An Update on Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa – As of December 2025

by Melanie Lentz-Janney

Over three years after Hurricane Ian’s devastating surge on September 28, 2022, Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa have made remarkable strides in recovery.

The restoration process is not only infrastructure but also the spirit of these beloved barrier islands.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Sanibel Causeway

The lifeline connecting Sanibel (and Captiva via Blind Pass) to the mainland underwent temporary repairs within just 15 days, restoring access by October 2022.

Since then, a permanent, $328 million reconstruction was completed in mid‑2025. The three‑mile Causeway now features reinforced girders and stronger piling, built to endure future storms.

As of May 1, 2025, the Causeway’s smaller islands are open again with free parking, marking a meaningful milestone for both residents and visitors.

Natural Habitat & Wildlife

Beaches & Shelling

Despite Hurricane Ian and subsequent storms—including Milton and Helene in 2024—the islands’ signature beaches are slowly rebounding.

Many beaches are back to pre-storm widths, and shelling is still a favorite pastime.

Wildlife Resilience

The revival includes wildlife hotspots: more than half of Sanibel and Captiva are conservation areas, like Ding Darling Refuge, with seagrass, mangroves, and coastal habitats thriving once again.

Notably, sea turtle nesting rebounded robustly post‑Ian, with loggerheads nesting in record numbers in 2023.

The bird population, including the iconic roseate spoonbills, has also shown signs of recovery, with many species returning to their natural habitats.

Cayo Costa State Park

As Ian’s landfall point, Cayo Costa suffered severe damage.

The park is home to nine miles of pristine beach, mangroves, and nesting sea turtles. Remained closed until October 2023, a full year post-storm.

Since reopening, access by boat or ferry has resumed, with ranger-led ecological preservation efforts fully underway.

Community, Economy & Culture

Local Businesses

A Sanibel Chamber of Commerce study predicted a full business revival by 2025, and that optimism has proven to be true.

Restaurants, shops, and resorts have reopened with renewed local and tourist interest.

Small Moments, Big Meaning

In April 2025, The Lighthouse Café reopened, welcoming back the original wooden sign recovered from storm debris by a dedicated patron, a testament to community solidarity.

Bubble Room in Captiva Island 2025 — Photo Source: Bubble Room

The famous Bubble Room on Captiva Island is also open again. Regular operating hours are 11 am to 3 pm for lunch and 4:30 pm to 9 pm for dinner. Reservations are not taken. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

This act of resilience and determination is just one of many stories that reflect the community’s unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

Looking Ahead

The archipelago is no longer in crisis mode. It’s progressing into reinvigoration:

Infrastructure is strengthened to withstand future storms.
Ecosystems are regenerating naturally and intentionally.
Businesses and cultural icons are revived, stepping back into the islands’ rhythms.
The islands are prepared—perhaps more resilient than ever—for what comes next.

Visiting Now: Tips & Highlights

Best time to go: Summer marks a refreshed season—expect lively wildlife, renewed trails, and fully operational beaches.
Must-see: Ding Darling Refuge, Sanibel Seaside, the Lighthouse Café, and a boat trip to Cayo Costa State Park.
Shelling advice: Don’t miss Bowman’s and Blind Pass beaches—both brought back their iconic abundance of shells.
Get around: The restored Causeway enables access via car, but exploring by bike, kayak, and ferry is a testament to the islands’ revived spirit.

Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa have turned a page. Though Ian’s impact was fierce, the islands responded with resolve, mending causeways, restoring wildlife, reopening local treasures, and reconnecting communities.

Several years on, they stand as models of resilience: still authentically Florida, still worth every visit, and now steeled for whatever lies ahead.

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