Although the islands remain sundered, things are a bit quieter now. Today the southern island, still known as Captiva, is a beautiful and pricey tourist destination reachable by car over a causeway from the mainland near Fort Myers.
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Most homes on Sanibel and Captiva islands are still standing, but appear to have sustained some form of roof damage, in addition to certain storm surge and flooding damage. Near the Casa Ybel Beach Resort, large scars in the sands are seen – the surge eroded much of the beach and dunes.
It has been one year since Hurricane Ian brought the islands to a halt with its devastating damage and the recovery of the Sanibel-Captiva business community has been a slow one — but it is returning. Before the storm hit on Sept. 28, 2022, the SanCap Chamber had an active membership of over 540 businesses.
Note that Sanibel Island sustained significant damage in September 2022 as a result of Hurricane Ian. Though the island is open to the public as of January 2023, local officials are warning visitors that much of the island's attractions and businesses remain closed.
The great news is that many of our favorite Sanibel beaches are now open and ready for visitors! Here's what you need to know about which Sanibel beaches are open.
Yes!'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva Island is open to the public and you can drive across the Sanibel Causeway or arrive by boat to the resort.
At least 13 beaches in the Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva area are already open, and two more parts of Fort Myers Beach are expected to open this month, Bowditch Point Park and Crescent Beach Family Park. We're getting there, Visit Florida CEO Dana Young said about the area's recovery.
Located off the Gulf of Mexico at 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, The Mucky Duck has been shut down since Sept.28, when the Category 4 hurricane wiped out power to the island and devastated much of it. Somehow, the restaurant was spared from any major damage. “To me, it's a miracle,” Bieri said.
A little more than four months after Hurricane Ian devastated the Southwest Florida coastline, this is all that remains of the Lazy Flamingo and Sunset Grill, two popular restaurants at the north end of Sanibel Island, Florida.
By consensus, the Sanibel City Council supported the decision to end the requirement for reentry passes on January 2, 2023. The City of Sanibel asks that non-residents respect and understand the fact that Sanibel is still actively working to recover from Hurricane Ian.
Sanibel Causeway reopens after being damaged by Hurricane Ian. SANIBEL, Fla. — The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced.
There are no travel restrictions in place. If that changes, we will alert businesses as to the requirements for essential employees. Are the beaches closed? Beaches on Marco Island are open.
General Access to the Sanibel Island Causeway/BridgeThe Sanibel Island Bridge is open to the public and accessible to all visitors who wish to explore the island's wonders. Whether you are planning a day trip or an extended stay, you can traverse the bridge without any restrictions.