Fort Myers Beach Florida | 1 YEAR AFTER HURRICANE IAN

[@fluffgotstudios9390]

fort myres has rebuilt so well as a community, it’s great to see. great video too!

[@Explorcation]

They have come a long way :) thanks so much for watching!

[@LucasWorldTravel]

Wow, that Lovers Key beach is incredible and it's almost unbelievable that you had it to yourself. And, that vacation rental is to die for as well! Glad you guys are still out and about exploring and supporting the local businesses still recovering from the hurricane.

[@Explorcation]

It's definitely a unique opportunity right now to experience Fort Myers Beach without a lot of crowds. We're really grateful to be able support the islands while also getting to stay in such a nice house while not breaking the bank.

[@paulagloe4841]

Thanks y’all for checking out Fort Myers Beach. Every business highlighted makes a huge difference for them! As sorrowful as it is for the loss of so many properties and lives, the island is quietly beautiful with so many open views of the beach/ocean. Come enjoy it while you can before rebuilding explodes.

[@Explorcation]

It's our pleasure, Paula! We had such a fun time visiting and are happy to do anything we can to help bring people back to the island. And we totally agree regarding the current opportunity to experience FMB in a way that you'll probably never be able to again once the rebuilding really takes off.

[@albertoalexandercarrizales1857]

I love You Fort Myers is Amazing ❤❤

[@Explorcation]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@bonnieabbzug]

I love Fort Myers Beach so much, and I'm really happy to see you back there again! Thank you for another great video!

[@Explorcation]

It is really growing on us too! We had such a fun time on both of our visits, and we'll definitely keep coming back!

[@genehinders9639]

Wow...that's an amazing looking State Park! And those biscuits from both places look like yet another reason why we need to get down to the Ft. Myers area. I'd loosely planned on us stopping by the area but then Ian hit and although we changed plans and didn't get there we did support some of the local businesses with donations to their gofundme efforts and through a few big relief organizations as well. Prayers Up for a speedy recovery for all affected and still dealing with the aftermath. Very resilient and resourceful people !!

[@Explorcation]

Both the biscuits and Mom's and Heavenly Biscuit have to rank in the top 1% of biscuits I've ever had. They are amazing (and right across the street from each other). We'd definitely recommend visiting both when you make your way down there. Thanks again so much for donating to the recovery efforts. We really hope it's another 100+ years before they experience a storm like Ian... and by then everything will be built to withstand it.

[@mantralife6620]

We are here now and LOVE it!

[@Explorcation]

We're so glad to hear you had a great time in FMB!

[@ScullyPop]

Love your Travel Show!

[@Explorcation]

Thanks so much! 💕

[@jbo684]

I just got back from fort Myers today it. I’ve been going there for all my life. I love it there

[@Explorcation]

We're so glad you were able to make it back to visit. We hope you had an amazing time!

[@MattMcAllisterArt]

My Turtle! Next to your breakfast spot. Too bad it's getting tore down.

[@Explorcation]

Oh that's awesome... definitely a bummer that it's getting torn down though. Hopefully you get a chance to paint a new one in FMB sometime soon!

[@jakeadams0412]

Still so very thankful this hurricane missed us at St Pete Beach. Hurts to see the devastation of Ft Meyers Beach, however.

[@Explorcation]

We were so lucky. It is hard to see any community have to experience what the whole Fort Myers area did with Ian. Every time we visit, the resiliency of the island communities amazes us ♥️

[@romanm9718]

I really like Bowditch beach. I'm happy to see its open now.

[@Explorcation]

Us too! The parking area and amenities still don't look great, but the beach is amazing.

[@phillymikea]

Love your channel!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much!

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always 👍🤗

[@Explorcation]

Our pleasure. Thanks for watching and always taking the time to comment!

[@worldofephemera6331]

Hi Jamie and Skylar, thank you for going back to Ft. Myers Beach for an update on the situation there. I linked this Video to the Florida Forum I mentioned earlier and I hope you will get more views and maybe more subscribers. Btw, you are close to 30K, wow 🙂 Greetings from Berlin, Germany. Ralf

[@Explorcation]

Awesome thank you Ralf 😊 We so appreciate you watching and sharing our content ♥️

[@genehinders9639]

Ya got me sold on Ft Myers Beach area...going to have to work it in to our future plans!😊

[@Explorcation]

It's really a unique experience right now and one that we thoroughly enjoy!

[@chelseas4118]

Love the video! That Moke looks awesome!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you! The moke was the perfect way to explore FMB!

[@timalan7406]

We'll be in Fort Myers beach next week. This is our 5th vacation in 6 years to that beach, and the first since May of 2021. We usually stay In Cape Coral, but we're staying in Fort Myer this time. A agree, the beach on the North end of the Island (Bowditch Point park) has always been our favorite.

[@Explorcation]

That's great to hear, Tim! We're so happy Bowditch Point Park was back open on our last visit, it really is an amazing beach. We hope you and the family have a great time next week. It will definitely be far different than the Ft Myers Beach you remember, but that doesn't mean you can't still have an awesome time.

[@SpalidaySoundscapes]

Love your channel! I live in Maryland where I am so over the winter cold. My husband teases me, because although I watch your channel year 'round, I always amp up my views in the colder months. He says, "It must be winter, Ashlee's watching her videos again..." I hope you all stick with it for years to come, because I take notes on all the good beaches, lunch and iced coffee spots-for when we move south one day! ;) You all have the most interesting content on Florida living I've found! =D

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for watching and for your comment and encouragement :) We hope it warms up un Maryland soon OR that you can make it down here soon 😁 We do want to make it up to Maryland to explore the coast and food up your way sometime!

[@SpalidaySoundscapes]

Annapolis and St. Michael's are cool spots to visit near the water. Of course Ocean City, MD and farther north in Dewey, Bethany, or Rehoboth beach, DE are great spots, too. @@Explorcation

[@Explorcation]

@@SpalidaySoundscapes thank you so much for the recommendations, we will have to add them to our list!

[@leanneadams2549]

Ps. I think Jamie would make a great real estate agent !!! 👍😉

[@Explorcation]

Yes, I'm sure she would. When we decide we're done spending nearly all of our time working on this channel, it could definitely be a potential career path!

[@JC-po6yj]

Hello guys! (from Eureka Springs, Arkansas -today-) Thanks for the video as always. The food was looking great! 🤤

[@Explorcation]

That's a beautiful area! We hope you're enjoying it up there, and as always, thanks for watching!

[@JonVicha]

Video good 👍 Jim Ross ATL

[@Explorcation]

Thanks, Jim!

[@BobCarlson]

I live on the East coast but I’ve spent a lot of vacation time in Fort Myers. The sand is always whiter just like the grass is always greener right? It’s tough to see the wreckage but it’s great to see the progress. I really want to cruise around in a Moke. And support the rebuilding.

[@Explorcation]

Ahhh yes, the sand is always whiter on the other side lol. It's weird that having all of the white sand beaches around here, when we go to other places I actually enjoy the looks of the darker sand more. It's always nice to have a change. We'd highly recommend renting a moke, but don't do it if you aren't ok with getting a lot of attention! Everywhere we went people were pointing at us and making comments on it. I'm starting to think we may just need to buy one and put a nice Explorcation logo on it and drive it around on the islands around home!

[@TravelonlineWalk]

Nice

[@Explorcation]

Thank you!

[@billyc3757]

That cinnamon roll....... :-o

[@Explorcation]

That thing was unbelievable!

[@leanneadams2549]

In early 2022 I tried real hard to buy a house in fort Myers and nothing would turn out. I guess I k ow why now. I still love the area and plan to visit soon ! And eventually I will move there. There’s no place like FMB even now !!

[@Explorcation]

Wow you're world would sure be a lot different right now if you would have purchased there in early 2022. Everything happens for a reason... sometimes it can just take some time for that reason to become clear! It really still is an amazing place to visit and we hope you are able to eventually move there someday!

[@RobMathMiller]

Thanks for this excellent video. I used to go to FMB twice a year on vacation prior to the pandemic. I am now going to Destin since the hurricane but I hope to travel to FMB some time in the future. Nothing beats the sunsets and beach on FMB; it’s mystical and other worldly! Next time you go check out Matanzas!

[@Explorcation]

Our pleasure! Thank you for sharing your experience visiting FMB! We're happy to hear you plan on coming back to the area in the future. Thanks for the recommendation on Metanzas... we'll stop in next time for sure!

[@Totally-Not-Harp]

Is the water clear and blue during sunset? I’m going to ft.meyers on my school break and I want to know how clear the water is

[@Explorcation]

That really depends on a number of factors... tides, storms, winds, etc... On our last visit the water was quite clear, but that is definitely not always the case.

[@codyboyyy]

I leave Tuesday the 17th. Will be my first time back since Ian. Very excited, although I’m sure there will be many emotions seeing it in person

[@Explorcation]

We're so happy to hear that you'll soon be back in Fort Myers Beach. You definitely will need to be prepared to see an almost unrecognizable version of FMB... but at the same time, there's still so much to see and do and without all the crowds. It's a unique opportunity to have a great vacation while also helping the island recover.

[@stevenwamsley2941]

please ck out camping spots. are there any available on fmb?? i like rv and tent camping in county and state parks.

[@Explorcation]

Thanks for watching and for taking the time to make this suggestion. Next time we're in FMB, we'll be sure to keep an eye out for camping spots!

[@JUUIGDWEZX]

Building a new pier will cost 10 to 20 million dollars.

[@Explorcation]

Thanks for sharing this info. That sure is a good chunk of change.

[@MarkA-xo4hp]

Parking is too expensive! Debris is an eye sore!

[@Explorcation]

The $2 and $3 per hour lots you can find in Times Square aren't too bad, but we agree that the $5 per hour rates that you find in many of the lots is pretty pricey. And yeah, the debris is still a bit of an eye sore but there's definitely less of it than there was 4 months ago. Thanks for watching.

[@4Marktk]

Nothing like diabetes eating pure sugar in Ft. Meyers ....... geez

[@Explorcation]

Habitual poor eating habits and lack of exercise can definitely do it. But having a few sweets while on vacation, probably not. We always try to make sure our bad eating days are accompanied by LOTS of walking. Everything in moderation though, right?

[@anthonyskrobul3726]

Thanks for this great video. I was on Fort Myers Beach in early April 2024. I was amazed by the rebuilding progress. There was a lot of activity in the Times Square area. We had a great dinner at the JWB Restaurant at Margaritaville. I expect to see a lot more progress when I visit again next year. I'm glad I found your channel.

[@Explorcation]

We're glad you found our channel too, Anthony. We're always excited to see the progress when we get down to Fort Myers Beach. Like you, we'll be expecting much more progress next time we visit!

[@earlymornfitqueen682]

Our annual vacation in December at the Pink Shell Beach Resort thanks for the information we will definitely hit these spots.

[@Explorcation]

Oh wow what I great place to vacation each year! We've still never been inside the resort, but after getting an up-close view of it from the beach, we definitely are going to try to stay there some day!

[@Memessssss]

So thankful this place is recovering well so far

[@Explorcation]

Us too! Thanks so much for watching.

[@genehinders9639]

That rental is amazing! We'll have to look into something more suitable for just the two of us. Thanks for the lead on a place to check with!

[@Explorcation]

Yeah, that house really was amazing... but yes maybe a little bit more house than necessary for two people 😂 I would love to come back and stay there some day with family or a group of friends!

[@genehinders9639]

Added Charro to my list of food stops! Looks great and very reasonably priced!

[@Explorcation]

That's a great decision, Gene. We were really impressed with their tacos. Very authentic and delicious.

[@ultanwoods]

Great video guys 👏

[@Explorcation]

Thanks, Ultan!

[@6431harry]

We were there about 5 years ago. It's sad to see it now. Doc Ford's was really a fun spot. We missed a couple places to eat that you suggested. Maybe, in a few years we will be back.

[@Explorcation]

Yeah, it's definitely a sad situation, but they are making progress and there is still plenty of fun to be had on the island. We hope you are able to return for a visit sooner than later!