Month: June 2021

Next time you’re visiting our area, you may want to put the new Welcome and Discovery Center at Lovers Key State Park on your “Must Do” list!

The recently-unveiled $5.7 million structure is just a short walk from the popular Lovers Key beach tram station.  Outside, the building features pillars designed to model mangrove roots, a 400-gallon touch tank and glass walls that open to large observation decks.  » Read more

Longtime guest Robert Y. from Cincinnati, OH ended up with a ridiculously awesome collection of sought-after shells on his most recent visit here!

His sensational “shellpourri” came right from our Ocean’s Reach beach.

Can you spot what takes center stage?  Yes sirree, a prized Junonia, in perfect condition!

(Yours truly is still waiting to find hers, 24 years and counting…)

   » Read more

On Sanibel Island, we’re all about discovering nature!

At the onset of the pandemic lockdown in 2020, the Ding Darling Wildlife Society and Refuge staff quickly pivoted to keep “Ding” Darling Refuge fans engaged and learning about nature.  They created the #DingatHome web page and virtual experiences five days a week on Facebook Live, both of which we’ve featured previously on our blog.

We thought we’d circle back around to see what’s new.   » Read more

Here’s a one-of-a-kind webcam for you!

Our friends over at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum have come up with the (first ever?) “OctoCam” for a live-stream view of their newest star attraction, the Giant Pacific Octopus.

For anyone who wonders how this eight armed wonder eats, plays and lives in its environment, the OctoCam live-stream enables viewers to see the Giant Pacific Octopus in its aquarium in real-time.   » Read more

“An Essay on Bearing Defeat Without Losing the Passion” journals Anthony Vandenberg’s valiant attempt to complete the 2021 WaterTribe Everglades Challenge.

The veteran marathon windsurfer will have to wait for 2022 to try and finish the 300-nautical-mile sailing adventure along the Florida Gulf coastline.

The Everglades Challenge is an extreme adventure that dares participants to make it from Tampa Bay to Key Largo in eight days or less.  » Read more

Photo from the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau

A handful of shells

and a head full of dreams 

   » Read more

“Just as the sun rises,

a fresh start begins. 

We all have a choice. 

Will you make the best of it?”

– Jacqueline Cooper

   » Read more

One of our area’s most visited parks for both locals and visitors, Lakes Regional Park is known for its 300 acres of gorgeous lakes, preserve areas, gardens and recreational features.

Amenities for families to enjoy include the new Children’s Garden, playgrounds, water features, nature trails, botanic gardens and lakeside picnic areas.  Wheel Fun offers all types of bike rentals to travel the park.  Kayak and paddle boat rentals are available to explore the lakes and get a close-up view of the abundant bird population.  » Read more

Check out this News-Press article featuring Tipsy Turtle, the restaurant which currently occupies the Periwinkle Way space that housed The Jacaranda — longtime island dining institution — for decades.

Happily, the article states that “from The Jacaranda to The Jac to Tipsy Turtle, a longtime Sanibel restaurant space has found a thriving new tenant”!

The article continues, “Tipsy Turtle’s food matches its island theme with tropical favorites such as crab cakes,  » Read more

Travel poster from Amazon.com

Are you ready to do absolutely nothing?

If so, the serenity of Sanibel awaits.  Just click here!

   » Read more