Month: June 2020

“One cannot collect all the beautiful seashells on the beach;

one can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.”

— Anne Morrow Lindbergh  » Read more

Thanks so much to guest Misty S. from Kipling, OH for this incredibly gorgeous photo!

She writes:

“Just wanted to share this pic of a beautiful sunrise I took from the 4th floor balcony last October.  We LOVE Ocean’s Reach!  Sanibel is my serenity.    Hope to see you again this year!  Stay healthy and stay safe!”  » Read more

As our friends at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce say, “We’re Ready When You Are!”

Ocean’s Reach is just one of the many island businesses to commit to being “San Cap Safe” with new health and safety precautions designed to make your next visit to Sanibel a safe, clean and relaxing one!

Here’s a delightful new video reminding you about what’s waiting at your favorite vacation destination just as soon as you’re ready to travel again:

   » Read more

You’ve probably heard of towns and cities with funny names in Florida like Yeehaw Junction or Weeki Wachee, but what about New York, Bagdad or even Fluffy Landing?

Here’s a list of some other places in Florida with names that might elicit a giggle or two.  Can you think of any more?

Needmore, FL

Okahumpa, FL

Briny Breezes, FL

Dinner Island,  » Read more

One of the theories that has long swirled about in the scientific community is that female sea turtles may mate with multiple male sea turtles for “fertilization insurance.”  Leave it to Sanibel Island females to add a little mystery into the mix!

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University, published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, provides insight into the relative numbers of males present in the breeding population;  » Read more

Photo from The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel

In our age of seemingly inescapable light pollution, another must-visit for serious stargazing is Boca Grande’s Gasparilla Island State Park.

The centerpiece of the park is the restored Port Boca Grande Lighthouse built in 1890, but it’s also a wonderful place for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and nature study.

At the end of the day,  » Read more

Photo from The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel

Our friends at The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel have come up with this “two-fer” suggestion for unique Farm to Table Touring:

Stop one: Echo Global Farm, whose mission is to reduce hunger and help small-scale farmers worldwide. On the guided walking tour, you’ll see models of efficient farming methods that (among other things) will likely leave you hungry.  » Read more

Photo from Randell Research Center

Part of the Florida Museum of Natural History, Pine Island’s Randell Research Center is worth visiting for the natural backdrop alone.

Situated on the scenic western shore of historic Pine Island, the Randell Research Center encompasses 67 acres at the heart of the Pineland archaeological site, a massive Calusa shell mound site extending across more than 100 acres from the mangrove coastline.  » Read more

Photo from The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel

Estero Bay was the state’s first aquatic preserve more than 50 years ago, and its pristine waters are just as beautiful today.

Our local tourism bureau calls it a place where you have have a bit of both adventure and recreation along the Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail, and boasts its following highlights:

Cultural and historical spots: It will take several paddling trips to cover these historic places.  » Read more

Photo from The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel

Now that Southwest Florida is cautiously reopening attractions around the area, this week we thought we’d bring you a few “off the beaten path” ideas for your next visit to Ocean’s Reach.

As much as we love to stay on this side of the causeway, local wildlife watching isn’t limited to just Sanibel Island.  » Read more