THANK YOU for joining us this summer in our mission to bring joy, support our local businesses, and strengthen the bonds that make our community special. Your participation made a real difference!
STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS OF LOVE SANIBEL BACK 2027, COMING IN EARLY 2027!!!!
We had 10 weeks of opportunities to spread joy each week of summer. Each week, we’ll shared one simple way to love the island: try a local favorite, thank a neighbor, or do a small act of kindness. So many of you picked your joy, completed it, and shared it—because small joys add up to a strong Sanibel. Plus several new community events brought everyone together to connect!
Check out the photos & videos page too!
Thank you to all the businesses that provided discounts with your Love Sanibel Back Button!
Our online store remains open! Click the button below to visit the online store to purchase Love Sanibel Back tshirts- many different styles of performance tshirts (great for warm weather) in several different colors and sizes. Orders are shipped next day directly to you.
Share your favorite Sanibel sunrise or sunset photo on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #lovesanibelback
Random winner selected from photos to receive a gift card to a participating restaurant!
Support participating LSB businesses:
-A great place to watch sunrise/sunsets is "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, Tarpon Bay Explorers Inc. or SCCF's trails.
-Stop by Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream, Magic Bus on Sanibel, The Shack of Sanibel, or Boops and grab a sweet treat on the way to the beach.
-Grab some picnic foods at A Bit of Bailey's General Store (10% your purchase with a LSB button!), Scooters Pizza or Jerry's Foods
-After watching the sunrise, enjoy breakfast at Blue Giraffe, Captain's Catch, Jerry's, Lighthouse Cafe, Over Easy Cafe, Sanibel Cafe, Sanibel Deli, The Sanibel Sprout or Wickies
Previous Weeks:
Week 1: May 31-June 7
Kick Off Week- Sunrises & Sunsets
There's nothing quite like a Sanibel sunrise or sunset. Whether it's the first light breaking over the island or the sun dipping below the Gulf in a blaze of color, these moments remind us why we love this place so much.
This week, we invite you to share your favorite Sanibel sunrise or sunset photo and tell us what makes that moment special to you.
Post your photo on Facebook or Instagram Use#lovesanibelback
Let's celebrate the beauty of our island, spread a little joy, and fill our feeds with the colors of Sanibel.
Kick Off Events:
The 1st was held at Sanibel Farmer's Market on Sunday May 31
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED: Thursday, June 4 enjoy a Sunset Happy Hour on the rooftop of Shalimar Resort.
Share a photo of your favorite spot on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #lovesanibelback
AND go online and leave positive reviews of our local businesses. Don't know how? Watch the video below; it's easy!
Week 2 June 8-14
Welcome to Summer
Visit a local spot you love from our list of participating businesses,
click here
to see the list; and bring a friend; write a positive review and share it on google, tripadvisor and/or yelp. Local businesses are helped greatly by their patrons who give them reviews. Share a photo of you at your local spot #lovesanibelback for a drawing for a gift card from a local business.
Week 3 June 15-21
Eat Local
Enjoy a "local favorite" menu item/treat at one or more of our participating restaurants and share a photo of it with #lovesanibelback. Be sure to leave a positive review on google, tripadvisor and/or yelp.
Submit of photo on your Facebook page of yourself or what you are eating at your favorite spot using the #lovesanibelback for a chance to win a gift card from a restaurant!
Come and connect with your neighbors Thursday June 25 from 9-11am at the Heart of the Island Shops.
-Macintosh Books + Paper will be giving away 100+ "blind date with a book" a book wrapped in brown kraft paper with a brief description on it. Let the book choose you or you choose one.
- Free books for children and teens too
-Rachel Pierce will be handing out an exclusive bookmark designed by her that you can color
- Free coffee/beverage bar and pastries
-Local author book signing
-Display by the Sanibel Public Library
-Gulf Coast News will be broadcasting live during the event!
Week 4 June 22-28
Neighbors Connect Week
Invite a neighbor or perhaps an island newcomer to join you at a local participating business and enjoy some shopping, an attraction or a bite to eat. Share a photo on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #lovesanibelback
Share your gratitude for a local worker on your Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #lovesanibelback for a chance to win a gift card to a local business for you AND the person you are grateful for!
Week 5 June 29-July 5
Gratitude Week
Write a thank you note to a local worker/employee/business and deliver it and stop in and say "thank you" in person. This is the week to say thank you to our first responders, non profit employees, and the hard working servers, clerks and staff at our local businesses.
It's also the Kick off Week for the Food & Basics Drive for F.I.S.H. and CHR; flyer listing needed items and drop off locations is under Week 9.
Week 6 July 6-July 12
Christmas In July Week
Noah's Ark Thrift Shop, on the campus of St. Michael's will have a Christmas in July event on Tuesday, July 7 with many unique Christmas items for sale as you listen to Christmas music!
Tahitian Gardens will have a nighttime Christmas Market Thursday, July 9 from 5-8pm with holiday music, activities and shopping, as well as Captiva Curio Cottage!
Plus start your Christmas shopping early and shop local at some of our small businesses, check out the list!
Tag your favorite store on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #lovesanibelback
Share a photo of your litter pick up on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #lovesanibelback
Pick up at least 10 pieces of litter at one of our local beaches, or bring a friend and collect 20+. SCCF has several guided beach walks, https://sccf.org/calendar/ and the Shell Museum has Beat the Heat Beach Walks, see https://shellmuseum.org/learn-and-experience/field-education/ for more information on them.
Week 7 July 13-19
Beach Kindness Week
Post a picture of you at your favorite wildlife organization
on your Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag
#lovesanibelback
Wild Mile Pass - Explore Sanibel Island's most extraordinary natural attractions with this mobile-exclusive pass, download it here: https://shellmuseum.org/wild-mile/ Simply check in at each location to earn points & prizes after you sign up.
Learn one wildlife fact and support a wildlife organization on the island by visiting them, volunteering and/or donating.
Also, check out all the wildlife themed activities the Sanibel Recreation Center is offering this week!
Week 8 July 20-26 Wild Mile Week
Click Links in blue for events that need registration:
Monday, July 20
· 5:30pm Sanibel Rec Center – Framing the Wild Photography Class with Casey
Wednesday, July 22-
· 9-10:30am guided beachwalk at Island Inn
· 8 - 10 a.m. Volunteer opportunity: Trail Blazers at Shipley Trail
· 5:30pm Sanibel Rec Center – Echoes of Nature sound Bowl with Dani -$
Thursday, July 23 -
· 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. SCCF Volunteer opportunity: Puschel Preserve Community Planting
Friday, July 24
· 8:30 - 12:30 (two shifts offered) SCCF Volunteer Opportunity: Tarpon Bay Oyster Restoration