4,000 Miles from Home

Great White Pelican 1

Great White Pelican 2

First published on March 1 by Amy Bennett Williams at the “News-Press”:

4,000 miles from home, rare giant pelican
appears on Sanibel Island

We live on the Nile. The Nile we love.
By night we sleep on the cliffs above;
By day we fish, and at eve we stand
On long bare islands of yellow sand.
 » Read more

See the Largest Shell Show

Sanibel Shell Show

The 79th annual Sanibel Shell Show is unquestionably the largest in the world and a definite must-see! Collect and purchase from a colossal collection of seashells, both common and hard to find, and meet up with seashell lovers and crafters from all over the world. It all takes place at the Community House March 3-5, 2016.

While there is no entrance fee to the grounds, a $5 donation is requested to attend the inside shell show.  » Read more

Practice Makes Perfect

Trumpet practice

Our guests take note of all the comforts of home (and more)–expansive views, a hop, skip and a jump to the beach, complimentary internet, multi-channel HD TV, well-stocked kitchen and lush, comfy beds. And even outdoor practice rooms!

Evan, a high school sophomore, finds a peaceful place to practice his trumpet for an upcoming state competition. The proud grandson of owners, Bob and Judy, he doesn’t miss a beat while vacationing at Ocean’s Reach.  » Read more

It’s HUGE!

BG and Giant Grouper

We love to boast about the fishing off the Sanibel coastline. And last week
our resident fisherman and owner, BG, made us “reel” proud with a catch so
large, it is called the Giant Grouper. Needless to say, it was an
incredible day to fish and then release this protected grouper measuring
about 4 feet long.

The giant grouper has a large mouth and a rounded tail.  » Read more

Stepping Out

BIG ARTS comedy

 

There’s nothing quite like an evening at the Strauss Theater when you’re vacationing on Sanibel. This intimate theater, managed and operated by BIG ARTS, hosts a number of award-winning productions each season, and this year is certainly no exception!

Playing now through March 12th, you won’t want to miss “Stepping Out,” a rollicking good comedy about the attempts of a group of bumbling dance amateurs to overcome not only their inhibitions,  » Read more

Jazzing It Up

Island jazz

Island jazz 2

Island Jazz is well in the swing of their 10th season of fabulous music!

Guests “in the know” pack up their beach chairs and head to the outdoor Boler Garden at BIG ARTS every Sunday afternoon for the free 3pm concerts. (Even if it rains, the show goes on; it simply moves into the covered Gainer Veranda.)

Island Jazz features Harry Reiner and Dick Montgomery on trumpet,  » Read more

Spaghetti for Everyone!

Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner 1

Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner 2

Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner 3

The annual Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner, coming this year on Saturday, Feb. 27, to the Sanibel Community House has been a must-do event for islanders and guests for well over 30 years.

This most scrumptious of island traditions features an all-you-can-eat Italian treat, capped off by the Kiwanis’ acclaimed “secret recipe” spaghetti sauce. Tickets for the dinner — which include pasta,  » Read more

The American Alligator

American alligatorAmerican alligator

American crocodileAmerican crocodile

“Where are the alligators?” is a frequent question fielded by our Guest Services team. For many Ocean’s Reach vacationers, a trip is not complete without a glimpse of an alligator . . . or crocodile!

So where’s the best place to see a gator? Explore the Indigo Trail at the “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. If you’re lucky you’ll see double—an alligator and a crocodile!  » Read more

Fun Fun Fundraiser!

CHR Mardi Gras Party 2. jpg

Fun raiser 1

Fun raiser 2,jpg

Fun raiser 3

Sanibel’s Community Housing and Resources (CHR) raised more than funds at their annual Mardi Gras party on February 6 at the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club. It was a fun-filled event with hundreds of revelers in masquerade enjoying a Bourbon Street parade, New Orleans-themed activities, music and food buffet. The highlight of the festivities was a surprise appearance by the Fort Myers High School Marching Band.  » Read more

Decisions! Decisions!

OR gear 1

Guests are loving the new Retail Kiosk in our recently-renovated office area!

All sorts of Ocean’s Reach goodies are now available in a wide variety of sizes, styles and colors.

The most difficult decision seems which to choose. A comfy cotton tee or laid-back beach cover-up? A classic polo shirt or a more casual long-sleeved tee? Ocean’s Reach caps, bucket hats and beach towels are also now in inventory.  » Read more

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