Lee County Beaches To Begin Reopening
If you’re missing your beach days like I am, there’s good news as Lee County beaches will begin reopening.
It’s been almost five months since Hurricane Ian tore through SWFL forcing many parks and beaches to close along the Gulf Coast. Nearly every Sunday since I moved to Fort Myers nearly four years ago, I’ve gone to the beach. To say I’ve missed having those days is an understatement. The good news, is that it won’t be long until we’ll be able to return to our favorite beach spots.
Yesterday, Lee County officials announced a phased reopening of beaches.
When will Lee County beaches reopen?
Early March: Dog Beach and Boca Grande beach accesses
Mid-March: Alison Hagerup Beach Park on Captiva, San Carlos Bay/Bunche Beach Preserve in south Fort Myers and Bonita Beach Accesses 1, 4, 5, 6 and 9
Mid-April: Lynne Hall Memorial Park on Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach Park
May: Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Beach accesses 2,3, 7, 8 and 10 (Little Hickory Island Park) and Crescent Beach Family Park on Fort Myers Beach
Officials are putting out a word of caution to visitors. If you do go to the beach, keep in mind that debris does continue to wash onshore and could be hidden by sand. For that reason, it’s advised to wear some sort of footwear to protect from sharp objects. Also, not all amenities will be open at all these parks. Not all restrooms, piers and walkways have been repaired or replaced.
You can find updates on beach park reopenings here
Florida City Lands On Forbes List Of Best Places To Travel In 2023
Armenia
Armenia is home to the Caucasus Mountains and Lake Sevan, as well as the Temple of Garni and the Monastery of Haghpat. Nature lovers can hike the 535 miles of the Transcaucasian Trail.
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Athens, Georgia
Many people know Athens as the home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Other things to enjoy are the Georgia Museum of Art, the State Botanical Garden and Bear Hollow Zoo.
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Baku, Azerbaijan
Baku is dubbed the Dubai of the Caucasus Mountains and is also home to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a Formula One circuit.
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Bansko, Bulgaria
Bansko is home to the stunning Pirin National Park, which offers opportunities for hiking, skiing and mountain climbing in Pirin Mountains.
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Botswana
From the Kalahari Desert to the Okavango Delta, there is something for everyone in Botswana. It is also one of the best safari destinations in Africa.
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Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is the capital city that offers great restaurants like Caru’ Cu bere, rich history with the Palace of the Parliament and castles in Sinaia.
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Canary Islands, Spain
The seven Canary Islands offer snorkeling, hiking, black sand beaches, volcanoes and laurel forests.
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Carcassonne, France
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring ancient castles, this is the place for you.
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Český Krumlov, Czechia
Český Krumlov is home to a 14th-century castle surrounded by the Blansko Forest and Šumava National Park.
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Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains on the Tennessee River blending outdoor activities, art, history and a vibrant restaurant scene.
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Located about an hour south of Denver, Colorado Springs is home to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, and also Garden of the Gods, a natural red rock formation where you can hike, horseback ride, bike and climb.
Corsica
Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean, which is known as “L’île de beauté,” a French phrase for “The island of beauty.”
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Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Surrounded by the Dolomitic Alps, Cortina d’Ampezzo is the perfect location for all four seasons of the year.
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Curaçao
Along with Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao makes up the last third of the ABC Islands great for scuba diving, colorful buildings and vibrant murals.
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Cyprus
Cyprus is the island of cats. Not only locals but tourists too take care of the kitties with feeding and water stations at restaurants, hotels or along the road. While snorkeling or diving you can discover sea turtles as well.
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Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is home to the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, as well as The Edinburgh Fringe, one of the greatest arts and culture festivals in the world.
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Encinitas, California
Encinitas is a surfer’s haven about 25 miles north of San Diego home to Grandview Beach for surfing and Moonlight beach for sunsets.
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El Palmar de Vejer, Spain
El Palmar de Vejer has views that sound like a dream- pink-washed sunsets, scintillating swells and starry skies.
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Erding, Germany
Erding is home to the world’s largest brewery of wheat beers, ERDINGER Weissbräu and also the largest thermal spa in the world.
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Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis, also known as “Floripa”, has a city center for those who want to eat well and party hard. Also enjoy surfing, windsurfing, boating, paddleboarding, hiking and more at Lagoa da Conceição.
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Gaiman, Argentina
Gaiman is famous for their tea houses offering the traditional fare with a local twist.
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Hocking Hills, Ohio
Ohio’s Hocking Hills region is full of waterfalls, cliffs, recessed caves and trails taking you to Ash Cave and Old Man’s Cave.
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Izmir, Turkey
Located at the far west end of Turkey, you’ll find a mix of culture, religion and history, like the Izmir Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi).
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Kanab, Utah
Kanab is just a 35-minute drive to Zion and an hour and 20 minutes to Bryce Canyon. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park is only 30-minutes east where you can explore Utah’s slot canyons like Buckskin Gulch or the balanced rock formations at The Toadstools.
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Ljubljana, Slovenia
The city’s best feature is its access to nature as much of Slovenia is covered by the alps.
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Lübeck, Germany
Lübeck is a small town with perfectly preserved medieval and Gothic architecture.
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Madeira
Madeira is known for its popular Levadas, the Monte Palace Madeira and the Madeira Botanic Gardens.
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Malta
With an average 12 hours of sunshine daily, Malta is a popular resort destination, but beyond the beaches, you’ll find ancient walled cities, multiple fortresses and neolithic subterranean temples.
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Marathon, Florida
Marathon is made up of 13 small islands in the middle of the Florida Keys and known for world-class fishing and water sports.
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Mauritania
Mauritania offers a very unique experience with a ride on the iron ore train, also known as the “Train des Mines.”
(Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
Mauritius
Mauritius is an island paradise known for its stunning sunsets, crystal clear waters and picturesque beaches.
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Medellín, Colombia
Medellín, the “city of eternal spring,” offers an expansive list of luxury hotels, fine dining and amazing coffee culture.
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Molde, Norway
The must-see attraction in Molde is the Atlantic Road that connects the western fjord islands from Molde to Kristiansund.
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Moorea, French Polynesia
Moorea is less expensive than Bora Bora with plenty of activities: ATV tours, hiking, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia
At the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll enjoy hiking, fishing and photography with lots of wildlife including turtles, woodpeckers and alligators.
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Page, Arizona
Page is located on the southern shore of Lake Powell and a great base for those looking to visit the Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.
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Porto, Portugal
You can expect great food, even better wine and affordable prices.
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Punta del Diablo, Uruguay
Punta del Diablo is a quiet fisherman village in the winter and a bustling beach town in the summer.
Qatar
Now that the World Cup is over and the crowds have left the area, enjoy a range of desert and water activities, as well as culture and arts.
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Riverhead, NY
Riverhead is an historic town on the North Shore of Long Island and home to the Long Island Aquarium with one of the largest coral reefs in the world.
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Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua is the adventure capital of New Zealand’s North Island, with activities like whitewater rafting, bungee jumping and a one-of-a-kind pedal-powered “Shweeb Racer.”
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São Miguel, Azores
São Miguel offers popular hikes to Sete Cidades and Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo and hot springs to explore including Poca da Dona Beija and Caldeira Velha.
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Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia only recently opened up tourism, so you’ll have the chance to explore everything from the ancient city of Riyadh and the breathtaking Al-Ula desert.
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Sète, France
Sète is home to boat jousting, a sport dating back at least 400 years and teams train all year to compete for the pride of their villages every summer.
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Seychelles
The Seychelles are a great alternative to those who want to visit the Maldives but want more to do. Enjoy the beaches, go for a rum tasting at Takamaka distillery, visit a vanilla farm and the Victoria Botanical Gardens.
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Skopje, Macedonia
Skopje is a charming city that blends a myriad of cultures, fascinating history, great food and of course, gorgeous natural scenery. Be sure to check out Matka Canyon or take the cable car up to the top of Mount Vodno.
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St. Albans, West Virginia
St. Albans is about a half hour drive from the state capital of Charleston. Whether you want to get out and enjoy nature or stay in town and explore the restaurant scene, it’s great for a relaxing getaway.
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Tasmania, Australia
In Tasmania, you’ll find breathtaking scenery with beaches, forest, mountains and plenty of unique wildlife.
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Torres Strait Islands, Australia
The Torres Strait Islands are a group of islands in the Torres Strait, between the northern tip of Australia and Papua New Guinea known for their rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty.
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Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island has the most temperate weather in Canada and one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet with its rugged shorelines and ancient rainforests.
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