Thank you for sharing this and not trying to scare away all the visitors. The locals (and some non locals) need to realize that if visitors do not return sooner than later the island will suffer financially
I am so glad and so happy and we are actually going to Sanabel Island in the fall. Can’t wait to get my hands on the sand and the shells. I hope we get a huge turn the main big piles of shells.
These updates are great. I see green stuff growing which is awesome! Looking forward to visiting again in the future to a changed island in some ways but always a peaceful, special place. Your footage is encouraging and positive!
Thank you for the wonderful news and information! Had trip booked at Island Inn for the next two weeks but the building we were staying in (Kimball Lodge) was gutted by flood waters. We will be back next February!
This was THOROUGHLY enjoyable! I haven’t figured out how my 2 tin cans are going to pay for parking yet, but, I’ll figure it out when I get there. Thank you!
I was on Sanibel 2 weeks ago. Beaches were closed for everyone. If you had private access to a beach..you could go on it. I own Shell point access. you were general public...breaking the law. There were so many dead fish and I spent all day dragging storm debris out of the water.
I will be visiting in May from Scotland. Should have been staying at Seashells of Sanibel, but will be staying on main land. If you find out how visitors from over seas can pay for parking can you post it .thanks
I’m a Florida native. I live in North Central FL about 2 hrs from Tampa Bay, & I’ve never been to the barrier islands. They’re so beautiful but Ian destroyed the islands & part of the west coast. It’s going to take a while to get these places back. I never stay at the beach that long so $5 parking an hour isn’t scaring me, if you’ve ever been to Daytona during a race now that’s highway robbery with parking lol They have to make back money to help these places recover.
@@artlife6210 that’s what my parents are saying also. They have a place on the gulf side east gulf drive. I am about to go get a magnetic sweep from harbor freight and do their property as I am in town right now. Thankfully I have now confirmed Sanibel is using some machine on the beaches to filter the sand. When they were boating they have even seen some cars sticking out of the water. Crazy
@@MrNiceGuy500 its a real shame theres no way they can get it all, metal yes but there is a lot of glass which often cant be seen hopefully they find a way to clean it up, maybe dredging and replacing it even. Decades ago after Elena in Indian Rocks Beach we were finding sharp debris and glass for years around where the IRB pier disintegrated during that storm. Be safe and careful!🙂
The causeway is a construction zone so none of the beaches are open unfortunately. The beaches before the toll booth are open. We’ve seen lots of people setting up there.
Still looks like a bomb went off. The trees aren’t recovering like I thought they would. Remain positive but we also need to be realistic. 😢 we should be able to visit the barrier islands, but not inhabit them.
$5 an hour to park? Before Ian was $4 an hour.Hmmmm, I know you have a large job on your hands and need to fund it.But $5 an hour isn't really a welcoming price..Love the Island and still plan on going back..many memories...
@@TheSanibelCaptivaGuide Down near the Bailey Tract in Tarpon bay area. They have a 5 story tower built looking over it. Yes I have pictures from a distance
Thank you for sharing this and not trying to scare away all the visitors. The locals (and some non locals) need to realize that if visitors do not return sooner than later the island will suffer financially
Wholeheartedly agree!
I am so glad and so happy and we are actually going to Sanabel Island in the fall. Can’t wait to get my hands on the sand and the shells. I hope we get a huge turn the main big piles of shells.
I've loved Sanibel for 20 years... thank you for bringing me on your drive... I can't wait to walk the beaches again
Our pleasure!
Wow, it looks better than I expected! Thank you for showing us the parking areas and progress being made. Beautiful footage!
Our pleasure!
These updates are great. I see green stuff growing which is awesome! Looking forward to visiting again in the future to a changed island in some ways but always a peaceful, special place. Your footage is encouraging and positive!
Thank you! Hope you get to visit soon!
I just watched your NYD video today. What a huge difference! Thank you for sharing one of my favorite places!
You are so welcome.
Thank you for the wonderful news and information! Had trip booked at Island Inn for the next two weeks but the building we were staying in (Kimball Lodge) was gutted by flood waters. We will be back next February!
Counting on it! 😀
So glad a few beaches are open! I was there 2 yrs ago. Can’t wait to go back BUT will give it a couple more years.
Sanibel and Captiva will be waiting for you!
Nice video! We visited there in 2021 and loved it. Considering all of the damage, everything looks very nice!👍👍
Can't wait to come back. Love this area
Thank you for sharing the progress towards restoration from the devastation of Hurricane Ian in late September 2022.
You are so welcome!
Thanks for driving out to Wulfert Point! 🍍
Love the drive out there!
This was THOROUGHLY enjoyable! I haven’t figured out how my 2 tin cans are going to pay for parking yet, but, I’ll figure it out when I get there. Thank you!
That gave us a good laugh!
I’m glad! Mission accomplished!
Thank you for sharing this footage. Hopefully we can visit again my favorite Florida beaches.
I hope so too!
Thank you! Appreciate the update!❤️❤️❤️
You are so welcome
How is Shell Harbor parking area? It's in between Sanibel Inn and Tortuga for people who live on the canals in Shell Harbor.
We will check it out for you!
Thanks for the video !!
Welcome!
I was on Sanibel 2 weeks ago. Beaches were closed for everyone. If you had private access to a beach..you could go on it. I own Shell point access. you were general public...breaking the law. There were so many dead fish and I spent all day dragging storm debris out of the water.
Blind Pass Beach access and Tarpon Bay Beach access opened on Saturday February 4th. We were absolutely not breaking the law.
thanks for the update!
You bet!
oh my God.. I have to go back to Sanibel.. the shelling...
Thank you for this!
Glad it was helpful!
Great updates guys! When do you think it’d be safe to swim in the water?
Thanks & good question! We really wish we knew the answer.
Hi, Why isn’t the water safe for bathing? Aren’t the beaches that are declared as open by definition safe for bathing?
@@huuuubert Red Tide
I will be visiting in May from Scotland. Should have been staying at Seashells of Sanibel, but will be staying on main land. If you find out how visitors from over seas can pay for parking can you post it .thanks
Will do! We are curious as well!
I’m a Florida native. I live in North Central FL about 2 hrs from Tampa Bay, & I’ve never been to the barrier islands. They’re so beautiful but Ian destroyed the islands & part of the west coast. It’s going to take a while to get these places back. I never stay at the beach that long so $5 parking an hour isn’t scaring me, if you’ve ever been to Daytona during a race now that’s highway robbery with parking lol They have to make back money to help these places recover.
Yes the city took immaculate care of the parking lots and amenities and used the parking fees to do so. Hope you get to visit some time.
$5 an hour parking by the beach …. Ridiculous….highway robbery!
Go elsewhere.
Has anyone seen She sells sea shells store? Can you show them, please.
Thank you
Yes the store is standing but is gutted on the inside.
@The Sanibel Captiva Guide
Thank you so much.
I was worried about the ladies,staff there.
Sending continuous prayers
Is there gonna be nails and other building materials mixed in with the sand?? Maybe we need more of those metal detector guys
To be honest we didn’t see any but it’s not to say their isn’t any debris hidden. Good idea about the metal detectors!
yes, its under the sand, lots of it, just walk carefully and wade very carefully
@@artlife6210 that’s what my parents are saying also. They have a place on the gulf side east gulf drive. I am about to go get a magnetic sweep from harbor freight and do their property as I am in town right now. Thankfully I have now confirmed Sanibel is using some machine on the beaches to filter the sand. When they were boating they have even seen some cars sticking out of the water. Crazy
@@MrNiceGuy500 its a real shame theres no way they can get it all, metal yes but there is a lot of glass which often cant be seen hopefully they find a way to clean it up, maybe dredging and replacing it even.
Decades ago after Elena in Indian Rocks Beach we were finding sharp debris and glass for years around where the IRB pier disintegrated during that storm. Be safe and careful!🙂
What about the beaches by the bridge??
The causeway is a construction zone so none of the beaches are open unfortunately. The beaches before the toll booth are open. We’ve seen lots of people setting up there.
How about bicycles in the parking areas?
Yes there were bicycle racks at the accesses
Do the bikes need a special pass?
@@leanneprimrose-brown7728 no pass needed.
Is there a cost to park bicycles? Is bicycle parking available for the more restricted a/b lots?
No cost to park and bikes are allowed to park :)
Is there still a red tide in the ocean here?
how many died on Sanibel during the hurricane and were they all found
I believe 2 died and were found
Driving fast thru residential area !
No certainly not.
Y'all need to slow down the speed, it's making me sea sick, er car sick. Great update, sad to see it now. I saw it in June 2021 thankfully before Ian.
Still looks like a bomb went off. The trees aren’t recovering like I thought they would. Remain positive but we also need to be realistic. 😢 we should be able to visit the barrier islands, but not inhabit them.
So sad the Lazy Flamingo is 🥲gone. No more Terri hot wings🥴
I’m sure they will be back! You can still go to their other locations in Bokeelia and Fort Myers
@@TheSanibelCaptivaGuide i heard they’re not rebuilding
Everyone is going to have to rethink how they want to live now when it comes to surviving a Hurricane
Not good system for tourists that don’t have a data plan… 🤔🥴🤨
…and seconds later you said exactly that 😂👍
Great minds think alike!
$5 an hour to park? Before Ian was $4 an hour.Hmmmm, I know you have a large job on your hands and need to fund it.But $5 an hour isn't really a welcoming price..Love the Island and still plan on going back..many memories...
It has actually been $5.00 an hour for quite some time. A few years.
@@TheSanibelCaptivaGuide This is true
😇
Go by bicycle or have someone drop you off and pick you up to avoid parking fees.
Handicapped parking?
Yes there are free handicap spots.
Baileys was a smelly mess with piles of debris. Near Tarpon Bay was a 5 story high pile of debris. You people ignore laws
I’m not sure where you saw debris piled 50 feet in the air. Do you have a photograph?
@@TheSanibelCaptivaGuide Down near the Bailey Tract in Tarpon bay area. They have a 5 story tower built looking over it. Yes I have pictures from a distance
Looking good. Another year wouldn't be unreasonable.
We agree!
Ride a bicycle and dont pay for anything
That’s the way!
there is no color at all on Sanibel Island, and not pretty at all
Yes we are waiting for Mother Nature to work her colorful magic!