What is the curfew on Sanibel?

Sanibel City Council voted to change the city's post-Hurricane Ian curfew to 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Prior to Council's action, curfew was 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Copyright 2023 Gulfshore Life Media, LLC All rights reserved.



As of February 2026, there is no general nightly curfew for residents or visitors on Sanibel Island. The strict curfews that were in place following Hurricane Ian in 2022 have long since been lifted as the island’s infrastructure has been fully restored. However, a supportive peer "island rule" to remember: Sanibel has a very strict "Dark Skies" ordinance to protect nesting sea turtles. From May 1st through October 31st, all beachside lights must be turned off or shielded after 9:00 PM. Additionally, while there is no "human" curfew, the island’s public beach parking lots typically close at dusk. If you are found in a beach park after dark, you may be ticketed. For 2026 travelers, the island is very safe and quiet at night, but the "curfew" is essentially enforced by nature; since there are no streetlights (to protect the wildlife), most activity naturally winds down once the sun goes over the Gulf.

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Sanibel Island Beach Club offers plenty to do throughout both the day and the night. After you've had your dinner, you can enjoy a quiet walk on the beach or go for a swim in the resort-quality pool. If you're feeling unusually active and want to burn off your evening meal, there are floodlit sports areas available.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The FEMA 50% rule is a minimum requirement for participation in the NFIP. It limits the cost of improvements (additions, alterations, and/or repairs) to non-conforming structures to less than 50% of the “market value” of structure prior to the start of work.

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The FEMA 50% rule is a minimum requirement for participation in the NFIP. It limits the cost of improvements (additions, alterations, and/or repairs) to non-conforming structures to less than 50% of the “market value” of structure prior to the start of work.

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Though it's smaller than many Florida vacation towns, Sanibel Island has been a place important to many people for generations. With the community's efforts to rebuild, it will continue to be so.

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The City of Sanibel is excited to announce that all public access beach park locations in Sanibel are now open to the public. The city announced on Thursday that the following areas are set to open Friday, June 30: Bayside parking lot at 110 – 153 Periwinkle Way for Lighthouse Beach Park.

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Monday morning marked another reopening after Hurricane Ian. Sanibel Island is now open to anyone who wants to visit. The reopening comes just a day after the tolls on the Sanibel Causeway were reinstated. Sanibel's recovery progress includes 80% of right-of-way debris being removed from the East Periwinkle Way bridge.

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Sanibel Island attracts many people who choose to live year-round. It creates a very distinct and passionate local community, making Sanibel more than a vacation destination.

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On Thursday evening, Sanibel officials said that 200 households reported staying on the island during the storm. Two people were confirmed dead, 14 medically evacuated and another 40 rescued without injury on Thursday.

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Red Tide. At this time, there is no sign of Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tide, in our area.

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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.

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Hurricane Ian destroyed several portions of the Sanibel Causeway, the series of bridges that connects mainland Florida to Sanibel Island — which is home to some 6,500 people and located just south of where the storm made landfall. Officials have characterized the extent of the damage as beyond simple repairs.

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The Sanibel Causeway that once welcomed residents and visitors to the island was also partially destroyed. With no access to the island, residents were left wondering what remained of their properties and hometown. An aerial picture taken on September 30, 2022 shows the collapsed Sanibel Causeway.

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All Sanibel beaches and nearshore waters to one-half mile from shore are protected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Rule 46-26. This rule prohibits the harvest and possession of live shellfish. Sand dollars, sea stars (starfish), and sea urchins are also protected.

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Sanibel is an island and city in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,382 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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