Life moves slower on the nature-filled barrier island of Sanibel
Sanibel Island, a barrier island off the coast of Fort Myers, offers slower living surrounded by nature and wildlife. The Seashell Capital of the World draws locals and visitors from across the globe for prime pickings on the white-sand beaches. A wave of seasonal residents and tourists wash ashore during the peak season from December to May, while about 6,500 residents enjoy beachy living all year. The area has made progress toward recovery after the catastrophic Hurricane Ian in 2022. “We still have beautiful beaches and sunsets,” says Sue Plein, Realtor at Kingfisher Real Estate with over 30 years of experience in the industry. “Even after the storm, that hasn’t been taken away.”
The Beach at in the Middle Gulf Drive neighborhood gets many visitors during the week.
Welcome to Sanibel Island, the Seashell Capital of the World.
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Shelling, birding and kayaking are part of daily life
Beachgoers embody the "Sanibel stoop" as they crouch down to hunt for shells. Sanibel's shelling scene is world-renowned, with over 400 unique varieties washing ashore daily on the 15-plus miles of beaches. The early morning typically offers the best pickings. Natural spaces take up more than half of the island. The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge contains the country's largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem, home to more than 245 bird species and various other wildlife. Locals can explore the refuge from kayaks, hiking and biking trails, observation towers or the four-mile scenic drive.
Sanibel Island playground Park is a great place near West Gulf Drive to take the kids to play.
The bridge walkway at Bowman's Beach Park in West End Sanibel.
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Home styles range from beachy cottages to luxury estates
Various communities and home styles can be found throughout the island, from modest ranch-style properties and beachy cottages to upscale estates. Natural tropical foliage helps to provide some privacy for many homes. Beachview Country Club Estates features luxury Mediterranean-style homes with deeded beach access and an 18-hole golf course. Island living comes with higher home prices. The median two-bedroom sale price is about $600,000, and the median single-family home price is about $2.4 million. Condos line the waterfront and range from about $250,000 to $1.6 million.
Stately two story homes line the streets in the Middle Gulf Drive neighborhood.
Colorful and stylish single family ranch style in the West End neighborhood of Sanibel Island.
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Groceries and coastal cuisine on the island
Locals can likely find the essentials on the island, especially around Periwinkle Way. Jerry's Foods sells groceries, and CVS offers prescription pickup. Several surf shops, gift shops and clothing stores dot the island. Cielo Restaurant provides an upscale experience with wine pairings and various surf and turf options, like lobster tail, Chilean seabass and grilled filet of beef. Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grill serves Caribbean and South American-inspired seafood dishes alongside drinks and live music.
The Sanibel Grill is known for seafood, sports, and spirits on the island.
The Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market is a favorite amongst locals located close to the West End.
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Highly rated schools on and off the island
Kids may attend The Sanibel School, a public school on the island serving kindergarten through eighth grade. Niche gives it an A-minus grade and ranks it as the No. 2 middle school in Lee County. It consistently ranks among the top 5% of Florida schools for standardized reading, writing, science, social studies and math testing. Students typically attend high school in mainland Fort Myers. School buses take kids across the Sanibel Causeway. Fort Myers High School earns an A and offers rigorous International Baccalaureate classes.
Sanibel Elementary School in Sanibel gets some of the highest rankings in the county.
Welcome to Lexington Middle School in Crown Colony.
Cypress Lake High School's vision is to empower students to succeed in a changing world.
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Traversing the island
The island is pedestrian friendly thanks to around 25 miles of bike paths. Periwinkle Way is the main route through the area, and Gulf Drive follows the waterfront. The Sanibel Causeway connects the island to the mainland and was reconstructed after Hurricane Ian. Primary care offices are available on the island, and locals may need to head to the mainland for emergency care. The Southwest Florida International Airport offers around 70 nonstop flight routes throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Residents use various bike paths & sidewalks for shorter trips.
Billy's Bike Shop is a well known business on Sanibel Island, supplying tourists with wheels.
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Hurricanes haven't hindered growth
Hurricanes are a reality for coastal Florida, and can be especially impactful to barrier islands like Sanibel. The whole island is a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area, and all properties are at risk of flooding. Yet Plein says demand is rising again after Hurricane Ian. “We’re seeing buyers coming in from other areas like northwest Florida, but also California, Texas, and many from Missouri,” she says.
Sanibel celebrates seashells by the sea shore
Sanibel's annual Shell Festival is the world's largest and longest-running event of its kind, drawing about 1,000 daily visitors during its three-day run in March. Shell aficionados sell rare specimens and share their knowledge, and crafters repurpose the shells into unique art pieces. Periwinkle Way is the venue for holiday celebrations like the annual Independence Day parade. Holiday lights brighten the path during the annual Luminary Stroll, and live music and refreshment stands also line the route.
Written By
Liz Coughlin
Photography Contributed By
Pete Barrett
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kevin Dong,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Sanibel, FL sell after 156 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Sanibel, FL over the last 12 months is $889,000, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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