Hurricane Ian Damage at the Blue Dolphin on Sanibel Island + Guest Memories

One year ago, Hurricane Ian peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 160 mph early on September 28, 2022 while progressing towards the west coast of Florida, and made landfall just below peak intensity in Southwest Florida.
The Blue Dolphin was taken by the storm.
This is video from the days immediately after the storm. The Blue Dolphin team continues working diligently, every day, on their rebuild journey - and they have made a good deal of progress since the time when this video footage was taken back in last September and October.
The ownership and management team at the Blue Dolphin recently stated:
"We are rebuilding the Blue Dolphin. We are going to keep the legacy of this hospitality destination alive and build back this landmark property into the most enchanting shoreline hideaway Sanibel has ever seen.
Progress is being made every day against the process of completely rebuilding a circa 1958 property (located in what has since been zoned a residential neighborhood) to new (and very different) building codes and design/resilience standards.
As everyone going through similar circumstances on Sanibel is experiencing, the multiple rounds of civil engineering / surveying / architecture / permitting / bidding all run on their own independent timelines. We’re doing the only things we can do to push through it. Answer every email and phone call. Attend every meeting. Respond to every question. Hire every professional we need to help us. Push for every answer. Make every necessary decision. Continue to put one foot in front of the other every single day.
We are very close to being able to share some detailed renderings of what the newly-rebuilt Blue Dolphin will look like - and we definitely will, just as soon as we have received all final approvals.
We have been asked if the rebuilt Blue Dolphin will look the same as it did in the past. The truth is, rebuilding ground-level beach cottages is not something that is possible given Sanibel’s updated building codes. We have had to change the form factor, as everyone will see when we are able to share an approved set of renderings.
What we can currently share is that Blue Dolphin guests will be able to expect a relaxing tropical hideaway, with an emphasis on amazing beachfront views.
Many of you have already met Charlene M. Taubert, the GM of the Blue Dolphin who took over management of the property in May of 2022, shortly after the property changed hands. Charlene is a seasoned hospitality professional, with over 20 years experience in running well-regarded properties in cherished destination communities, and her timeless and unobtrusive approach to accommodations and guest relations will serve as the perfect backdrop for beach memories, creative retreats, special moments, and well-deserved romantic getaways by the Gulf of Mexico.
We firmly have our eyes on a very bright future, while continuing to honor the past. We look forward to opening a whole new chapter for the Blue Dolphin.
This property has been here since before the Sanibel Causeway was even built. We intend for it to continue being here long after the Sanibel Causeway has been newly rebuilt. And we want you on this journey with us.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Charlene M. Taubert at 239-472-1600 or [e-mail]."
FOLLOW THE BLUE DOLPHIN REBUILD JOURNEY: bluedolphinsan...

[@victoriaanthony4105]

Powerful. We're coming back.

[@michaeljakubson2494]

love sanibel! thank you!!!!!!!!!

[@curtislee1954]

The people will return and the Blue Dolphin will be as beautiful as it once was. Blessings to everyone.

[@SpecialK711]

You've captured the very essence of it all ❤ 🏖🌞

[@reddoor4167]

Precious memories. Thank you for sharing! ❤‍🩹

[@jennifercrawford7894]

My favorite place of all places I've visited. I can't wait to come back. #bluedolphinstrong

[@williamskk1]

Well done video with much hope for the future. Good Luck!

[@drumphil7]

It’s such a special place. I can’t wait to go back!