Fort Myers Beach or Sanibel Island?

[ryanpatricksmom]

Sanibel hands down.

If you need a few nights of the college resort atmosphere, Fort Myers beach is a quick drive from Sanibel. If you do choose Fort Myers beach, I would recommend the outskirts....perhaps as far as Estero, and be sure to visit Lover's Key for shelling.

 

[Ricola]

Castrule - I know Sanibel Harbor had a shuttle to the beach (I think it just went to the southern end, by the lighthouse), we did not use it because we had a car. I am not certain about the mall. IMO, you'd want a car unless the visit was just for a day or two, just to be able to see more of the area, and to get to restaurants, etc.

Have fun planning!

 

[faith]

HI Catsrule. You can't go wrong with Sanibel. It's a beautiful area.
Do rent a car and go down to Fort Myers Beach. Lots of shops, and gorgeous view as you get to the top of the bridge. You usually see lots of parasailers.
You also might want to drive on down to Naples and take the trolley tour. The homes in that area are gorgeous. Also in the city of Fort Myers(north of FT. Myers Beach) take the tour of Edison's summer home. It's great.
If you can, go in January the rates definitely go up for Feb. and March.

 

[JeniC]

I live in the Ft. Myers area and I definatly prefer Sanibel & Captiva Islands over Ft. Myers beach. You may need a rental car but you might want to look into renting bikes while your there we love to ride on the islands its really relaxing.

 

[pollyanna]

Jeni...can you reccommend places to eat?

My DH and I may be here during our "See the real Florida Christmas Tour" next week.
Thanks!

 

[catsrule]

thank you everyone. we are hoping to go sometime in may. if i'm not planning a vacation i go insane. so i'm always looking at the next one!

 

[Ricola]

Originally posted by pollyanna
...can you reccommend places to eat?

We really enjoyed the "Bubble Room" on Captiva. It is filled to the BRIM with Retro-Christmas knicknacks from all over, and the food is tasty. Expecially the red velvet cake. MMMM!

 

[grinningghost]

Been to both, and loved them both, but if I had to pick, I'd say Sanibel.

 

[catsrule]

thanks for all the great replies and info.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I haven't been to either place, but my aunt and uncle have been taking their kids to Sanibel for years and LOVE it. They love it so much that they are having a house built there for their retirement.

 

[JeniC]

I agree with ricola about the Bubble Room. They don't take ressies so depending on when you go you may have a long wait. Also check out CheeBurger-CheeBurger, the Green Flash, and either of the Lazy Falmingos. Also Windows on the Water at the Sundial Resort is very nice.

 

[goofy4mickey48]

Love love love it there! It is so peacefull relaxing and romantic, there are birds everywhere,herons osprey, pelicans, egrets,we saw dolphins everyday a manatee, different kinds of small fish, sand dollars, crabs, watch out for the sting rays though, they hang around the shore waters! RC Otters is a fantastic restaurant great food, out door music and,great prices. On Captiva forget a car, rent bikes, scooters or walk to everything, it is very small, if you want to visit Sanibel or Fortmyers you will need a car, this is my favorite place in the world equal with disneyworld in a different way, we usually do Disney first and then head down to Captiva for a week of pure relaxation, we rent a house near the beach with its own pool buy our groceries and just enjoy !It is very slow paced the main activity of the evening is watching the beautiful sunsets, we rent movies from the library ,play board games ,swim in the pool ,just enjoy being together. It is Floridas best kept "secret" Well that's my "2 cents" whatever you pick enjoy!!!!!!! ........... goof

 

[NHDisneyKid]

My family owns a home in Naples, about 40 minutes south of Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island...So I've been to both places sooooo many times.

My junior year in college, I stayed on Sanibel with three of my friends. It was nice, but like everyone has said, VERY quiet. Lots of older folks, the beaches are nice, but again, many families. The pace of life is slow and quiet, which is totally nice sometimes

On the other hand, Ft. Myers beach has a lot of high-rise condos and hotels, etc. I can't remember who compared it to Ft. Lauderdale, but that's totally true! Except, now, Ft. Myers is almost as popular at spring break time. When we were there, there were over 30,000 spring-breakers there, so just keep that in mind. The strip was CRAZY at night and the bars were LOUD!!!

If you do go to Sanibel, make sure you head out to Captiva also and go to the Bubble Room!!!

 

[catsrule]

Cool, this thread is still going! Thanks, guys and gals!

 

[Ricola]

I forgot aboot the Lazy Flamingos. Good place also!

I wanna go.

 

[pollyanna]

Thanks everyone......Can't wait to try some of those restaurants and see all that nature that Florida is famous for.

 

[pollyanna]

**UPdate**

Dh and i spent a lovely day at Sanibel and captiva Islands in late december. It is beautiful,peaceful and quiet. There are no"name brand" hotels and just a few places to rent...most places are private homes(I'm sure some of them can be rented)...VERY limited beach access and very restrictive parking. In fact, the first 3 "must do " restaurants, we had to skip because the parking lots were full and you can NOT park along the roads on either island.

We ate at The Mucky Duck at the end of Captiva island..they had a fully decorated Christmas Tree on the dunes next to the beach...and the BEST Clam Chowder and seafood dishes.

We also found gobs of seashells at the beginning of Captiva Island (near the lighthouse).

 

[catsrule]

Thanks for the update, pollyanna.