Sanibel or Siesta Key - which is better?

[deva]

We are Disney die-hards, but I am thinking of planning a spring break trip to a nice beach in Florida. We are NOT going to Disney (so driving time between Orlando and the beach is not an issue- we'd fly into Tampa or Ft. Myers). Looking for a condo-style resort/rental with 2-3 beds and 2 baths.

I have three kids who love the beach and love to "shell" with my mom. I'm looking for white sand, clear water (and, of course, shells ) It would be nice to have some kids activities and a pool also.

If you've been to either (or perhaps both) of these beach areas, can you please post your comments/comparisons. From what I've seen online Sanibel is a shell-lovers paradise.

If you have resort suggestions I'd love those too. Thanks!

 

[jackets9]

We've been to Sanibel for Spring Break as well as Marco Island. We love Marco. Beautiful beaches, great shelling.
Sanibel is beautiful, however, we did not like it as much as Marco. Beaches were much more "natural" meaning grasses, etc. growing in it. I much prefer just soft white sand. Also, the other issue we had with Sanibel is it is small. While there are a lot of restaurants, they are not very big and simply not equipped to handle the crowds of Spring Break. We found that unless you went to dinner early, you would have a long wait. Also, it is difficult to find condos right on the beach. However, the Darling Nature Preserve is wonderful if your kids would enjoy touring that and there are always dolphin and manatee cruises. Further, Sanibel is much less built up that Marco.
We have never been to Siesta Key, however we have friends who go there every spring break and love it - for exactly the reasons you stated - snow white beaches, great shelling, lots to do. We were looking into it for Spring Break 2010, but settled on Naples. My only concern with Siesta Key is that is it a bit further north than Sanibel and Marco and therefore, the water will not be as warm and the temperatures are slightly cooler. Being in Ohio, I want to make absolutely sure (to the best that I can) that we have warm weather when we take our Spring Break vacation! However, I am sure we will be hitting Siesta Key as some point!

Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[MNdisneymom]

I have been to Sanibel and to Lido Key (which is just a little north of Siesta, unless my geography is really messed up...). If you want a nice beach and not a lot of fancy stuff, I would recommend one of the keys...Sanibel was nice, lots of shells, but sooo touristy and built up that it was really icky. Wayyy overdone. Lido, on the other hand, didn't have as many people, lots of room for my then two year old to run around on the beach; it was great. (And I saw lots of people shelling although I didn't myself that trip.) Also, there are other fun things in the area (The Mote Aquarium, Sarasota has a little zoo, etc.) if you want to get off whatever key you are staying on. And if you like to shop, there is always St. Armands Circle, (which also has a Kilwin's candy and ice cream shop, yum!!!) . If you're at all interested in Lido Key, we stayed at a funky little place called Coquina on the Beach, which I believe had some rooms that could be combined into suites (like next door to each other--had a little kitchenette in one, with connecting doors.)

Happy Travels!

 

[Cadiewampus]

I have been to Sanibel and to Lido Key (which is just a little north of Siesta, unless my geography is really messed up...). If you want a nice beach and not a lot of fancy stuff, I would recommend one of the keys...Sanibel was nice, lots of shells, but sooo touristy and built up that it was really icky. Wayyy overdone. Lido, on the other hand, didn't have as many people, lots of room for my then two year old to run around on the beach; it was great. (And I saw lots of people shelling although I didn't myself that trip.) Also, there are other fun things in the area (The Mote Aquarium, Sarasota has a little zoo, etc.) if you want to get off whatever key you are staying on. And if you like to shop, there is always St. Armands Circle, (which also has a Kilwin's candy and ice cream shop, yum!!!) . If you're at all interested in Lido Key, we stayed at a funky little place called Coquina on the Beach, which I believe had some rooms that could be combined into suites (like next door to each other--had a little kitchenette in one, with connecting doors.)

Happy Travels!

Sanibel built up? What have the built? The last time I was there in 2005 it was far from built up. Heck Jerrys Grocery Store was the biggest building there.

 

[deva]

Looks like we probably can't go wrong at either beach (and it's sure to be nicer than Ohio in early April!). I'm still torn - going to so some more internet searching and asking around.

Once we decide on a location, next big issue is finding a place. Do most renters go through a property management company? I'd like to find a place that is condo-style but staffed on-site (houskeeping, maintenance, front desk etc.) with resort amenities (pool, kids club) - sort of like DVC, but not sure if anything like this even exists at these type of beach towns.

Maybe a long shot, but has anyone ever stayed at Tortuga Beach Club or Sundial Beach in Sanibel?

 

[Cadiewampus]

Looks like we probably can't go wrong at either beach (and it's sure to be nicer than Ohio in early April!). I'm still torn - going to so some more internet searching and asking around.

Once we decide on a location, next big issue is finding a place. Do most renters go through a property management company? I'd like to find a place that is condo-style but staffed on-site (houskeeping, maintenance, front desk etc.) with resort amenities (pool, kids club) - sort of like DVC, but not sure if anything like this even exists at these type of beach towns.

Maybe a long shot, but has anyone ever stayed at Tortuga Beach Club or Sundial Beach in Sanibel?

Never have stayed at Sundial Beach but have seen it several times. Looks nice. We always stay at Waterside Inn on the beach. www.watersideinn.net
We love it there. Small and so laid back. We have stayed in a poolside cottage, Gulf Front cottage and gulf view eff. Pineapple. Think my favorite was the pineapple. Oh and if you choose Sanibel you have to drive over to Captiva one day for lunch at the Bubble Room. Good food and deserts as big as your head.

 

[MommaMouse411]

sanibel island..my fave...quiet quiet place...I was there in June...nice restaurants, beautiful beaches...the Ding Darling Reserve is really cool..I didn't go to their sister island (Captiva)..but I drove into it just to see..and the beaches looked just as beautiful as Sanibel..I stayed in a nice room called West End Paradise..its about 3miles from the main strip..so I couldn't ride my bike into town unless I wanted to die of heat exhaustion..but the beach is right down the block and we were practically the only family out there..

but I never been to Siesta Key...

 

[Disney1976]

I used to live in Sarasota, which is very close to Siesta Key. Siesta Key Beach is rated to have the best sand in the world. It's 99% pure quartz, making the sand a bright white. It stays cool to the touch, because it reflects heat, and is very soft, like baby powder. The beach is wonderful, and the shelling was very good, though I haven't been back in years. You really can't go wrong with the entire Sarasota/Siesta Key area. Lots to do there.

 

[ccgirl]

I have gone to Siesta Key in their high season (spring break) and I can attest that the water their is still bathtub warm. Although, I am from MA so I can also stand cooler water. The beaches were absolutely gorgeous. My DH and I are going to Disney in 3 weeks (who's counting) and we are planning a day trip to Siesta Key. If you go, you have to try Kilwin's ice cream...YUMMY!!!

 

[MNdisneymom]

Sanibel built up? What have the built? The last time I was there in 2005 it was far from built up. Heck Jerrys Grocery Store was the biggest building there.

Sorry, didn't mean it like that...it just seemed more touristy to me--but I was there at the height of spring break season and it was very crowded.

 

[casselsshopper]

I've been to both Sanibel and Siesta Key (I was actually there over Labor Day weekend). I much prefer Siesta Key over Sanibel. Siesta Key is like an upgraded Sanibel. Sanibel's beach (and in the water) seemed like pure shells...very uncomfortable to walk on. Siesta Key had beautiful white sand, but along the shore there were plenty of shells to be found.