SWFL.io - Local NewsReporter: Zoe Warner
•7/20/2026
SANIBEL, Fla. (WINK)—Sanibel is among the beaches under a high risk for dangerous rip currents as a tropical depression continues to impact the Gulf Coast.
The National Weather Service says rip currents are the leading weather-related cause of death at beaches along the northern Gulf. Winds on Sanibel varied between 20 mph and 30 mph Monday afternoon.
Rip currents are powerful streams of water that flow from the nearshore where swimmers enter the water. If swimmers are not vigilant, they could lose control and get swept away.
"I'm pretty wary of that because I almost got pulled in one time a few years ago," beachgoer Emily said. "So yeah, I'm just being cautious."
Sanibel officials say it's important to know what to do if caught in a rip current.
"The goal is to swim out of the current," Eric Jackson, Sanibel public information officer, said. "If it's taking you out, you swim out of it, and then and then work your way back to shore. If you are in distress, you wave, you make noise, you make sure that people can hear you."
While some stayed away from the stronger winds, others went out looking for them. Kiteboarder Brian Adams said the conditions were perfect for his sport.
"Today is perfect because we're not getting a whole lot of rainstorms," Adams said. "It looks like it's passing us, and we're getting a nice south wind, so this spot is like perfect, perfect for us. And the wind's strong. That's what we really, really, really want."
Adams said safety is the number one rule when dealing with Mother Nature.
"I get nervous every time because you never know," Adams said. "You know, you get like, especially like in this part of the state, that you have such highs and lows with the wind, and to be stuck out there and something happening, you know."
Jackson said it's better to be safe than sorry.
"If you look out and you think you know I don't know maybe should I risk it don't do it if the conditions don't allow for it don't swim in it," Jackson said.