Islanders persevered through another couple of chilly mornings this week, while blue skies and sunshine prevailed. It is expected to hit 80 today, but daytimes in the 70’s also are appreciated. The forecast calls for much of the same weather over the weekend, before Sanibel winter returns with predictions for days in the 60’s/nights in the 40’s next week from Tuesday through next weekend.

It is still a good time for visitors to come, particularly those from states bracing for the big winter storm that is expected to cover much of the U.S. with ice and snow this weekend. Those forecasts keep changing, with projections spreading far and serious. We wish those residents warmth and safety, as we continue to be grateful for winter life in Florida where our snow joy in from seeing a snowy egret!

Busiest Start to Sanibel Season Since Hurricane Ian

This week, the City posted the following by article by ABC’s Gulf Coast News Now:

“More than three years after Hurricane Ian, Sanibel Island is seeing a surge of tourists, a jump in beach revenue and fewer contractor trucks on the roads.

“On Tuesday, a major milestone was marked by the reopening of the historic Anchor Inn on Periwinkle Way. The inn’s A-frame cottages, originally built in the 1950s, have been restored and raised for flood protection. The owners say the original charm stayed. “We kept the bones of, like, every single building,” said owner Erica Markham. “The only thing we added was the dormer windows. So we cut out a staircase. It’s safer.”

“Markham says hundreds of people messaged her during the renovation, and some even shed tears, thankful the old Anchor Inn would live on. “This island is thriving right now, and I think a lot of people don’t know that.” she said. “Lots of businesses have renovated what they had before. Restaurants are open and running.”

“According to the Chamber of Commerce, 74% of the island’s hotel rooms are back, and many are booked. Beach parking revenue and museum attendance are both breaking records. “Compared to last season? A lot less construction, a lot more tourism,” said Chamber President John Lai.

“Longtime Sanibel resident and business owner Billy Kirkland has run Billy’s Bike Rentals for decades. He says this has been the busiest season since Ian, with numbers up 60% over the holidays. “We’re probably down about 40% from pre-Ian,” Kirkland said. “You gotta have patience. We will come back bigger and better than we ever were. Staffing remains a challenge, with fewer affordable places to live on the island. Buying new equipment, trying to find new employees. So if you’re looking for a job, I’d love to have you here with us,” Kirkland said.

Gramma Dot’s

“And while many favorites are back, some staples on Sanibel or Captiva, like the Mucky Duck, are still closed. Insurance delays and building complications have slowed down repairs for others.

“Still, restaurants like Gramma Dot’s are seeing lines out the door at lunchtime, and gift shops and beaches have busy parking lots. Tourism officials say there’s new energy here, and they’re hoping the island keeps welcoming back more visitors, all the way into summer. “84% of our businesses are reopened outside of the hospitality industry. So we’re very excited about that,” said Lai. “The momentum — it’s not just an emotion. It’s something that you can almost tangibly feel.””

Ribbon-Cuttings

In addition to the recent ribbon-cutting at the Anchor Inn & Cottages at 1245 Periwinkle Way, there was one at a new business at The Sanibel Marina.

Flying Bridge – at 634 North Yachtsman Dr had their Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting. Offering boat sales, boat services, rentals, and boat club memberships, this is their first opening in SW Florida with plans to also open in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. They began in New England (Cape Cod). Check um out at www.FlyingBridgeSanibel.com.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

There was a West-End Caravan meeting yesterday with 10 properties open for easy viewing after the meeting. Next Thursday an East-End Caravan meeting is scheduled.

2026 Economic Summit – The Islands Association of Realtors is proud to bring long-admired national speaker, Dr Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors Chief Economist, to Sanibel. He will be at The Community House on Thursday, February 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. discussing national, state, and local economic factors impacting the housing market in 2026 and beyond. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please RSVP at https://www.sanibelrealtors.com/econ-summit/

Island Real Estate Scoop

Looking at residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS, since last Friday, there have been 10 new sales: 8 Sanibel homes, a Sanibel lot, and a Captiva condo. Sorry to report that there were no Sanibel condo sales.

During the same time, there also were 20 new listings and 23 price changes.

Sanibel inventory is up to 19+months of condos, 6+months of homes, and 10+months of l On Captiva, there are 9+months of condo inventory, 2+years of homes, and with no lot sales in 5+ years, next sales are a guess.

On the commercial side, the 1.21 acres at 1625 Periwinkle Way (former location of Sweet Melissa’s Café) is on the market for $2.95M.

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 & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Jan 16-23

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #142 1/1 $425K, Sand Pointe #222 2/2 $899K, Pointe Santo #B6 2/2 $950K, Tantara #101 3/2 $1.4M.

7 price changes: Spanish Cay #D5 2/2 now $499K, Sandalfoot #1B3 1/1 now $575K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #B302 2/2 now $699K, Sayana #102 2/2 now $849K, Sanibel Surfside #113 2/2 now $875K, Sanddollar #B303 3/2 now $1.445M, Atrium #207 2/2 now $1.68M.

No new or closed sales:

HOMES

11 new listings: 1866 Ibis Ln 2/2 $625K, 1890 Farm Tr 3/2 $729K, 966 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $769K, 1379 Albatross Rd 3/2.5 $1.149M, 1056 South Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $1.15M, 2548 Wulfert Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/3.5 $1.295M, 1401 Sand Castle Rd 4/5 $1.399M, 6407 Pine Ave 3/2 $1.879M, 1160 Buttonwood Ln 4/3.5 $1.925M, 819 Tulip Ln 5/4 $2.595M, 1212 Isabel Rd 3/3 $3.195M.

14 price changes: 1611 Sand Castle Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/3.5 now $625K, 1142 Shell Basket Ln 3/2 now $648K, 838/840 Rabbit Rd (duplex) 4/2 now $699K, 771 Rabbit Rd (1/2 duplex) 2/2 now $699K, 2011 Mitzi Ln 2/2 now $775K, 1730 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 now $799K, Moonshadows #1A 3/3 now $909K, 700 Nerita St 3/2 now $999K, 3284 Twin Lakes Ln 4/4 now $1.095M, 1293 Par View Dr 3/3 now $1.195M, 1490 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $1.25M, 5425 Shearwater Dr (1/2 duplex) 3/2.5 now $1.295M, 241 Violet Dr 3/2.5 now $1.385M, 1159 Junonia St 3/3 now $1.695M.

8 new sales: 5869 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 listed at $750K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $984K, 755 Pen Shell Dr 3/2 listed at $1.15M, 284 Ferry Landing Dr 3/2.5 listed at $1.245M, 454 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 listed at $1.499M, 788 Birdie View Pt 3/3 listed at $1.749M, 519 Kinzie Island Ct 4/3.5 listed at $2.195M, 3615 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 listed at $12.5M.

3 closed sales: 3311 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 $777,257; 355 East Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.035M, 5071 Joewood Dr 4/5.5.5 $4.5M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 1331 Par View Dr $465K, 3304 St Kilda Rd $599K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 2453 Wulfert Rd listed at $375K.

No closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

2 new listings: Lands End Village #1647 2/2 $1.5M, Beach Homes #6 3/3 $2.995M.

2 price changes: 1606 Lands End Village 3/3 now $2.6M, Beach Homes #19 3/3 now $4.9M.

1 new sale: Lands End Village #1655 2/2 listed at $1.25M.

1 closed sale: Bayside Villas #40 3/3 $935K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16632 Captiva Dr 5/4 $5.95M.

No price changes, 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.

Another snowy egret photo taken by Scott in 2016. We love when he shares his pix.

Stay warm & enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan