Travel Nurse Housing in Sanibel Island, Florida: Complete Guide
Sanibel Island is a barrier island off Fort Myers in southwest Florida, famous for shelling, wildlife refuges, and a laid-back island lifestyle. Travel nurses typically work at hospitals in nearby Fort Myers while enjoying island living with no state income tax.
Lee Health hospitals in Fort Myers serve the area. The closest major hospital is HealthPark Medical Center.
Whether you are heading to Sanibel Island for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. Sanibel Island has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.
Major Hospitals and Health Systems
Sanibel Island is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.
HealthPark Medical Center (Fort Myers) — A major hospital in the Lee Health system with cardiac, surgical, and comprehensive services.
Lee Memorial Hospital (Fort Myers) — A Level II trauma center in downtown Fort Myers.
Gulf Coast Medical Center (Fort Myers) — A newer hospital in south Fort Myers serving the growing community.
Travel nurse demand in Sanibel Island is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, and telemetry being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter snowbird season and year-round. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.
Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses
Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Sanibel Island assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in Sanibel Island.
Sanibel Island
The island itself with wildlife refuges, beaches, and a conservation-minded community.
Pros: Island lifestyle, shelling beaches, J.N. Ding Darling Refuge, no traffic lights, nature
Cons: Very expensive, causeway toll, hurricane risk, limited services, 30-minute bridge commute to hospitals
Fort Myers Beach
A barrier island with a more lively beach-town atmosphere.
Pros: Beach lifestyle, restaurants, more affordable than Sanibel, closer to hospitals
Cons: Tourist crowds, hurricane risk, bridge traffic, higher rents than mainland
Fort Myers (mainland)
The mainland city with more affordable housing and hospital proximity.
Pros: Close to hospitals, affordable, practical, more housing options, services
Cons: No island lifestyle, less scenic, car-dependent, hot summers
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Sanibel to Fort Myers hospitals is about 30-40 minutes via the causeway. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Sanibel Island through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Sanibel Island are in line with the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.
- Studio apartment: $1,000 to $1,600 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,200 to $2,000 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,500 to $2,500 per month
Sanibel is expensive and housing was impacted by Hurricane Ian. Fort Myers and Cape Coral offer much more affordable mainland options. The causeway toll adds up.
Many travel nurses in Sanibel Island find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.
GSA Stipend Rate
The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Sanibel Island, FL area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.
It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.
Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.
Housing Tips for Sanibel Island
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Sanibel Island that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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No state income tax — Florida’s no income tax advantage maximizes your take-home pay.
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Hurricane Ian impact — Hurricane Ian (2022) significantly impacted Sanibel. Recovery continues but the island is rebuilding.
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Shell capital of the world — Sanibel’s east-west orientation catches shells from the Gulf. The ‘Sanibel Stoop’ is a real thing.
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Causeway toll — The Sanibel Causeway has a toll. It adds up if you commute daily to the mainland.
For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.
Cost of Living Overview
Sanibel Island is expensive. Fort Myers and Cape Coral on the mainland are more affordable and provide better access to hospitals.
When budgeting for your Sanibel Island assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel is the main island grocery. Publix, Costco, and Walmart are on the mainland. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.
Things to Do on Days Off
One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Sanibel Island has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge — A 6,400-acre wildlife refuge with mangroves, birds, alligators, and a scenic drive.
- Shelling on Sanibel Beaches — World-class shelling, especially on the east-facing beaches after storms.
- Captiva Island — A charming island just north of Sanibel with resorts, restaurants, and sunset views.
- Kayaking Through Mangroves — Paddle through the island’s mangrove waterways for close encounters with wildlife.
Take full advantage of your time in Sanibel Island. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.
Final Thoughts
Sanibel Island, Florida offers travel nurses a Florida barrier island famous for world-class shelling, wildlife refuges, no state income tax, and easy access to Fort Myers hospitals for travel nurses who want island living on days off. With Lee Health hospitals in Fort Myers and a above average on the islands, moderate on mainland cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.
Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Sanibel Island, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.
For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Sanibel Island assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Sanibel Island assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.