With the rainy season settling into more late day/evening showers, it was a surprise this week to hear about lightning striking a car on the causeway. The driver escaped unharmed but the vehicle caught fire and was a total loss. Be sure and stay safe when you see a storm coming or hear thunder. Weather often changes fast in Florida in the summer.
Expedia Reveals Its 2026 Island Hot List
On July 21, Expedia posted: “Emerging island interest jumps 55% on average as travelers trade hotspots for better value…. Based on Expedia’s search data, the Island Hot List highlights 10 fast-rising islands offering travelers an alternative to traditional hotspots, combining natural beauty, cultural depth, and sometimes better value” Only one island in the USA is on the list – and it is Sanibel!
- St. Lucia (+125%) – Best for Romantic Escapes
- Porto Santo, Madeira, Portugal (+85%) – Best for Wellness & Relaxation
- Praslin, Seychelles (+80%) – Best for Nature Lovers
- Syros, Greece (+60%) – Best for Cuisine & Charm
- Lofoten Islands, Norway (+50%) – Best for Arctic Adventures
- Palawan, Philippines (+40%) – Best for Natural Wonders
- Culebra, Puerto Rico (+35%) – Best for Water Adventures
- Sanibel Island, Florida, USA (+25%) – Best for Family Escapes
- Phu Quoc, Vietnam (+25%) – Best for Affordable Luxury
- Fiji (+15%) – Best for Multi-generational Value
Schools Begin
The school year for Lee County students begins Tuesday. Last night was a well-attended Sanibel School Open House for families and pupils. The new principal was at the door greeting each one.Scoop About J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) themed the 2026-27 season at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge “Wings of Renewal,” and the revitalization entered its final phases on July 27. The Visitor & Education Center closed that day as work began on a new entrance ramp.
At the same time, a project to upgrade auditoriums gets finishing touches, work on boardwalks wraps up, and construction begins on DDWS offices to replace those demolished by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
New high-tech AV is coming to the auditoriums and throughout the center. Other auditorium improvements include next-level acoustic wall panels and new carpeting, lighting, art-hanging systems, seating, and improved accessibility for the hearing impaired.
The center shutdown will include the Refuge Nature Store, America’s Best Restrooms, and the main parking lot. Visitors will be able to park in the upper (north) lot. The center will reopen October 1, in time for “Ding” Darling’s 150th birthday celebration and “Art in the Wild” on October 20-22.
Friends and fans of the refuge can still shop to support “Ding” online at http://www.ShopDingDarling.com and at the refuge Lifestyles Store, 1626 Periwinkle Way. It is part of the Homes by Rachel shop in Heart of the Islands center and opens Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wildlife Drive, Bailey Tract, and Tarpon Bay Explorers will remain open their regular hours throughout the closure period. Boardwalk construction at Bailey Tract is complete. Refuge administration plans to open Indigo Trail by late August and Mangrove Overlook by late September.
“The excitement at ‘Ding’ has been steadily building these past couple of years as it comes back better and more impressive than ever,” said DDWS executive director Ann-Marie Wildman. “Now that the end is in sight, we can hardly contain the anticipation of our renewal, peaking with our Feb. 3 fundraiser “Go Wild for ‘Ding’ – Wings of Renewal. It’s all about rebirth, restoration, the joyful spirit of community, and a legacy reimagined.”
In the past year, following phase 1 renovations, “Ding” Visitor & Education Center opened its new Pollinator Garden and Ranger Toni’s Nature Nook in the area once occupied by DDWS offices on the ground floor. The refuge recently completed installation of a new air-conditioning system.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors
The islands Association of Realtors did not meet this week, but I am ready to present my Broker Tips & Tales at the Open Caravan Meeting next Thursday. Two weeks later the August membership meeting with Caravan will be on the 27th with guest speaker from Ding Darling Wildlife Society.
Island Real Estate Scoop
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there have been NO NEW SALES. During the same time, there have been two new residential listings and four price changes.
No sales illustrates again that this it is the “slowest time of the year” for island real estate action. Also more listings expired or were terminated this week, so inventory is lower than it has been in a very long time..
Below with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the MLS action reported this week.
|
SANIBEL Residential |
CONDOS |
HOMES |
LOTS |
||||||
|
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
|
|
For sale |
114 |
911,963 |
284 |
116 |
1,611,379 |
188 |
56 |
1,527,954 |
337 |
|
Under contract |
10 |
840,055 |
251 |
23 |
1,308,782 |
164 |
1 |
499,000 |
183 |
|
Sold to 8/7/26 |
86 |
832,296 |
186 |
162 |
1,562,476 |
149 |
12 |
1,698,666 |
237 |
|
Sold 2025 |
104 |
755,564 |
153 |
159 |
1,291,016 |
140 |
7 |
952,857 |
252 |
|
Sold 2024 |
75 |
818,493 |
117 |
165 |
1,472,757 |
114 |
15 |
1,403,533 |
192 |
|
Sold 2023 |
98 |
955,261 |
65 |
263 |
1,267,390 |
73 |
24 |
920,645 |
76 |
|
CAPTIVA Residential |
CONDOS |
HOMES |
LOTS |
||||||
|
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
|
|
For sale |
29 |
1,700,100 |
242 |
26 |
5,835,730 |
309 |
4 |
10,875,000 |
481 |
|
Under contract |
2 |
1,859,000 |
108 |
1 |
2,500,000 |
207 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold to 8/7/26 |
25 |
932,550 |
126 |
8 |
4,306,250 |
248 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold 2025 |
16 |
931,187 |
214 |
12 |
2,480,375 |
90 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold 2024 |
13 |
1,728,846 |
185 |
8 |
4,887,187 |
182 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold 2023 |
17 |
834,176 |
98 |
17 |
2,716,647 |
70 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 31 – August 7
CONDOS
2 new listings: Sandalfoot #3A1 2/2 $779K, Surfside 12 #A2 3/2 $899K.
1 price change: Mariner Pointe #1051 2/2 now $488K.
No new sales.
2 closed sales: Spanish Cay #B3 2/2 $370K, Nutmeg Village #109 2/2 $925K.
HOMES
No new listings.
1 back-on-market: 1377 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 $675K.
2 price changes: 954 Whelk Dr 4/4 now $3.1M, 1490 Angel Dr 4/3 now $3.195M.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 720 Durion Ct 4/3 $885K.
LOTS
Nothing to report.
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Lands End Village #1659 2/2 now $1.099M.
No new or closed sales.
HOMES & LOTS
Nothing to report.
This representation is based in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or in any way responsible for the accuracy. Data maintained by the association, or its MLS, may now reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating in or participated in these transactions.


















“The first black skimmer chick documented on the Sanibel Causeway in three decades is thriving. The chick has reached flight-capable age, and while the SCCF shorebird team and volunteers haven’t witnessed its first flight yet, they’re watching closely for the milestone.
A social media post this week by Pointe Santo (
The island Association of Realtors did not meet this week. The next meeting is the July Membership Meeting followed by an Open Caravan on July 23.
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there has been six new sales posted: three Sanibel condos and three Sanibel homes. During the same time, there have been five new residential listings and seven price changes.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
Sanibel & Captiva Preliminary Property Tax Valuations Are Up
The City of Sanibel announced the successful completion of the Community Park and Frannie’s Preserve Trail Restoration Project, a multi-phase ecological restoration effort supported by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Urban and Community Forestry – Hurricane Ian Recovery Grant Program. The grant program was established to restore urban forests across 29 counties in Florida that experienced severe damage from the catastrophic storm.
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there has been six new sales posted: four Sanibel homes and two Sanibel condos. During the same time, there have been six new residential listings and seven price changes.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan







The Association had its June Membership Meeting followed by an Open Caravan this past Thursday. Three Sanibel homes were open for easy viewing after the meeting. The next meeting is an Open Caravan on July 9.
Below, with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics as of today, June 29. Usual scoop showing the activity from Friday to Friday will be on time this week on Friday..
Happy almost July,
As reported on-line and in the “Island Reporter”: “The property tax value estimates for Sanibel decreased over 2025, while Captiva saw an increase.
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS, since last Friday, there have been five new sales posted: four Sanibel homes and a Captiva condo.
Enjoy your weekend,


