Welcoming back our first full-time resident!

Tayla Thomas, staff member, welcomes back full-time resident Shirley Masuka to Blind Pass Condos

Blind Pass Condominiums staff recently welcomed back their first full-time resident, a major milestone in the property’s continuing recovery from Hurricane Ian damage.

At 93 now, Shirley Masuka has spent nearly a third of her life living here on Sanibel and was thrilled to return to her renovated island home on March 21 after 18 months living with family in Minnesota. Her son Michael accompanied her to Sanibel to assist in getting her settled back in, and Blind Pass Rental Manager Tom Henecker and staff greeted her with a bright bouquet of flowers and welcome balloon and card.

When Hurricane Ian was approaching southwest Florida during the last week of September, 2022, Shirley relocated to a hotel near the RSW Airport. When that location lost power, she evacuated to the Hertz Arena with hundreds of others. The volunteers there were “really, really kind,” she said, remembering the staff there from FEMA and Red Cross who assisted her.

Her family arranged for a flight out as soon as the airport opened, and as she waited in the terminal for her trip to Minneapolis, the home of her daughter, Bonnie and family, she saw some unusual sights out on the tarmac:

“The big helicopters were picking up trucks. That was amazing!” she recalled about rescue efforts to the islands.

Asked what it was like to return to cold northern winters, she seemed to have taken it in stride, commenting that she had 72 inches of snow her first winter and found it quite beautiful. This second winter, with little snow, has been a drab one, however.

After two winters up north, Shirley’s happy to be back on Sanibel.

Shirley and her late husband, John, stayed at several locations on the island before purchasing a condo unit at Blind Pass. John served as treasurer on the Blind Pass Condos Board of Directors, and the two were longtime dedicated volunteers at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. “He just loved this,” said Shirley regarding her husband’s sentiments about Blind Pass and Sanibel Island.

And it’s still her special place, too.

Now taking reservations!

This is the moment we have all be waiting for! We are excited to announce that we are now taking our first reservations for weekly stays beginning June 1st, 2024!

To thank our valued newsletter subscribers – we’re giving you the FIRST opportunity to make your first reservations to stay at Blind Pass Condos after Hurricane Ian!

We are so very happy to welcome you back as our guests at Blind Pass Condominium on Sanibel Island!

We will be taking reservations for second-floor units only. Please bear in mind that while we are thrilled to once again accept rentals, our recovery from Hurricane Ian in September 2022 will continue throughout 2024 as we work to restore the property to the paradise you’ve come to know and love.

We do anticipate that some second-floor units in buildings may be open sooner than June 1st. Keep following us for updates on building reopening progress!

During your stay, you may encounter disruptions such as noise from work/delivery truck traffic on the property; ongoing renovation work in units; noise/dust from landscaping projects; and noise/dust from construction work on tennis and pickleball courts. Amenities such as the courts may not be fully available and are subject to temporary closure with little or no notice.

While we will attempt to minimize the intrusions during your stay, all the work you will see and hear is necessary to fully restore the resort back to the paradise setting our guests have enjoyed over the years. Working hours will typically be between 8am – 4pm during the weekdays.

Please NOTE: There will be no refunds for early departures due to concerns related to ongoing construction/renovation work on the property. Our clubhouse will be open Monday through Saturday, 9am-4pm. If you have any questions or concerns, our knowledgeable and friendly staff will be there to help. Thank you for your patience and understanding during our recovery process. We look forward to hosting you!

Make your reservations now!

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Our Journey Back to Paradise – Update 7

As 2023 comes to a close, we hope all our guests and owners have a wonderful holiday season. While we will miss seeing so many of our holiday and winter visitors, we are moving along our journey and know that we’ll be together again soon.

It can be difficult to look back to the start of 2023 and remember all the destruction throughout Blind Pass and Sanibel Island. At that time it was hard to imagine how it would all be rebuilt and restored. We knew it would be a long road, but the people of Sanibel are a resilient bunch!

Slowly but surely throughout the year we’ve seen progress across the island and at Blind Pass – massive piles of debris removed, roofs repaired, grass and flowers growing and, most importantly, the condos themselves being worked on. Some had minor damage while others (as in all the first-floor units) were stripped down to the studs to start over. Blind Pass has an amazing crew of contractors who have been hard at work dealing with all the issues that 5 feet of water and 150 mph winds caused. One of our wonderful owners put together a short video showing some of the progress at Blind Pass (see below to click on the video).

Now we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Many second-floor units are in good shape and the rebuilding of first-floor units is under way. There is still quite a way to go before we are whole again, but we hope that by summer units are ready for renting — and that by next Christmas everything will be completed and Blind Pass will be full of the laughter of families going to the beach, the sounds of pickleball and tennis on the courts, and the sizzling at our grills at the end of another wonderful day on Sanibel Island.

All of us at Blind Pass thank you for your continued support of our efforts and we wish you and your families a happy holiday – and for many of you, a warm “See you in 2024!”

With gratitude ~ The Blind Pass Board of Directors and Staff Members

One of our Blind Pass Condo owners took the time to put together this video of our recovery process. Enjoy!

Clubhouse Update

The Clubhouse is coming along! All of the drywall is up and the walls are painted. Toilets and sinks have been installed in the bathrooms. The tile is done in the bathrooms too! The flooring is being installed this week, after that we’ll start to put it all back together. The progress has been amazing, thank you to our contractor crew for working so hard!

A Visiting Heron

We may have a new lifeguard on duty! This beautiful Heron was spotted spending some time at our pool. The wildlife has always been a special part of Blind Pass Condos and Sanibel Island. We have seen so many birds and gopher tortoises! Keep up to date with our visiting wildlife on our Facebook page.

Shells Galore!

Finding shells on a beach walk is one of the best ways to spend time on Sanibel! We know that our guests have shells at home from their stays at Blind Pass Condos, a sweet reminder… Shelling is the activity our guests love best and that tradition will continue as we get closer to reopening. Let us know what your favorite shell is by posting to our Instagram page.

Bridge Building Fundraiser – Thank You!

We are continuing our Bridge Building Fundraiser! We know that our private footbridge over Clam Bayou is so important to our guests and families, it is the path that delivers us to our beautiful beach. Since the bridge was damaged and mostly gone from Hurricane Ian, we have been working on the rebuilding and repair plan and are getting close to starting that project. We’re raising funds to help with the immense costs for this important project.

We are accepting any donation amount but are also
offering several levels of donation sponsorships:

Bronze – $150
Silver – $250
Gold – $500
Platinum – $1,000

All monies raised will go directly toward our rebuilding of the bridge and we’ll be recognizing all of our donors by hanging a plaque in our Clubhouse. We appreciate all of the support that we’ve received over the past year and we are excited to watch Blind Pass rebuild and return to paradise!

Click here to learn more or make a donation, thank you!

A Festive Holiday BBQ Lunch!

We hosted 40 workers for our 14th lunch this week at Blind Pass – a festive Holiday BBQ! 🎄 We grilled cheeseburgers and hot dogs on our new grills. We had lots of cold drinks and even some festive cookies for everyone to enjoy. We appreciate all the hard work that the crew has been doing throughout this holiday season! We will continue to host lunches for them as we work towards bringing Blind Pass back to the paradise we all know and love. Read more about our lunch fundraiser here.

Photos Around Blind Pass

New flooring in the Clubhouse this week!

New gutters! We are making progress everyday – inside and out!

Do you remember how big this Palm was in front of the G building? It got a fresh trim!

Our pool is looking great! We can’t wait to welcome guests again and see them enjoying the pool area with friends and family.

Our contractors have been working hard all over the property, here are a few new lanais that have been rebuilt.

Our Journey Back to Paradise Continues…

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Our Journey Back to Paradise – Update 4

OUR JOURNEY BACK TO PARADISE

Our roofing project is complete! We are excited to have new roofs on all our buildings! It was quite a challenge for our contractors as some of our buildings had structural damage to trusses. But they worked tirelessly to make sure everything was repaired and replaced even stronger than before. You don’t realize how much material it takes for 8 buildings (7 condominium buildings and our clubhouse) until you see more than 16 tractor trailer loads of shingles!! A huge thank you to our roofing contractors for working from day one putting on tarps to the final shingle going in place.

The Blind Pass Condominium Board and staff appreciate all the positive notes from guests who are looking forward to the day we have visitors back at our beautiful property. We have always loved our amazing tropical paradise and are working with a landscape designer to create an even more natural and native property than before! The clubhouse is getting closer to completion and work is underway in our buildings. We look forward to seeing all of you back at Blind Pass enjoying our wonderful amenities and beaches! With gratitude ~ The Blind Pass Board of Directors

A View of Our Beach

As our island and beaches continue to heal from hurricane Ian, we are thrilled to see the beautiful water and so much wildlife reappear. This photo was taken from a boat in front of our beach. The water has been crystal clear and a vibrant blue color. We look forward to seeing our guests, owners and friends enjoying our beach again soon! Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages as we continue to share photos.

Clubhouse Update

The Clubhouse framing, roof and rough electric has been completed. We’re waiting on windows and doors right now and we’ll be sure to share photos to our Facebookpage when they get installed! As we get closer to reopening, we will have a place for our guests to check-in, ask questions and visit. We look forward to seeing everyone again!

Roseate Spoonbills

We spotted these Roseate Spoonbills flying past our beach the other day! These birds are probably the most photographed bird on Sanibel Island and usually found at our neighbors, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It was a beautiful sight, as they flew over head! We’ve also spotted Snowy Plovers and White Ibis at our beach – a sure sign of natures recovery.

Manatees in Clam Bayou

We know that some of our guest’s favorite memories over the years include seeing the manatees in Clam Bayou as they cross over the bridge. We’re happy to announce that the manatees are thriving and enjoying the inlet once again! We have seen several manatees over the months. We’ll keep sharing photos as we see these majestic creatures enjoying the water. Read more.

Lunches for the working crew continue

We have a crew of people working at Blind Pass Condos. They are helping to bring Blind Pass back so we can re-open and welcome owners and guests again. This devoted team has been working tirelessly since day one. Our wonderful community of owners and guests have donated to a workers lunch fundraiser — this has been a great way to say Thank You from afar. So far, we’ve hosted 9 lunches and have recently been able to order from Island Pizza. We’re happy to help support local businesses on island as they reopen! Read more about our lunch fundraiser here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos Around Blind Pass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Journey Back to Paradise Continues…

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Our Journey Back to Paradise – Update 3

Our Journey Back to Paradise

We are excited to report that we are making great strides at Blind Pass. The basic services are coming online one at a time. Water is on, electricity is close to being connected and the sewage system will be completed next. Many of our favorite restaurants have reopened, including Traders, Island Pizza, Il Cielo and Sanibel Deli. The beaches are also reopening as the clean-up of each beach is completed. And the public is allowed on the island to visit and support the businesses that have reopened.

The crews have been working seven days a week to clean up the landscaping and have completely removed all the debris. Many of the trees along the path going to the bridge had to be removed from the property as they had been pushed over by the high winds. And all the sod had to be removed as the salt water had destroyed it down to the roots. Most of the palms and other bigger plants are growing back nicely and we will be replanting all the landscaping needed to make Blind Pass more beautiful than ever. Some plants and trees are even blooming again!
The first-floor units have been stripped down to the studs and the second-floor units are being repaired as needed – more on that below. Air conditioning units have to be replaced in every unit and that process is well underway.
We have received so much support from all of you and will continue to send you updates as the progress continues.
With gratitude ~ The Blind Pass Board of Directors

Happy New Year!

As we say goodbye to 2022, we want to say Happy New Year to all of our friends, families and guests from the Blind Pass family! We wish you a happy, healthy and wonderful 2023. We are committed to moving forward with the goal of re-opening Blind Pass to our guests once again. It’s a huge task but the support has been amazing. We appreciate all the encouragement, kind notes and messages that our guests send. We can’t wait to open our doors to you once again! We’ll continue to share our progress along the way so check out our Facebook and Instagram pages too.

Blind Pass Pool Update

Remember what our pool looked like after Ian? Our pool has now been cleaned — look at that color! The mud was removed and scraped off and the deck has been pressure washed too. The next step is replacing the damaged pool equipment! We know so many of you have enjoyed our beautiful pool over the years with your families. We can’t wait to see you all swimming, playing and relaxing here again. We have more photos on our Facebook page – click here to see!

1st Floor Update

Every 1st floor condo has been cleaned out and demoed down to the studs. This is a huge project and we’re so grateful for the contractor crew that has been working on this. The ongoing progress has been encouraging to see as these units have gone from being filled with water and debris to a clean slate for the rebuild. We’ll keep you posted on developments as we work together to re-open!

2nd Floor Update

While some of the upper units at Blind Pass were unaffected by Hurricane Ian, others did experience damage from the storm. Some windows were blown out, a few of the units had roofs partially blown off or damaged, and water got into some of the units. Any roof damage will be repaired as part of our rebuilding process. Read more.

Thank you to the Bauers!

Our owners at Blind Pass Condos are the best! The Bauers stopped by and delivered donuts and cookies to the crew working, offering treats to everyone on-site that day. Blind Pass owners are a wonderful group of people that have banded together to get through the rebuilding process, showing gratitude along the way. We love to see this, thank you so much Jim and Lynn!

 

Lunches for the working crew continue

We have a huge crew of people working at Blind Pass Condos. They are helping to bring Blind Pass back so we can re-open and welcome owners and guests again. This devoted team has been working tirelessly since day one. Our wonderful community of owners and guests have donated to a workers lunch fundraiser — this has been a great way to say Thank You from afar. So far, we’ve hosted 7 lunches and have recently been able to order from Sanibel Deli. We’re happy to help support local businesses on island as they reopen! Read more about our lunch fundraiser here. Read more about our lunch fundraiser here.

 

OUR JOURNEY BACK TO PARADISE CONTINUES…

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Sign up for the Blind Pass Newsletter here!

Our Journey Back to Paradise – Update 2

Our Journey Back to Paradise

Welcome to our second update on the progress at Blind Pass Condominiums.

We are thrilled to report that things are moving along on Sanibel. Many areas have water, electric and waste water service. A few restaurants have reopened in the last couple of weeks. And a lucky few residents have even been able to move back into their homes. That said, most homes, hotels and other vacation properties have much work ahead!

We’re making progress at Blind Pass, too. Our staff, board and contractors are working with the City of Sanibel to be sure everything is in place to get these services up and running for the entire complex. In the meantime, the crews have continued to move things along at Blind Pass. Piles of debris have been removed by the city. The condos have been mostly cleared of debris and the workers are in the process of removing the walls for the first floor units and stripping them back to the studs. This will allow them to begin replacing the walls!

See below for news on the Clubhouse — it’s going to come back better than ever! And our terrific staff is working hard to make things happen, from our manager Tom’s help with contractors and overseeing work on site to Tayla and Taylor refunding deposits and doing so may other things: taking photos for owners, helping keep things organized and even finding our Big Blue Chair! It’s a great team and we’re so appreciative of all they are doing to help Blind Pass recover!

While the recovery process has many steps, we are grateful for each new major step that we take at Blind Pass and on the island as well! We can’t wait to share more in our next update — and we continue to look forward to the day we’ll be welcoming you back to Blind Pass again. We hope your Thanksgiving was terrific. At Blind Pass, while we have faced many challenges, we also have much to be thankful for!

With gratitude ~ The Blind Pass Board of Directors and Staff

Progress in the Clubhouse

So many of you have stopped by our clubhouse over the years, to say hi, to sign out a kayak or to get a puzzle or book… The Clubhouse has been cleaned out and the walls have been removed down to the studs. As we continue to work on this space, we’ll keep you updated. We are looking forward to having you stop by when we re-open! Plus we’ll have a fresh selection of books, puzzles and games to borrow while you stay. Here’s a picture of Tom, standing where his desk used to be!

 

Refund Update

Our refund process is still moving right along – the office staff has been diligently working on this project. At this point, we are issuing refunds on deposits through March 2023. Rest assured that cancellation fees are being waived. Although we do not have an estimated date for re-opening, our Blind Pass Team is already hard at work to make our beautiful island home better than ever as we rebuild. Read more about our refund updates here.

 

Our Big Blue Chair!

If you visited Blind Pass Condos in the summer or fall this year, you must have seen our new Big Blue Chair! The manager, Tom, built and painted this just for Blind Pass. So many of our guests have had fun taking photos on our Big Blue Chair. We were beyond excited to see that it survived Ian. The chair will be back in place when we reopen so you and your family can get a photo with the chair that survived Ian!

Some New Re-Openings

Jerry’s celebrated its reopening with a ribbon cutting in October! And in true spirit of helping one another on Sanibel Island, both Jerry’s AND Bailey’s (along with their stores’ shared supplier) made a donation to F.I.S.H. for $20,000. Some other restaurants are also open now: Cielo, Captiva Pizza and Traders. Read more.

 

Thank You to the Crew

We have a huge crew of people working at Blind Pass Condos. They have helped to tarp roofs, secure windows, clean up, clear walkways and repair the clubhouse. This devoted team has been working tirelessly since day one. Our wonderful community of owners and guests have donated to a workers lunch fundraiser – this has been a great way to say Thank You from afar. Read more about our fundraiser here.

Photos Around Blind Pass

OUR JOURNEY BACK TO PARADISE CONTINUES…

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Sign up for the Blind Pass Newsletter here!

 

Our Journey Back to Paradise – Update 1

Sign up for the Blind Pass Newsletter here!

Our Journey Back to Paradise

One of our tiki-signs still stands!

We so appreciate the outpouring of thoughts and well wishes we’ve been receiving from you – our past guests, friends and families who have been staying at Blind Pass for generations, visitors who’ve just gotten to know us and even people who haven’t yet stayed with us at Blind Pass. As you know, Hurricane Ian has caused catastrophic damage to Sanibel Island and Blind Pass Condos. You’ve seen the images on TV and online and have likely heard stories from friends who live in the area.

We are all devastated by the impact this storm has had on our island home. But Blind Pass is already hard at work on our path to rebuilding.

We’ve created this new newsletter to provide you with regular updates on our progress and journey along the way as we work to bring back the little slice of paradise that we all love so much.

We’ve received so many messages asking about how our staff are doing and wanted to share the good news that all of our staff and owners at Blind Pass Condos are safe and accounted for. Our staff have seen some of these personal messages and are touched by your heartfelt concern. As you know, Blind Pass Condo guests are family to us. We see the same families over and over again each year. We know that staying at Blind Pass Condos is a tradition and our staff is an important part of that. Our entire staff team is still on board at Blind Pass to help us with a variety of needs along the path to rebuilding.

We continue to be grateful that our staff and our Blind Pass owners are safe. And we thank you for the outpouring of kind thoughts that you’ve shared. Your continued support and messages of concern have truly been a silver lining.

Watch this space for photos as we rebuild, stories from our journey and news on timing for re-opening once we get close to that wonderful date! The Blind Pass community is dedicated to rebuilding our island home so that it brings us all the same joy, inspiration and connection to family and friends that mean so much to all of us.

With gratitude ~ The Blind Pass Board of Directors

We’re Temporarily Closed

Blind Pass Condos ClubhouseDue to damages to the property, our complex is temporarily closed. We don’t have an estimated date for re-opening yet, but are committed to moving forward. And we’ll share our progress along the way. Here’s a photo of the Clubhouse after Ian. Read more here.

Reservation Questions?

Our refund process is moving right along – we’ve issued many over the past week and are diligently working on this project. Rest assured that cancellation fees are being waived and that we are processing as many as we can during the day. Read more about our refund updates here.

Thank You to the Crew

We have a huge crew of about 30 people working at Blind Pass Condos. They are helping to tarp roofs, secure windows, clean up, clear walkways, repair the clubhouse, document damages and salvage what is possible for our wonderful community of owners. This devoted team has been working tirelessly since day one. Thank you!

Photos Around Blind Pass

Our Journey Back to Paradise Continues…

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Sign up for the Blind Pass Newsletter here!

3 Fun Places to Explore near Sanibel Island this Fall

Do you and your family have a vacation planned to Sanibel Island this fall? If the answer is yes, allow us to share a few fun things that you can explore nearby. Staying with us at Blind Pass Condominiums will allow you and your family to explore the area a little. Let’s look below at where those three places you can explore near Sanibel Island this fall.

Cayo Costa State Park

aerial view of cayo costa state park in florida

Did you know that there are many barrier islands near Sanibel Island with state parks located on them? One of those state parks happens to be Cayo Costa, located just an island north of our island. The Park is open from 8:00 am until dusk every day of the year. There is admission to the island, which is $2 per person, and they use the honor system, and please only include the correct amount. You will need to take the Ferry ride over there to access the island, but it’s a hop, skip and jump over to it. Some of the things your family can do are hike, search for shells, fish, and enjoy the beach. Think of the memories you can make while at this unique state park.

Lighthouse Beach Park

Lighthouse Beach Park is located at the East end of Sanibel where the tip of the island meets the gulf. The park features about 32-acres and has a lighthouse that is “famous” to many. Here you’ll be able to ride bikes, grill out, fish from the pier and so much more. There is a parking fee for about $5.00 an hour and Handicapped Parking for free. Another plus to this park is that it is handicapped accessible which is great for everyone in the family!

Lovers Key State Park

beautiful beach at Fort Myers in america

Another great state park that is located within a 30-minute drive from Sanibel Island is Lovers Key. Located in Fort Myers is where you’ll find this fantastic stretch of white sands to explore. They are open 365 days a year from 8:00 am until sundown, and it costs $8 per vehicle to park. One of the things that many families love to participate in at Lovers Key State Park is geocaching and swimming. They also offer tours, and they do have different amenities at the park as well. The whole family can get involved in spotting the best shell of the trip and take it home to save for years to come.

While many other state parks are located within a 30-minute drive from Sanibel Island, we wanted to share these with you. If you still haven’t booked your next fall vacation to stay with us at Blind Pass Condominiums, give us a call today. We can’t wait to hear which state park you tried on your vacation this fall!

Fall is a Great Time to Visit Sanibel Island

Fall is a Great Time to Visit Sanibel Island

Do you and your family have a vacation planned to Sanibel Island this fall? If the answer is yes, then we want to let you know that fall is a great time to visit the island. Staying with us at Blind Pass Condominiums will allow you and your family to enjoy your vacation. Let’s look below at why fall is a great time to visit Sanibel Island this year.

Perfect Fall Weather

Fall is a Great Time to Visit Sanibel Island

One of the best things about vacationing to Sanibel Island during the fall months is it’s a little cooler and sometimes less humidity. Yes, we said it less humid. This can be a great thing because if you have ever visited the south in the past, you may realize that the summer months can bring on a lot of humidity. This means that it will feel hotter than it is. The temps during September here on the island should be around 90° during the day and a low of 74°. October brings a little cooler weather of 86° during the day and 69° during the night. While September can get a little more rain than October, it’s still fewer days compared to the Spring and Summer months.

Turtle Season

Fall is a Great Time to Visit Sanibel Island

Another excellent reason for visiting Sanibel Island during the fall months is that it’s still Turtle Nesting Season. While you may see several nests around the area that are roped off, you may happen to see some of the turtles scurrying to the water. This is a great spectacle to see, and we promise it may make you tear up a bit. There are a few things to remember while you are on the beach during this time.

  • Please Remember to Keep Your Distance! This means that if you happen to see a turtle or hatchling, don’t go up and touch them. Give them space just as if you would want to have.
  • We recommend that you don’t flash any kind of light at the turtles, hatchlings, or nests.
  • If you happen to dig any holes on the beach during the day, be sure to fill them back up.

Less Crowds

Beautiful beach on Sanibel Island, Florida.  The Gulf Coast beach is famous for sea shell collecting.

Vacationing on Sanibel Island during the fall months means that its less crowded. Kids have gone back to school and so it means that you’ll be able to find the perfect spot on the beach. No need to wait a long time at a local restaurant for lunch or dinner and more time to shop without the crowds. Sit on the beach with the family as you watch the sunset together with very little people around. We promise that you’ll fall in love with the fall as you get to enjoy your time spent together.

While there are many other reasons why you and your family should visit Sanibel Island this fall, we wanted to share these with you. If you haven’t booked your next family vacation to stay with us in one of our Sanibel Island vacation rentals, now is the time. We hope to see you this fall and enjoy the weather and fun with us!

3 Things to Do on Sanibel Island if it Rains

Are you and your family planning a vacation to Sanibel Island soon, but you’re afraid it’ll rain? Have no worries, as we at Blind Pass Condominiums have you covered. Staying in one of our Sanibel Island vacation rentals will keep you and your family close to the fun. Let’s look below at three things you can do if it rains while you’re on vacation.

Explore the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

father showing starfish to his little son

The museum is the one good thing about coming to the seashell capital of the United States (or in Florida). They have recently renovated it and now offer more for everyone to enjoy. Here you’ll be able to see what shells you can find on the beach and learn more about each one. Don’t forget to check out their touch pools and other fun exhibits they have there. Bring home a little souvenir to remember your rainy day adventure from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.

Do a Little Shopping

Another great way to spend the day if it rains is to shop around local shops. Sanibel Island is full of fun shops that you have to check out. You’ll be able to find a few unique pieces of artwork over at the Watson Macrae Gallery. This shop is located at The Village Shops and while you’re there, grab a bite to eat at The Island Cow. The other shops at The Village Shops are Macintosh Books & Paper and T2 Gift Shop.

Watch a Movie

family mother father and children watching projector, TV, movies with popcorn in the evening   at home

Why not watch a movie together if you don’t feel like leaving your vacation rental? Pop some popcorn in the microwave or use the stovetop for a little extra fun with the kids. Put a movie on that everyone will want to watch or find something on the TV. We can promise you’ll enjoy spending the time together as you relax and watch a movie.

There are many other fun things that you can do on Sanibel Island if it rains, but we had to share these. If you haven’t booked your next trip to stay at Blind Pass Condominiums, now is the time. We can’t wait to hear which of the above was your favorite.