Sanibel's Lighthouse Beach Park reopens after Idalia. Two other beaches remain closed

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
·1 min read
Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel Island reopened to visitors on Friday, June 16, 2023. The beach has been closed due to damage sustained in Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28 of last year.

One of Sanibel Island's most popular beaches is open again today (Sept. 6), marking the second time this year it has re-opened after a hurricane.

Back in June Lighthouse Beach Park was the last beach to reopen after it was damaged during Hurricane Ian on Sept. 22, 2022. Last week Hurricane Idalia's impact could be felt along the coastline of Southwest Florida and beaches throughout Southwest Florida were closed for various reasons.

More: Sanibel's Lighthouse Beach reopens nearly nine months after Hurricane Ian

The good news for Sanibel is Lighthouse Beach Park was open to the public again as of 6:30 a.m. But two other Sanibel beaches remain closed.

  • Turner Beach Park remains closed due to damage that was sustained during Hurricane Idalia. The damage consists of sand displacement on the beach and in parking areas. According to a City of Sanibel press release, Public Works personnel are working to reopen Turner Beach Park by the end of the week.

  • Additionally, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a Beach Advisory for Blind Pass/Turner Beach advising the public not to enter the water due to high levels of bacteria identified in routine testing. Water contact may pose an increased risk of disease, particularly for susceptible individuals. This advisory will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level. New test results should be available for Blind Pass/Turner Beach today (Sept. 6). Click here to read the September 1, 2023 Beach Advisory from DOH-Lee.

As a reminder, The Florida Department of Health Lee County has issued a precautionary “Swim Advisory” for public beaches and swimming pools. Click here to read the August 30, 2023 FDH Lee County advisory.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Sanibel's Lighthouse Beach Park back open after Idalia impacts