DUI and child neglect, entering Lee County. Check out this video from Fort Myers Beach. What was supposed to be an ordinary day at the beach turned into a crazy experience for many. Gulf News reporter Natasha Kosoul was at the beach today. The voices of those who saw everything fall. >> Visitors can expect sunshine and crystal blue waters at Fort Myers Beach. But one family discovered something unexpected. Instead, I saw everyone looking at the beach and thought, Okay, I’d better go investigate. I’m here. He was definitely a Gator and was from Iowa. So we’ve never seen anything like this. That’s right. >> It’s just unreal. Justin Betts was looking out on his balcony through binoculars with family and friends on Saturday. He went downstairs to get a better look and had the shocking sight of an alligator swimming near the sands of Fort Myers Beach. In this video, you can see the gator’s head bobbing underwater as the waves crash. It’s pretty crazy. >> Is there any use in just floating? It goes under the water. But it was still cool to be a Pfeiffer. I also saw a gator. She has been visiting Fort Myers Beach for over 30 years and has never seen one before. We saw a lot of animals, beautiful animals. >>Birds and dolphins. >> But we ended up seeing a crocodile. >> Right near the beach. It may be an unusual sight for visitors, but isn’t it unusual to see alligators in the bay? The FWC says alligators primarily live in freshwater, so if you see one, you should keep your distance. They can swim in the bay and are often sighted in nearby areas like Lovers’ Keys, no, that’s a lie. watch white
Family finds alligator swimming near Fort Myers Beach
A family visiting Fort Myers Beach from Iowa spotted an alligator swimming near the shore. It’s an unusual sight for tourists, but it’s not uncommon on the Gulf Coast.
Updated: April 19, 2026 7:10pm EDT
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A family visiting Fort Myers Beach from Iowa encountered the unexpected sight of an alligator swimming near the shore Saturday. “I saw everyone looking for it on the beach and I thought I better go investigate. And then I got here and sure enough, it was an alligator. We’re from Iowa, so we’ve never seen anything like this. It’s just surreal,” Justin Betts said. Betts was looking at the beach through binoculars from his balcony with family and friends, but decided to head downstairs to get a closer look. He spotted a crocodile swimming near the beach, its head bobbing underwater with each wave. “It was pretty crazy, just floating and going under the water, but it was cool,” said Elaina Moderman, also from Iowa. Ursula Pfeiffer, a visitor from Germany who has been visiting Fort Myers Beach for more than 30 years, said she had never seen an alligator there before. “We saw a lot of animals. Beautiful animals, birds, fish, dolphins. But we ended up seeing an alligator crossing pretty close to the beach,” Pfeiffer said. While sightings of alligators in the Gulf may be unusual for visitors, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says it’s not uncommon. Crocodiles primarily live in freshwater, but they can also swim in bays and are often seen in nearby areas such as Lover’s Cay. FWC advises people to keep their distance if they encounter an alligator. “It doesn’t matter where you are, just look at what animals are around you,” said Marie Moderman, another visitor from Iowa. Download the free Gulf Coast News app to get breaking news, breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more alerts on your phone or tablet. Also, check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
A family visiting Fort Myers Beach from Iowa encountered the unexpected sight of an alligator swimming near the shore Saturday.
“I saw everyone looking for it on the beach and I thought I better go investigate. And then I got here and sure enough, it was an alligator. We’re from Iowa, so we’ve never seen anything like this. It’s just surreal,” Justin Betts said.
Betts was looking at the beach through binoculars from his balcony with family and friends, but decided to head downstairs to get a closer look. He spotted a crocodile swimming near the beach, its head bobbing underwater with each wave.
“It was pretty crazy, just floating and going under the water, but it was cool,” said Elaina Moderman, also from Iowa.
Ursula Pfeiffer, a visitor from Germany who has been visiting Fort Myers Beach for more than 30 years, said she had never seen an alligator there before.
“We saw a lot of animals. Beautiful animals, birds, fish, dolphins. But we ended up seeing an alligator crossing pretty close to the beach,” Pfeiffer said.
While sightings of alligators in the Gulf may be unusual for visitors, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says it’s not uncommon. Crocodiles primarily live in freshwater, but they can also swim in bays and are often seen in nearby areas such as Lover’s Cay.
FWC advises people to keep their distance if they encounter an alligator.
“It doesn’t matter where you are, just be aware of what animals are around you,” said Marie Moderman, another visitor from Iowa.
downloadfree gulf news appGet the latest news and alerts on your phone or tablet, including breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more. And please check out A very local Gulf Coast app Stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
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