Iona, FL

Iona sits in the southwest corner of greater Fort Myers, right along the Caloosahatchee River where it opens into San Carlos Bay. McGregor Boulevard runs straight through town, originally built over a century ago as a route for cattle drives heading to the docks at Punta Rassa. Today, that historic corridor connects quiet canal subdivisions, boating marinas, shopping plazas, and residential neighborhoods. Living here puts you in a relaxed coastal setting with convenient drives to both Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach.

ATTREric Friedebach / CC BY 3.0

Day-to-day life revolves around the water and outdoor recreation. Wa-Ke Hatchee Park serves as a busy community gathering spot with walking paths around scenic lakes, tennis and pickleball courts, sports fields, and a popular dog park. Closer to the bay, the San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve provides hundreds of acres of mangroves, shallow tidal flats, and quiet sandy shoreline for fishing, birdwatching, and paddling the Great Calusa Blueway. For boaters, the Punta Rassa boat ramp sits right at the edge of the community, offering fast access to the Gulf of Mexico.

When shopping for a home, keep in mind that Iona properties have Fort Myers mailing addresses because the area is unincorporated Lee County. You will want to look closely at parcel-specific details like flood zones, base elevations, and insurance premiums, especially for homes along canals or low-lying bays. If you are buying on the water, inspect the seawall, boat lift, and tidal water depths at low tide. It is also a good idea to test your drive along Summerlin Road and McGregor Boulevard during winter peak season to get a realistic sense of beach traffic.