Many claim to be beach lovers, but few can boast that they live the lifestyle daily. With incredible views and unmatched privacy, residents of Sanibel Island occupy one of Florida’s most unique neighborhoods. The sand-dusted streets of this boomerang-shaped island ebb and flow in cul de sacs almost as elegant as the water itself. Visitors can only access the community via the Sanibel Causeway, which leads southwest away from the mainland. This location speaks for itself, but it doesn’t hurt for local experts to weigh in. “We still have beautiful beaches and sunsets,” says Sue Plein, a Kingfisher Real Estate professional with 30 years of experience. “Even after the storm, that hasn’t been taken away.”
Sanibel
Located in Lee County
Sand in between the toes on Sanibel Island
An island with such fantastic beaches doesn't need parks to attract visitors, but this neighborhood has some anyway. Sanibel Community Playground is ideal for kids to run around and spend time out of the house. Extensive jungle gyms, swing sets and a volleyball court can entertain even the most energetic little ones. Bowmans’ Beach Park is an excellent choice for groups of friends who can’t decide whether to go hiking or relax on the sand. Here, the dense tree line runs parallel to the water. It takes about five minutes to get from the parking area to the beach, and once there, kids can go shelling while the adults cook on the charcoal grills. Pups are also allowed, making it perfect for a family outing.
Many housing options for an influx of buyers
After Hurricane Ian, the demand for housing on this island has increased. “We’re seeing buyers coming in from other areas like northwest Florida, but also California, Texas, and many from Missouri,” says Plein. Considering about 6,000 people call this island home, the streets are surprisingly well-planned. To say pricing and styles vary would be an understatement. Modest, no-frills single-family homes often appear in the ranch style, fetching between $600,000 and $800,000. More expansive 2,500 and 3,000-square-foot bungalows average between $800,000 and $1.35 million. Mediterranean-style luxury estates top the list of most expensive accommodations, reaching a lofty $5 million or even $7 million. Condominiums are also available for locals who want to live the mid-rise life with an ocean view and beach access.
What to do...besides walking the beach, of course
Fortunately for residents and visitors, Sanibel Island has enough to keep people occupied without requiring a trip to the mainland. Take the Sanibel Island Lighthouse, for example, a popular tourist attraction. The minimalistic iron structure was finished in the late nineteenth century and has drawn photo-hungry folks ever since. Not even Hurricane Ian could extinguish this iconic tower for long. Locals can head to the Sanibel Moorings Resort Botanical Gardens for a lovely stroll outdoors. This colorful foliage is enough for an hour-and-a-half walking tour each Wednesday morning by RSVP. Avian enthusiasts will also be pleased with the J. N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge. This must-see area features a four-mile road that folks can drive through and spot a multitude of waterfowl flying, nesting and hunting.
Reserving a table on Sanibel Island
A plethora of dining options await Sanibel Island’s residents. Those desiring a fine dining experience might reserve a table at Cielo. They serve various surf and turf options, like mussels, seared tuna and grilled filet of beef, all pairable with their extensive wine list. A three-mile drive in the other direction reveals Bleu Rendezvous, the French Bistro. This reservation-only establishment’s entrees and atmosphere make for a great date night.
Going inland for class
Kids living on Sanibel Island will, naturally, attend Sanibel Elementary, rated A-minus by Niche. The school is the top public elementary school in Lee County and has received the Florida School Recognition Award for over twenty years. Lexington Middle School earns a B-plus rating. The school offers an International Baccalaureate Program for starting the college prep track early. Rounding out the list is Cypress Lake High, with an A-minus. These high schoolers take extracurricular activities to the next level with their Spotify-published a capella group.
Traversing the island
Although Sanibel Island has a taxi service, folks are encouraged to bike or drive their cars to get around. Parking can be challenging, so locals might utilize a bicycle for shorter trips (plus exercise) and drive from point A to point B across the island’s twelve-mile length.
Photography Contributed By
Pete Barrett
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Agents Specializing in this Area
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Tina Burge
Tina Burge
Keller Williams Elite Realty 2
(239) 204-3952
56 Total Sales
1 in Sanibel
$2,500,000 Price
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Michael Ludwig
Michael Ludwig
Keller Williams Marco Realty
(239) 276-8822
152 Total Sales
1 in Sanibel
$1,275,000 Price
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Kasey Thompson
Kasey Thompson
Safe Harbour Realty Inc
(239) 388-7335
95 Total Sales
1 in Sanibel
$569,000 Price
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Denise Vaughn
Denise Vaughn
RE/MAX REALTY GROUP
(239) 388-7020
13 Total Sales
1 in Sanibel
$455,000 Price
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Geraldine Anarumo
Geraldine Anarumo
FLORIDA REALTY MARKETPLACE
(863) 900-9984
96 Total Sales
1 in Sanibel
$600,000 Price
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Trent Peake
Trent Peake
Peake Ventures LLC
(239) 307-0236
38 Total Sales
1 in Sanibel
$3,700,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
- 9th to 12th
- Public
Sanibel Housing Trends
On average, homes in Sanibel, FL sell after 141 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Sanibel, FL over the last 12 months is $900,000, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$1,050,000
Median Sale Price
$900,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,190,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$899,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$799,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
12%
Last 12 months Home Sales
683
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-10%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$658
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes for Sale
403
Months of Supply
7.10
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jul 1212 - 3pm
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Sunday, Jul 1312 - 3pm
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Sunday, Jul 1310am - 12pm
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Condo Buildings
Distribution of Home Values
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
Sanibel Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
11,725
Median Age
70
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
6.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
62.1%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$123,621
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$152,480
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.9%
College Graduates
62.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33%
% Population in Labor Force
37.3%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
55°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
