A hidden gem on Sanibel, that few seem to know about, is the Sanibel Gardens Preserve. It is located behind The Easy Over Café and opposite the Bailey Track on Island Inn Road. I find it to contain many more birds, butterflies, and is much more scenic than the Bailey Track. Next time you are on Sanibel make sure that this is on your itinerary!

Linda Elbe, a friend of Ocean’s Reach and recent guest of our resort shares their family’s New Year’s message with us:

“This was a message that we sent to all of our family and friends back home in Illinois. We loved our vacation at Oceans Reach and hope to come back again. The weather and beaches were wonderful!!!

Happy New Year,
The Jim Elbe family”

High Flying Deals at Sanibel Green Lodging Make January a Prime Birding Month

With the opportunity to help fund a key Florida wildlife refuge

(SANIBEL, Fla.) – Professional birders and birding enthusiasts alike will have two incentives to flock to Sanibel Island, Fla., this January: great bird sightings and great lodging deals, as the J. N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) and Ocean’s Reach Condominium Resort partner to raise support for a unique refuge with spectacular and endangered migratory bird populations.

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, home to more than 300 species reported. The 6,400 acre refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. Sanibel Island is one of the top ten birding destinations in the country with over 800,000 visitors annually.  This unique 13 mile long island is extremely birder friendly with about 70% of the island in wildlife sanctuaries which are rigorously cleansed of invasive and non-native species. 

             Ocean’s Reach Condominium Association, in the heart of this sanctuary island,  is offering up to $400 off a minimum seven-day stay un a beachfront condo Jan. 2-20, 2012, to anyone who makes a matching tax-deductible donation to the “Ding”Darling Wildlife Society by Dec. 31, 2011 (DDWS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization). As new friends of the refuge, contributors will also  receive  a 20 percent discount at the Refuge Nature Store for all of 2012, and a subscription to the quarterly full-color newsletter.


              Ocean’s Reach, is rated #1 on Trip Advisor on Sanibel, and continues in its third year of certification as a Florida Green Lodging resort. With its gulf front location and fresh water pond at the back, Ocean’s Reach offers two kinds of habitats. An on-site osprey platform with a nesting pair that just returned for its third year is a prominent feature of the property. The pair will be likely enter their mating cycle in January, another incentive to birders. 

“We want our guests to understand the importance of ‘Ding’ Darling and wildlife to this island,” said Andy Boyle, General Manager of Ocean’s Reach. “The Society is helping us install a webcam for our osprey nest and bird identification signage for our wetland and shoreline wildlife.  When installation is complete, some time later in December, the cam will offer a 24-hour live feed of activities in the nest. In return, Ocean’s Reach is offering guided birding tours and discounts during January to guests who contribute to the refuge. It’s a great partnership.”


“We’re always thrilled when local businesses create new ways to partner with us and benefit our beautiful, valuable refuge,” said Birgie Vertesch, DDWS executive director. “Ocean’s Reach has made the rewards for making contributions to the Society very tangible.” 

As part of the partnership, Ocean’s Reach will provide a private birding tour for its guests.  Ding Darling is the premier birding area in southern Florida with nearly 300 species recorded.  Our car caravan tour will be led by an experienced birding guide and will focus on hot spots along Ding Darling’s famous Wildlife Drive through a bio-diverse federally designated wilderness area.  Amateur and professional birders alike will be amazed at the species diversity and abundance of Ding Darling’s pristine wild Florida birding habitat.

For complete details, visit www.oceansreach.com or call 239-472-4554.

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Congratulations to our own Don Thompson who recently was awarded a runner up in the Ding Darling Wildlife Society photography contest!

Don is pictured here with Ding Darling Wildlife Society board member, Terry Baldwin. Don was also a winner in our first annual photography contest at ocean’s Reach.

We need your input! Help us out and let us know which of the above condo interiors pictured above is your favorite by voting for condo Classic, Bahama Breeze, or Beachy Getaway. Your vote can help influence how we design our condos “Your Way”. We are off to a great start by having new flooring, furniture, appliances and more installed. You will love the new features in many of our condos, so please visit us soon and see the outstanding results.

We will appreciate your input by voting on these beautiful designs. As you know the contest was launched by Tiffany of ArtSea Chic and Ocean’s Reach and you were all invited to participate. The deadline for voting is 9/30/11/ Please, only one vote per household.

Clearing and grading of the preserve. Next step is irrigation for our future plantings! Do you recognize it?

Many of us enjoy playing games on the beach, while others prefer sitting and reading a good book, shelling, or sunning among other activities. Someone at Ocean’s Reach has decided to play a game of Bocce ball. For those of you who may not be familiar with the game, it originated in Italy and is still popular in most of the countries that received Italian migrants, including the United States. It is traditionally played on natural soil and asphalt courts, so the beach is a great place to practice, providing you allow plenty of room without encroaching on the space of others.

Ann Johnston from Colorado loves her mountains, but she also loves to stay at Ocean’s Reach two to three times per year. As you can see Ann comes well prepared for the beach. Notice that Ann is in the sun, yet overhead is the possible threat of a brief shower somewhere in the area. A typical beautiful summers day on Sanibel. Watch a few of our Sanibel videos to learn why Ann loves Ocean’s Reach so much!

Looking around and noticing what everyone keeps on their Ocean’s Reach lanai while they are on vacation, can occasionally tell you where some guests place their priorities. This super sized raft gives it away quickly and looks like it would be perfect for playing in the gulf. The raft takes up the height of the lanai and looks like a lot of fun!!

Enjoy!

We know the way to your heart is through your stomach, and your reputation must be spreading! Elizabeth cooked way too much good food in her private Sanibel condo at Ocean’s Reach and wanted Andy to enjoy her left overs: a delicious pork roast with pine nuts, corn on the cob, roasted red potatoes and onions!
He is thinking of hiring her as his personal chef!