Fort Myers Beach parking crunch expected as Roar Offshore kicks off Friday

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (WINK)—Roar Offshore is returning to Fort Myers Beach for the first time in five years.

The three-day boat racing event starts Friday and is expected to draw big crowds to the island. Starting Tuesday, parking will be closed at Bowditch Point Regional Park as the county repairs the park, though pedestrian beach access will remain available.

Fort Myers Beach goers know parking has been a longstanding issue that will only worsen with fewer parking spots and bigger crowds. But a lack of Labor Day traffic surprised beach goers.

"I pulled right up and I got a spot right out here," Joseph Spirito said, unable to remember the last time that happened. "I couldn't tell you."

While seasoned beach goers braved parking right off the bridge, a couple newer to the area tried to avoid any Labor Day traffic altogether.

"We picked a farther beach, so we didn't have any real issues finding parking, and there's plenty of space on the beach, so it wasn't bad," Jaelyn Moore said.

Jaelyn and Karina Moore were disappointed to know parking will soon be closed at Bowditch Point.

"I wanted to be able to come and find a beach that I could actually come to on a weekly basis, but it's sad that it's gonna close soon," Karina Moore said.

As closure and construction ramp up, beach goers have mixed reactions.

"I don't think nothing's gonna scare anybody from the beach," Spirito said. "As long as that sun's out, the water's clean, and the beach is here, that's my opinion. You know, it won't scare me."

Fort Myers Beach Mayor, Dan Allers, acknowledged that parking could be tight for Roar Offshore but encourages everyone to pack their patience if they want to attend.

"Whatever you can do to help alleviate because, as you said, there are some parking lots that are going under renovation," Allers said. "Lin Hall Park is being renovated. One of our parking lots is gonna be used for the event. So parking may be a challenge."

The town is encouraging anyone wanting to come to Roar Offshore to look into biking, carpooling or taking Lee Tran to get onto Fort Myers Beach. Twenty-two parking spots just south of the Margaritaville pool at Beach Access 36 will be taken up by Roar Offshore.

"We encourage you to ride share if you can, come by bus, use the park and ride off of Pine Ridge Road," Allers said. "Bike in if you can, but carpool."

Allers said parking is available just over the bridge and on the south end, where visitors can arrive by boat.

"People will figure it out," Allers said. "Fort Myers Beach always figures out the parking."