Sanibel Or Marco Island?

[leahjade]

If we don't do WDW, we may try a gulf beach - any suggestions? We like to do a lot of family activities and sightseeing, not just lying on the beach. Also, what would be the best airport to fly into? Thanks in advance!

 

[DawnCt1]

If we don't do WDW, we may try a gulf beach - any suggestions? We like to do a lot of family activities and sightseeing, not just lying on the beach. Also, what would be the best airport to fly into? Thanks in advance!

DH and I just got back from Captiva, which is at the end of Sanibel Island. We really loved it. We stayed at Tween Waters Inn, ate at the Bubble Room, The Green Flash, rented bikes and rode down to Sanibel and the Ding Darling Refuge, and rode through that. Left the island to see the alligators at Everglades Airboat Ride. We had a great time. Loved it. Would do it again. I can't comment on Marco Island. Haven't been. The Naples area is beautiful though so how could marco Island not be beautiful. We flew in and out of RSW, FT Meyers.

 

[leahjade]

Thanks for the info Dawn. How far is the alligator airboat ride? Is there a lot to do in Sanibel? Can you walk around the town to eat and shop? We're used to boardwalks at our beaches up north so I'm hoping we'll have plenty to keep us occupied.

 

[Minnie824]

I have been to both a long time ago and preferred Marco Island. However, a couple years ago, we took the kids to Naples...great rate at the Ritz there and it was SO beautiful. I'd look into that as well. Plus, in Naples there was tons to do...we also don't like just lying on the beach each day.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks for the info Dawn. How far is the alligator airboat ride? Is there a lot to do in Sanibel? Can you walk around the town to eat and shop? We're used to boardwalks at our beaches up north so I'm hoping we'll have plenty to keep us occupied.

I didn't stay in Sanibel but Captiva. They are so close however, that I dont' think it matters. It is not really developed in Captiva with boardwalks, etc. It doesn't seem like the rest of Florida to me. There are bike trails, lots of places to eat, etc. We stayed here; http://www.tween-waters.com/
They have a variety of accommodations; rooms, suites and cottages. Its not 4 star but I liked it better than a lot of four star places we have stayed in. I would go back. We also liked the Sanibel historical museum. Sort of like Sturbridge Village of Florida. The trip to the Everglades took about an hour but it was fine. We got to see the sights along the way. The Naples area would be closer to that.

 

[johnsontrio]

We spent a few days last summer on Marco Island at the Marriott there. We would go back. The beach is nice and wide and great for long walks and shelling. We did a few dinners out but no seafood and nothing fancy so you probably don't want my recommendations. We had a good breakfast at something called Mable's Table or something along those lines.

DH and DD did an hour long jetski tour and saw the manatees. They really enjoyed that. There are some outlets there as well if you're into shopping.

Definitely fly into Fort Myers. The airfares are a little higher but it's worth it. It's a beautiful new facility but reminds me of airports from my childhood. Return your rental car and walk across the road to the terminal. It's nice not to have the hassle of the FLL, MCO or TPA airports.

We have also been twice to Billie swamp Safari which is about halfway on Alligator Alley. They have an airboat tour, snake show and a jungle safari ride. We enjoyed it both times we went. Enjoy your trip!

 

[lindap1]

We sent to Sanibel Island for our honeymoon in 2003 and it was beautiful. We stayed at Sundial Beach Resort (will never stay there again) . We drove to Captiva and walked along the beach collecting seashells. Of course, it is a little expensive there, but Sanibel is worth it. The little shops and souvenier stores are everywhere and reasonably priced. Not sure what has happened there since the hurricane went through, but I would go again (would just stay somewhere else).

 

[freckles and boo]

I love Sanibel. There are no highrise hotels. It is very lush and green and parts of it are very "old Florida". It does make for a very low-key vacation, though. We have gone on dolphin cruises, been to the wildlife refuge many times, gone shelling, done a bit of shopping, been biking, and had plenty of good meals in Sanibel (and Captiva). We have also spent time at the zoo in Naples, gone down to Everglades City and done a 'glades tour, and gone up to Sarasota to the Ringling Museum.

 

[Nala56]

The Bubble Room on Sanibel has the best desserts!!!

 

[DawnCt1]

The Bubble Room on Sanibel has the best desserts!!!

I had to take the cake back to the room for the next day!

 

[Nala56]

I had to take the cake back to the room for the next day!

It's been several years since we were there. I remember the food was O.K. but the cake was amazing. We also ate at a hamburger place that was famous for really, really big burgers, don't remember the name.

 

[Seahunt]

We've been to both, and love both. Lots of help, aren't I, LOL.

In Captiva we stayed at the Southseas Plantation (now called Southseas Resort) and liked it. This was way prior to the hurricane, but supposedly it's all redone now. Here's a link to look at:

http://www.southseas.com/

http://www.parents.com/family-life/travel/vacation-planning/best-beach-resorts-for-families/?page=3

The best thing was that at the time we were there they were dredging offshore and pumping the sand back on the beach and we could just stand by the tube and have our pick of huge shells coming in with the sand No need to get the famous "Sanibel Stoop" in our backs from bending over picking up shells LOL. There was even a small stingray that was pumped in - my DH tried to save it by getting in back in the water, but it might have had too much sand in it's gills because it just laid there. I like to think that it took off after we left...

I had the best clam chowder I've ever had at Chadwick's Restaurant there, and the best fried clams at Timmy's Nook (now the Green Flash).

Being beachbums haha, we also really liked to eat at the Mucky Duck:

http://www.muckyduck.com/index.htm

While we were there we also took a cruise over to Useppa Island that we really enjoyed:

http://www.captivacruises.com/

HOWEVER, one caution. When are you going? We went to Captiva in August and it was H-O-T. The pool water was so hot it wasn't refreshing, the ocean was so hot it was like bathwater, etc. We live in FL, but this heat was something else

In Marco we stayed once at the Hilton and another time with the motorhome at the Naples/Marco Island KOA. The KOA has a nice list of local attractions here:

http://www.koa.com/where/fl/09109/localarea/

The Marco Hilton was nice, with big rooms and good Pina Coladas. Guess you can tell what was important to us

 

[leahjade]

I was asking co-workers and they said there's not much to do at all on Marco or Sanibel and that I should try Ft. Meyers - now I'm really confused!

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

I vote for Sanibel (though I haven't been to Marco). We usually rent one of the condos on VRBO. Last time we stayed at Loggerhead Cay and we loved how close it was to old town Sanibel. When we go, it's usually me, DH (43...he he), our DS (he's 10) and my mom and dad (both age 70). We walk the beach, play golf, ride bikes etc. It's very quiet and relaxing and we've never run out of things to do (in 5 trips!).

There are many good restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva. We usually make a top at the Mucky Duck on Captiva then do the Lighthouse Cafe on Sanibel, love Pinocchio's Ice Cream (yum!) and a few other places. Shelling is wonderful.

Also, Sanibel isn't far from Ft. Myers and we've visited the Ford/Edison homes there and usually will take a trip to Corkscrew Swamp (Audobon Society) to walk the boardwalk.

Have fun!

K

 

[leahjade]

thanks, Pixie for the info! What is Old Town Sanibel? We will be going in July - is the heat unbearable then?

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Old town runs (roughly in my mind) from just left of the causeway to the end of Periwinkle way...it's just the shopping and restaurant strip. As far as July goes, I live in the midwest where it is really hot and humid in July and I've never found it to be awful on Sanibel. As a matter of fact, it feels cooler on Sanibel because of the sea breezes.

 

[leahjade]

can you walk to Old Town from Leggerhead Cay? I looked at their online site and it looks nice and reasonable. We like to walk on vacation to shopping restaurants, etc.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Well, I know Pinocchio's Ice Cream (and Island Cafe) is about a 5 minute bike ride...and Jerry's (the grocery we go to) is about a 15 minute bike ride. If you like to walk, there are wonderful paths all over for bikers and walkers. Personally, I do my walking on the beach so riding is better for me on the paths. If you don't bring your own bike there are 2 bike rental places...Billy's and Fennimore's and they are reasonable and very nice. We've rented a tandem from Fennimore's before and rented a 3 wheeler last time from Billy's (I was having problems with my balance due to vertigo from a sinus and ear infection).

Loggerhead is quiet...close to the beach and has a nice pool. We also like their tennis courts and shuffleboard (my son started playing shuffleboard on a cruise and is a real shark at it...he can always bump me off and get max points!).

I don't remember the unit # we stayed in, but it was very comfortable...not fussy...and brand new beds! If you like, I'll try to find it. I know the guy is on VRBO and renting from him is much cheaper!

karen

 

[leahjade]

Pixie, any ifo on your condo rental would be great! I've had good luck renting from private owners in the past. Are the bike rentals inexpensive? We have 6 in our family!

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Pixie, any ifo on your condo rental would be great! I've had good luck renting from private owners in the past. Are the bike rentals inexpensive? We have 6 in our family!

I'm not sure since "inexpensive" means different things to different people. But, here are the rates where we usually go: http://www.finnimores.com/rates.shtml

There's also Billy's: http://www.billysrentals.com/reserve/ratesheet/

The nice thing is that they will deliver to your condo and pick up (though neither is a bad ride from Loggerhead).

Good luck and hope it helps.

Karen