What's New on Sanibel Island?
Sanibel Island named “top shelling beach”
The July 2008 issue of Travel & Leisure magazine says the beaches of Fort Myers/Sanibel yield some 400 species of multicolored  seashells. Come find them strewn across the beach, hidden beneath the sand’s surface or by wading along the surf line.
Proof positive
Guest Gale Norris found two large conchs side by side in 3 feet of water off the Ocean’s Reach beach. After shelling for 17 years, she said the find was “worth the wait.” Congratulations, Gale!
#1 on Trip Advisor
Ocean’s Reach rates #1 out of 23 specialty lodges on Sanibel. Thank you to our wonderful guests for this distinctive award!
Osprey nest alert
Watch live nest building from our Grove!
Must-do in Sanibel
Free Beach Walk at Gulfside Park
Meet at 9 a.m. on the last Monday of each month for an hour walk. Gulfside Park is adjacent to Building 1.
Online poll results: Favorite place to eat?
The Island Cow Eatery is guests’ favorite restaurant, according to our online poll results this month. The site for “udderly great food” garnered 22% of the vote.
Beaches are Key Driver of U.S. Economy
Did you know that U.S. beaches contribute more than $320 billion annually to the national economy? That’s more than 25 times what national parks bring in. This fact is disclosed in the Summer 2008 issue of Shore & Beach magazine, in an article written by James R. Houston, Ph.D.
Keep in touch with our Beach Blog
Share your thoughts, questions, tips, vacation dreams and whatever else is on your mind at our Beach Blog.
BEACH WRAP
Thinking of you from the secluded paradise hideaway of Ocean's Reach
Dear Dru,
Winter weather is upon us. Even in Florida temperatures are in the 70s!
Check your calendars now to save some time for your fun in the sun.
To help with your vacation plans and expenses, we offer mid-week scheduling for some of our condos during the winter months. This can really be financially helpful if you can find low airfares during the middle of the week.
You won’t find a more beautiful, peaceful place to be than Ocean’s Reach on Sanibel Island. Give us a call at (800) 336-6722 or email us.
We look forward to seeing you soon,
The Ocean's Reach Team
Mementos from Sanibel can be yours
"My parents went to Florida and all I got was…" a beautifully embroidered T-shirt, new sweatshirt, towel and hat from Ocean’s Reach!
Our newest addition: Ocean’s Reach license plates for your favorite mode of transportation.
Order your mementos by e-mail or by calling us at (800) 336-6722.
 
Guest to Guest: Jim Lewis
Can condo ownership bring peace and prosperity?
It has for Ocean’s Reach owner Jim Lewis. Each year, he and his wife, Mary Lou, spend six months in the condo they’ve owned for 32 years. Jim may have done some writing on our beach, since he just published his first book, Seeking Inner Peace and Financial Freedom.
Read some of Jim's investment know-how and his all-time favorite tips for a Sanibel vacation.
Stay Green at Ocean’s Reach
We’re the greenest place on Sanibel-Captiva, making your beach vacation a safer, healthier and environmentally friendlier stay.
Now, we’re sharing our results at the upcoming Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce business luncheon in December and the Sanibel-Captiva Community Expo in January.
For you, our guests:
- We’re providing one recyclable-only garbage can in the condos to help you sort your garbage.
- The recycling area now allows all recycled trash to be co-mingled in the blue bins.
- We’ve upgraded, serviced and added bells (for safe passing) to our rental bicycles.
- We’ve added “green tips” to condo signage so you can be part of our Green Team and conserve Sanibel’s natural resources.
- Thank you for keeping your smoking away from condos, lanais, buildings, the pool and the Grove areas.
- Recycle your Welcome Pak! When finished, please drop it at Guest Services.
More green tips
Guest Services update
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For your viewing pleasure
We’re installing upgraded flat-screen TVs every week!
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Cleaning frenzy
Every day, we prepare for your arrival by deep cleaning all condos and performing enhanced maintenance and touch-ups. We’ve done work on corridors, pool tiles, doors and windows, and we’re awaiting final approval to replace the beach walkover between buildings 3 and 4.
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Greening up
We also “plant” for the future. You’ll have less trouble finding our entry way, thanks to new landscaping at the intersection of Camino del Mar and Algiers. And brand new! We’ve opened an access to our pond on the north side of the Grove. Now you’ll enjoy another private, serene location at Ocean’s Reach.
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Expanding the Grove
We’re developing a master plan for the Grove to give you gathering spaces, shaded areas and recreational opportunities, including the new Sanibel Shell Station. Stay tuned as we partner with the Shell Museum to create a convenient, shaded and relaxing area to clean, dry and identify your shelling finds.
Spotted on Sanibel
The new Twilight Café at the old Riviera on West Gulf Drive. Where food is art!
A gray fox! For the first time in more than three decades, a gray fox has been documented on Sanibel. Gray foxes are native to Sanibel and are good for our island ecosystem: A greater diversity of mid-sized predators means that no single species is likely to overpopulate. Gray foxes are characterized by a gray upper body, reddish-brown coloring on the sides of the neck and legs, and a bushy tail with a black stripe on the upper side.
The Sanibel Library Author Series brings mystery, history and Florida writers to the island for readings, discussions, book signings and receptions. Guest authors include Tim Dorsey, Alice Hoffman, J.A. Jance, Tamar Myers and Jeff Shaara. More info at sanlib.org. |
