In line with state and federal guidance and in an abundance of caution, some Southwest Florida attractions, restaurants, hotels, parks, and businesses may be operating at lower capacity or reduced hours of operation. Please contact the local business to check operating hours and closure status.
(Updated 12/22/20)
September 25, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-244, moving all of Florida’s 67 counties into Phase 3. Download Executive Order 20-244 here: Executive Order
Face Coverings Required in Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach
Sanibel Island face mask mandated effective July 3, 2020. Violations are subject to fines of $50 per violation. View the proclamation click here.
Effective 12:01 a.m. July 2, 2020 masks are required in Fort Myers Beach. Everyone over the age of 6 is required to have access to a face covering while they are away from their place of residence and to wear a face covering when social distancing is not possible–whether indoors or outdoors. Additionally, all business operators, employees and customers must wear a face covering while inside the business. Restaurant customers can take their masks off when eating and drinking.
Beach Updates
The following Lee County Beaches and Beach Accesses are Open:
- Boca Grande Beach Accesses, Boca Grande
- Bonita Beach Park, Bonita Springs
- Little Hickory Island Beach Park, Bonita Springs
- Bonita Beach Accesses, Bonita Springs
- San Carlos/Bunche Beach Preserve, Fort Myers
- Bowditch Point Park, Fort Myers Beach
- Crescent Beach Family Park, Fort Myers Beach
- Dog Beach Park, Fort Myers Beach
- Estero Island’s Beach Accesses, Fort Myers Beach
- Lynn Hall Memorial Beach Park, Fort Myers Beach
- Alison Hagerup Beach Park, Captiva Island
- Andy Rosse Lane Park, Captiva Island
- Bowman’s Beach Park, Sanibel Island
- Causeway Islands, Sanibel Island
- Turner Beach Park, Sanibel Island
Fort Myers Beach is now using Passport, the operating system that provides cashless payment options to cities and their parkers, enables users to pay to park in over 370 parking spaces across the beach.
Paying through the Passport Parking app is simple: drivers download the free app, create an account, choose a zone, and enter their parking space number to begin a session. By offering a cashless, contactless payment option for parking, users can easily and safely manage their parking sessions without having to touch meters and risk the spread of germs.
Sanibel Island temporarily prohibits possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all City operated beaches and associated parks and picnic areas with paid public parking (i.e., Bowman’s Beach, Blind Pass, Gulfside City Park (Algiers), Lighthouse Beach and Fishing Pier, and Trost Parking Lot), as well as the beach area at the northern terminus of Bailey Beach Road, and the picnic areas at the Sanibel Boat Ramp, through November 30, 2020.
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at any time by groups of ten or more, without a special events permit. The fine for a violation of any of these temporary prohibitions is $500 per violation.
Pools for lap swimming/physical exercise only. Staff will limit occupancy to 25 patrons in the pool at the top of every hour for 45 minute periods. Indoor showering and changing rooms are not available at this time. Pool hours will be Tuesday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Playgrounds, pavilions, courts, multi-purpose fields (soccer/lacrosse/football restricted to groups of 10 or fewer to practice. No league play or use of benches or bleachers), fishing piers, and splash pads.
Recreation and community centers on Sanibel will open June 15, 2020.
Sanibel Island city owned paid beach parking lots are open. For more information please contact the City of Sanibel at 239-472-3700.
For information specific to Lee County, visit www.leegov.com/covid-19 or for the locations of county-owned beaches, visit https://www.leegov.com/parks/beaches.
Some beaches are owned and managed by municipalities and the state in Lee County. Please visit the following websites for other beach updates:
- Sanibel Island: http://www.mysanibel.com/
- Town of Fort Myers Beach: https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/
- Florida State Parks: https://www.floridastateparks.org/
Collier County Naples and Marco Island Public Beaches and Beach Accesses are Open
- Collier County beach parks and parking facilities are now open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week. Visitors without County or City beach parking stickers may purchase a daily parking pass for $8 to enter the parking areas. Find more information here.
- City of Naples beaches are open to normal operating hours and permitted activities seven days a week. Beach parking continues to be restricted to vehicles with City of Naples and Collier County beach parking stickers. Increased parking fines ($200) remain in effect for violators, as well as illegally parked vehicles will be towed.
- The Naples Pier and Lowdermilk Park will re-open for pedestrian traffic, concessions, and volleyball courts on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Fishing on the pier remains prohibited. The City Dock will also re-open on Thursday, June 11, 2020 for pedestrian traffic only. See more information here.
- Marco Island: Beaches are open. Find more information here.
Parking:
- City of Naples & Collier County beach parking permits ONLY.
- No hourly beach parking (metered parking).
- No parking on residential streets unless in properly marked parking areas.
- Fines will be doubled from $100 to $200 with no early discount.
- Illegally parked vehicles will be towed.
Collier County beaches, parking lots, and garages will be open from sunrise to sunset every day of the week beginning Saturday, June 6, 2020.
Marco Island beaches are open however, County parking lots are limited to vehicles that have a Collier County beach parking pass.
Face Coverings Required in Collier County and City of Naples
Collier County Mask Mandate effective July 21, 2020. The Executive order will expire midnight April 13, 2021 unless extended.
Violations are subject to fines not to exceed $500.00 per violation. View the Executive Order here.
Collier County mask mandate for business owners, managers, employees, and patrons.
Restaurant or Bar customers or patrons are exempt while dining and/or consuming beverages while seated at a table, guests inside their hotel room, vacation rental unit, timeshare or similar unit, individuals with a medical condition or disability, or children under nine years of age.
Effective December 21, 2020. City of Naples Mask Mandate inside all business and public buildings, and outdoor public events where social distancing isn’t possible.
The city of Naples mask mandate will expire April 13, 2021 unless extended. Exceptions to the mandate include children 2 and under and those with medical conditions in which wearing a mask would cause impairment.
Residents and visitors are advised to follow all guidance from the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
Sarasota County Beaches and Beach Accesses are Open With the Following Restrictions:
- Maintain social distancing and keep groups to 10 or less.
- Volleyball courts remain closed. Playground reopen June 13, 2020.
Lido Beach, a City of Sarasota beach is open.
All Longboat Key public beach access parking locations are open.
Quick Point and Overlook Parking access is also closed until further notice.
Public restrooms at Bayfront Park and Joan M. Durant Park are closed until further notice.
Social Distancing Guidelines for Beaches
It is recommended that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for social distancing be followed on all beaches that are open; this includes separating by a minimum of six feet and not gathering in groups of more than 10. For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Face Coverings Required in the City of Sarasota, Venice, and the town of Longboat Key
Face coverings must be worn in indoor and outdoor public locations and businesses in the city of Sarasota in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Face masks are not required within residences or places of lodging, or when proper physical or social distancing, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, can be observed.
The face mask requirement begins at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
The Town of Longboat Key has mandated a Mask Ordinance for all persons 6 years old and over effective 12:01 a.m. July 2, 2020. It is modeled after the Sarasota order. Enforcement will be managed through civil citations ($100-$500) from LBK police and Code Enforcement.
The requirement also doesn’t apply when a hearing-impaired person needs to see the mouth of someone wearing a face covering in order to communicate.
The city of Venice mask requirement begins at 12:01 a.m. August 26, 2020.
Restaurants
Restaurants are allowing onsite dining with proper social distancing. Indoor restaurant occupancy set at full capacity with proper social distancing. Outdoor seating is encouraged.
Appropriate social distancing requires maintaining a minimum of 6 feet between parties, only seating parties of 10 or fewer people.
Florida Bars Are Open
Bars, pubs, and nightclubs that derive more than 50 percent of sales from alcohol can operate at full capacity with limited social distancing protocols.
Retail Stores, Shops, and Boutiques
Most Southwest Florida retail shops, stores, and boutiques have reopened.
Museums and Libraries
Florida’s museums and libraries can reopen with full capacity.
Amusement Parks and Attractions
Florida amusement parks and attractions may operate at full capacity.
Entertainment businesses such as movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, and arcades may operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing between groups and appropriate sanitation.
We encourage you to contact specific businesses for more information on their operating status.
Outdoor Activities and Recreations at Florida State Parks and Trails
Florida State Parks are re-opening parks and trails throughout the state. Portions of these state parks and trails have reopened for day-use with limited risk to visitors and staff. To reduce risk, cash transactions are limited to exact change. Visitors to these Florida state parks should expect limited hours, capacity, and amenities. View the list of Florida State Parks and trails.
Need some inspiration for a future trip? Follow Must Do Visitor Guides on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest and share your favorite Southwest Florida beach, spot to eat, drink, shop, and play.
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Individuals over 65 or with underlying medical conditions are strongly encouraged to avoid crowds and take measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Florida, please visit the Florida Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the state’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling (866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
