Category: Island Update

The Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) commission recently convened to discuss the final stages of the current beach renourishment project, address resident concerns regarding dune elevations, and negotiate a partnership proposal with the City of Sanibel.

Project Timeline and Parking Status General Manager Brighton Heard provided a timeline update for the ongoing beach renourishment. The project is nearing the finish line, with an anticipated completion window between Nov. 20 and Nov. 23.

Regarding beach access, the Turner Beach parking lot has reopened to the public. However, the Alison Hagerup Beach parking lot is being used for the project and will remain closed until all work is finalized.

Resident Petition Regarding Dune Height A significant portion of the meeting focused on a petition submitted by approximately 20 residents expressing concern over the height of the new dunes. The petition questions why the southern section of the dune system was constructed to a height of 12 feet, while the northern section near South Seas stands at 10 feet.

Residents cited several negative impacts, including:

• Obstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico.

• Changes to community character and aesthetics.

• Potential issues with stormwater runoff and sand overwash.

The petitioners requested that the board engage independent experts to review whether a uniform 10-foot dune would offer adequate storm protection and asked for a resolution to lower the 12-foot sections. Following discussion, the commission directed coastal engineers from APTIM to prepare a detailed explanation of the height determinations for the public. Staff will also schedule a workshop to discuss signage for protecting the new dune plantings.

North Sanibel Beach Project Negotiations The commission also debated a proposal to allow the City of Sanibel to “piggyback” on the CEPD’s current contract with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock. This cooperation would facilitate the Northern Sanibel Beach Renourishment Project, placing approximately 300,000 cubic yards of sand along Sanibel’s northern shore.

During the initial meeting on Nov. 10, the board voted 2-3 against the proposal, with Commissioners Bernie Dupre, Timothy McGowan, and Bob Walter dissenting due to concerns over financial cost-sharing.

However, the discussion reopened during a Nov. 13 workshop attended by Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza. Negotiations focused on adjusting the administrative cost-share the CEPD would receive. While the city declined a request to pay an additional $375,000 for mobilization costs—citing strict budget constraints—Souza indicated a willingness to increase the cost-share percentage from roughly 23% to 27.2%.

Following this adjustment, commissioners expressed support for the revised agreement, noting the mutual benefits for the islands. The board directed staff to formalize the new numbers for Sanibel City Council to consider, and a special meeting was set for Nov. 17 for the CEPD to reconsider the vote.

Administrative Changes and Grants In other business, the commission made a unanimous decision to change lobbying representation, voting 5-0 to terminate their agreement with Becker & Poliakoff and engage The Southern Group.

Finally, staff reported progress on a $500,000 invasive species grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This funding is designated specifically for the removal of non-native vegetation, such as Australian pines, though it does not cover the costs for replanting native species.

On November 13, the SanCap Chamber hosted a dual celebration to mark the post-Hurricane Ian reopenings of two island staples: the retail shop On Island and the vacation rental complex The Seashells of Sanibel.

Chamber President and CEO John Lai highlighted the significance of these events, noting that the return of both a retail favorite and a hospitality fixture demonstrates the island’s increasing strength. “Retail and hospitality lie at the heart of our islands’ appeal, which resurfaces more strongly every week,” Lai stated.

On Island: A New Home at The Village Shops Originally opening its doors in 2015 on Tarpon Bay Road, On Island has embarked on a new chapter at The Village Shops on Periwinkle Way. Co-owner Kate McDonald Sergeant described the move to the higher-elevation plaza as a “fresh start,” praising the new space as “beautiful and beachy.”

Famous for its high-quality T-shirts and designs that capture the specific “sense of place” of Sanibel and Captiva, the business credits the local community for its return. Sergeant noted that the support from the “On Island community” was the driving force behind their reopening, expressing a desire to meet the moment and contribute to the rebuilding effort.

The Seashells of Sanibel: Renovated for Resilience The Seashells of Sanibel, a 44-unit complex incorporated in 1976, used the post-storm reconstruction period to enhance both aesthetics and durability. Board President Cathy Lanier credited the community and the Chamber for their support, particularly in coordinating the ribbon-cutting to align with the annual owners’ meeting.

The complex now features a fresh look inspired by the Sanibel sky, but the updates go beyond cosmetics. Lanier detailed several sustainability and safety upgrades, including the installation of metal roofs for storm buffering and the replacement of asphalt with permeable pavers to benefit the local environment. While the complex retains the same number of units, the interiors are brand new, offering visitors an affordable, family-friendly atmosphere with modern amenities.

Visit the Newly Reopened Locations:

• On Island: 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel (The Village Shops)

• The Seashells of Sanibel: 2840 W. Gulf Drive, Sanibel

Sanibel’s vibrant small business community is coming together to celebrate Small Business Saturday with a special island-wide event titled Shop, Dine & Shine. Scheduled for Saturday, November 29, this celebration invites residents and visitors to support local merchants while enjoying a festive holiday atmosphere.

A Festive Shopping Experience Participating plazas, boutiques, and restaurants are preparing to welcome guests with exclusive specials and holiday cheer. Shoppers can expect a variety of festive touches throughout the day, including seasonal treats, music, holiday décor, and unique in-store experiences designed to make holiday shopping enjoyable.

“Support Local, Win Big!” Raffle To add excitement to the day, participating businesses have launched a community raffle. For every purchase made at a participating location, shoppers will earn one entry toward a prize package.

While there are multiple opportunities to win gift cards and merchandise, the Grand Prize includes:

• A two-night stay at the Tarpon Tale Inn.

• The winner’s choice of a two-day Moke or golf cart rental, provided by Moke & Cabana Club.

The Importance of Shopping Small Organizers emphasize that this event is about more than just commerce; it is a celebration of the island’s resilience and community spirit. Sanibel’s businesses are predominantly family-owned and deeply rooted in the local culture. These same businesses regularly sponsor school programs, support youth sports, and donate to island nonprofits.

“Shop, Dine & Shine” serves as a reminder that investing in local businesses directly fuels the community that supports Sanibel year-round.

Participating Businesses A wide range of island favorites will be taking part, including:

• Adventures in Paradise Outfitters

• A Little Adventure

• Beach Daisy

• Blue Giraffe

• Bubbly Latitude

• Captiva Curio Cottage

• Coast Clothing

• Her Sports Closet

• Home by Rachel Pierce & Rachel Pierce Art Gallery

• Jrod’s

• MacIntosh Books + Paper

• On Island & One Island Sanibel

• Sanibel Day Spa & Sanibel Pilates and Yoga

• Sanibel Sole

• Shiny Objects

• Suncatchers’ Dream

• Synergy

• The Bait Box

• The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine

• The Treehouse

• Trader Rick’s

• Vero Drapes

• Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant

• Wilford & Lee Home Accents

More Information For additional details regarding the event, please contact Audrey Stewart, co-owner of A Little Adventure, at 239-472-8236 or via email at audrey@sanibelkidsstore.com.

Tarpon Bay Explorers (TBE), the official recreation concessionaire for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, has announced exciting expansions to its operations just in time for the holiday season. With the addition of new vessels and the return of a popular evening tour, the team at TBE is signaling a strong step forward in the island’s ongoing recovery.

Return of the Sunset Rookery Paddle Nature enthusiasts can once again enjoy the Sunset Rookery Paddle. Currently scheduled for Wednesdays and Fridays (subject to change), this tour is led by experienced naturalists who provide insights into the local ecology. The paddle times are adjusted seasonally to coincide with the sunset.

The tour focuses on the Rookery Islands in the middle of the bay, which serve as an evening roost for over a dozen bird species, including brown pelicans, herons, egrets, ibis, and cormorants. While the tour is bird-centric, the route through open water often provides opportunities to spot manatees and dolphins.

• Note: Reservations are required, and all participants must have prior kayaking experience.

Pontoon Fleet Expansion For those looking for a more relaxed way to explore the water, TBE has added two new boats to its pontoon fleet. These vessels are available for half-day and full-day rentals and can accommodate up to eight passengers.

Rentals are confined to the 950-acre Tarpon Bay, ensuring a safe experience where navigation is easy and there is no risk of getting lost. Visitors interested in fishing can rent equipment and purchase tackle on-site (a saltwater fishing license is required for anyone age 16 and older). TBE also continues to offer guided fishing charters.

Additional Amenities and Hours Beyond boating, Tarpon Bay Explorers offers a variety of ways to experience the refuge, including:

• Tram tours of Wildlife Drive

• Kayak and Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) rentals

• Bike rentals

• Hobie fishing kayak rentals

• A nature-themed gift shop

Hours of Operation: TBE is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with all rentals concluding at 3:00 p.m.

Contact and Location Reservations are highly recommended for both charters and rentals.

• Location: 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel

• Phone: 239-472-8900

• Website: www.tarponbayexplorers.com

The City of Sanibel has announced the commencement of a vital beach renourishment initiative aiming to fortify the shoreline stretching from Blind Pass to Bowman’s Beach Park. This project serves as a critical step in stabilizing the coast and enhancing storm protection for the island’s northern region.

Mobilization and Staging Preparations are already underway. As of the evening of November 21, the Blind Pass Beach parking lot has been closed to serve as a staging area for equipment. The city has also secured an agreement to utilize the former Castaways property on Sanibel-Captiva Road as a primary staging location. While the Turner Beach parking lot remains open (having reopened on Oct. 30), residents and visitors should expect the Blind Pass lot to remain occupied by the contractor for the duration of the project.

Project Scope and Timeline Actual beach renourishment work is scheduled to begin the week of November 24, with dredging operations anticipated to start as early as Thanksgiving Day [02:14]. To expedite the process and minimize public disruption, the contractor will operate on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week schedule. Barring weather or equipment delays, officials expect the project to be finalized by the end of December.

The operation involves placing approximately 300,000 cubic yards of new sand along the northern stretch of Sanibel. The coverage area extends from near the former Mad Hatter Restaurant to the western edge of Bowman’s Beach Park.

Methodology and Habitat Restoration Unlike previous projects that relied on truck hauls, this initiative will utilize a hopper dredge to collect sand from a state-approved offshore source located approximately 8.3 nautical miles west of Captiva [01:19].

Crews will place sand both on the dry beach and underwater to reconstruct a robust shoreline profile. The project design includes building the beach and dune system to a height of approximately 6.5 feet (NAVD). Following the sand placement, the final phase will involve planting native dune vegetation to stabilize the new dunes and support local wildlife habitat.

Targeting Vulnerable Areas The renourishment specifically targets areas that have suffered significant erosion and are most in need of reinforcement. Key focus areas include:

• The former Castaways location

• The Sanibel-Captiva seawall

• The Clam Bayou beach area

Stay Informed For a visual overview of the project and further details from city officials, you can watch the full video update below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOyPYV-lxQ0

For additional questions or information, please contact the Natural Resources Department at 239-472-3700 or via email at sandnr@mysanibel.com.

Motorists are advised that overnight striping work for the Periwinkle Way Paving Project is scheduled from Sunday, November 16, through Tuesday, November 18. All work will be conducted during nighttime hours.

To ensure the safety of both work crews and drivers, lane closures will be in effect. Flaggers will be stationed on-site to direct traffic and minimize disruptions.

Drivers in the area during these hours are encouraged to use caution, follow all posted signage, and allow for extra travel time.

For additional information regarding the Periwinkle Way Milling and Resurfacing Project, individuals may contact the City of Sanibel Public Works Department at sanpw@mysanibel.com or by calling (239) 472-6397.

The Sanibel City Council has unanimously authorized a major beach renourishment project for northern Sanibel, set to begin on November 29, 2025. This critical work addresses the severe beach and dune erosion caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and further impacts from storms in 2024, including Helene and Milton.

The Urgent Need for Sand

Northern Sanibel has experienced catastrophic sand loss. From pre-Hurricane Ian to June 2024, the beach encompassing Blind Pass eroded by an average of nearly 50 feet. Subsequent storms, including Helene and Milton, stripped an additional 30 feet, resulting in a cumulative average loss of almost 80 feet.

Several factors have complicated recovery efforts in this specific region.

• A previous Lee County project in August/September 2023 placed 85,000 cubic yards of sand between Blind Pass and Bowman’s Beach Park. However, this new sand was severely impacted by a strong low-pressure system in November 2023, shortly after completion.

• Furthermore, the 2019 Blind Pass Inlet Management Plan mandates that sand dredged from the pass be placed on northern Sanibel. With no immediate plans for maintenance dredging, the city explored other options to address the significant erosion.

A Strategic Partnership

Aware that the Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) was actively engaged in its own renourishment project, the city contacted CEPD and its contractor, Great Lakes Dock and Dredge.

This coordination created a strategic opportunity. By coordinating with the ongoing Captiva project, Sanibel can utilize the mobilized equipment and crews. The city, CEPD, and Great Lakes are now finalizing the necessary agreements to proceed.

Project Scope and Timeline

The North Sanibel Beach Renourishment Project will place approximately 300,000 cubic yards of sand fill on the beach, covering the area from the former Mad Hatter restaurant to the western boundary of Bowman’s Beach Park.

• Method: A hopper dredge, located eight miles offshore, will be used. The sand slurry will be dewatered and pumped onto the beach.

• Schedule: Work is scheduled to begin on November 29, 2025, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

• Hours: Operations will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is standard practice for dredging projects to minimize the construction timeline and disruption to public beach access.

Full Funding Secured

The $8,694,171 project cost is all-inclusive and covers the placement of 200,000 new plants to help stabilize the new dunes.

The project will be fully funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) through the City of Sanibel 2022 Hurricane Ian and Nicole Beach Recovery Project grant.

Sufficient FDEP grant funding also remains to cover additional dune planting along privately owned beach areas that were nourished in 2023 and 2024. This planting work was planned but delayed by the 2024 storm impacts.

This project is part of a larger, ongoing recovery effort facilitated by both FDEP and FEMA funding, which has also supported the emergency berm/gully project, the Historic Sanibel Lighthouse Protection Project, and the Clam Bayou Sand Recovery Project.

Following an arduous, multi-year recovery from devastating storms, Sanibel’s golf courses have demonstrated significant progress, prompting the city to reinstate its environmental oversight program.

The island’s courses were first impacted by the unprecedented storm surge and high-velocity winds of Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Recovery efforts were further complicated in 2024 by storm surge impacts from three additional weather events: Debby, Helene, and Milton.

This disruption prompted the city to place its Golf Course Report Card program on hold for the past three reporting years (October 2022–September 2025), allowing course staff to dedicate their full attention to recovery.

A Return to Environmental Stewardship

The Golf Course Report Card program, originally adopted by the City Council in 2008, provides specific guidance on nutrient management to reduce fertilizer use and improve the water quality of golf course lakes. City staff historically provided technical assistance and used a point-based report card to track annual progress.

With the recovery phase now largely complete, the city’s Natural Resources staff recently met with the superintendents from each course. The meetings served to discuss the immense challenges overcome and to observe the current state of the properties.

During these visits, staff informed the courses that the city plans to return to the typical scoring format for the upcoming reporting year.

Course Conditions and Future Cooperation

Overall assessments of the courses were positive. The Dunes, The Sanctuary Golf Club, and the Sanibel Island Golf Club all showed strong recovery. A few minor, lingering issues were observed, such as isolated turf loss and high salinity in some lakes, which are persistent effects of saltwater inundation.

Additionally, the Sanibel Island Golf Club underwent a change in ownership in September 2025. City staff held a productive initial meeting with the new owners and superintendent to explain the Golf Course Report Card Program. The new leadership was reportedly receptive to the program and its environmental goals, signaling a cooperative future.

As Thanksgiving approaches, residents and visitors on Sanibel and Captiva are finalizing their holiday plans. A popular local tradition, the Thanksgiving Sunset Dolphin Cruise, has been announced again for this year, offering a unique way to celebrate the holiday.

Hosted by the local tour company Adventures in Paradise, the cruise provides a relaxing escape from the usual holiday preparations. Passengers will have the opportunity to cruise the calm waters, listen to tropical music, and watch for dolphins against the backdrop of a Gulf Coast sunset.

This event is a well-regarded tradition for many families and is known to sell out annually due to its popularity. Those interested in attending are advised to secure their plans in advance.

Official event details are as follows:

• Event: Thanksgiving Sunset Dolphin Cruise

• Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025

• Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

• Host: Adventures in Paradise

This cruise offers a memorable experience for those looking to add a special island activity to their Thanksgiving celebration.

Reservations are required. More information and booking details are available on the Adventures in Paradise website: https://www.adventureinparadiseinc.com/cruises/holiday-cruises/thanksgiving-cruise/

Exciting news from the Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD)! The ongoing beach renourishment project is progressing faster than expected and could be wrapped up well before Thanksgiving.

At a recent Nov. 6 workshop, CEPD General Manager Brighton Heard delivered a promising update on the project’s status.

️ Renourishment Speeding Up

The project is moving at a quick pace, with work nearly three-quarters complete. Here’s a quick summary of the progress:

• Contractor: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock

• Current Location: The work line is approaching the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina.

• Next Steps: After reaching that point, the contractor will move back north to dredge the final 2,000+ cubic yards of sand.

• New End Date: The project is now estimated to finish by November 23, and possibly sooner if the high productivity continues.

Why the sudden speed? Heard suggested it could be linked to the end of the official sea turtle nesting season, allowing operations to move more efficiently.

Protecting the New Dunes: A Signage Debate

With the project moving forward, a new challenge has emerged: protecting the newly restored dunes.

Dune plantings are already complete across the southern half of the project area. While crews left intentional openings to serve as walkways for beachgoers, people have already been seen stepping on the fragile new plants.

Staff has installed temporary signs to guide the public, but this sparked a debate among the commission about a more permanent solution.

• The Debate: Should the CEPD use temporary plastic signs or invest in permanent, high-quality ones?

• The Argument for Permanent: General Manager Heard favored permanent signs, possibly made of pressure-treated wood and placed every 300 feet. He noted that the temporary signs “appear cheap” and can be blown away in high winds, whereas permanent signs offer a constant reminder to “stay off of the dunes.”

• The Argument for Quality: Commissioner Bob Walter agreed, pointing to the significant investment in the beach project. “I think residents would want a quality sign,” he remarked.

The Solution: The board directed staff to explore a cost-effective approach. They will draft a proposal to purchase materials and build the permanent signs in-house instead of hiring an outside contractor. This proposal will be presented at the next meeting for consideration.

Sanibel Partnership Moves Forward

The CEPD’s efforts are also creating a positive ripple effect for its neighbor. Heard reported that the Sanibel City Council has approved a proposal to “piggyback” off the CEPD’s current agreement.

This partnership will allow approximately 300,000 cubic yards of sand to be placed on north Sanibel. In exchange, Sanibel will provide a cost-share of $142,046 to the CEPD.