Sanibel Island

[disney junky]

DW and I are heading to Sanibel Island in a week for our postponed 35th anniversary trip (we were supposed to go in Sept but the hurricane changed those plans). Our first visit.

Staying at Island Inn. Have a shelling cruise planned, and we are hoping to do a lot of relaxing.

What are some of the don't miss things to do?

 

[dish rag]

I like the Ford and Edison places. Sanibel is nice. Have fun.

 

[mom2rtk]

Watch the tide schedule and head out to the beach. The lighthouse is a great shelling location. We've been countless times and never taken a shelling cruise. We always find enough just on the beaches around the island.

Drive through Ding Darling. Keep going back until you see a gator.

Eat at Cheeburger Cheeburger.

Tarpon Bay has lots of activities. Kayaking and fishing excursions are fun. I don't even like fishing but my family does. I just love getting out on the bay looking for wildlife. We've seen manatee a couple of times and the guides usually know where to look. The one time I went kayaking, a pod of manatee broke the surface pretty much right below us as we were being given instructions. It was awesome.

Captiva has parasailing and jet skis.

 

[lorimay]

We love Sanibel. When I was a child we went every year in July for a week.
The only thing I recommend is make sure you have Off repellent for the evenings, after the sun goes down those no-seeums will eat you alive.
The evenings are so beautiful there, you don't want to miss them.

** If you don't want to use the harsh chemical sprays, Avon's Skin So Soft (Original) is also a good repellent.

Have fun!

 

[cabanafrau]

We enjoyed biking around and exploring. The shell museum was interesting during some nasty weather.

 

[soccerdad72]

Depends on whether you're planning to leave the island or not. On the island, there's a lot of biking, hiking and relaxing (plus great restaurants), but not a lot else. The other areas off-island have a lot else to offer (Ft. Myers, Naples, etc.)

 

[Cadiewampus]

Make sure to drive over to Captiva and eat at The Bubble Room. Good deserts but the slices of cake are as big as your head. The breakfast at Jerrys is good.

 

[Mokat76]

If I remember correctly, you can buy a ticket for a brief early morning beach walk with one of the employees at the shell museum. Do it early in your stay. It gives you a quick education on what’s what and where—and the laws. It also gives you a reduced admission to the museum.
The Ford-Edison museum in Ft Myers is neat. If you join the museum, a good tour is free. Joining is cheaper than the tour if you just walk in.
You’re there in high season. Find out about dining reservations and make them.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We love Sanibel. Rent a bike for half a day and enjoy the scenery. Go to the Lighthouse Cafe for breakfast.

 

[FINFAN]

I loved the Bubble Room~ not sure if it is still there. Sanibel is the first beach my DD ever saw, she was 2 and called it "SandyBell". Enjoy your trip..such a beautiful spot.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

OMG, I LOVE Sanibel! This is the perfect place to relax.

Walk, bike, just make sure you take advantage of all the local fun spots like Ding Darling. (You can walk there, and they have a guided tour as well that's on a little tram.)

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates are lovely and totally fascinating if you love history.

I believe there's also a railroad museum in the area (back on the Fort Myers side).

Anyway, it's amazing. Have a wonderful time!!

 

[Cadiewampus]

I loved the Bubble Room~ not sure if it is still there. Sanibel is the first beach my DD ever saw, she was 2 and called it "SandyBell". Enjoy your trip..such a beautiful spot.

Bubble room opens at 11:30 today. Want to go? . How would you like to have to dust all that stuff in there?

 

[FINFAN]

Bubble room opens at 11:30 today. Want to go? . How would you like to have to dust all that stuff in there?

Give me a few hours to scrape the snow off my car and catch a flight lol. I would NOT like to dust it all, lol. but it is so cool in there.
(however, if free cake is involved for the dusting, I'm in)

 

[monorailsilver]

I second the bubble room! Leave room for cake and make sure you share, slices are huge. I’ll take a Turk Douglass in April with a slice of coconut cake!

Doc fords is another place to eat.

Bike ride and enjoy all the mailboxes.

If you venture off the island, go to Manasota Key Beach about 90 min drive north, free parking and loads of shark teeth.

It’s laid back but will be busy due to high tourist season/spring training so expect the 5 mile drive to take longer then 5 min. It has taken us an hour to leave captiva back to Ft. Myers during peak times.

 

[dish rag]

Bubble room is interesting. I've always found the salt water in that area very sticky, I don't know why, just have.

 

[Denise W]

Drive over to the end of Captiva and eat at the Mucky Duck! We love it there.
Denise