In a Flip-Flop State of Mind.

The historic Captiva Chapel by the Sea will hold its annual Community Carol Sing tonight beginning at 6 p.m.  

The program includes many seasonal favorites, of both sacred and popular selections.  Voices from the BIG ARTS Community Chorus will sing and lead in the festivities, and local favorite Johnny Jensen will play upbeat Christmas themes again this year.  Pastor John Cedarleaf will preside.  

All are welcome to attend!   » Read more

Climb into your imaginary sleigh and ride along with Lee County’s professional orchestra as they celebrate the sounds of Christmas in Paradise!

Join the Southwest Florida Symphony orchestra, guest conductor Dr. Trent Brown, and the entire Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida for their family-friendly Holiday Pops program tonight at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, starting at 7:30 p.m.

For tickets and more information,  » Read more

You never know what type of unexpected treasure you’ll find on your vacation to Ocean’s Reach!  We love hearing from guests who go home with that extra-special souvenir.

Greetings,

I found this Scotch Bonnet in the water off the beach at Ocean’s Reach.  I didn’t know what it was.  I had to look it up.  In all my trips here and all the shells I’ve found,  » Read more

It’s finally here!

Considered by many islanders as their favorite event of the year, the 34th Annual Luminary Festival takes place on Friday, Dec. 7, on Sanibel Island and on Saturday, Dec. 8 on Captiva Island from 5:30 – 9pm each evening.

As you “stroll the trail” — beautifully lit by miles of luminaries — stop along the way to enjoy holiday shopping and complimentary hors d’ouevres and refreshments by our island retailers and restaurateurs.   » Read more

These holiday ornaments turned out abshellutely exquisite!

Many thanks to guest Pat F. from Montgomery, IL who shared:

“I made these angels from shells I collected from the beach at Ocean’s Reach.

They are now ready to go on my friends’ trees for the holiday.

My daughter and I loved every minute of our vacation and hope to return soon!”        » Read more

What a way to end your stay!

Guest Sherry T. from Glen Carbon, IL found a perfect 3 1/2 inch beautifully colored Junonia and a lovely Murex at Algiers Beach, right next door to Ocean’s Reach, on the last morning of her stay.

She was still shaking at checkout time she was so thrilled and excited.

The perfect ending for a great stay —  » Read more

Photo from the Islander

This little guy definitely had the Monday blues when he got himself into quite a predicament last month.

Officials from C.R.O.W. (our Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) reported that the male raccoon had gotten his head stuck in a soup can when he was brought in from North Fort Myers on November 12.

According to our friends at the Sanibel-Captiva Islander,  » Read more

Just in time for the holidays, our beautiful Hong Kong Orchid tree has come into full bloom!

Combined with the twinkling nighttime lights, it adds another element of enchantment for our holiday guests!  There isn’t a more beautiful place to be this time of year.

The Hong Kong Orchid, adjacent to our croquet lawn, will stay in bloom until February.  Come discover for yourself why our guests love the landscaping features of Ocean’s Reach!  » Read more

Just in time for holiday shopping, Cheeburger Cheeburger has opened a new location at the Sanibel Outlets.

A longtime island hot spot — the popular 1950s style restaurant chain actually got its start on Sanibel in 1986 — Cheeburger Cheeburger specializes in delicious cheeseburgers (of course!), along with french fries, onion rings and awesome milkshakes in a fun retro diner atmosphere.

To celebrate their new location,  » Read more

BIG ARTS will feature “Art Vibe: A Free Celebration of Art, Food and Music” on Dec. 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The free event, which will feature live music by the Kate Skales Band in the Boler Garden, will serve as the opening night reception for two fine art exhibits: “Altered Realties” and “Handmade: the Art of Ceramics.”

In the Phillips Gallery,  » Read more