As holiday vacations wrap up, it has been another week of blue skies and sunshine on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Though there has been some early morning fog on the causeway, it hit 80 degrees today and tomorrow, should dip back into the more usual winter 70-degree temps.

Forecasters say this dry-season has begun dryer than normal, but there could be showers coming mid-week.

Also, this week, in addition to appreciating the recovering vegetation, when driving down Periwinkle, I noticed that the canopy-like tunnel of trees there is returning. It was gone long before the recent storms and the regrowth a welcome sight, providing some shade and a peaceful tropical vibe.

For winter visitors, the Chamber of Commerce reports that there still are plenty of accommodations available. Many that have returned for their first stay since before Ian say, “the islands are way better than expected.” We like to hear that!

52 Places To Go In 2026

Every January the “New York Times” travel desk posts their 52 recommended places to go globally in the coming year. Their list for 2026 was posted this week and includes Sanibel & Captiva Islands (in #26 spot). Their writer encourages visitors to come here to take part in a post-hurricane comeback story on the Gulf. The article mentions the reimagined Great Hall at The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium, the rebuilt now elevated Shalimar Beach Resort, the unchanged quirky Bubble Room, and shops like the 50-year-old She Sells Sea Shells. Best of all, it ends with saying that “new open” signs everywhere are evidence of a celebratory mood.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

Following the local Association of Realtors East-End Caravan Meeting yesterday, six Sanibel homes were open for easy viewing. There is no Caravan meeting next week, but the following Thursday morning, January 22, there is a West-End Caravan scheduled.

Several Realtors from our island leadership team are now in Orlando at Florida Realtors (FR) Mid-Winter Business Meetings which wrap up when our state Directors vote on Sunday.

Last night was the 2025 RPAC Awards Reception where our Association achieved a clean sweep (all six awards) in the Small Board category.  These awards reflect the commitment of our members who understand that RPAC is about protecting property rights, advocating for our industry, and safeguarding the future of real estate on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Thanks to all that contributed!

Time flies, as my history serving on FR committees shows I worked on 57 over many years. Those were great experiences with the additional benefit of networking in-person twice annually when these meetings are in Orlando. (Island Realtors don’t often get inquiries about property in another area of Florida, but when I do, I have great Realtor contacts statewide.)

This year, as business continues to recover here, it makes me happy to pass the state committee baton on to the next generation. With today’s technology, I also can attend key meetings virtually. I will report on them next week.

Meanwhile, thanks to our 2025 Prez Becky Mulka for serving on FR Professional Development Committee, the Communications Committee, and the Emerging Technology Committee and our 2026 Prez Tina DiCharia for serving on FR Legislative Think Tank, the Resort and Second-Home Specialist Breakout Group, and the HOA-Condo Breakout Group.

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate News

Looking at residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS, since last Friday, there have been seven new sales, again all on Sanibel: four homes, two condos, and a lot.

During the same time, there were a whopping 13 new listings and 31 price changes.

Below, with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the details of the MLS action reported this week.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES				LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM		#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	169	1,058,039	179	237	1,760,059	122		54	1,761,675	260
Under contract	5	1,003,700	120	22	2,084,499	123		3	481,300	79
Sold to 1/9/2026	1	690,000	107	2	2,006,000	160	0	0	N/A	N/A
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
Sold 2022	123	1,136,199	44	185	1,602,745	52		26	779,528	223
Sold 2021	287	875,127	113	355	1,341,881	89		69	698,862	442

CAPTIVA RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	47	1,280,359	230	27	6,293,777	253	3	10,166,666	422
Under contract	3	1,056,333	187	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 1/9/2026	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A	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
Sold 2022	28	1,458,983	52	22	5,636,386	133	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2021	64	1,150,373	145	44	2,988,520	261	2	2,950,000	731

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Jan 2-9

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Oceans Reach #3X1 1/1 $679K, Oceans Reach #1D1 2/2 $1.09M, Nutmeg Village #109 2/2 $1.175M, Sanddollar #A102 3/2 $1.325M, Gulfside Place #310 2/2 $1.35M.

1 back-on-market: Mariner Pointe #312 2/2 $399K (SanibelSusan listing).

3 price changes: Sandalfoot #2C2 2/2 now $675,555; Pointe Santo #E21 2/2 now $995K, Gulfside Place #125 2/2 now $1.595M.

2 new sales: Cottage Colony West #125 1/1 listed at $495K, Sandalfoot #5D2 2/2 listed at $799K.

1 closed sale: Coquina Beach #F3 2/2 $690K.

HOMES

6 new listings: 1440 Sandpiper Cir (1/2 duplex) 3/2.5 $649K, 1637 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 $949K, 580 Sea Oats Dr 4/3 $1.395M, 290 Southwinds Dr 4/3.5 $1.695M, 5423 Shearwater Dr (1/2 duplex) 3/2 $1.725M, 505 Kinzie Island Ct 5/4.5 $4,999,750.

1 back-on-market: 1595 Bunting Ln 3/2 $649.9K.

22 price changes: 910 Fitzhugh St 4/2 now $449K, 4560 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 now $599K, 4631 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 now $699K, 771 Rabbit Rd (1/2 duplex) 2/2 now $719K, 3311 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 now $899K, 251 Southwinds Dr 4/3 now $950K, 1202 Sand Castle Rd 4/2.5 now $999K, 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 now $1.095M, 3131 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 now $1,49,999; 2402 Wulfert Rd 4/3.5 now $1.45M, 1973 Wild Lime Dr 4/3 now $1.495M, 1747 Serenity Ln 3/2 now $1.497M, 3351 Barra Cir 3/2.5 now $1.499M, 2337 Wulfert Rd 4/3 now $1.589M, 742 Nerita St 3/2 now $1.65M, 419 Lighthouse Way 4/3 now $1.95M, 985 Oyster Ct 5/4 now $2.15M, 2190 Camino Del Mar Dr 4/3.5 now $2.199M, 5751 Baltusrol Ct 3/4 now $2.498M, 5639 Baltusrol Ct 4/4.5 now $2.795M, 6401 Pine Ave 5/4.5 now $3.995M, 3615 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 now $12.5M

4 new sales: 717 Gopher Walk Way 3/3.5 listed at $975K, 4460 Waters Edge Ln 3/2 listed at $1.35M, 848 Limpet Dr 3/2 listed at $1.7M, 877 Limpet Dr 3/3.5 listed at $2.95M.

2 closed sales: 1010 Kings Crown Dr 3/3 $1.025M, 2319 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 $2.987M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 2505 Island Inn Rd $275K, 1245 Buttonwood Ln $10M.

1 price change: 1653 Bunting Ln now $395K.

1 new sale: 1292 Par View Dr listed at $469K.

No closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

No new listings.

2 price changes: Bayside Villas #5132 1/2 now $445K, Tennis Villas #3233 2/2 now $599,999.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

3 price changes: 14865 Mango Ct 2/2 now $1.1M, 11555 Wightman Ln 3/2.5 now $3.5M, 15735 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 now $11.9M.

No new or closed sales.

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 is in any way responsible for its accuracy.  Data maintained by the association, or its MLS, may not 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.

Enjoy your weekend!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan