Will Sanibel ever be rebuilt?


Will Sanibel ever be rebuilt? Though it's smaller than many Florida vacation towns, Sanibel Island has been a place important to many people for generations. With the community's efforts to rebuild, it will continue to be so.


Who is allowed to go to Sanibel Island?

Monday morning marked another reopening after Hurricane Ian. Sanibel Island is now open to anyone who wants to visit. The reopening comes just a day after the tolls on the Sanibel Causeway were reinstated. Sanibel's recovery progress includes 80% of right-of-way debris being removed from the East Periwinkle Way bridge.


Is Sanibel Island fully open?

The City of Sanibel is excited to announce that all public access beach park locations in Sanibel are now open to the public. The city announced on Thursday that the following areas are set to open Friday, June 30: Bayside parking lot at 110 – 153 Periwinkle Way for Lighthouse Beach Park.


Are they rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway?

Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration: As a part of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) Emergency Restoration of the Sanibel Causeway, crews continue work on McGregor Boulevard and the Sanibel Causeway from Port Comfort Road to Sanibel Island.


When can people go back to Sanibel?

By consensus, the Sanibel City Council supported the decision to end the requirement for reentry passes on January 2, 2023. The City of Sanibel asks that non-residents respect and understand the fact that Sanibel is still actively working to recover from Hurricane Ian.


Is the bridge to Sanibel reopened?

By Staff | Jan 3, 2023 The Sanibel Causeway reopened Monday but the city of Sanibel government is asking non-residents to wait a while longer before visiting the storm-damaged island.


How long will it take to rebuild Sanibel Causeway?

The goal is to finish that by the end of 2023. The rest of the repairs and Lee County Causeway Island improvement projects will be done sometime in 2024. Right now the price tag is nearly $340 million. It's mostly funded by The Federal Highway Administration, but Lee County is on the hook for about $51 million.


Can tourists go to Sanibel Island now?

The great news is that many of our favorite Sanibel beaches are now open and ready for visitors! Here's what you need to know about which Sanibel beaches are open.


Is Sanibel Island under water?

Sanibel Island is twelve miles long, three miles at its widest, and peaks around four feet above sea level. It's a barrier island, which is to say that it sits entirely on shifting sands, three miles off the coast of southwest Florida.


Is anyone still living on Sanibel Island?

An estimated 6,400 people lived in the City of Sanibel as of April 2021, according to the US Census Bureau. The island is also home to a number of hotels and resorts and sees a significant amount of tourists each year.


Is Sanibel Island open for tourists 2023?

Note that Sanibel Island sustained significant damage in September 2022 as a result of Hurricane Ian. Though the island is open to the public as of January 2023, local officials are warning visitors that much of the island's attractions and businesses remain closed.


Is Captiva island gone?

Although the islands remain sundered, things are a bit quieter now. Today the southern island, still known as Captiva, is a beautiful and pricey tourist destination reachable by car over a causeway from the mainland near Fort Myers.


Are Sanibel beaches open after Ian?

The City of Sanibel is excited to announce that all public access beach park locations in Sanibel are now open to the public. The city announced on Thursday that the following areas are set to open Friday, June 30: Bayside parking lot at 110 – 153 Periwinkle Way for Lighthouse Beach Park.


Can you drive over to Sanibel Island now?

General Access to the Sanibel Island Causeway/Bridge The Sanibel Island Bridge is open to the public and accessible to all visitors who wish to explore the island's wonders. Whether you are planning a day trip or an extended stay, you can traverse the bridge without any restrictions.


Is there red tide in Sanibel right now?

Red Tide. At this time, there is no sign of Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tide, in our area.