, Sept. 19-21; Cape Coral, Sept. 22-23; Downtown Fort Myers, Sept. 24-25; Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 26-28.

For the full lineup and ticket information, visit IslandHopperFest.com or download the Island Hopper app. Follow the festival hashtag #islandhopperfest as well as Instagram and Facebook.

ACCOMMODATIONS NEWS

Shalimar Beach Resort to open Sept. 28 on Sanibel Island

Shalimar Beach Resort is the first Sanibel Island resort to have a complete rebuild, post-Hurricane Ian. The new construction, 33-room resort will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom villas. A family-owned staple among Sanibel’s small hotels since 1959, Shalimar is accepting reservations for October 2025 and beyond. shalimar.com

White Pelican Villas plans to open in early 2026

Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts purchased the property formerly known as Beachview Cottages, a 22-unit condo property that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Plans are underway to rebrand the new build as White Pelican Villas, with 22 units in three buildings tied together with a shared, covered walkway. The resort is farther back from the beach and plans to open in early 2026.sanibelcaptivabeachresorts.com

South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island

The island resort has reopened its amenities including pools, restaurants, golf and fitness. Villa-style accommodations are available with a plans for a hotel in the works. A new water feature is scheduled for a December opening. Check out the latest news at southseas.com

Best Western Plus Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach

After a complete renovation, the 75-room, beachfront property has reopened. Suites, rooms, a private beach, complimentary breakfast, heated pool, watersports and pet-friendly accommodations are available. bwbeachresort.com

Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina, Captiva Island

Popular since its opening in 1977, the vacation and fishing spot with direct access to Pine Island Sound, is welcoming visitors. With 14 historic cottages decorated in nautical and seashell themes, the property includes a fueling station, boat rentals, store and everything visitors need for a vacation in this treasured spot of Captiva Island’s history. jensensmarina.com

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Captiva Island’s Bubble Room to reopen July 14 

It’s time for a piece of Orange Crunch Cake! The kitschy Bubble Room on Captiva Island will reopen July 14, nearly three years after Hurricane Ian. Delays from hurricanes Helene and Milton slowed restoration, but the restaurant’s vintage charm and famous cakes return with only minor updates. Facebook: The Bubble Room Restaurant

The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach is back

Locals and visitors are happy to know that after almost three years, The Beach Bar has reopened. With a new building that is a walk-up, open-air design that will withstand future storms, this island favorite is a huge part of the Fort Myers Beach recovery story. Another reason to celebrate and visit soon. Follow for updates: facebook.com/FMBthebeachbar

Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina opens in Cape Coral

Located at the base of the Cape Coral Bridge, the waterfront park features 10 on-site food trucks, a full-service bar, shaded seating options, 30 boat slips, a fuel dock, Ship Store and views of the Caloosahatchee River. Offering outdoor fun and entertainment, Slipaway offers daily live music and special events throughout the year. Visit slipawaycape.com

Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar opens in Fort Myers

Located in Bell Tower, this new, upscale dining experience with a casual vibe, includes a rooftop bar that is open Wednesday through Saturday with live music. Contemporary American cuisine is served against the backdrop of Versace wallpaper and plush leather booths. tap42.com/locations/fort-myers

Lazy Flamingo on Sanibel Island reopens

With its original menu of conch fritters, peel-n-eat shrimp, fish tacos and grouper, along with its favorite garlic bread, the restaurant is open! lazyflamingo.com

It’s official: Key Lime Bistro on Captiva Island has reopened

And yes, it’s still serving its iconic Keyline pie! Located in the center of Old Captiva on Andy Rosse Lane, this island favorite welcomed locals and visitors for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily with indoor or outdoor dining and live music. keylimebistrocaptiva.com

Welcome back, Sweet Melissa’s

For 14 years, Sweet Melissa’s was a favorite Sanibel Island until 2022 when a hurricane changed everything. Chef Melissa Donahue, a James Beard award nominee, has reopened her popular restaurant in south Fort Myers on Summerlin Avenue. The restaurant is once again welcoming visitors and locals with its memorable meals and vast wine list. sweetmelissasrestaurant.com

Swamp Cat Brewing opens in downtown Fort Myers

The owners hoped to find a building in need of some love, and they did just that in a former 1950s church on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Fowler St. With the original wood tresses and church pews, there are 12 Swamp Cat beers on tap with food from three on-site vendors. It’s dog-friendly and includes an indoor/outdoor bar, stage for entertainment and the 5,000-square-foot beer garden. swampcatbrewing.com

ATTRACTIONS NEWS
Causeway Islands Park reopens to visitors

Causeway Islands Park has reopened with its first phase of amenities. The long-awaited reopening of the beach park on the Sanibel Causeway gives visitors a chance to again enjoy the shoreline. The park had been closed due to the essential rebuilding activities by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which used the site during the critical process of rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway to make it more resilient.

Planned improvements in Phase Two include structured parking areas, restrooms on Islands A and B, beach access and ADA accommodations, outdoor showers, site drainage and irrigation systems, shade structures and landscaping. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 and completion is anticipated in 2026, weather permitting. leegov.com/parks/beaches/causeway

Celebrate Henry Ford’s Birthday on July 30 at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Lee County celebrates Henry Ford’s 162nd birthday with a special automotive tour and museum presentation from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 30. The program will cover Ford and his family visits to their winter estate, “the Mangoes” and Ford’s legacy, his lasting impact on the City of Fort Myers, and how visitors continue to be attracted to the motor magnates’ winter estate. The presentation is included with all admission tickets. EdisonFord.org