Is Sanibel Island open to the public after Hurricane Ian?Are visitors welcome on Sanibel Island yet?Is Sanibel ready for tourists?Do the residents and businesses even want you there?There are so many conflicting messages out there about this issue...if you are a...
Hurricane Ian
Are Sanibel Island Beaches Open?
Open Sanibel Public BeachesMarch 6, 2023 UPDATE!!! Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! The following Sanibel beaches are now OPEN!Tarpon Bay Road Beach. $5 per hour for public parking. There are 76 parking spaces.Blind Pass Beach Park....
What is Open on Sanibel?
Sanibel and Captiva Islands got hit hard by Hurricane Ian, but they are slowly rebuilding and recovering. You may want to support Sanibel and its recovery by coming for a visit, but are not sure what is even open yet!Check out this guide to see what activities, shops,...
Surviving Hurricane Ian (Sanibel Survivor Story)
The following first-hand account was taken from the personal Facebook page of Angelika Geerlof, a resident of Sanibel Island, Florida, who survived the terrifying winds and catastrophic storm surge of Hurricane Ian that devastated the island on September 28, 2022.I...
Bimini Bait Shack Hurricane Ian Damage Update (Photos & Video 3 Months Later)
Bimini Bait Shack, a fun seafood restaurant, tiki bar and grill with the theme of the tropical paradise of the islands of the Bahamas, sustained major damage from Hurricane Ian but survived surprisingly well and is now working steadily toward recovery and reopening in...
How is the Bubble Room Captiva after Hurricane Ian?
No trip to Captiva Island was ever complete without at least one visit to the iconic Bubble Room Restaurant, the place where it was always Christmas! Such a fun destination full of whimsy, nostalgia, music, and of course Bo-Bo and bubble lights! Did The Bubble Room...
Sanibel Farmer’s Market Update after Hurricane Ian
Oh, how we all loved our Sunday trips to browse and shop the lovely Sanibel Farmer's Market! So many wonderful vendors with so many beautiful, fresh and tasty things!But even though the Sanibel Farmer's Market is currently not open at their Sanibel location since...
The Sanibel Public Library is Now Open after Hurricane Ian
I am so excited to announce that the Sanibel public library is now open after Ian! It reopened to residents on December 1, 2022, for a very nice gift for the holidays!Here is the update from the Sanibel Library:The Library reopened to the public today, wonderful to...
How is Captiva Chapel by the Sea after Hurricane Ian?
Miraculously, the beautiful historic Chapel by the Sea on Captiva Island still stands after the devastation of Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022. However, the structure and property did sustain some damage that will be repaired in the coming weeks and months....
Sanibel Island Volunteer & Giving Opportunities
After Sanibel & Captiva Islands were devastated by Hurricane Ian, many of you have been wondering how you can help. I decided to start compiling a list of volunteer and donation opportunities so we can all help beautiful Sanibel and its residents recover....
Signs of HOPE on Sanibel Island after Hurricane Ian (in Photos)
Hurricane Ian was no match for the residents of Sanibel. They are showing their strength, resiliency, and HOPE through the SIGNS they leave. Sanibel is slowly recovering from Ian due to the love of its people. It will return, and stronger and more beautiful than...
Signs of LIFE on Sanibel Island after Hurricane Ian
Sanibel Island was decimated when strong winds and a deadly 18' high storm surge from Hurricane Ian came rushing over and swallowing up the island on September 28, 2022. But God made nature incredibly resilient, and both the island wildlife and the people who...
What Naples Beaches are Open after Hurricane Ian?
Slowly but surely the beautiful beaches of Naples, Florida are opening up after Hurricane Ian! Of course, caution should still be used, but here is a list of the open beaches in Naples and Collier County! ENJOY!Naples, Marco Island, & Collier County Beaches Open...
What Restaurants are Open on Sanibel after Hurricane Ian?
Hurricane Ian and its horrific storm surge severely damaged the entire island of Sanibel, and the restaurants were no exception. The great news is that many are working hard to rebuild and come back better than ever! One by one, the restaurants are reopening....
How is Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge after Hurricane Ian? (Photos)
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel Island, Florida was hit with a devastating blow when Hurricane Ian swept through on September 28, 2022. All refuge lands and waters are currently closed.Like the rest of the island, most of the vegetation...
How is Vanderbilt Beach North Naples on Gulf Shore Drive after Hurricane Ian?
Almost six weeks after Hurricane Ian ravaged the SW Florida coast, all of the Naples beaches remained closed to the public, except for one*: Vanderbilt Beach North on Gulf Shore Drive. So we decided to visit our much-loved beach and see the damage as well as the...
How is Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park Naples after Hurricane Ian?
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in North Naples was known as "Old Florida" since it preserved the beautiful native flora and fauna of southwest Florida in its natural state. Driving into the park was reminiscent of my childhood vacations to Florida in the '70s.So when...
Sanibel Island Online Shopping Directory (after Hurricane Ian)
So many of us are heartbroken not only for the beautiful Sanibel and Captiva Islands that were devastated by Hurricane Ian, but the island shops and businesses that were affected as well. It will be many months or years for many of these shops to be able to reopen...
Vanderbilt Beach Naples Storm Surge from Hurricane Ian (During and After)
Beautiful Vanderbilt Beach, also known as "Vandy Beach," in North Naples was completely devastated by the historic storm surge of Hurricane Ian. This was one of our regular go-to beaches as it was the beach closest to our home. It also was home to popular...
How is the Casa Ybel Resort after Hurricane Ian?
Many of us have many lifelong memories that were made at the beautiful Casa Ybel Sanibel Resort, from family vacations, to weddings, to anniversary get-aways. And the happy Coconuts beachside bar & grill was a great place to stop in for a cool refreshment while...
How is Ocean’s Reach Resort after Hurricane Ian?
Ocean's Reach Beachfront Condominiums were one of our favorite places to stay on Sanibel. Beautiful views of the Gulf from your balcony for your morning coffee, and just a short walk to Coconuts next door at Casa Ybel for an afternoon refreshment and beachside...
How is the Lighthouse Cafe after Hurricane Ian?
The Lighthouse Cafe is one of those must-visit destinations when visiting Sanibel Island. I can't tell you how many times we've eaten there...well, probably at least once per each visit, which was more than I can count!The Lighthouse Special was my "usual"...a...
How is Mucky Duck after Hurricane Ian?
Hurricane Ian swept ashore on September 28, 2022, leaving devastation to many SW Florida communities in its wake. Many fans of Captiva Island may be wondering how the Mucky Duck fared during this catastrophic storm, and when they will be able to visit this beloved...
How is Jerry’s Foods Grocery Store after Hurricane Ian?
Stay updated on how Jerry’s Foods is doing after Hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian Damage in Marco Island, Florida (Photos One Week Later)
Marco Island was greatly impacted by Hurricane Ian that swept through the night of September 27 through the day September 28, 2022. Surprisingly though, beautiful Marco faired pretty well during the hurricane. There was much less flooding and damage than farther...
Hurricane Ian Update from our Family (Southwest Florida)
First of all, a heartfelt thank you to all who reached out to see how we were doing through Hurricane Ian and how you could help. Unfortunately, without power, internet or cell service, as well as just trying to get through it all, it was difficult to...