Our Journey Back to Paradise – Update 3

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Our Journey Back to Paradise

We are excited to report that we are making great strides at Blind Pass. The basic services are coming online one at a time. Water is on, electricity is close to being connected and the sewage system will be completed next. Many of our favorite restaurants have reopened, including Traders, Island Pizza, Il Cielo and Sanibel Deli. The beaches are also reopening as the clean-up of each beach is completed. And the public is allowed on the island to visit and support the businesses that have reopened.

The crews have been working seven days a week to clean up the landscaping and have completely removed all the debris. Many of the trees along the path going to the bridge had to be removed from the property as they had been pushed over by the high winds. And all the sod had to be removed as the salt water had destroyed it down to the roots. Most of the palms and other bigger plants are growing back nicely and we will be replanting all the landscaping needed to make Blind Pass more beautiful than ever. Some plants and trees are even blooming again!
The first-floor units have been stripped down to the studs and the second-floor units are being repaired as needed – more on that below. Air conditioning units have to be replaced in every unit and that process is well underway.
We have received so much support from all of you and will continue to send you updates as the progress continues.
With gratitude ~ The Blind Pass Board of Directors

Happy New Year!

As we say goodbye to 2022, we want to say Happy New Year to all of our friends, families and guests from the Blind Pass family! We wish you a happy, healthy and wonderful 2023. We are committed to moving forward with the goal of re-opening Blind Pass to our guests once again. It’s a huge task but the support has been amazing. We appreciate all the encouragement, kind notes and messages that our guests send. We can’t wait to open our doors to you once again! We’ll continue to share our progress along the way so check out our Facebook and Instagram pages too.

Blind Pass Pool Update

Remember what our pool looked like after Ian? Our pool has now been cleaned — look at that color! The mud was removed and scraped off and the deck has been pressure washed too. The next step is replacing the damaged pool equipment! We know so many of you have enjoyed our beautiful pool over the years with your families. We can’t wait to see you all swimming, playing and relaxing here again. We have more photos on our Facebook page – click here to see!

1st Floor Update

Every 1st floor condo has been cleaned out and demoed down to the studs. This is a huge project and we’re so grateful for the contractor crew that has been working on this. The ongoing progress has been encouraging to see as these units have gone from being filled with water and debris to a clean slate for the rebuild. We’ll keep you posted on developments as we work together to re-open!

2nd Floor Update

While some of the upper units at Blind Pass were unaffected by Hurricane Ian, others did experience damage from the storm. Some windows were blown out, a few of the units had roofs partially blown off or damaged, and water got into some of the units. Any roof damage will be repaired as part of our rebuilding process. Read more.

Thank you to the Bauers!

Our owners at Blind Pass Condos are the best! The Bauers stopped by and delivered donuts and cookies to the crew working, offering treats to everyone on-site that day. Blind Pass owners are a wonderful group of people that have banded together to get through the rebuilding process, showing gratitude along the way. We love to see this, thank you so much Jim and Lynn!

 

Lunches for the working crew continue

We have a huge crew of people working at Blind Pass Condos. They are helping to bring Blind Pass back so we can re-open and welcome owners and guests again. This devoted team has been working tirelessly since day one. Our wonderful community of owners and guests have donated to a workers lunch fundraiser — this has been a great way to say Thank You from afar. So far, we’ve hosted 7 lunches and have recently been able to order from Sanibel Deli. We’re happy to help support local businesses on island as they reopen! Read more about our lunch fundraiser here. Read more about our lunch fundraiser here.

 

OUR JOURNEY BACK TO PARADISE CONTINUES…

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Sign up for the Blind Pass Newsletter here!

Our Journey Back to Paradise – Update 2

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Our Journey Back to Paradise

Welcome to our second update on the progress at Blind Pass Condominiums.

We are thrilled to report that things are moving along on Sanibel. Many areas have water, electric and waste water service. A few restaurants have reopened in the last couple of weeks. And a lucky few residents have even been able to move back into their homes. That said, most homes, hotels and other vacation properties have much work ahead!

We’re making progress at Blind Pass, too. Our staff, board and contractors are working with the City of Sanibel to be sure everything is in place to get these services up and running for the entire complex. In the meantime, the crews have continued to move things along at Blind Pass. Piles of debris have been removed by the city. The condos have been mostly cleared of debris and the workers are in the process of removing the walls for the first floor units and stripping them back to the studs. This will allow them to begin replacing the walls!

See below for news on the Clubhouse — it’s going to come back better than ever! And our terrific staff is working hard to make things happen, from our manager Tom’s help with contractors and overseeing work on site to Tayla and Taylor refunding deposits and doing so may other things: taking photos for owners, helping keep things organized and even finding our Big Blue Chair! It’s a great team and we’re so appreciative of all they are doing to help Blind Pass recover!

While the recovery process has many steps, we are grateful for each new major step that we take at Blind Pass and on the island as well! We can’t wait to share more in our next update — and we continue to look forward to the day we’ll be welcoming you back to Blind Pass again. We hope your Thanksgiving was terrific. At Blind Pass, while we have faced many challenges, we also have much to be thankful for!

With gratitude ~ The Blind Pass Board of Directors and Staff

Progress in the Clubhouse

So many of you have stopped by our clubhouse over the years, to say hi, to sign out a kayak or to get a puzzle or book… The Clubhouse has been cleaned out and the walls have been removed down to the studs. As we continue to work on this space, we’ll keep you updated. We are looking forward to having you stop by when we re-open! Plus we’ll have a fresh selection of books, puzzles and games to borrow while you stay. Here’s a picture of Tom, standing where his desk used to be!

 

Refund Update

Our refund process is still moving right along – the office staff has been diligently working on this project. At this point, we are issuing refunds on deposits through March 2023. Rest assured that cancellation fees are being waived. Although we do not have an estimated date for re-opening, our Blind Pass Team is already hard at work to make our beautiful island home better than ever as we rebuild. Read more about our refund updates here.

 

Our Big Blue Chair!

If you visited Blind Pass Condos in the summer or fall this year, you must have seen our new Big Blue Chair! The manager, Tom, built and painted this just for Blind Pass. So many of our guests have had fun taking photos on our Big Blue Chair. We were beyond excited to see that it survived Ian. The chair will be back in place when we reopen so you and your family can get a photo with the chair that survived Ian!

Some New Re-Openings

Jerry’s celebrated its reopening with a ribbon cutting in October! And in true spirit of helping one another on Sanibel Island, both Jerry’s AND Bailey’s (along with their stores’ shared supplier) made a donation to F.I.S.H. for $20,000. Some other restaurants are also open now: Cielo, Captiva Pizza and Traders. Read more.

 

Thank You to the Crew

We have a huge crew of people working at Blind Pass Condos. They have helped to tarp roofs, secure windows, clean up, clear walkways and repair the clubhouse. This devoted team has been working tirelessly since day one. Our wonderful community of owners and guests have donated to a workers lunch fundraiser – this has been a great way to say Thank You from afar. Read more about our fundraiser here.

Photos Around Blind Pass

OUR JOURNEY BACK TO PARADISE CONTINUES…

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Sign up for the Blind Pass Newsletter here!

 

Our Journey Back to Paradise – Update 1

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Sign up for the Blind Pass Newsletter here!

Our Journey Back to Paradise

One of our tiki-signs still stands!

We so appreciate the outpouring of thoughts and well wishes we’ve been receiving from you – our past guests, friends and families who have been staying at Blind Pass for generations, visitors who’ve just gotten to know us and even people who haven’t yet stayed with us at Blind Pass. As you know, Hurricane Ian has caused catastrophic damage to Sanibel Island and Blind Pass Condos. You’ve seen the images on TV and online and have likely heard stories from friends who live in the area.

We are all devastated by the impact this storm has had on our island home. But Blind Pass is already hard at work on our path to rebuilding.

We’ve created this new newsletter to provide you with regular updates on our progress and journey along the way as we work to bring back the little slice of paradise that we all love so much.

We’ve received so many messages asking about how our staff are doing and wanted to share the good news that all of our staff and owners at Blind Pass Condos are safe and accounted for. Our staff have seen some of these personal messages and are touched by your heartfelt concern. As you know, Blind Pass Condo guests are family to us. We see the same families over and over again each year. We know that staying at Blind Pass Condos is a tradition and our staff is an important part of that. Our entire staff team is still on board at Blind Pass to help us with a variety of needs along the path to rebuilding.

We continue to be grateful that our staff and our Blind Pass owners are safe. And we thank you for the outpouring of kind thoughts that you’ve shared. Your continued support and messages of concern have truly been a silver lining.

Watch this space for photos as we rebuild, stories from our journey and news on timing for re-opening once we get close to that wonderful date! The Blind Pass community is dedicated to rebuilding our island home so that it brings us all the same joy, inspiration and connection to family and friends that mean so much to all of us.

With gratitude ~ The Blind Pass Board of Directors

We’re Temporarily Closed

Blind Pass Condos ClubhouseDue to damages to the property, our complex is temporarily closed. We don’t have an estimated date for re-opening yet, but are committed to moving forward. And we’ll share our progress along the way. Here’s a photo of the Clubhouse after Ian. Read more here.

Reservation Questions?

Our refund process is moving right along – we’ve issued many over the past week and are diligently working on this project. Rest assured that cancellation fees are being waived and that we are processing as many as we can during the day. Read more about our refund updates here.

Thank You to the Crew

We have a huge crew of about 30 people working at Blind Pass Condos. They are helping to tarp roofs, secure windows, clean up, clear walkways, repair the clubhouse, document damages and salvage what is possible for our wonderful community of owners. This devoted team has been working tirelessly since day one. Thank you!

Photos Around Blind Pass

Our Journey Back to Paradise Continues…

We are committed to sharing our story as we continue on this journey. Our guests, friends and Blind Pass families are a source of inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the support, the kind messages, the sweet stories and uplifting notes. We appreciate all of you and look forward to keeping you informed. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter, we’ll continue to share our updates and progress along the way. Thank you!

Sign up for the Blind Pass Newsletter here!

3 Fun Places to Explore near Sanibel Island this Fall

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Do you and your family have a vacation planned to Sanibel Island this fall? If the answer is yes, allow us to share a few fun things that you can explore nearby. Staying with us at Blind Pass Condominiums will allow you and your family to explore the area a little. Let’s look below at where those three places you can explore near Sanibel Island this fall.

Cayo Costa State Park

aerial view of cayo costa state park in florida

Did you know that there are many barrier islands near Sanibel Island with state parks located on them? One of those state parks happens to be Cayo Costa, located just an island north of our island. The Park is open from 8:00 am until dusk every day of the year. There is admission to the island, which is $2 per person, and they use the honor system, and please only include the correct amount. You will need to take the Ferry ride over there to access the island, but it’s a hop, skip and jump over to it. Some of the things your family can do are hike, search for shells, fish, and enjoy the beach. Think of the memories you can make while at this unique state park.

Lighthouse Beach Park

Lighthouse Beach Park is located at the East end of Sanibel where the tip of the island meets the gulf. The park features about 32-acres and has a lighthouse that is “famous” to many. Here you’ll be able to ride bikes, grill out, fish from the pier and so much more. There is a parking fee for about $5.00 an hour and Handicapped Parking for free. Another plus to this park is that it is handicapped accessible which is great for everyone in the family!

Lovers Key State Park

beautiful beach at Fort Myers in america

Another great state park that is located within a 30-minute drive from Sanibel Island is Lovers Key. Located in Fort Myers is where you’ll find this fantastic stretch of white sands to explore. They are open 365 days a year from 8:00 am until sundown, and it costs $8 per vehicle to park. One of the things that many families love to participate in at Lovers Key State Park is geocaching and swimming. They also offer tours, and they do have different amenities at the park as well. The whole family can get involved in spotting the best shell of the trip and take it home to save for years to come.

While many other state parks are located within a 30-minute drive from Sanibel Island, we wanted to share these with you. If you still haven’t booked your next fall vacation to stay with us at Blind Pass Condominiums, give us a call today. We can’t wait to hear which state park you tried on your vacation this fall!

Fall is a Great Time to Visit Sanibel Island

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Fall is a Great Time to Visit Sanibel Island

Do you and your family have a vacation planned to Sanibel Island this fall? If the answer is yes, then we want to let you know that fall is a great time to visit the island. Staying with us at Blind Pass Condominiums will allow you and your family to enjoy your vacation. Let’s look below at why fall is a great time to visit Sanibel Island this year.

Perfect Fall Weather

Fall is a Great Time to Visit Sanibel Island

One of the best things about vacationing to Sanibel Island during the fall months is it’s a little cooler and sometimes less humidity. Yes, we said it less humid. This can be a great thing because if you have ever visited the south in the past, you may realize that the summer months can bring on a lot of humidity. This means that it will feel hotter than it is. The temps during September here on the island should be around 90° during the day and a low of 74°. October brings a little cooler weather of 86° during the day and 69° during the night. While September can get a little more rain than October, it’s still fewer days compared to the Spring and Summer months.

Turtle Season

Fall is a Great Time to Visit Sanibel Island

Another excellent reason for visiting Sanibel Island during the fall months is that it’s still Turtle Nesting Season. While you may see several nests around the area that are roped off, you may happen to see some of the turtles scurrying to the water. This is a great spectacle to see, and we promise it may make you tear up a bit. There are a few things to remember while you are on the beach during this time.

  • Please Remember to Keep Your Distance! This means that if you happen to see a turtle or hatchling, don’t go up and touch them. Give them space just as if you would want to have.
  • We recommend that you don’t flash any kind of light at the turtles, hatchlings, or nests.
  • If you happen to dig any holes on the beach during the day, be sure to fill them back up.

Less Crowds

Beautiful beach on Sanibel Island, Florida. The Gulf Coast beach is famous for sea shell collecting.

Vacationing on Sanibel Island during the fall months means that its less crowded. Kids have gone back to school and so it means that you’ll be able to find the perfect spot on the beach. No need to wait a long time at a local restaurant for lunch or dinner and more time to shop without the crowds. Sit on the beach with the family as you watch the sunset together with very little people around. We promise that you’ll fall in love with the fall as you get to enjoy your time spent together.

While there are many other reasons why you and your family should visit Sanibel Island this fall, we wanted to share these with you. If you haven’t booked your next family vacation to stay with us in one of our Sanibel Island vacation rentals, now is the time. We hope to see you this fall and enjoy the weather and fun with us!

3 Things to Do on Sanibel Island if it Rains

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Are you and your family planning a vacation to Sanibel Island soon, but you’re afraid it’ll rain? Have no worries, as we at Blind Pass Condominiums have you covered. Staying in one of our Sanibel Island vacation rentals will keep you and your family close to the fun. Let’s look below at three things you can do if it rains while you’re on vacation.

Explore the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

father showing starfish to his little son

The museum is the one good thing about coming to the seashell capital of the United States (or in Florida). They have recently renovated it and now offer more for everyone to enjoy. Here you’ll be able to see what shells you can find on the beach and learn more about each one. Don’t forget to check out their touch pools and other fun exhibits they have there. Bring home a little souvenir to remember your rainy day adventure from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.

Do a Little Shopping

Another great way to spend the day if it rains is to shop around local shops. Sanibel Island is full of fun shops that you have to check out. You’ll be able to find a few unique pieces of artwork over at the Watson Macrae Gallery. This shop is located at The Village Shops and while you’re there, grab a bite to eat at The Island Cow. The other shops at The Village Shops are Macintosh Books & Paper and T2 Gift Shop.

Watch a Movie

family mother father and children watching projector, TV, movies with popcorn in the evening at home

Why not watch a movie together if you don’t feel like leaving your vacation rental? Pop some popcorn in the microwave or use the stovetop for a little extra fun with the kids. Put a movie on that everyone will want to watch or find something on the TV. We can promise you’ll enjoy spending the time together as you relax and watch a movie.

There are many other fun things that you can do on Sanibel Island if it rains, but we had to share these. If you haven’t booked your next trip to stay at Blind Pass Condominiums, now is the time. We can’t wait to hear which of the above was your favorite.

3 Instagram Worthy Spots on Sanibel Island

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Sanibel Island is a hidden gem that many love to take pictures to post to Instagram and share with the world. We at Blind Pass Condominiums decided that we wanted to share our top three spots on the island to grab those beautiful pictures. Staying in one of our Sanibel Island vacation rentals will keep you and your family close to the spots. Let’s look below at our top picks to grab those priceless pictures to share on social media.

Blind Pass Beach

Sunset at blind pass at sanibel/captiva florida

Starting in our backyard is Blind Pass Beach, where you’ll be able to spot some of the most beautiful sunset shots. Here you’ll be able to spot much wildlife in the area, including the Great Blue Heron that loves to wade in the tide. Share with the world pictures of our crystal-clear water with the sun setting in the distance during the “golden” hour. Snap a few pics of the endless seashells you’ll find and share them with friends and family. The possibilities are endless on Blind Pass Beach.

Bowman’s Beach

Another great spot to grab instagram worthy shot is over at Bowman’s Beach. Here you’ll be able to capture the beauty of driftwood, seashells, the clear water, and more. Many love to spend the day at Bowman’s Beach to catch a glimpse of the serene beauty you’ll spot. The early morning is a great time to go before it gets too hot or takes an evening walk along the water. We promise you’ll post those pictures on your feed and stories on your next trip to the island.

Lighthouse BeachSanibel Lighthouse - Point Ybel Light. Sanibel, Florida, USA.

Lighthouse Beach is another favorite for not only our guests but for locals too. Taking shots during the evening of the lighthouse will surely make your profile noticed. If you stick around after the sun has set and the stars are out, you may get a great shot of the Milky Way!

No matter where you are on Sanibel Island, every picture you take will be beautiful. If you haven’t booked your next vacation to stay in one of our Sanibel Island vacation rentals, now is the time. We can’t wait to see your pictures while visiting Sanibel Island!

Benefits of Booking a Vacation Rental with Us

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Benefits of Book a Vacation Rental with Us

Do you and your family want to take a vacation to a tropical beach but don’t want to travel to the Caribbean? Then have no fear because when you book a Sanibel Island Condo vacation rental, then you will be in Florida’s hidden gem. Between the access to the beach and the amenities that we offer to our guests, you won’t want to leave your vacation. Let’s look at what the benefits are when you book with us.

Beach Gear

Whenever you go on a vacation to the beach, that means lugging all the beach items that you’d think you will need. When you book with us, you will not need to bring the beach items with you except for beach toys for the kids and sunscreen. All our units are equipped with 6 beach towels, 4 beach chairs and 1 beach umbrella. This can help leave extra room in your car to bring home souvenirs and even some shells for your collection.

Fun in the Sun

Benefits of Book a Vacation Rental with Us

No beach vacation is complete without heading to the beach, but when you stay with us, we have some other fun things to do. Blind Pass has many different amenities that you will want to not leave the complex. From playing tennis to walking over to Bowman’s Beach on our wood footbridge. To sign up for tennis rackets and balls to loan, stop in the front office to sign up for them.

Benefits of Book a Vacation Rental with Us

We also offer to all of our guest’s complimentary use of our kayaks and canoes for you to take out on the Clam Bayou. Here you will be able to see many different animals such as egrets, herons, and even perhaps a manatee or two. Be sure to bring along with you a camera that you can capture the moments of nature while on the water. Fishing, shelling and nature walks are available nearby and we promise you won’t hear the kids say, “I’m bored”.

Feels Like Home

Benefits of Book a Vacation Rental with Us

Anytime you go on a vacation, you want it to feel like you are at home with comfortable furniture and more. You want to have a full kitchen that you and the family can make homemade dinners or a quick lunch to take on the beach with you. We provide in your unit towels and linens, a washer and dryer and a days worth of laundry and dishwasher detergent. We also provide toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags. While we don’t provide other items, you are just a short drive to the grocery store where you can stock up on the extra items you may need. If you want to save time and be able to enjoy the beach a little more with the family, then you can bring a few items from home to help save time and money. No matter how long you are staying with us, you will feel like you are at home, yet relaxing while on vacation.

While there are many other benefits of booking with us, we thought that these would be more helpful for you when making your decision. Sanibel Island has so much to offer such as shelling, feeling like you are on a tropical island and just spending time with the family. If you are ready to book your Sanibel Island Condo vacation rental, please give us a call today or book it online. We look forward to helping you and your family enjoy a relaxing vacation to our beautiful island!

Where Sanibel Island Located?

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Have you heard of people taking vacations to Sanibel Island but you’re not sure where it is? Allow us with Blind Pass Condominiums to share with you our location and why it’s a great area of Florida. Staying in one of our Sanibel Island vacation rentals will allow you and your family some time to reconnect. Let’s look below and learn a little about where Sanibel Island is located.

Where in Florida?

map of florida showing where sanibel island

Sanibel Island is in Southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico and about 20 minutes southwest of Fort Myers. We are on a barrier island of the mainland and our quaint island is about 12 miles long and only about 3 miles wide. You will notice that a good portion of the northern side of Sanibel Island is habituated by the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. We promise that our island is the perfect spot for spending your family vacations on for years to come.

Shelling Capital of the Southeast

Seashells many sea shells shelling foreground on Sanibel Island, Florida during day on Gulf of Mexico shore and bokeh background of colorful blue water ocean

Another big reason that Sanibel Island is a great place to visit is because we are known as the shelling capital of the Southeast. You will notice that our white sand beaches and crystal-clear water will help you find some unique shells you may not find anywhere else, except for the Caribbean. And it’s only natural for our island to have a museum dedicated to shells called the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. We promise that once you visit the museum, you won’t want to visit any other imposter museum again.

Sanibel Island is the perfect island to sneak away from life back home, enjoy the island life and live it up looking for unique shells. If you haven’t booked your vacation to stay with us at Blind Pass Condominiums, give us a call today. We can’t wait to see you and your family as you explore our beautiful island here in Southwest Florida!

Don’t Miss These Fun Easter Events Happening on Sanibel Island

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It’s hard to believe that Easter and Spring Break will be here before we know it in just a few short weeks. Sneaking away from life at home and getting to spend the week on Sanibel Island is just what you may need. Staying in one of our Blind Pass Condominiums will allow the whole family to enjoy their break from school and get close to the fun. Let’s look below at what fun events are happening this Easter here on the island.

Easter Egg Hunt & Dolphin Cruise

boy holding basket full of colorful easter eggs after egg hunt at spring time

If you’re going to be vacationing with us the weekend of Easter, look no further for something fun and exciting. On Sunday, April 17th at 9:00 am, 10:00 am & 10:45 am, Adventures in Paradise hosts an Easter Cruise. Hop onboard their unique boats and enjoy Easter “island style.” You will cruise in the San Carlos Bay and while you’re on your way to the island, get a glimpse of a dolphin or two. This is a paid event, and the cost is $69 for anyone over the age of 12 and $59 for anyone under 11. Included with the price of the event are easter pails and bottled water, along with a visit from the Easter Bunny. Think of the fun you’ll have at this event, living it up “island style.”

33rd Annual “Ding” Darling Day

Little boy searching with binoculars at the beach dressed as explorer concept for nature, discovery, exploring and education

While this may be on the end part of your Easter vacation or Spring Break trip to Sanibel Island, it was one we couldn’t leave out. Saturday, April 24th, is the 33rd Annual “Ding” Darling Day, located at Lakes Park in Fort Myers. Some of the things you and your family can enjoy at this day event are art demos, nature journaling, urban birding, and much more. Think of all the fun you and your family can have while on your vacation, getting to experience this event.

Many other things are happening on the island this April, but we had to share a few. If you haven’t booked your stay with us at Blind Pass Condominiums yet, call us today. We can’t wait to hear how you and your family spent your Easter break.