Sanibel & Captiva Islands | 1 YEAR AFTER HURRICANE IAN

Join us as we spend 2 days exploring Sanibel and Captiva Islands one year after the Florida islands were devastated by Hurricane Ian. We'll show you the current condition of both Sanibel and Captiva as we drive up and down the Florida islands, stopping at several beaches and businesses along the way.
While this video is not sponsored, we do have to thank Sun Palace Vacations and the owner of Island Grande for hosting us in their beautiful house in Fort Myers Beach while filming this video. Complimentary accommodations allow us to spend the majority of our filming budget by supporting the local businesses.
If you would like to a vacation rental in Fort Myers Beach for your own vacation on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, or Captiva, you can visit www.sunpalacevacationhomes.com or call 239-314-0240.
We also have to thank the Moke and Cabana Club for letting us cruise around Sanibel in one of their all-electric Mokes. If you're interested in renting your own Moke, visit www.mokecabana.com or call 239-722-6653.
Thanks so much for watching. We appreciate everyone who watches, likes, comments and shares our content 😊 it really helps support the channel. If you enjoy the content and want to support the channel more with NO additional cost to you check out the options below:
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Other Recommended Videos:
*Sanibel & Captiva (8 Months After Ian) - • SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLA...
*Fort Myers Beach (1 Year After Ian) - • Fort Myers Beach Flori...
*Fort Myers Beach (8 Months After Ian) - / lpqshw_1he
#sanibel #captiva #hurricaneian #explorcation
Timeline:
00:46 - #1 Lighthouse Beach
02:21 - #2 Coffee & Lunch
03:48 - #3 A Fun Way to Explore the Islands
06:33 - #4 Chamber of Commerce
08:14 - #5 Gulfside City Beach Park
12:11 - #6 Guac & Margaritas
13:16 - #7 A Cajun Dinner @ MudBugs
16:44 - #8 Breakfast on Captiva
17:52 - #9 Beachfront Drive & Parking
19:09 - #10 Captiva Beach
22:43 - #11 A Grand Reopening
24:05 - #12 Bubble Room Emporium
24:58 - #13 Dinner on Captiva
26:33 - #14 Dessert at Boops
27:47 - #15 The Mucky Duck
29:52 - #16 Another Beautiful Beach
Websites from Video:
Sun Palace Vacation Homes: www.sunpalacevacationhomes.com
The Moke & Cabana Club: www.mokecabana.com
Lighthouse Beach Park: www.visitfortmyers.com/beache...
Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory: sanibeldeli.com
Sanibel Island Beach Resort: www.oceanbreezeinns.com/sanib...
Gulfside City Park Beach: www.visitfortmyers.com/beache...
Rosalita's Cantina: www.rosalitascantina.com/sani...
Mud Bug's: www.mudbugssanibel.com
The Shack: www.sanibelshack.com
The Shipyard: shipyardcaptiva.com
Allison Hagerup Beach Park: www.leegov.com/parks/beaches/...
Green Flash: greenflashcaptiva.com
The Bubble Room Emporium: / the-bubble-room-empori...
Boops by the Bubble Room: / boops1979
RC Otter's: rcotterscaptiva.com
The Mucky Duck: www.muckyduck.com
Andy Rosse Lane Park: www.leegov.com/parks/beaches/...
Music in this Video:
Audio Hertz/Bright Skies/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Dan Lebowitz/How We Like It/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Cheel/Sunset Dream/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Slenderbeats/Cigarette Solitude/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Silent Partner/Sunday Plans/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Steve Adams/Ponte De Abril/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Patrick Patrikios/Broken/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Verified Picasso/Tea for Tat/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Wayne Jones/Retro/courtesy of the KZbin Audio Library
Ch@ntarelle/Soho/courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Rymdklang Soundtracks/Coconut Cove/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Arc De Soleil /Got Caught in Amsterdam/courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Like the music in this video? Subscribe to Epidemic Sound at share.epidemicsound.com/4rg9gu
Explorcation consists of Jamie and Skylar, a couple who typically shares their travels and adventures via blogs and travel videos.
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Explorcation can be contacted at [e-mail]

[@ScullyPopASMR]

Explorcation is hands down the best travel channel for all things Florida! 🌴🌞 Every video feels like an adventure waiting to happen. The way they capture the beauty, culture, and hidden gems of the Sunshine State is truly remarkable. Explorcation has become my go-to source for Florida travel inspiration. Keep exploring and sharing those incredible journeys! 🌎🚗✨

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for this incredibly kind and thoughtful comment, Scully! We love Florida and helping our viewers make the most of their time here! We hope you are able to make it down here for a visit someday!

[@user-ns8mi9dd7t]

Dremm tumach. Seee pekcha onlly

[@louisedole7179]

I lived on Sanibel Island in the mid-80's and loved living there. I want to move back and am waiting for the perfect time. Most of the beautiful foliage has disappeared with Charlie and Ian which breaks my heart because the Australian Pines were the true beauty of the Islands. Thank you for giving us an update.

[@Explorcation]

We couldn't even imagine how peaceful it must have been living on Sanibel back then! It's still a beautiful place, but no doubt that it has a ways to go to get back to where it once was. Thank you so much for watching our channel and taking the time to comment!

[@BlueLantern96]

I’ve been to Sanibel & Captiva about 3 times in my life. I’m In Apopka FL now, but I’m curious where are you now after Sanibel?

[@louisedole7179]

@@BlueLantern96 I'm originally from NJ and over my lifetime, I've lived in and explored 11 states in different regions. I currently live in Tempe, AZ. In 1984, I moved to Fort Myers where my mother lived. Then I moved over to the barrier islands and lived on Sanibel from 85-87. Then I moved to Nashville, TN for 6 years, then I moved to Denver, CO for several years, then I moved to Santa Fe, NM for 1 year, then I moved to Santa Barbara, CA, then I moved to the Phoenix Area, I've also lived in North CArolina, Texas, PA. I worked as an executive secretary and project coordinator for 47 years all over the country. I wanted to live in different states, I didn't just want to vacation somewhere. You really can't understand the culture of the state or region of the country and the mindsets of the people. Right now, I've been Arizona for 10 years and am 69 years old and want to move back to FL. My family have all passed now and it's just me and the cats. I was a hippy in high school and cherished my freedom, so I definitely lived a non traditional life and just lived, worked and explored for most of it.

[@BlueLantern96]

@@louisedole7179 Thank you for sharing! sounds great. I hope you get to come back to FL and journey out to the Captiva/Sanibel islands again if you get the chance. Periwinkle Place is a cool area on Sanibel, and The Bubble Room is a very cool restaurant on Captiva. 🏝️ God bless you ✝️♥️

[@mommabear2778]

I too would love to live there. It’s so serene!

[@rhondalyn100]

I enjoyed this video SO MUCH this chilly morning in middle Tennessee! The beauty of Sanibel and Captiva certainly shines through and oh! my! the food and drink are, as usual, amazing to see. Thanks for your hard work to show us non-Floridians how gorgeous Florida beach communities are! 🙂

[@Explorcation]

Glad we could bring the beach to you this morning, Rhonda. We were a bit surprised by how great the food is on Sanibel. We would go back just to eat at Mudbugs alone.

[@jayf6525]

Been over to the island many times. Glad to see it bouncing back.

[@Explorcation]

We are as well. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment. We hope you're able to get back to the islands sometime soon.

[@elysepranin4936]

I’ve been to Sanibel and Captiva. My husband and I travel to Florida often. We where actually stayed on Sanibel Island and had to evacuate because of Ian. I’m so happy to see that the island is still looking green🌴

[@Explorcation]

Thank you for sharing. That's so crazy that you were actually on Sanibel right before Ian. We actually talked to a lady while in Sanibel who stayed in her home on the island during Ian. I couldn't imagine how scary of an experience that must have been!

[@judithmiddleton8996]

You two are always so positive. 😀Any day on a ship is better than a work day.

[@Explorcation]

We do our best to be, Judith. There's already more than enough negativity out there, so we make videos for people like us who look for the positives in things. And you are absolutely right about any day on a ship being better than a work day!

[@IhaytFukkingsocialmedia]

lolikr

[@lisapolanski9379]

Sanibel and Captiva look like a fantastic place to visit. The food looks great, and the beach with the dolphins is amazing.

[@Explorcation]

Both islands really are amazing places to visit, and the beaches are out of this world. We hope you get a chance to visit them for yourself someday!

[@mariond.1603]

I love Captiva Island. It looks much better now. We visited from Germany before the Hurrican couple of times. This place stole my heart 🌴🌊.

[@Explorcation]

It really is greening up so nicely. We hope you have a chance to visit again someday. It really hasn't lost any of its charm!

[@Aestheterica]

I find myself always smiling while watching your informative videos. I absolutely love seeing all of the various Florida beach towns that I have already visited and look forward to trying out new beaches and restaurants you share about 🙂🌴

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for watching and for your comment. We've been waiting for the weather to be a bit nicer to get back out to the beach areas!

[@PurrrltheCat]

Was on the islands 2013. Glad to see it’s coming back. Your videos are very well produced. Thank you

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for the kind and encouraging comment! We really hope you are able to visit the islands again sometime soon!

[@deannazampa5286]

Really happy to see that you’re giving a lot of different businesses your business and not just one or two. After going down there for over 35 years one or twice a year, we are heading back this Thursday and it will be interesting but we’re anxious to help people out and get back to the beach!

[@Explorcation]

We always try to (and enjoy) supporting as many local businesses as possible. We will continue to come back to those that we had a good experience at, which on these islands, was nearly all of them! We're happy to hear you will be visiting soon and we hope you get some great beach weather!

[@CarlosGonzalez-mr5qz]

Thanks for making these videos! They are very informative!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for your generosity, Carlos! Everything we earn goes right back into the channel so this definitely helps us to keep growing!

[@genehinders9639]

Sandwiches look very good there! Sanibel and Captiva are definitely on our future radar now...thanks for the info @

[@Explorcation]

Both sandwiches were great! We're really glad we got to stop there on this trip.

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always, I really enjoy the beach and awesome restaurants 🏖️👍

[@Explorcation]

We're glad you enjoyed the video! The beaches really are amazing, and I can honestly say that every meal we had on the islands was well above average!

[@katyhiatt3608]

You two are amazing I really love watching your videos. Thank you so much. It it past time for me to come back home.

[@Explorcation]

Thank you so much for this incredibly kind comment! We really hope that you are able to return home soon!

[@genehinders9639]

Another great video from you two...Now have another area to add to our Places To Go In Florida. Prayers continue for those affected by the hurricane and for even better days ahead for them!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you! Better days are most certainly ahead, and we'll be excited to see how things continue to progress on the islands.

[@genehinders9639]

@@Explorcation is there an area of the beaches that are better for looking for shells than others?

[@Explorcation]

@@genehinders9639 we can't say for sure just because our time on Sanibel and Captiva has been limited, but judging by the number of people looking for shells around the Lighthouse beach, I'd guess that is one of the better areas for shelling.

[@staceytheflipflopgirl7074]

Those rain storms look soooo cool

[@Explorcation]

Yeah, we always enjoy it when we can spot rainstorms from the beach.

[@Latvian13]

Thank you for such a uplifting and happy video. And most importantly we didn’t know what’s really happened to our favorite restaurant Mudbug. We heard it was gone. What a good news! 😁

[@Explorcation]

It's our pleasure. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment. Mudbugs is definitely open and their food and service were AMAZING. We hope you are able to get back to Sanibel to enjoy it again sometime soon.

[@BobCarlson]

I looked at 3-4 recently filmed Sanibel videos in the last week. They were pretty much depressing but concentrated on the hotel opening. As always your video was super uplifting and you find all the spots that I would find if I went. Maybe not as easy. Ok. I always use your videos to find the best spots to visit. I’m heading to Greenville SC next.

[@Explorcation]

Sorry to hear that the other videos are still mostly negative. Honestly we might get more views if we focused on more of the negatives in our videos, but we don't see ourselves ever going that route. It's hard enough getting an upbeat video out every week... if we were putting out a depressing video every week, I'm pretty sure that we too would be depressed! We hope you have a great time in Greenville! We flew in and out of there once. We only had like 4 hours to kill there before our flight, but from the little time we had there we loved it!

[@BobCarlson]

I thought you did a Greenville specific video but I was mistaken. I am interested in your hiking videos from the area. Now to pick one! Not the rock climbing though. I’m a bit past that adventure.

[@Dropddime74]

Fantastic video , thanks for sharing

[@Explorcation]

Thanks, Troy! We're glad you enjoyed it!

[@CarlosGonzalez-mr5qz]

Thanks for another video!

[@Explorcation]

Our pleasure, Carlos!

[@genehinders9639]

Electric Jetboards look like fun...now if I were about 30 years younger!!

[@Explorcation]

Even at our age, we're thinking there's at least a decent chance we hurt ourselves trying on of these. But we would absolutely still do it 😂

[@summerlinpublic5673]

Well done vid! Nice work!

[@Explorcation]

Thank you. It was a really enjoyable video to film. Such gorgeous islands!

[@leanneadams2549]

This is the most perfect vlog for me ! I live in Jacksonville ( hate it ) and have been trying for years to move to Fort Myers area right before the hurricane. Nothing would come thru for me so I gave up- what a blessing huh ? Anyways I wanna check out Sanibel for a mini vac soon before the holiday rush since I work at the post office and this vlog is perfect so a big thank you !!! ❤️💯🌺

[@Explorcation]

Yes, definitely a blessing that nothing came through. We really hope you do get a chance to visit Sanibel before the holidays, and we really hope this video helps you to make the most of your time there!

[@cayrab1]

Too scared of the noseeums to go there🦟!!! Great video!

[@Explorcation]

They can definitely be bad at times! Especially after the hurricane when there was so much stagnant water on the islands.

[@AquariusTraveller]

I really wanted to see what the swamp pasta looked like....LOL ......It looks like you guys picked a good option afterall. I loved all the food I had in New Orleans, so glad it lived up to your expectations. Funny that I remember firing a pellet gun at ones of those old shooting gallery's back in my early days. I think it was at one of travelling carnivals we had here in Australia. It's interesting to see the differences from before and after the Hurricane, but glad businesses and slowly getting back to normal :)

[@Explorcation]

Skylar was really trying to talk me into getting it lol. He definitely would have tried it if they didn't have etoufee on the menu. New Orleans is Skylar's #1 food city. Are you able to find Cajun food at all in Australia? That's a really cool memory about the shooting galleries... letting kids shoot a pellet gun in a public setting, one of many things that would not fly in today world 😂

[@AquariusTraveller]

@@Explorcation your right... we have strict gun laws in Australia and don't think they have pellet guns at the carnivals anymore I'm not a big foodie so never really gone around looking for cajan food. We have plenty of the common food ethnicities choices , so might have one in the CBD

[@ultanwoods]

Great video guys

[@Explorcation]

Thanks, Ultan. It was a fun couple of days!

[@nickucera205]

Mucky Ducks!!! Their Oysters Rockefeller are the BEST I've ever had. I was there in November of 2021. We actually hung out on the beach and had lobster rolls my chef brother had made. It was my last day in Florida and I had to catch a plane, but not before Mucky Ducks. (I would love to have had the roast duck!!). He is gone now :-( but what a great memory. Thanks for sharing.

[@Explorcation]

Happy to hear about this great memory, Nick. Next time we visit, we want to try the roast duck as well!

[@pamwashington9320]

Sadly, our last visit was in the Matthews inn at island inn. Hate that they tore it down. Hope to be there in the fall.

[@Explorcation]

So sorry to hear about the inn :( we do hope you enjoy your visit in the fall. Thanks so much for watching.

[@genehinders9639]

Dolphin that close...too cool!!

[@Explorcation]

Yeah they did not adjust course one bit and swam within feet of Skylar!

[@hongheng9201]

Good video friend great 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Explorcation]

Thanks!

[@unclejesseandtherippers4047]

Nice to see the tourism is back a little bit. Ideally they keep it more natural and convert land into parks or nature preserves, rather than residences.

[@Explorcation]

Yeah we would love to see some of the land converted to parks/preserves. It will be so interesting to see how the islands re-develop over the next few years.

[@marcdich]

I’ll tell you what you guys are really killing me here I’m originally from Florida but it’s been years since I was down in the Sanibel area and then you go to Mudbugs I believe they have a restaurant in Louisiana I can’t remember though but that name is awfully familiar, but I do miss me my Cajun foodwell fortunately for me I’ve got money saved up and I am going to be moving back to Florida somewhere. I don’t care where I’m gonna get there and I’m gonna eat good live good and do whatever else good thank you for your videos.

[@Explorcation]

Oh my, Mudbugs is soooo good 😁we hope you get back down to Florida soon and have some delicious cajun food. Thank you so much for watching!

[@genehinders9639]

Rosalita's and MudBugs look like they need to go on my Google Maps!

[@Explorcation]

We can assure you that they do, Gene!

[@CANNIMAGINE]

The Sanibel Causeway toll is $6 for vehicles with a transponder and $9 for toll-by-plate. There is also a $3 administration fee. Then at least $5.00 an hour to park. That seems quite stiff considering the need to get people back over to the few open shops. That's money people could spend that shops and restaurants in my opinion.

[@Explorcation]

Yeah, you would think they would at least consider temporarily reducing some of the fees to encourage people to come back to the islands.

[@greauxpete]

Do they charge for bike or scooter parking?

[@Explorcation]

@@greauxpete we did not come across any spots that charged for bike or electric scooter parking when we visited.

[@greauxpete]

​@Explorcation ok thanks. I'm reading that they do not allow electric scooters on the bike paths.

[@gladysgriffin7347]

Yes, we visited in 2021 and again in 2024, we stay in an Airbnb in Cape Coral.

[@Explorcation]

We hope you enjoy your time there in 2024!

[@dandeely1000]

I just wanna meet up and have some cocktails with Skyler!

[@gustofpv4470]

do you ever use drones to shoot aeriel video for any of your videos?....it looks like in some of your videos you do - but I can't really tell....just curious...

[@Explorcation]

We do have a drone, but would have to actually get a drone pilots license in order to use it in monetized videos. For that reason, we generally just use stock footage for our drone shots. Perhaps when we both go full time on the channel, we'll take the time to get drone pilot license and can incorporate some more drone shots into our videos.

[@theonly1-66]

Is there debris in the sand like pieces of metal or glass? Didn’t know if it was wise to go barefoot.

[@Explorcation]

We both walked barefoot and went in the water at several beaches, and we did not encounter any debris. That said, we've heard that there is still some out there, and it never hurts to pack a pair of water shoes!

[@gustofpv4470]

Hey guys, My wife and I dissagree about which rare shell "shellers" look for....she says either the paper fig, or the babies ear...I say it is the ghost welk... ( she is the avid sheller).....please help settle this argument!........great vid!

[@Explorcation]

I had to look up those shell you mentioned to see what they look like and if we've seen any of them here in Florida. I don't think we have, but we're gonna keep an eye out for them. But the rare shell that many shellers are looking for in Sanibel (at least according to the lady at the chamber of commerce) is the Junonia Shell, a type of snail shell.

[@deannazampa5286]

Everyone has their favorite shells to collect. We have so many now that we are pickier and leave many for others. Alas, no junonia yet after 35 years. Hubby is determined though!

[@gustofpv4470]

@@deannazampa5286 my wife is the same way...when she focuses on a particular shell, she gets very determined to find it!...I think that is one thing makes "shelling" so much fun !

[@missdizziest]

Look lovely places to visit, but $5 per hr parking is definitely off putting. We're surprised that they don't reduce the rates while trying to encourage visitors back...or maybe it's an Florida thing, because in the UK it would certainly affect numbers. 😮

[@Explorcation]

Yeah, $5 parking is always a tough pill to swallow. One of the parks on Fort Myers Beach (just to the south) did completely eliminate parking cost for a while, and still have it reduced. I'm not sure why more don't follow suit. That's why we love to travel with our scooters or e-bikes. It allows us to park several blocks away in free/cheaper parking without having to walk a long ways to get to the beach.

[@theb4122]

We have a home in Sarasota County Florida (Venice) and the beach parking on all the beaches near us are 100% free. If you come the SW Florida come visit!

[@nicksideras8936]

five dollars per hour for parking ? Shame on them

[@Explorcation]

Yeah, definitely a bit on the pricey side.