What to do in Sanibel Island?

[jbthi]

Kimber 79,
I don't think anyone knows when South Seas is going to reopen. Until a couple of weeks ago the grand reopening was set for Mid February. Now it's been pushed back to July 06. I don't know if some timeshare and whole ownership rental properties may be open before then. I like the quaintness of Captiva too. I love to eat at the Key Lime Bistro.

Pam,
Yes McT's is still there. My favorite thing there used to be the shark finger appetizers but they took them off the menu.

 

[princessJ]

hi, papa duce, just want to put in my 2 cents! We love Sanibel and Captiva it is my favorite place in the world also! it is not your typical touristy beach place, it is very laid back and more family style, there is alot of wildlife, we saw dolphins alot very close in the water, manatees, pelicans that dive in almost in front of you ,many kinds of birds ... one day we saw a osprey flying overhead with a huge fish in it's talons. There are many good restaraunts you can walk or bike to usually with a musician playing island stlye music, of course water sports parasailing fishing etc.... the big event of the eveing is watching the sunset, everyone claps cus they're usually beautiful, then we go back to our place ,rent some movies ,and catch up on all the movies we missed!! We love it!!!!!!!! we usually do Disney first and then head to Captiva (Our favorite) the relaxing atmoshere is soo nice after the hectic pace of disney There is a variety of accomadations a few good web sites are www.captiva-ilsand.com and bestofsanibelcaptiva well ,hope this helps alittle..... have fun...........princess j

 

[Disney29]

Hey Papa:

Be sure to rent Mopeds while you are there. My DH and I had a blast driving around the island and down to Captiva. Also, we stayed at The Sanibel Harbour Beach Resort and although not on the island it was perfect.

It was a nice get away for us. My mom lives in Fort Myers and watched our DD for us. YEAH for NANA!!!

 

[nwdisgal]

Go to the Mucky Duck (if it's still there). Or is it on Captiva? Well, it's somewhere in the near vicinity.

 

[Timmy Turner]

Sanibel is nothing like it was before Charley hit. the majority of the old vegetation is gone, leaving a an open feel to the whole area. Captiva Island was pretty much split in half by the storm. it's still nice, but we prefer Siesta Key and Boca Grande.

 

[nwdisgal]

Sanibel is nothing like it was before Charley hit. the majority of the old vegetation is gone, leaving a an open feel to the whole area. Captiva Island was pretty much split in half by the storm. it's still nice, but we prefer Siesta Key and Boca Grande.

 

[kikipug]

We loved Sanibel/Captiva... we were there one week before Charley moved in. 'Tween Waters Resort was great- and I know that it is fully functioning.


We went kayaking while we were there, with a great guide who was really informative and a lot of fun. We also biked the Ding Darling Refuge... lots of gators, birds, turtles, and other neat things to see... not sure how it looks after Charley, but, nature has a way of recovering. Plenty of great places to eat... especially Doc Ford's! (even more so if you are a Randy Wayne White fan).

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Thinking of a trip to Sanibel Harbour Resort. What can you tell me about the resort and the area in general.... thinking of an early June 2006 trip.

I grew up on Sanibel, and the Harbour Resort is actually located in Ft. Myers; anyway, Sanibel is the seashell capital, beautiful sunsets, great shoppes, awesome grouper (YUM) tons of wildlife and amazing birds everywhere....go to www.sanibelcaptiva.com and see if that helps! Have fun and remember, Sanibel was hit hard last year, the Harbour resort is just reopening so good luck and maybe I'll see you there too!

 

[kimber79]

Go to the Mucky Duck (if it's still there). Or is it on Captiva? Well, it's somewhere in the near vicinity.

Mucky Duck is on Captiva and is still there!! It is right on the beach at the end of Andy Rosse Street!! That was about the close to the only restaurant open when we were there Nov 04 just after Hurricane Charley!

 

[kimber79]

Sanibel is nothing like it was before Charley hit. the majority of the old vegetation is gone, leaving a an open feel to the whole area. Captiva Island was pretty much split in half by the storm. it's still nice, but we prefer Siesta Key and Boca Grande.

Sanibel Island did not get hurt nearly as bad as Captiva Island ~ yes they did lose alot of the vegetation.......but that grows back fairly quickly! We visited just two months after Hurricane Charley. We rented a house on Captiva,

and communicated with the realtor about weekly as we could not really believe that we were actually going to be able to vacation. She kept telling us ~ oh yeah, every thing is just fine, we suffered only minor vegetation damage! When we came over the causeway into Sanibel we saw a few trees down here and there, and thought ~ well I guess she was right, this isn't that bad at all! Then as we crossed the bridge to go into Captiva we wanted to cry.....we couldn't believe what we were seeing.

It was literally like driving into a dump. It was unbelievable. We were like *minor vegetation*?? I would hate to see what she considers major! A lot of the locals that live there said the island was too overgrown anyways and could stand to have lost the trees and such that it did ~ but many homes were lost. It was so crazy as some homes were made into toothpicks

and the one right next to it was untouched. However Captiva Island was not cut in two......North Captiva was, but that island is/was only accessable by boat. Yes Boca Grande is really nice, but it too suffered Charley damage. Nothing like Captiva did, but Boca did have some damage. Let's all hope and pray that Hurricane Wilma spares these island beauties! Please all that are affected by this Hurricane ~ BE SAFE!

 

[MNSusan]

LOVE the Mucky Duck!! Watched many a sunset from that place. Sigh....

 

[sweet angel]

I was there (the island, not the resort) about 25 years ago, so I'm no help. However, the cranky woman that used to work here would go there every year for vacation (and then ask my why I would want to go to Disney more than once because that was stupid).

It's supposed to be quiet and beautiful.

 

[jbthi]

I completely disagree with Timmy Turner. I don't think Sanibel has changed that much. Yes there is some vegetation missing but it is far from being an open area. I miss the Australian pines but the city doesn't want them back. They are not native and do not have much of a root system, so there is a very good chance of them falling and blocking the road in case of a storm and needed evacuation.

The only part of Captiva that is still down is South Seas. On the road to Captiva it was amazing. You could see houses for the first time. The trees completely shielded them before. Most homeowners started relandscaping immediately.

And like Kinder79 said it was not Captiva, but Upper or North Captiva that was cut in two.

 

[kimber79]

I do believe that some years ago it was a hurricane (I don't recall what one) that cut what is now Captiva and North Captiva.

Another good restaurant that we ate at which is actually in Sanibel is The Island Cow! Here is a link to a copy of their menu: The Island Cow

 

[jbthi]

I think the hurricane that cut through, making separate islands of Captiva and North Captiva was in the 1920s, I want to say 1927 but I'm not sure.

 

[Karel]

Sounds fanastic! Are any of the places all inclusive (with meals)??

I've been spoiled by cruising and I'd like to pay for everything up front.

 

[jbthi]

I don't believe there's any that's all inclusive.

There is one that I think is called Island Inn. They are cottages (not to be confused with a condo that has a similar name.) I believe breakfast and dinner are included. Dinner is pretty formal. I believe it's the only place on San/Cap that requires tie and jacket for men. This is one of the oldest resorts on Sanibel. I don't believe the resort itself is very fancy or luxurious.

I'm not sure of my facts because I've never stayed there. No way would my DH agree to dressing that much on Sanibel.

 

[nwdisgal]

Mucky Duck is on Captiva and is still there!! It is right on the beach at the end of Andy Rosse Street!! That was about the close to the only restaurant open when we were there Nov 04 just after Hurricane Charley!

Yes, there is a Santa Claus Now there is a reason to go back!

I remember seeing my first gator on Sanibel too. Isn't it a natural wildlife sanctuary and protected land?

 

[kimber79]

Yes, there is a Santa Claus Now there is a reason to go back!

I remember seeing my first gator on Sanibel too. Isn't it a natural wildlife sanctuary and protected land?

You can walk, bike, drive through the J. Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve! We saw like 5 gators many different bird species and other wildlife while we were there. We didn't expect to see much being we were there right after Hurricane Charley, but were pleasantly surprised! You really have to take your time and look hard to find *hidden* wildlife! It is a real fun place to visit!

 

[FINFAN]

Thanks jbthi!