Rain or Shine, don’t forget to shop Sanibel with basket on your bike or scooter. Tropical treasures are plentiful at Tahitian Gardens, The Village Shops, Olde Sanibel Shoppes and Town Center on Sanibel. Take a peek!
Even cooler, view this video promoted on Florida’s Visit Florida premier travel website.

Don’t forget also about the Ocean’s Reach Osprey babies! They have arrived and you watch them on our live Ospreycam!

Music concerts of all genres abound under the stars in Sanibel and Fort Myers. Thanks to Florida Vacation Auction, the godfather of jazz fusion, guitarist Larry Coryell, performed outdoors at Lee County’s Alliance for the Arts on McGregor Blvd. Together with son Murali Coryell, and 15 year old local favorite, Mike Imbasciani, and other impressive talent, this was a musical lifetime experience.
Check out our local and national musical talent at these other venues: BIG ARTS, the Philharmonic Center for the Arts and BARBARA B. MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL.

Don’t Forget about the Ocean’s Reach Osprey babies! They have arrived and you watch live on our live Ospreycam!

The Island Jazz performs in the BIG ARTS Bolar Garden on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 during the winter months. They regularly draw over 200 Jazz enthusiasts to their free concert. The band, comprised of talented amateur, semi-professional, and professional musicians, performs Big Band and Dixieland-style music.. In case of rain, the concert will move to the Gainer Veranda. Bring your own chair and arrive early as Jim and Mary Lou Lewis did this past Sunday. These wonderful concerts are provided free, so be sure to stop by and enjoy the music!

That’s Right! The Ocean’s Reach Osprey babies have arrived! Tune in and watch them on the Osprey Cam. We were notified by a viewer yesterday morning that she had spotted them and sure enough, they are here!

We feel so lucky to have this beautiful pair back for the fourth year in a row, and now to be ale to watch them live anytime of the day. The female laid the first egg on Christmas day, the second egg on the 26th and then finally a third. Now we have babies to watch! Tune in and feel the thrill!!

BIG ARTS now presenting live, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”!! If you have not seen this performance currently playing at the BIG Arts Herb Strauss Theater, you have until February 11th to reserve your ticket to see an absolutely wonderful, laugh out loud show.

The cast of 13 are all professional performers with a wide array of credits to their resume. To quote one New Yorker “I saw this play in New York City, and this was a much more professional and entertaining performance than I saw in the big city”. As I left the theater all I could hear were comments about how great the cast is and that this is the best show to ever be done on the island! Reserve your tickets now and don’t miss one of the highlights of the year!

I am reserving a spot again to make sure I see it a second time before it ends. Pictured above are a few of the Ocean’s Reach gang during intermission!

Andy

Immediately following this release of the review below, I understand that crowds were lined up outside the door waiting for a table. Many were first timers from Fort Myers.

It is rare to get such an excellent review from this famed food critic. Cip’s and island residents are very proud of this distinction.

Learn about shells and more at this month’s beach walk sponsored by The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. Meet at Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach (east side of Ocean’s Reach) on Tuesday, January 31 at 9 a.m. at the parking lot. Leave your car at Ocean’s Reach and walk or bike next door to start your tour. Fun and fascination for the whole family. You can never learn enough about our special island’s trove of shells and eco-treasures.

The birding tours every Thursday morning at Ocean’s Reach have been a huge success. Guest meet at the Grove and then head to the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve. The next trip will be held this coming Thursday, the 26th. Walt, an informative Park Ranger, conducts the tours and everyone that has attended raves about his knowledge and the enjoyment they experienced while on the trip!

Remember to call the office or stop by and make your return reservations for the next January outing! January is “Birding Month” at Ocean’s Reach!

In order to help us all with long range trip plans, Arthur Frommer has just listed his favorite top ten vacation destinations in the world and Sanibel Island is his #1 favorite!!!

This past Thursday morning, Ocean’s Reach bird enthusiasts had the chance to experience Sanibel’s special winter visitors with our own Walt McNairy, resident bird expert. The day was a bit crisp, but bright and beautifully clear – optimal for birding. We started at The Grove at Ocean’s Reach, then loaded up for a drive over to J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to really get started. Birds, birds, birds everywhere!! We logged 20 different species at the very first pond we visited! Our final count was at least 35 varieties. Walt was full of all kinds of great avian information and fielded all “birdy” questions so knowledgeably. He introduced us all to another great way to enjoy the incredible beauty of Sanibel! Ocean’s Reach will sponsor this trip every Thursday morning at 8:30 am till the end of January. Be sure to join us!