Fishing Around Sanibel Island

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If you’re coming to Florida to do some fishing be sure to come on over to Sanibel Island and try your hand in the Gulf of Mexico. This shallow body of water is no deeper than 50-75 ft. just 30 miles offshore. There are numerous artificial reefs and wrecks that make for some fabulous fishing. Some of the best red grouper and black grouper fishing in the state can be found here. Other offshore species include shark, tripletail, tarpon, cobia, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, barracuda, jack crevalle, amberjack, permit and numerous kinds of snapper.

Charter Fishing in Sanibel
When you’re making reservations for your Sanibel Island lodging be sure to give us a call at Blind Pass Condominium. We have 1,300 sq ft two-bedroom units with split floor plans, 1,586 sq ft three-bedroom, two bath units, and townhouse units that are 1,500 sq ft with two bedrooms and two and a half baths.

We’re sure you’ll enjoy the comfortable and open floor plans that you’ll find in both our condos and townhouses. In our Sanibel Island lodging we offer amenities such as Air Conditioning, Dishwasher, Gas Grill / BBQ, Heated Pool, Laundry, Microwave, Stereo, Tennis Facilities, TV and VCR. To make your vacation more relaxing we provide beach chairs, beach towels and beach umbrellas, too.

Once you’re settled into your Sanibel Island lodging you’ll be free to pursue whatever type of fishing interests you most. We have fishing charters and guides, offshore fishing, inshore/Back Bay fishing, fly fishing and fishing from shore or from the piers. Marinas on the islands rent boats, canoes and kayaks as well.
 
 

Sanibel Island Has the Only Shell Museum in the Nation

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Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

A short distance from our Blind Pass Condominiums, is the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on the Sanibel-Captiva Road on Sanibel Island. If you enjoy looking at seashells this is a must-visit location for you!

Come learn everything there is to know about seashells on Sanibel – the many different types of shells, the best season to collect shells and the best time of day to go out. You won’t want to miss the Marine biologists who give Live Tank Talks throughout the day.

As the only sea shell museum in the nation, Bailey-Matthews displays shells from all over the world. In addition to displaying shell specimens, they also share insights into the various roles shells have played in the past, today, and in the future.

seashells of Sanibel

The museum takes great care to be accurate, which means their information evolves as new scientific discoveries are made. They have a world-renowned malacologist and two Marine Biologists that are joined by highly educated docents to share knowledge, surprising facts, and rare insights into the lesser-known complexities of shells. You’ll learn all about the science as well as the cultural, historical and culinary facets of shells.

Collecting Sanibel Island shells

In their own words, “…our greatest asset is an innate sense of curiosity and wonder about shells. We have a lot of fun here at the Museum; we thankfully never stop learning and sometimes even get a little goofy about new discoveries — whether brought to our attention by a guest, gleaned from our own research, or found within the larger scientific world. Come see us — you’ll be glad you did!”

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 adults (18+), $9 for youth 12-17, $7 for children 4-11. Children under 4 are admitted free as are active military. Phone: (239) 395-2233. Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, Florida.

Sanibel Island #1 Among the Top 10 Best Shelling Beaches in America

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If you’ve visited Sanibel Island in the past you won’t be too surprised to learn that Travel & Leisure magazine ranked Sanibel Island #1 of the Top 10 Best U.S. Shelling Beaches in the country. The Weather Channel’s Facebook friends’ also voted Sanibel Island as the beach they like best for shelling. Conditions are ideal off the coast of Sanibel and Captiva Islands to acquire the finest and largest number of shells that you have to see to believe.

Sanibel Island #1 Among the Top 10 Best U.S. Shelling Beaches
Some say that both Sanibel and Captiva Islands are created entirely from seashells. When local residents install new gardens in their backyards they often find conchs, whelks, scallops and clam shells — all in pristine condition!

It’s because of the lay out of the land that these islands rank the best in the world for shelling. The Island of Sanibel is a curve shape that follows the coastline. The east-west torque of Sanibel’s south end acts like a shovel that regularly scoops up all the seashells that the Gulf carries in from the Caribbean and other southern seas.

What to Bring if You’re Collecting Shells

Be sure to bring a bucket or other container to hold all the seashells you collect and hit the beach during low tide when shells are more exposed. The best times for Florida shell-lovers to collect are at low spring tides during full and new moons. Gulf storms are also responsible for moving a large number of shells up the Gulf and onto the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Sanibel Island #1 Among the Top 10 Best U.S. Shelling Beaches

Where You Can Find the Best Shells

The best places to go shelling are on the Gulf-side beaches from the Lighthouse to North Captiva Island. With hundreds of thousands of shells, the beaches are sources of every type of shell imaginable; with a fresh supply coming in regularly from the Gulf and Caribbean. Please know that shelling is prohibited in J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

What You’ll FInd

There are many different types and sizes of seashells on these beaches. The smaller seashells can be found on the Lighthouse end of the island chain. But if it’s the larger shells you’re after you’ll want to check closer to Captiva and North Captiva. You can expect to see Conch, Junonia, Lightning Whelk, Cockle, Scallops, Murex, Tulip, Olive, Coquina, among the types found there.

Florida Seashell Laws

Seashells are important to the chain of life on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Because both of these are refuge islands, where all life is considered precious, the State of Florida has outlawed the collecting of live shells on the island. A “live shell” is defined as any specimen that contains an inhabitant, whether or not the mollusk seems alive. The law further protects sand dollars, starfish and sea urchins. Sheller’s are urged to limit even their empty-shell collection.

Where to Stay

When you’re looking for an affordable place to stay on Sanibel Island be sure to check out Blind Pass Condominiums. Our accommodations are beautifully decorated and fully furnished and will easily accommodate most any size group.We look forward to meeting you!

 

For the Best Shelling on Sanibel Check Out Bowman’s Beach

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Best shells to be found are at Sanibel Island beach

If you’re into collecting shells and are trying to choose where to take your next vacation this year, come to Sanibel Island! You’ll return home with the best seashells you’ve ever collected from Bowman’s Beach, right here on the island.

When you’re looking for vacation accommodations don’t miss our Last Minute Deals at Blind Pass Condominiums where you won’t be far from beachcombing to your heart’s content. Bowman’s Beach offers some of the most remote beachfront in the area. Plenty of parking is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Low tide will provide you with the best and most shells. Come early and enjoy having the beach to yourself.

Bowman's Beach

Even if your prime reason for coming isn’t to collect shells, Bowman’s Beach is still an awesome place to picnic and swim with the family. There’s a large picnic area, grills you can use to cook on, outside showers and a bathroom. The beach is about a ¼ mile walk from the parking lot and offers pristine white sand.

Dolphins at Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island FL

You’ll see things from the beach that you just won’t see otherwise unless you’re on a boat. Watch for the manatees and dolphins as you cross the bridge on the walk to the beach. Be sure to check out the awesome views of the Gulf of Mexico as well.

Best Shells at Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island

Grab the kids, pack a lunch and plenty of liquids, and don’t forget the buckets or bags to carry your shells in. Treasures like these can’t be purchased in any store! These come wrapped up in the full experience of vacationing on Sanibel Island, Florida, when you stay at Blind Pass Condominiums.

 

 

Spend the Day Exploring Clam Bayou in Our Free Kayaks

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Kayakers and other small boat enthusiasts are sure to appreciate our close proximity to Clam Bayou and the free use of kayaks we provide to guests of Blind Pass Condominiums. Book your stay now and let us know in advance, if you can, that you’ll be using the kayaks.

Spend the Day Exploring Clam Bayou in Our Free KayaksClam Bayou – which is very old inlet – is a part of the Dinkens Bayou area just south of Blind Pass. The entire area is dynamic and always changing. Clam Bayou has been open to the Gulf off and on through the years. In 2016, Hermine, which was a Tropical Depression when it came by here and later became a hurricane, sent sufficient wind and waves to make a small pass to the Gulf of Mexico.

“This is reminiscent of the old days when both sides of Silver Key were open to the Gulf,” said nearby resident Doris Hardy, president of the ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge. “Fishing boats would enter Clam Bayou. We saw sting rays and there were more blue crabs and Gulf critters, for lack of a better word.”

Spend the Day Exploring Clam Bayou in Our Free Kayaks
“This has resulting benefits,” Evans said. “The opening brings in Gulf water and allows some flushing within the bayou. This removes some organic matter in the bayou and allows for an influx of creatures. This influx will provide some additional food in the bayou and will allow for marine life to pass freely between the bayou and the Gulf.”

Maps also note the presence of Old Blind Pass next to Clam Bayou. That, Evans said, is indicative of how things change along the shore. The present Blind Pass where Sanibel meets Captiva has been open and closed through the years. It is in its present spot today only because of human efforts to keep it there.

This entire area provides for a wonderful day of exploration by kayak, canoe and other small vessels that should not be missed no matter what time of the year you visit!

Where to Celebrate the Holidays While Staying at Blind Pass Condos

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A brand new year is fast approaching and with it comes new hopes and dreams. If you’ll be in the area for Christmas stay in our holiday accommodations and enjoy the many events taking place in the area. Say farewell to 2017 and bring in the New Year at any of the area’s special events. Our holiday accommodations at Blind Pass Condominiums will have you in close proximity to not only the beach but to the following local events as well!

Celebrating the Holidays Around Sanibel IslandDon’t miss Edison & Ford Holiday Nights taking place 5:30-9 p.m. through December 31. The winter homes, gardens, and historic buildings of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford are decorated with thousands of lights and traditional holiday decorations. Special events include:

  • Nightly guided Holiday Tradition Tour at 6 and 7 p.m. (First-come, first-served.)
  • Inside the Homes Holiday Tour every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. (additional cost, call for reservations)
  • Children’s Holiday Tree Trail with handmade ornaments created by students from local schools
  • Artist Doug MacGregor as Santa, visiting and cartooning with kids of all ages on November 24, December 9, December 16, and December 23
  • Visit Spark!Lab, our newest Smithsonian hands-on exhibit open 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. during Holiday Nights
  • Patriotic Postcards – nightly activity where visitors can create and decorate postcards to be mailed to active-duty military personnel
  • Ford Holiday Cottage Shoppe, Museum Store and Garden Shoppe open for unique holiday gifts
  • Pure Florida M/V Edison Explorer offers sightseeing and sunset river cruises select days
  • Enjoy waterfront dining at Pinchers restaurant, open 11 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Marina at Edison Ford
  • Liquid Fireworks by Waltzing Waters Inc. returns this year, with a patriotic theme. The show runs continuously during Holiday Nights operating hours, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. each evening and is included with Edison Ford Holiday Nights admission.

Location: 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL.

New Year's EveNew Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown. Southwest Florida’s best New Year’s celebration kicks off at 8 p.m. at Hendry & 1st Street, Fort Myers, FL. Come early and bring the family for the Junior Balloon Drop at 9 p.m. at First and Hendry Streets with great giveaways for the kids. Five stages with live bands throughout the night! Vendors, great food, drinks, and family fun will go through the evening and end with the Fireworks over the River and the Ball Drop at midnight!

Join Adventures in Paradise as the sun sets on 2017! Take a beautiful and relaxing sunset dolphin cruise out into the waters of Sanibel and Captiva while listening to tropical music and searching for majestic dolphins and numerous wading birds. Gliding through the calm island waters, treat yourself to champagne strawberry cupcakes and bring your own bottle of wine or in this case, champagne. The sunsets along Sanibel and Captiva Islands will capture your heart and help set you on the right path towards your New Years resolution.

Happy New Year 2018Ring in 2018 at Traditions on the Beach! It’s an evening to be festive featuring dinner, dancing to a full band, balloon drop at midnight with champagne toast. Photo booth too! Admission: $185. For more information see our website and call 239-472-4559 to make your reservations! Location: Traditions on the Beach, 3111 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel.

All of us at Blind Pass Condominiums wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year!
 
 

It’s Time to Book Your Winter Vacation Getaway!

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It’s that time of year when you’d better get your accommodations booked for a winter vacation getaway to Sanibel Island or you risk having nowhere to stay! What a great idea for a holiday present for that someone special in your life. Whether it’s your annual winter vacation getaway you’re booking or a romantic surprise packaged up and placed under the Christmas tree, we’re ready to show you what we have.

Winter Rental in Sanibel Island

You can still have the best properties to choose from right now so you can get the condominium you want. Take a peek at these winter vacation rentals on Sanibel Island. It won’t be long before you’re dreaming of warmer temperatures and wishing you had somewhere warm to escape to! Make this the year you plan ahead by reserving a stay at Blind Pass Condominiums.

At Blind Pass Condominiums we have two and three bedroom condo rentals in addition to two-level town homes — all comfortably accommodating six to eight people. You’ll have everything you and your family needs for a comfortable stay in these furnished and well-appointed units. From a Chef’s kitchen to spacious and beautifully decorated living rooms and washer/dryer right in your unit, you’ll have what you need to enjoy your time here in our toasty warm temperatures.

Winter Rental

Amenities that come with these winter vacation rentals include a clubhouse offering free Internet access, swimming pool, screened porches and open patios, and VCR/DVD. Some units come with 52” televisions, too! Lots of beach equipment is provided — beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, etc. During the winter months our swimming pool is heated. You’re sure to enjoy the tennis courts as well as the kayaks and canoes that we have available for your use.

This is the year to take Christmas over the top! Give the gift of a winter vacation getaway to Blind Pass Condominiums and you can’t go wrong. One size really does fit all! We look forward to seeing you this winter.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday Season on Sanibel Island This Year

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As the days are getting shorter and the promise of a new season is at our doorstep, our thoughts can’t help but turn to the upcoming holiday season. Now is the time to book your holiday accommodations for that Thanksgiving getaway you’ve been promising yourself and your family. You’d be hard pressed to find a more beautiful place to spend Thanksgiving this year than right here on Sanibel Island.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday on Sanibel Island

Picture yourself on the beach at Sanibel as you enjoy the holidays on a world-famous resort island with sandy white beaches filled with exotic wildlife and nature preserves near by. Treat yourself to a holiday visit and you can rest assured that our vacation condos will exceed your greatest expectations.

We have two and three bedroom condominiums that give you more than 1,300 and 1,586 square feet to move around in. There are also two level townhouses with second floor sleeping quarters. With nearly 1,500 square feet of living area in these units they are ideal for families and groups of up to six people. All of our condominiums and townhouses come with well-equipped kitchens offering the perfect space to enjoy that holiday dinner.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday on Sanibel Island

Surprise the family this Thanksgiving by a trip to Sanibel Island and visit the many landmark attractions we have. You won’t sit idle except by choice with offerings that include museums, nature centers, live theater, art galleries and the famous Sanibel Lighthouse. There is a nice assortment of specialty shops, boutiques, gift stores and eateries to enjoy when you’re not beachcombing the 15 miles of beautiful beachfront on the Gulf of Mexico for over 250 different types of seashells.

Come to Sanibel this Thanksgiving holiday and discover for yourself how much fun you can have with your family. This could very well be the holiday of a lifetime!

A Guide For Hurricane Preparedness

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A Guide For Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season begins on June 1st and lasts through November. As with every hurricane season regardless of forecast, knowing the essentials of how to prepare could truly be a lifesaver. With Hurricane Irma expected to touch landfall this weekend, there is no better time to review what’s involved in hurricane preparedness.

Following are some terms you may hear used during this time:
Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the area. Watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.
Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the area. Warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of tropical storm force winds.
Eye: Clear, sometimes well-defined center of the storm with calmer conditions.
Eye Wall: Surrounding the eye, contains some of the most severe weather of the storm with the highest wind speed and largest precipitation.
Rain Bands: Produce severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, wind and tornadoes.
Storm Surge: An often underestimated and deadly result of ocean water swelling as a result of a storm that reaches landfall. A storm surge cause flooding along the coast and sometimes areas further inland.

What To Do

During a watch, prepare your home and evacuation plan in case a warning is issued. During a warning, carefully follow the directions of local officials in your area, and immediately leave if they advise it. In the event of an extreme wind warning/advisory, which means that extreme sustained winds of 115 mph or greater are expected to begin within an hour, immediately take shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure.

Forecasts and Predictions

Predicting the path of a storm can be challenging at best. The storm’s size and path can directly influence what sort of wind patterns guide, enhance or hinder its growth. Forecasters have computers that take large amounts of data and predict where the storm will go and can usually calculate 2-3 days out fairly accurately. Generally the forecast track or path is given with the average consensus of these models.

For More Information

The National Hurricane Center has the most up-to-date information on hurricane developments, forecasts and weather alerts, discussions analyzing the data and more.

Island Hopper Songwriter Festival

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Island Hopper Songwriter Festival
Don’t miss the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival taking place from September 22 – October 1, 2017 on Sanibel, Captiva Island and Fort Myers. The festival features nationally acclaimed singer/songwriters brought to the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel by BMI & iHeart Radio.

This award-winning festival includes over 150 live performances, more than 80 songwriters, and 23 unique venues!

Island Hopper Songwriter Festival

Featured songwriters include Brooke Eden, Lindsay Ell, Aaron Barker, Raelynn, Adam Wood, Ashley Gearing, Audrey Spillman, Badger & Rose, Bill Labounty, Bobby Tomberlin, Brandon Maddox, Brian Sutherland, Bridgette Tatum, Brinley Addington, Carl Anderson, Carrie Welling, Chas Sandford, Christina Christian, Clint Daniels, Danny Myrick, Dave Fenley, Dave Gibson, and more.

Event schedules:
Captiva Island: September 22 – September 24, 2017
Downtown Fort Myers: September 25 – September 28, 2017
Fort Myers Beach: September 29 – October 1, 2017

For accommodations during the festival, contact Blind Pass Condominiums where you’ll find comfortable and affordable condominiums beautifully decorated and fully furnished.