Yesterday, there were several much-needed showers on the islands. They didn’t last long and passed through with a cold front that brought temperatures down into the low 40’s here last night.

Daytime temps were back up to the mid-60’s today, mid-70’s expected tomorrow.

Island winter may not be over yet, but a little sweater weather still beats ice and snow.

State of The Islands

Yesterday morning, the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce hosted its 3rd annual breakfast presentation on the State of the Islands at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. Some tidbits are below:

As of January 2026, Sanibel and Captiva Islands are experiencing a major recovery, with over 72% of hotel rooms back online and 80% of vacation rentals operating. The Chamber of Commerce reports a boom in tourism, with more than 325 rooms added since January 2025 and 75% of restaurants/retailers reopened.

Key updates on accommodations and businesses include:

• Accommodations Surge: Hotel rooms have more than doubled since early 2025. Major, newly renovated, or rebuilt resorts are reopening, including South Seas Island Resort, Sundial Resort, and Shalimar Beach Resort.
• Business Reopening: Approximately 90% of non-accommodation businesses have reopened, though some restaurants still use pop-up, temporary setups.
• High Occupancy: Despite increased inventory, hotels are experiencing high demand (pacing at about 80% occupancy) as of early 2026.
• Visitor Outlook: The 2026 season is expected to be much stronger than previous years as the island moves past the initial rebuilding phase.

Data indicates the island is rapidly approaching its pre-Hurricane Ian capacity with modernized, higher-quality accommodations.

Sanibel Island Golf Club January Special

Posted on social media this week by Sanibel Island Golf Club:

“Come experience our renovation journey! As our exciting renovation project moves forward, we invite you to experience the transformation in progress and see the steady improvements over the next few months, all while cruising in our brand-new Lithium Club Cars with GPS and speakers. We’ve also kicked off a course-wide irrigation upgrade, switching from hydraulic to two-wire electric, which will greatly enhance the condition of the golf course. While work is underway during the day, we’re offering special pricing for the rest of January as follows: 18-hole rate of $125; 9-hole rate of $75.

“Whether you’re a longtime member or a visitor to our community, we appreciate your support and feedback as we work to make our course the best it can be.

“Contact: Golf Shop at 239-472-2626 or Drew at 239-822-1012. Online booking is NOT available at this time. Please call the numbers above. Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm. We look forward to welcoming you back and sharing our progress every step of the way! The Team at Sanibel Island Golf Club”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

Big congratulations also to the two winners of our Top Affiliate of the Year award: Amanda Curran with Superior Title and David Arter with Private Client Insurance Services.

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate News

I heard from several colleagues this week that they suddenly have had a jump in inquiries from both buyers and sellers. That applies to The SanibelSusan Team too. Though there were many new price listings and price reductions this week, there also were more sales. Maybe with the holidays packed away, island real estate is in the minds of those stuck in cold weather.

Looking at residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS, since last Friday, there were 12 new sales, including 11 on Sanibel: seven homes, three condos, and a lot, plus a Captiva home.

During the same time, there also were 15 new listings and 20 price changes.

Below, with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by an update about our listings, plus the details of the MLS action reported this week.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Jan 9-16

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Captains Walk #C5 2/1 $419K, Sandalfoot #4B2 1/1 $525K, Lighthouse Point #124 3/2 $675K, Sunset South #12C 2/2 $800K, West Shore #2 3/3 $1.7M.

5 price changes: Loggerhead Cay #441 2/2 now $769K, Nutmeg Village #104 2/2 now $899K, Sundial #O303 2/2 now $950K, Pointe Santo #E6 3/2 now $1.375M, Seascape #201 3/3 now $2.845M.

3 new sales: Sanibel Moorings #331 2/2 listed at $749K, Sandalfoot #1A2 2/2 listed at $799K, Shell Island Beach Club #6C 2/2 listed at $899K.

9 new listings: 450 Birdsong Pl 3/3 $798K, 6092 San-Cap Rd 2/2 $995K, 697 Spartina Ct 3/2.5 $1.089M, 1019 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $1.275M, 1550 Wilton Ln 3/2.5 $1.35M, 816 Birdie View Pt 3/3.5 $1.475M, 454 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 $1.499M, 2729 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 $1.798M, 3400 West Gulf Dr 4/3.5 $3.489M.

10 price changes: 2162 Egret Cir (1/2 duplex) 3/2 now $608.5K, 1625 Serenity Ln 3/2 now $775K, 9225 Dimmick Dr 4/2.5 now $799K, 513 Rabbit Rd 3/2 now $887K, 1377 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 now $899K, 640 Oliva St 3/2 now $949K, 1300 Par View Dr 4/2 now $976K, 1970 Wild Lime Dr 4/3 now $1.232M, 946 Whelk Dr 3/2.5 now $1.295M, 1731 Venus Dr 3/3 now $1.85M.

7 new sales: 548 Chert Ct 3/2 listed at $759K, 1283 Par View Dr 2/2 listed at $895K, 3311 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 listed at $899K, 280 Ferry Landing Dr 3/2 listed at $995K, 748 Windlass Way 3/3 listed at $1.295M, 1326 Seaspray Ln 4/4.5 listed at $2.495M, 5639 Baltusrol Ct 4/4.5 listed at $2.795M.

5 closed sales: 1615 Serenity Ln 3/2 $729K, 611 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $880K, 717 Gopher Walk Way 3/3.5 $979K, 1890 Middle Gulf Dr 3/3 $1.355M, 330 Cowry Ct 5/4.5.5 $3.3M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 408 Tiree Cir $675K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 967 Fitzhugh St listed at $200K.

No closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

No new listings.

4 price changes: Beach Villas #2523 1/1 now $590K, Beach Villas #2623 1/1 now $590K, Captiva Shores #3B 3/2.5 now $1.295M, Captiva Hide-Away #1C 2/2 now $1.375M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Beach Villas #3050 5/3 $1.65M.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 15153 Captiva Dr 3/3 now $4,999,500.

1 new sale: 16979 Captiva Dr 7/7.5 listed at $4.9M.

No 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