Like the rest of Florida, Sanibel Island suffered severely from the recent housing market crash. Prices on gorgeous vacation homes are seriously reduced. This is even true of homes that are right on the beach front! Right now, you can save tens of thousands of dollars on properties that have beautiful views and are gorgeously built to be relaxing beachside homes.

The key to getting a good deal on Sanibel Island real estate is to check out area prices first. The prices of homes whose owners are in foreclosure are going to be a lot lower than the prices of homes whose owners are simply ready to sell without being pressed to do so. If you team up with a good Sanibel Island realtor, you’ll be able to find potential foreclosure homes that you could get really excellent deals on.

The homes that are available right now on the beach are absolutely gorgeous. With prices this low and mortgage rates this good, it’s really hard to pass up. Plus, you can always rent your property for much of the year, which can often mean that the home pays for itself. You can have basically free vacations on this beautiful island whenever you feel like it as long as you choose a property wisely and well.

Luckily, there are tons of seafood restaurants in town to choose from. Some are dressy and upscale while others are sports bars that serve shrimp and fish along side the Buffalo wings. If you really want to get a feel for all the seafood creations that are available in town, why not try a different restaurant each night? The best way to find the absolute best restaurants in town is to ask the locals, and you can never go wrong by taking a long-time server’s suggestion on the best house dishes!

Of course, the advantage of being in an island town is that you can also enjoy fresh seafood on your own. If you love taking your own culinary adventures, head to a fresh fish market in Sanibel Island, Florida, and pick up a little something to prepare on your own back at your condo or beach house. Cooking seafood is a totally different experience when you’re dealing with catch that came in just a few hours before!

However you choose to do it, make sure you enjoy some seafood when you visit Sanibel Island for a vacation. If you’re a restaurant diner, stop and ask others which places they’ve enjoyed most. If you’re an aspiring chef, pack up some of your favorite spices, and be prepared to cook the best fish you’ve ever tasted.

Those who are planning vacations to the beautiful Sanibel Captiva area will be glad to note that officials are giving the oil less than a one percent chance of reaching the islands. As of now, the beaches are pristine and beautiful. Visitors and residents are even reporting that the smells of burning tar which affected some of the Florida beaches haven’t reached Captiva yet.

If you’re planning to visit Captiva soon, look for Captiva oil spill updates frequently. Officials are currently releasing forecasts in seventy-two hour increments. It’s impossible to predict further into the future than this, as the ocean currents and winds can change things fairly quickly. As of now, though, the seventy-two hour forecast is clear and beautiful, with the Captiva beaches being free from tar balls and totally safe for swimmers of all ages.

The Sanibel Captiva oil spill updates will continue to be released as long as the oil spill is a problem in the area. Clean up efforts are going well for many areas, though. Environmental officials estimate that right now, only 25% or so of the oil that was originally leaked from the ocean floor is present on the surface of the water. The rest has been cleaned up manually or with fire or has simply dispersed into the environment.

This island area is found on the southwest coast of Florida. NOAA reports that that probability of oil reaching the destination is less than 1%, and less than 20% for the west coast of Florida. Furthermore, if Sanibel and oil spill damage did eventually meet, by that time the oil would have degraded and dispersed considerably.

If the oil ever does reach the region, it will not appear in the form of a large “Sanibel oil slick.” Instead, it would be in the form of scattered tar balls. NOAA reports that no oil damage is apparent as of July 2010. However, the notoriety of the BP disaster has scared some tourists away from the area. The city of Sanibel stands to lose millions of dollars in tourism for no reason other than paranoia. The beaches are currently safe and there is no sign of any oil near the coastal area, let alone any evidence of danger. The Florida Division of Emergency Management also stated that it does not expect the oil spill to affect the Sanibel or Captiva or Fort Myers area for the next month—and possibly far beyond that. Furthermore, the National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island also states that no refuge waters have been affected.

The idea of a Sanibel oil leak is indeed intimidating. Rest assured however that if and when oil damage becomes evident, the city will update tourists, vacationers and residents. For more information, visit the official website of Sanibel or NOAA.

If you are looking for bed and breakfasts or quaint cottages in the area, then you are surely in luck. The Tarpon Tale Inn is a truly charming bed and breakfast location that has themed rooms with lighthouses and seashells. Another cute bed and breakfast location is the Captiva Island Inn, which has a bird of paradise cottage, perfect for honeymooners. It also features a four-poster bed, high beamed ceilings, and beautiful wooden floors. For cottages, you can choose from Beachview, Blue Dolphin, Castaways, and Driftwood inns.

There are also many fabulous Sanibel Island hotels. The Shalimar Resort, Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort, and the Song of the Sea Resort are all highly recommended by visitors and locals alike. West Wind Inn is a holiday resort that boasts a private balcony in each room with views of either the sparkling pool or lush gardens.

If you are living the fun life RV style, or like to sleep under the stars then you will be happy to hear about Periwinkle Park and Campground. Full hookups are available for motor homes, and the site features showers, a Laundromat, and picnic tables.

Once you stay for a while, you might even be tempted to look into Sanibel Island real estate. Houses might be hard to come by, as once you move in, you never want to move out! Who would want to leave such a paradise, after all? Contact a local realtor for the best information on finding your dream home to make this vacation a permanent one!

A few factors come into play, including the Loop Current, which is about 200 miles off the coast. Local weather and hurricane development will also be contributing factors. However, if no oil is spotted then there are no risks associated with vacationing in the region. Visitors can still swim in the ocean, fish and engage in water sports. It is also safe to eat seafood at local restaurants and to buy seafood from grocery stores.

What would happen if a Sanibel oil leak did occur and the area were overrun with oil? It would ruin tourism and the beaches in the area. It might also affect the local quality of life, altering the smell and taste in the air, perhaps even irritating the eyes. Animal and insect life might suffer.

Realistically speaking, how long will it be before the possibility of a captive oil spill occurs? At this point in time, there appears to be no immediate threat. If oil did eventually reach Sanibel and Captiva, the oil would not be evident in large slick spots. Instead, the oil would start to biodegrade and would simply come up as tar balls.

As of July, city officials are doing what they can to monitor and to prevent oil damage. If there is a Sanibel oil spill update then you will hear about it soon enough. In the meantime, think twice about cancelling your trip. There is no risk or cause for alarm. Tourism is suffering because of BP’s mistake. However, the beaches of Captiva and Sanibel are as lovely as ever.

These birds are being released into the Sanibel area in hopes that they can recover physically (and maybe emotionally? Hey, who says birds cannot experience stress?) and make a new start in the Sanibel area. These birds were rescued from major oil spill areas in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

These birds were treated to a human-guided flight aboard an aircraft. They join some 1,085 birds that have been rescued from the oil spill site and transferred elsewhere. It’s reassuring to know not only that Sanibel oil spill damage is non-existence, but also that the city is doing its part to help North America to recover from the crisis.

Wildlife officials have put leg bands on the released birds, hoping to track them and see whether they will try to return to the spill area. Birds by habit do return to their homeland, though these birds are understandably shaken from the oil scare. One thing is for sure the Sanibel area is perfectly safe and ecologically compatible with the birds.

Why not show your support of Sanibel and Captiva? Oil spills are nothing new, and the local community is doing its best to fend off the affects from the massively-hit Golf Coast region. Thus far, merchants, hotels and restaurants are still in business and are unaffected by the damage. They are ready to see you this summer, and so is Sanibel’s bird population!

If its early morning hours, and breakfast is calling your name, then you might want to check out the Lighthouse Café which boasts the “world’s best breakfast”. Try the “hungry fisherman” dish, which features fluffy eggs, crab, scallops, and shrimp, all smothered in a dreamy Alfredo sauce. You also can’t go wrong with simple things like farm fresh eggs, grits, bacon and coffee. The Over Easy Café is another can’t-miss breakfast stop.

Lunch spots are abundant on Captiva and Sanibel Island. Favorites of the locals include Key Lime Bistro, RC Otter’s Island Eats, and the Blue Giraffe restaurant, all of which are considered pet-friendly restaurants. (You know, just in case Fido is on vacation with you) The Island Cow might be the most popular stop for lunch on the island, as the vast menu is almost guaranteed to have something for everyone. The only problem you might have with the menu is the amount of time it takes to place an order.

There are plenty of dinner places to choose from as well. Ellington’s Jazz Club and Bistro is a nice little night spot that serves up a good atmosphere with its dishes. Cannonball’s Crab Cakes, St. Louis Blues Braised Short Ribs, and Sinatra’s Twin Tails are just some of the delicious dishes. If you are feeling tired after a long journey then rest assured there are plenty of places nearby each and every one of the Sanibel Island hotels that offer a good meal.

Bring back some seashell treasures and make some festive memories during your island paradise vacation. Your vacation isn’t complete without trying any of these local eateries.

Many types of weddings can be performed on the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Island, from intimate casual affairs to full-blown formal white weddings. Popular casual weddings can still have a man in tuxedo, but with rolled up pants, sandals and sunglasses, or perhaps even a barefoot bride. Formal weddings can have aisle runners and canopies overhead, with the bride in a full white gown.

If you decide to get married in Sanibel Island Florida or Captiva then you should know some of the wedding basics for the area. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a marriage license, or posses notarized forms with parental signatures if you are under the age of 18. Marriage licenses are valid for two months. The waiting period for residents is three days from the date that the marriage license is issued, but can be waived if both the bride and groom are not residents. The cost of the license is currently set at $93.50 and must be paid in cash, which is something good to keep in mind for those so used to only carrying plastic.

There are many wedding planners in the Sanibel Island area that can help you plan your destination wedding. Some wedding consultants offer full packages and allow you to choose only the things you want and need. The islands have everything you could hope for to make your wedding day a day you will never forget!

Whatever your dream wedding is, a beautiful Captiva Island and Sanibel Island paradise setting is sure to complement it.

If you are looking for those touristy t-shirts (and come on, you know you want to buy at least one!) then you will want to check out Sanibel Island t-shirts and Gifts. Sweatshirts, kids shirts, and of course the obligatory tees can all be found here. T-Shirt Hut, Adventures in Paradise, and Shop on Sanibel all have fun t-shirts and apparel as well.

Are you looking for something unique to bring back as a souvenir? Geez Leweez is a fun little needlework supply store for all the yarn heads you know back home. The Island Book Nook has more than 10,000 books to enjoy and browse through. Giggles is a unique kids clothing store where you are sure to find the perfect outfit for your grandchild.

If you are searching for something for that lucky woman in your life, then why not look into Kelly’s Cocoons shop? Here the artist Kelly Murphy creates gold sea life necklaces and gorgeous real butterfly displays. Shiny Objects Shop has lovely handmade glass jewelry and many other items, while Lily & Co has elegant jewelry collections for those with highly sophisticated tastes. Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, Congress Jewelers, JB Designs, and Sun Catchers’ Dream are other hot spots to hunt for a jewelry find.

No matter what souvenirs or gifts you are looking for, you are sure to find that perfect little something amongst all the treasure troves of shops on Captiva and Sanibel Island, Florida!