The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest has announced its headliners for the upcoming event, scheduled to take place from September 19 to 28 in the Fort Myers area. Chris Young, a multi-platinum BMI singer-songwriter and global entertainer, will headline the closing concert on September 28 at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach. The festival will also feature country music duo LOCASH, who are set to perform on September 22 at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral.
Most of the shows during the 10-day festival are free, but tickets will be required for performances by Young, LOCASH, and several other select events. More than 60 singer-songwriters are expected to deliver over 80 performances across four locations: Captiva Island (September 19-21), Cape Coral (September 22-23), Downtown Fort Myers (September 24-25), and Fort Myers Beach (September 26-28). Information about the full lineup and ticketing is available at IslandHopperFest.com or through the festival’s mobile app.
In accommodations news, Shalimar Beach Resort is set to open on Sanibel Island on September 28. This marks the first complete rebuild of a resort on Sanibel since Hurricane Ian. The new property features studio units as well as one- and two-bedroom villas. Reservations are being accepted for October 2025 onward.
Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts has announced plans to open White Pelican Villas in early 2026 after acquiring and redeveloping the former Beachview Cottages property that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. The new development will include three buildings with a total of 22 units connected by a covered walkway.
South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island has reopened amenities such as pools, restaurants, golf facilities, and fitness areas. Villa-style accommodations are now available while hotel construction continues. A new water feature is expected to open in December.
The Best Western Plus Beach Resort in Fort Myers Beach has completed renovations and reopened its beachfront property with suites, rooms, private beach access, complimentary breakfast, heated pool, watersports options, and pet-friendly accommodations.
Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina on Captiva Island is welcoming guests again with its historic cottages and marina services following previous closures.
Several dining establishments have resumed operations or opened new venues in the region. The Bubble Room restaurant on Captiva Island will reopen July 14 after nearly three years of restoration work delayed by hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach has returned with a new storm-resistant building design after almost three years of closure due to storm damage.
Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina has opened near the base of the Cape Coral Bridge offering food trucks, live music daily, boat slips, fuel dock services, shaded seating areas, and river views.
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen and Bar has launched in Bell Tower with contemporary American cuisine served in an upscale yet casual setting featuring live music from Wednesday through Saturday.
Lazy Flamingo restaurant has reopened on Sanibel Island with its original menu items including seafood dishes like conch fritters and fish tacos.
Key Lime Bistro is serving customers again at its Old Captiva location with indoor/outdoor dining options and live music programming.
Sweet Melissa’s restaurant has been reestablished in south Fort Myers after closing due to hurricane impacts in 2022; Chef Melissa Donahue continues to lead the kitchen.
Swamp Cat Brewing opened downtown Fort Myers inside a renovated former church building dating back to the 1950s; it offers twelve beers on tap along with food from multiple vendors in a dog-friendly environment featuring both indoor/outdoor spaces for entertainment.
Causeway Islands Park has reopened following essential rebuilding activities conducted by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) during reconstruction efforts aimed at improving resilience of Sanibel Causeway infrastructure. Phase Two improvements—including structured parking areas, restrooms compliant with ADA standards,beach access, outdoor showers as well as landscaping—are planned for late 2025 completion depending on weather conditions.
“More than ever before we’re seeing our community come together around these milestones,” said Craig Thomas Interim President & CEO at Visit Florida.
