Category: Island Update

Good news for nature lovers — the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel is still open for you to explore!

You can enjoy access to:
Wildlife Drive
Indigo Trail
Bailey Tract trails
Tarpon Bay Explorers

 Restrooms on Wildlife Drive are open. Narrated tram tours continue Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Please note: due to the government shutdown, most U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff are unavailable, and the Visitor & Education Center, Refuge Nature Store, and administrative offices are temporarily closed.

You can still shop online at shopdingdarling.com to support the refuge!

For updates and more information, visit doi.gov/shutdown.

 J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel

FISH of Sanibel-Captiva is teaming up with Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church to spread some sweet holiday cheer!

Join for a FREE Gingerbread House Workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 2:30–4:30 p.m. at the church’s Parish Hall (2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel).

Open to all kids and teens (18 & under), this hands-on afternoon promises creativity, candy, and tons of laughter as everyone decorates their very own gingerbread masterpiece.

All supplies and snacks are provided — just bring your holiday spirit!

This is the first-ever youth holiday workshop hosted by FISH, part of our mission to support and celebrate island kids.

“We wanted to create something special for kids to enjoy during the holidays,” says Food Programs Manager Merari Salinas. “It’s all about laughter, creativity, and community.”

Register by Nov. 21 — space is limited!
Email Merari at merari@fishofsancap.org
to sign up or learn more.

Let’s make this holiday season a little sweeter together!

The League of Women Voters of Sanibel will kick off its new season with a luncheon on Nov. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel.

This month’s program will focus on upcoming changes in healthcare coverage — including private insurance, the health exchange, Medicare, and Medicaid — that will take effect in 2026 following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB).

The featured speaker is Andy Haynes, a Sanibel resident, attorney, and author with over 40 years of experience in employee benefits law. As president of Haynes Benefits, he has written extensively on HIPAA and health plan mandates and has presented thousands of seminars nationwide. Known as the “Singing Benefits Attorney,” Haynes brings both expertise and personality to his presentations.

The cost is $35 per person, including lunch. To support young professionals working on Sanibel, the LWV is offering a special $10 rate this season.

Registration is required by Nov. 14.
Register online here or email lwvsanibel@gmail.com. For details, contact Cathie Kozik at cekozik@gmail.com or 224-659-2239.

BIG ARTS will host its second annual Documentary Film Festival on Nov. 14–15 at its Sanibel campus, featuring acclaimed filmmaker and Academy Award winner Molly O’Brien.

The festival will showcase four of O’Brien’s films — two she directed and two she produced — including The Disappearance of Shere Hite, Every Body, A Pig With Hair, and The Only Girl in the Orchestra, which earned her the 2025 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film. Audiences will also enjoy Q&A sessions and discussions with O’Brien, offering rare insight into her creative process and the state of modern documentary filmmaking.

O’Brien, an Emmy Award-winning producer and head of documentary for NBC News Studios, is known for powerful, thought-provoking storytelling that explores themes of identity, art, and social change.

The event opens Nov. 14 with a reception and film screening, followed by additional screenings, a catered dinner, and a filmmaker talk on Nov. 15.

Tickets are $100 for the full festival, with single-event tickets available.

For tickets or more information, visit bigarts.org/event/film-festival-2025 or call 239-395-0900.

BIG ARTS is located at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.

CEPD Addresses Community Questions on New Dune Heights

The Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) has heard from residents who have questions about the height of the dunes in the 2025 Captiva Beach Renourishment Project. The district appreciates the community’s feedback and “passion for preserving the character and beauty of Captiva.”

In a recent guest commentary, the CEPD explained the science and necessity behind the new design. Here’s a breakdown of their response.

Why are the dunes higher?

In short: federal standards have changed in response to stronger storms.

The project’s design, created by APTIM Inc., is based on the latest coastal engineering standards and new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood data.

In 2023, FEMA raised the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for much of Captiva to 12-plus feet (NAVD). This change was made to better reflect the realities of rising sea levels and the lessons learned from recent hurricanes like Ian, Milton, and Helene.

How much higher are they?

The new design provides critical protection against this increased flood risk. In most areas, the new dune height is a “modest 1-2 foot increase” over previous CEPD project designs.

According to the CEPD, this small increase plays a crucial role in improving Captiva’s resilience to storm surge and erosion.

Was this meant to block views?

No. The CEPD clarified that the dunes “were not designed to limit views, but rather to safeguard the community” and protect homes and public infrastructure.

The district also noted that the dunes will not look this way forever. Over time, weather will “naturally soften the dune profile,” allowing the beach to blend more seamlessly with its surroundings as the new system stabilizes.

Will the project be changed based on feedback?

At this time, the project will proceed as planned. The design is consistent with the district’s resilience goals and the approved engineering and permits.

However, the CEPD stated it is “listening carefully to community input” and will use that feedback to find “balanced and amicable approaches for future renourishment projects.”

How is the project being monitored?

CEPD, APTIM, and the project contractor (Great Lakes Dredge & Dock) are all monitoring the construction closely to ensure the work is being completed exactly as designed and permitted.

The CEPD thanks residents and visitors for their patience during this “vital investment in Captiva’s future.”

For more information, including design plans, permits, and weekly updates, visit www.mycepd.com or call 239-472-2472.

The Sanibel Island Fishing Club will continue its new season with its next meeting on Tuesday, November 11, at The Community House.

The event will kick off at 6 p.m., starting with a half-hour social gathering for attendees to meet and mingle.

This month’s featured guest speaker is Capt. Nick Weyers of Most Excellent Fishing. He plans to share his top angling strategies, as well as his favorite choices for bait and tackle. Following his presentation, he will take questions from the audience.

While Capt. Weyers has been a local guide for the past four years, his fishing experience is global, spanning from the waters of Alaska to the Caribbean. He is an expert in targeting offshore species, and his clients have a history of landing impressive catches, including American red snapper, African pompano, red and gag grouper, mangrove snapper, and even the occasional wahoo.

This meeting is free and open to the public. Pizza slices and refreshments will also be available for a nominal charge.

Event Details:

• What: Sanibel Island Fishing Club Meeting
• When: Tuesday, Nov. 11, starting at 6 p.m. (begins with a 30-minute social)
• Where: The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
• More Info: www.sanibelislandfishingclub.com

ee County has announced its operational schedule for Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. While most administrative offices will be closed, many key services will not be affected.

Here is a quick look at the adjustments by department.

• Midpoint Bridge (EVENING CLOSURE) This is the most significant change. The Midpoint Bridge will be closed to traffic from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 11 for the Veterans Day 5K. Motorists are advised to use the Cape Coral Bridge or U.S. 41 bridges as alternatives.
• LeeTran (Normal Schedule) Bus, trolley, and paratransit services will not be affected by the holiday and will run their normal routes and schedules.
• Solid Waste (Normal Schedule) There will be no change to garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection in unincorporated Lee County, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Fort Myers Beach. Please put your bins out on your regularly scheduled day.
  • Note: While collections are normal, the Solid Waste offices and the Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility will be closed.
• Parks & Recreation (Parks Are Open) All Lee County parks, beaches, preserves, boat ramps, and pools will remain open for public enjoyment.
  • Note: Administrative offices and recreation centers will be closed for the day.
• Closed Administrative Offices The following offices will be closed on Nov. 11 and will reopen on Nov. 12:
  • Community Development: Lobby and phones will be offline. (The electronic permitting portal will still be available for contractors).
  • Domestic Animal Services: The shelter at 5600 Banner Drive will be closed.

The Captiva Chapel by the Sea is ready to welcome the community back for its 77th season, with inter-denominational weekly services resuming this Sunday, November 9, at 11 a.m.

These services, which will run weekly through April, are led by the Rev. Dr. Doug Dortch. This season marks the final year of a three-year ministry for Rev. Dortch and his wife, Judy, following the chapel’s tradition for its ministry leaders.

The first service of the season will feature Holy Communion and congregational hymns, with music provided by Lynne Dugan, who is celebrating her 19th year as the chapel’s music director.

A Building Raised and Ready

This is no ordinary start to the season. The chapel is welcoming worshippers back to a building that has been through a remarkable recovery.

“Our 120-year-old building has withstood many hurricanes, but last year’s Milton pushed it off of its foundation,” the chapel shared.

Thanks to the efforts of chapel leaders Bob Johnson and Jake Miller, along with Davie Shoring Co., the historic building is now “four steps higher and leveled,” securing it for the future.

This resilience means attendees can once again choose to sit inside the newly supported building or enjoy the service from the “colorful folding chairs” outside—a preferred spot for many regulars. Following Hurricane Milton, the chapel was also rewired with new speakers to ensure those seated outdoors have a perfect audio experience.

How to Attend

• In-Person: Services are at 11 a.m. on Sundays. The chapel advises guests to “Please come early and be careful while parking,” as the lot is shared with the Captiva Civic Association. Parking is restricted to one side of the road only, per the fire chief’s request.
• Online: For those unable to attend, the weekly service will be livestreamed on Facebook. It will also be posted afterward on the chapel’s website and YouTube channel, where services from the past season can also be viewed.

For more information, visit https://www.captivachapel.com/ or call 850-322-9752.

Tickets are now available for the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village’s next “Twilight Talk” program, a special film screening and discussion held in partnership with BIG ARTS.

The event, titled “Wreckage, Resilience & Recovery: THE HISTORY OF HURRICANES ON SANIBEL,” is scheduled for November 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the BIG ARTS center. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with a cash bar and popcorn available.

This program will feature a screening of the hour-long documentary, which details Sanibel’s harrowing experiences with major hurricanes in the century before Hurricane Ian. The film covers the significant storms of 1910, 1921, 1926, 1944, 1960, and 2004.

Using historic transcripts, the film brings the words of early settlers to life through voice actors, painting a picture of an era without advanced warning systems or a causeway for escape.

According to Pamela Miner, Executive Director of the historical village, the film highlights how each of these events shaped the island’s community and natural environment. “It shows that progression of response, recovery and resilience each time,” she said.

After the film, attendees will be treated to a discussion with the filmmaker, Ken Sneeden. An award-winning journalist, Sneeden will talk about his process and the “Documentary as Art Form.” He has produced numerous acclaimed films for both the Sanibel Historical Museum and the Captiva Island Historical Society. A Q&A session will follow.

“We’re very excited about the upcoming collaborations that we have with the Sanibel historical museum this year,” added BIG ARTS Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder.

Tickets are $25 and reservations are required.

How to Attend:

• What: Twilight Talk: “Wreckage, Resilience & Recovery”
• When: Nov. 8, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
• Where: BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
• Cost: $25
• Tickets: Visit bigarts.org to reserve your seat.
• More Info: Visit sanibelmuseum.org or call 239-472-4648.

The Sanibel and Captiva islands are buzzing with new activity as the SanCap Chamber celebrates a trio of ribbon-cuttings, showcasing significant progress in accommodations and services ahead of the winter season.

“It’s so exciting… to see this surge in official openings,” said Chamber President John Lai, calling it a return to a “vital, fully realized vacation destination.”

Here’s a look at the businesses celebrating their grand openings.

1. The Kona Kai Motel (Sanibel)

This classic 1960s-era motel celebrated its ribbon-cutting on Oct. 30, marking a massive comeback.

• The Challenge: After 4 feet of water, a complete rebuild was necessary. Owners Steve and Denise Rodenburg secured an SBA loan to cover the $2 million cost beyond insurance.
• The Comeback: The motel welcomed its first post-Ian guest in August. It retains its original Hawaiian theme and footprint but now features modern, ADA-compliant upgrades, larger bathrooms, and a new pool party room.
• Visit: 1539 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

2. The Beach House at South Seas (Captiva)

This new restaurant at South Seas on Captiva held its celebration on Oct. 28.

• The Vibe: “Refined casual” dining on Sunset Beach, open to resort guests and Captiva Club members. It seats 240 and features panoramic windows with stunning gulf views.
• The Menu: Serves lunch, dinner, and a dessert/nightcap menu. Highlights include “towering tin-can nachos” and crab-crusted mahi.
• Visit: 5400 Plantation Drive, Captiva

3. Alliant Association Management (Sanibel)

Also celebrating on Oct. 28, Alliant opened its new Sanibel office to better serve the community.

• The Mission: Though they’ve served the islands since 2011, this physical office (open since March) is a “strategic move” to provide dedicated support to HOAs and condo associations navigating post-hurricane recovery and rebuilding.
• Visit: 1633 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel