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Where to Buy on Sanibel and Captiva

Sanibel or Captiva or Elsewhere?

Where on the Islands, Beach, Boat or Golf?

Other Islands

Sanibel Island, an Island Sanctuary

Sanibel Island is linked to the mainland by a four-mile causeway.

More residential and less resort oriented than Captiva, Sanibel has large tracts of preservation land. More than two thirds of the island can never be developed. The J. N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation have preserved most environmentally sensitive land. Thousands of acres of wetlands, mainly along the Sanibel River, a freshwater body of water meandering through the center of the island are preserved.

The bay and bayous of Sanibel are fringed with mangroves and Sanibel’s beaches boast the best shelling in North America and the third best in the world.

Sanibel's strict building codes result in the most favorable federal flood insurance rating in Florida. There are also height restrictions. No high-rise condos are allowed.

Sanibel is incorporated as a city and has a land use plan that caps the number of units that can be built on the island to around 9,000. Currently there are approximately 8,500 homes, condos and businesses units on the island.

Year round population of Sanibel is 5,600. That swells to about 17,000 at the peak of the winter season in March.

Prices range from around $350,000 for a single family home in the center of the island to $9 million for Gulf front property.

Captiva Island is a strip of land five miles long from north to south. Less than a quarter mile at its widest, it narrows to a few hundred feet at some points.

Roosevelt Channel runs west and separates Captiva from Buck Key, a private nature preserve.

The northern third is South Seas Plantation edged by white sand beaches on the west and lush mangroves on the east. Once a pineapple plantation, the resort now has around 900 homes and condos, 18 swimming pools, 18 tennis courts, three restaurants and a top rated nine-hole golf course.

Most South Seas' property is beachfront. Gulf front mansions rise among smaller beachfront cottages. Many South Seas properties are villas or apartments, clustered in low rise wooden buildings on the beach or in larger buildings on the Bay.

Visitors from all over the world swell the year round population of Captiva to 8,000 in high season

There are approximately 1,500 homes and condos on the island. Many of the single family homes are close to the community center and The Chapel by the Sea, in the charming village area .

Large, estate zoned properties line either side of Captiva Drive, which links Captiva with Sanibel. Some of the area's most magnificent homes are located here.

Most of old Captiva has now been rebuilt. Captiva Gulf front homes now begin at nearly $3 million and soar to over $9 million. On Roosevelt Channel or Blind Pass, homes range from $1.5 million to over 6 million. At the beginning of 2004 there were 24 near beach homes on the market and 18 of them were listed at over a million dollars.

The average condo price on Captiva is now over $1 million but there are still condos in South Seas Plantation for under $500,000.

Where on the islands ?

Where you want to live on the island depends on what you want to spend your time doing.

The Beach  If your dream is to bask on the beach, you’ll want to live as close to it as you can. Houses and condos right on the beach are premium property. Beachfront condos range from $600,000 to $3 million. Beachfront homes begin at $3 million.

There are less expensive properties just across the road from the beach. They range from $350,000 to $3 million.

The Boat   If you're a sailor or a fisherman, a home or condo on the bay, on a canal or on a bayou can mean you can keep your boat in your own backyard. Sailors and those with large boats will want a home on a bayou or on a "direct access" canal with no bridges to go under. The bay offers expansive water views  A bayou or canal can lead out on to the bay and more private beaches on nearby islands. Houses on the canal are generally priced above $800,00. Bayfront homes usually begin at $1.5 million and may be priced as high as $5 million.

Golf  If you love to golf, the islands offer a variety of options. Some golf clubs such as The Sanctuary are restricted to members only so they can be sure of being able to play without having to book in advance. There is also The Dunes and Beachview Golf Clubs on Sanibel and South Seas Golf Club on Captiva . Homes on the golf course generally range in the $500,000 to $1.5 million range.

Golf vs. Gulf  A common dilemma among couples is golf vs. gulf: There are a few places such as Lands End Village in South Seas Resort on Captiva or Beachview Golf Course on Sanibel which offer (almost) the best of both worlds.

Birds, Wildlife and other Animals  The natural beauty of the islands of Southwest Florida is a major factor in many people's decision to move here. Conservation and preservation are important elements of island life. Sanibel is the "greenest" of the islands.

Other Islands close to Sanibel & Captiva

There are five major island communities in Southwest Florida. Traveling from north to south, they are Boca Grande, Captiva, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island. We specialize in Sanibel and Captiva property, but if you’re interested in other islands, we can help you there too. Here’s some information about them. 

Boca Grande – Gasparilla Island. Cape Cod in Florida

The Village of Boca Grande is located on Gasparilla Island, 15 miles south of Englewood and 20 miles south west of Port Charlotte. It’s connected to the mainland by a very short drawbridge at the little town of Placida.

Gasparilla Island is half a mile at its widest point and seven miles long and the village of Boca Grande is situated five miles south of the causeway and has the ambiance of a Cape Cod village with quaint multicolored pastel cottages, village shops, restaurants and marinas reminiscent of New England. There are no high rise buildings . Most of the 1,000 year‑round residents of Gasparilla Island cluster around the village area where some magnificent vintage Gulf front estates are interspersed with old Florida style cottages.

Many of the 1,500 homes on the island are on the water.

Boca Grande is undergoing a real estate boom and, at the time of writing, there are only a handful of  waterfront homes left on the market.

Estero Island -Fun in the Sun

Officially named Fort Myers Beach, even though it is some 15 miles away from the city of Fort Myers, Estero Island stretches seven miles from north to south hugging the Lee Island Coast. “The Beach,” as it is informally known, is connected on the northern shore by a high span bridge and on the south end by a drawbridge which leads to Lovers Key Recreation Area and on to Bonita Beach and Bonita Springs.

The town center at the foot of the high span bridge is called Times Square, a busy walking mall with colorful brick pavers, a community fishing pier, public beach, souvenir shops and an assortment of small restaurants with outdoor tables to watch the world go by.

The southern end of Estero is more residential in nature. Along the beach front, high rise condominium complexes are interspersed with single family homes. Away from the beach, most of the building consists of single family homes.

The year round population of Fort Myers Beach is 7,500 with 4,800 registered voters. This increases to some 45,000 at the height of the winter season, particularly during Spring Break when families and students from throughout the nation flock to “The Beach” for fun and frolic.

Marco Island - Edge of the Everglades

Marco, the most southerly island of the group, is six miles long and four miles wide. Located some 25 miles from Naples, on the southwestern tip of Florida at the entrance to the Everglades, it is the closest to Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Although not the largest in land area, it has the largest population with year‑round residents numbering some 12,000. This increases to around 38,000 in season.

In addition to beach and water attractions, Marco Island boasts golf courses and very good fishing. Close to the Everglades National Park, it offers a number of eco tours. Yet the sophisticated city of Naples with its galleries, fine stores, and cultural offerings is relatively close.

Currently there are some 23,000 homes and condos on the island. Although the number of new condos which can be built are very limited, there is availability for some 5,000 more single family homes.

Pages updated 12/4/2008