Frequently Asked Questions
PAYMENT POLICY: A $600 deposit is required to confirm your reservation, along with a $50 non-refundable processing charge. This initial payment of $650 is taken at the time of booking your reservation. Final payment for your remaining balance is due no later than 60 days prior to your arrival. (Full payment is required at the time of booking your reservation if your arrival date is within 60 days.) Reservations not paid in full by 60 days prior to arrival are subject to cancellation. Deposits and payments can be tendered with cash, U.S. check, Mastercard, Visa or Discover card. Payments may be made online through the secure Ocean’s Reach Guest Portal near the bottom of each web page or by calling our Guest Services office at 800-336-6722.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: If your reservation is cancelled at least 60 days or more before your arrival date, all monies paid to Ocean’s Reach for the rental will be fully refunded, with the exception of the $50 non-refundable processing charge plus tax. If your reservation is cancelled within 60 days of your arrival date, our cancellation policy allows for a refund only if the reserved condo can subsequently be re-booked; monies refunded will be equivalent to the re-rental rate for the unit, including potential discounts. The processing charge cannot be waived and is not refundable at any time. Refunds are issued by Ocean’s Reach via check or credit card within three (3) days of the reservation cancellation or re-booking of the unit.
To avoid loss of monies, we strongly encourage purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance can protect your vacation investment against unanticipated events. For information on optional travel insurance available through CSA Generali Travel Protection, click here.
Regarding severe weather conditions, please note that Ocean’s Reach will refund monies only in the event of a mandatory island evacuation. Should the City of Sanibel issue a mandatory evacuation, Ocean’s Reach will refund rentals paid proportionally.
Ocean’s Reach is not responsible for trip cancellation or disruption due to severe weather, natural disasters, environmental conditions such as red tide, or any other occurrences beyond the control of the Association, including impacts from COVID-19. No rate adjustments will be made.
We want to do everything possible to make your trip enjoyable and worry free. Because the unforeseen and unexpected can occur, however, we strongly recommend that you safeguard your vacation investment by purchasing travel insurance through CSA Generali’s Guest Protect Plan. CSA Generali travel insurance, available for 7.65% of your rental fee plus tax, covers an assortment of unforeseen circumstances that may cause a cancellation or early departure. CSA Generali travel insurance can be purchased at any time up until your final payment by calling Guest Services at 800-336-6722.
CSA Generali offers a 10-day “Free Look” in which you can cancel your policy and receive a full refund within ten days of purchase (after that point in time, travel insurance is non-refundable). If you elect to decline this coverage, you do so fully understanding our cancellation policy.
At Ocean’s Reach, there are no hidden costs or surprise fees. For example, parking and cleaning costs are included in your rental fee, as well as all resort amenities, condo linens and supplies. Replenishment supplies are provided on a complimentary basis. We provide one housekeeping service, completed prior to your arrival; should you be interested in additional cleaning services, we can put you in touch with our housekeeping company and applicable charges would be discussed directly with them. A non-refundable $50 processing fee is charged at the time of your reservation. Tax is charged at 11.5% of your quoted rental rate (6.5% state tax + 5% county tax).
Plan for sunshine! Bring your bathing suits and sunscreen, plus casual attire for island shopping and dining. Shorts, sundresses and sandals are the norm, both day and night. Remember that each condo is equipped with its own washer and dryer and fully supplied for your convenience with fresh linens, fresh bath towels, and basic supplies (dishwasher and laundry detergent, soap, paper towels, tissues, bathroom tissue and garbage bags) which can be replenished on a complimentary basis as needed through our office. A comprehensive list of the home-away-from-home items you can expect to find in your condo can be accessed here, including basically everything you’ll need with the exception of personal sundries (you’ll need to bring your own toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, and so forth). Your condo rental will come with beach chairs. Beach umbrellas, beach towels and single-speed adult-sized bicycles can be rented on site.
Ocean’s Reach is located on a quiet, secluded stretch of beach, approximately 3½ miles west of the Sanibel Island lighthouse. Facing due south, you’ll be treated to seeing both the sunrise and sunset every day. Our complex is adjacent to Algiers Beach, better known as Gulfside City Park.
After crossing the causeway from Fort Myers to Sanibel Island, turn right at the stop sign onto Periwinkle Way, the main thoroughfare of the island. Continue 1.3 miles and make a left onto Casa Ybel Road (Jerry’s Supermarket will be on your right). Go 1.4 miles and turn left on Algiers Road, shortly past the entrance to the Children’s Center of the Island. Take your second right onto Camino del Mar and follow the palm-lined driveway to Ocean’s Reach.
Detailed directions from our local airport and interstate can be found here.
Our Guest Services office (800-336-6722) is open Monday thru Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Check-in is at 3:00 p.m. on your scheduled day of arrival.
Check-out is by 10:00 a.m. on your scheduled day of departure.
Each condominium unit has an assigned parking space adjacent to or opposite the condominium buildings. All parking spaces are covered and numbered. We ask that you please be considerate of other guests and park ONLY in the designated space for your unit.
Additional cars and visitor cars may park in the spaces across from Guest Services or in the spaces adjacent to the tennis court. Guests are asked to store paddleboards and kayaks in the designated racks behind the office. Trailers, boats and campers may park in the supplemental guest parking area only with prior authorization from management.
Most owners also allow use of their private storage shed. Located adjacent to your assigned parking space, your storage shed is a convenient spot for stashing luggage, beach toys and chairs.
All parking is provided on a complimentary basis for guests.
Beach chairs are provided with each condo rental. Beach umbrellas are not included but may be rented from Ocean’s Reach Guest Services for $12/day or $40/week. Beach towels may be rented for $10 per towel per week. Quantities are limited and we recommend that you place advance reservations by calling 800-336-6722 or emailing beach@oceansreach.com. The rental amount due is payable by cash only upon arrival.
Guests can enjoy exploring 26 miles of scenic bike paths that wind through the island. “Beach cruisers” (standard one-speed adult-sized bicycles) are conveniently located on our resort premises and available for rent at Guest Services for $25/day or $55/week.
Our staff can also help arrange for delivery of children’s bikes, multi-speed bikes and specialty bikes from Billy’s Rentals.
Each bicycle comes available with a basket, lock and helmet. They can be stored in the Ocean’s Reach bike racks or under your carport during your vacation stay.
As quantities are limited, we recommend that you place advance reservations by calling 800-336-6722 or emailing beach@oceansreach.com. The rental amount due is payable by cash only upon arrival.
Many of our guests tend to their grocery shopping by stopping in Fort Myers on their way to the island. You’ll see several name supermarkets along on your route from the interstate or airport.
Once on Sanibel Island, you'll find Jerry’s of Sanibel (239-472-9300) at the intersection of Periwinkle Way and Casa Ybel Road, just up the road from Ocean's Reach. They offer online ordering so your groceries can be ready for pick up or delivered directly to your condo.
Note that Bailey’s (239-472-1516), located at the corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road, is closed for renovations following Hurricane Ian, with a planned 2025-2026 reopening. However, they will be opening A Bit of Bailey's in the Rabbit Road Center in late 2024 as a smaller temporary location.
Island Rental Services offers an assortment of rental items, including many of the same necessities you use at home. Please contact them directly at 239-472-9789 to order your items and schedule a delivery time. They will set up your items so that they are quickly ready for baby, and will also pick up from your condo upon departure.
Bring some sunshine to your work day! Ocean’s Reach is pleased to provide complimentary high-speed internet service for guests, meaning that the beach can be right outside your “home office” while you’re here.
However, we ask that you please keep in mind that Sanibel is a small island, and on rare occasion, you may find service dependability to be different from what you’re used to at home. Bringing along a personal hotspot may be helpful.
Ocean’s Reach is not responsible for any internet service interruptions.
Ocean’s Reach is a NON-SMOKING resort. Smoking is prohibited in the condos, buildings, and all exterior amenities. Smoking is also prohibited on the lanais; with our gulf breeze, smoke can drift to neighboring units and upset guests who came to Ocean’s Reach for a non-smoking environment. Please respect the NO SMOKING policy at Ocean’s Reach and refrain from smoking on resort property. An additional cleaning charge of $300 may be assessed to any guest for violation of our non-smoking policy.
With the exception of certified service dogs, Ocean’s Reach does not permit guest pets of any kind in our condos or on our grounds. An additional cleaning charge of $300 may be assessed to any guest for violation of our “no pets” policy. Please call Guest Services at 800-336-6722 for assistance with kennel arrangements.
Management retains the right to 1) relocate a guest for any reason; 2) access a guest unit at any time in case of emergencies or other situations as deemed necessary; and 3) require any guest to leave the premises immediately for violation of any published policy and/or unruly behavior toward other guests.
Ocean’s Reach is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We ask that guests keep basic safety and security precautions in mind. Make sure all valuables are secured in the safe in your unit and remember to lock your vehicle, as well. Absolutely no weapons of any kind are allowed on resort property.
Did you know that there are more than 4,000 species of biting midges worldwide? In Florida alone, there are 47 different species.
No-see-ums – you can’t see ‘um but you sure can feel ‘um — are the smallest blood-sucking insects on earth and, like the mosquito, can cause a skin reaction from an itch to a welt, depending on the individual.
These insects are most active at dawn and dusk and breed next to beaches, standing water and lakefronts throughout the country.
You can protect yourself by wearing long pants and shirts to cover up during dusk and dawn in high humidity seasons. There are also several insect repellents on the market – including Sanibel’s own all-natural “No No-See-Um” – to combat these pesky little bugs.
“Red tide” is a common term used to describe a type of harmful algal bloom (HAB) resulting on rare occasion when colonies of Karenia brevis algae develop into a significant bloom, due to a chemically “perfect storm” combination of temperature, salinity and nutrients.
Karenia brevis algae produce “brevetoxins” that affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine vertebrates, causing these animals to die. Fish kills are common, along with the odor one would expect until the fish are washed away or otherwise removed. In addition to the odor, airborne particles can prove difficult for people with chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma. While brevetoxins are benign at low concentrations, the higher the concentration, the greater the likelihood of potential effects for those with chronic respiratory conditions.
A red tide bloom typically develops 10-40 miles offshore, but strong wind and water currents can bring the effects of the bloom nearshore. Shifting winds prevent us from being able to predict which beach will be affected during any particular timeframe. Rest assured that the Ocean’s Reach staff monitors daily reports from health and environmental agencies and advises on-site guests accordingly.
If red tide is present during your stay, we encourage you to monitor wind conditions when planning any beachside activities. When winds are forecasted to blow onshore, respiratory irritation may occur. Offshore winds usually keep respiratory effects to a minimum.
Red tide is naturally occurring and has been around since the days of Spanish explorers in the 1500s. Most recently, Sanibel Island has been impacted by severe red tide blooms in the summers of 2006 and 2018.
Will there be any problems when you visit? Again, algal blooms are very infrequent. Even when a bloom occurs, conditions can be drastically different within a few hundred feet; they can affect one part of the island and leave other parts completely unscathed. If, by rare occurrence, the beach outside Ocean’s Reach is affected, you will be directed to an unaffected beach on the island.
Remember that Sanibel beaches are kept in “natural” condition – which does not necessarily mean clean. Small to moderate amounts of seaweed and natural debris along the shoreline are a part of normal beach ecology and should not be mistaken for a harmful algal bloom.
For more information, contact the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
Each year, we work closely with local municipalities, including emergency management, to monitor potential strong storms throughout the season. Our guests’ safety is our utmost priority and we follow strict protocol to ensure that all guests are kept safe and constantly informed in the case of severe weather.
If severe weather is expected to draw near to Sanibel, our city officials will determine whether a mandatory evacuation is necessary. In that case, we will work with each guest to coordinate a quick, safe and timely departure to ensure that they will be far from danger when the storm hits.
Please contact Ocean’s Reach Guest Services at 239-472-4554 as soon as possible so that we can tend to your needs quickly.
Our Guest Services office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ... Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ... and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – noon. We are located on site and therefore able to assist on the spot with condo repairs, missing items or any other issues that need to be addressed.
If you need assistance with a maintenance-related issue after office hours, please call 239-472-4554.
Note that our Guest Service staff members are long-time “islanders” who would be happy to help offer suggestions for island restaurants and attractions or answer questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to ask!
