Month: June 2020

Did you know …

Sunscreen was originally patented by Floridian Benjamin Green in 1944 to protect WWII airmen from intense sun exposure in the Pacific.  His sticky red goo (a mixture of cocoa butter and red veterinary petroleum) eventually became Coppertone!  » Read more

Photo found on Pinterest

On Sanibel Island, Mother Nature frequently takes our breath away.  Turns out she does the same halfway around the world, too.

In Australia, recent drone footage captured images of 64,000 green turtles coming ashore in Far North Queensland to lay eggs.

The green sea turtles are shown coming ashore on Raine Island,  » Read more

Lisa showing off our new “Sea Turtle Friendly” certification!

Ocean’s Reach guests know that we are dedicated when it comes to protecting our island’s sea turtles.  We’ve just taken another big step forward to continue to be at the forefront when it comes to conservation efforts.

Working with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, we have just completed retrofitting more than 40 lights around the property to reduce the negative impact of lights on sea turtles.  » Read more

Many thanks to our friends at the Santiva Chronicle for this delightful article by Barbara Joy Cooley:

The beautiful place on Sanibel Island called Dinkins Bayou is named for a little man who lived a big life.

Josiah Jackson Dinkins was born in 1849 and grew up in the “Magnolia Midlands” region, in Tattnall County, Georgia, the son of Martha and Joshia Jenkins.  » Read more

As we all know, lockdown restrictions this year have prevented the congratulatory ceremonies that our high school and college graduates so richly deserve.

While many have enjoyed virtual graduations, some students in Florida were treated to a “cool” adrenaline-filled ceremony that will no doubt prove unforgettable.  The young graduates from Somerset Island Prep charter high school in Key West recently collected their diplomas on jet skis!  » Read more

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) AWC Visitor Education Center re-opens to the public today after being closed for two months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of new safety measures are being implemented to protect visitors, staff and the Animal Ambassadors featured in the Visitor Center. Detailed information can be found here.  Note that all staff and visitors will be required to wear face masks.  » Read more

We have to agree with “The Points Guy” who recently published the following on the very popular travel site:

Every state lays claim to certain culinary specialties, and Florida is no different. If your mind goes straight to Southern comfort foods like barbecued meat, grits, fried fritters and Key lime pie, you have your pulse on the foods locals love to make at home and order when dining out.  » Read more

Photo of the Midpoint Bridge in Fort Myers from Florida Weekly

“Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second.”

— Mattie Stepanek  » Read more

We love how this article from earlier this year in the National Post begins:

“The area is known as The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel – even though Thomas Edison’s famous winter home, in the city of Fort Myers, is one of its top historical attractions. But the name is no mystery, because even the most lavish and historic house can’t compare to the beauty visitors see when they reach the beaches themselves.  » Read more

Like many island businesses, Sanibel Skin Spa has re-opened and looks forward to welcoming back guests.  In addition to an undoubtedly much-needed massage, why don’t you check out their intriguingly-named “Sanibel Salt Cave” on your next visit to Ocean’s Reach?

Himalayan Salt Caves are a proven natural therapeutic healing breathing treatment that helps with a wide range of respiratory conditions,  » Read more