Info on Sanibel Island, FL?

[LeapYear Debbie]

My boss is giving me one of her timeshare weeks. My DH and I have selected Sanibel Island. Has anyone been there? What is there to do other than the beach?

Any input anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Debbie

 

[dennis99ss]

Best place in Florida.

It is one of the best beaches in florida. It is also one of the best shelling beaches in the world. Bring some thongs or swim shoes for the beach. Water is clean though. Try the bubble room, if its still there, as well as cheeseburger/cheeseburger. The island is definitely lush and green. There is a good golf course at the sanibel country club (?). Also, there is a place like the rainforest cafe on the island. There are some nature tours, as a large part of the island(s) captiva is right next door, are parks. Also, manitees are in the area.

It is not a cheap place, though. It is a very "hot" place in the winter, so prices go up. Also, it is right across the water from Ft. Myers, and the old houses etc.

I wish we could get there more often.

 

[dennis99ss]

Oh, one more thing, a lot of "pretty people" are there. One time we were there, my wife was reading a book by some lady novelist/romance/whatever who always has top sellers. The impression was made on me.....But, my wife was sitting there reading one of these books, and either the author, or her mother stopped and began talking. The conversation turned to either the mother having been in the hospital, or the daughter visiting the mother in the hospital. I don't know, I had a pitcher full of pink ladies quickly being drained, so I wasn't paying much attention to whatever my wife was saying

Have fun

 

[Shells9]

What time of the year are you going? Prime season there is November through March, and it gets VERY crowded there during that time.

It is a nice place, though. Very natural and old Florida feeling. Very pricey. Will you have a rental car? You won't need one if you want to stay on the island (you can rent bikes & mopeds), but you will need one if you want to go to Fort Myers or Fort Myers Beach, where dining will be more affordable. There is a toll though, of $3 each time you go back onto the island to cross the causeway.

There is a pretty good sized outlet mall right off the island, Tanger Factory Outlet Mall. There is also a Disney Store in the Edison Mall in Fort Myers.

The local newspaper is:
www.news-press.com

Hope this helps!

 

[tstobb]

There is also a Disney outlet in the Miromar Outlet Mall in Estero.
There is Carriben Gardens (can't stop calling it Jungle Larry's) in Naples, lots of choices in dining (the Bubble Room is still there) and as dennis99ss said, it is the shelling capitol of the world.
The Edison/Ford winter homes are in Fort Myers as well.

 

[judi]

The Bubble Room is still there, it's expensive but fun. We go for lunch. Captiva is a bridge away from Sanibel, go there and explore. The cemetary is interesting. On Sanibel you can kayak, rent bikes, go to Ding Darling Nature preserve, it's a neat drive with a lot of birds and gators if you really look. There is a historical village you can visit. Before Christmas it's not really that busy, we will be there again this year. After that, watch out it's wall to wall traffic. For a beautiful sunset you can pull over on part of the causeway bridge over and watch the sun go down while watching dolphins. We saw a group/pod of manatee in the gulf the one day. If you want more ideas just ask. A great place to walk to is the light house area, nice shells and a pretty view.

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

Thanks for all the info. I hope to go in either April or May. We will have a rental car - I think we will fly into Tampa on Southwest and drive down to Sanibel, which should be about a 2 1/2 hour ride (I hope). Since our accomodations are free, I thought this would be a good place to explore.

Thanks again to everybody......

Debbie

 

[Shells9]

Go in late April if you can, or the beginning of May. The end of May it can get pretty hot.

The drive is very easy from Tampa. There is also an airport in Fort Myers -- Southwest Florida International Aiport (RSW). Much smaller than Tampa, and very easy to find your way around.

Have a great time!