Sanibel Island could be the best vacation destination in Florida. If you ever considered a visit to the Fort Myers or Cape Coral area, you may have been looking for tourist information about Fort Myers Beach or Captiva Island, but the insiders advice is to go half way between them to Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is just across the bridge from Fort Myers and connected by bridge to Captiva Island. The white sand beach stretches for miles along Sanibel Island - perfect for romantic strolls on the shore, picnics on the beach, and splashes of fun in the warm gentle waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Insiders know that Sanibel Island is maintained as a nature preserve, so don't expect fast food chains and touristy junk, but do expect to see alligators in the pond behind the grocery store. This is the perfect spot for a relaxed peaceful vacation on the beach, but insiders remember to bring protection from the no-see-um tiny biting insects - SkinSoSoft or similar gentle skin lotions work wonders without harmful insecticide.
If there is a storm out at sea, sometimes clumps of seaweed wash up on shore, and Sanibel has a policy against disturbing the natural habitat, so the seaweed will not be raked up. It will eventually be reclaimed by the sea, but sometimes the beach can become pungent when the seaweed is on shore for a few days. The silver lining in this scenario is that the seaweed is filled with the best seashells you will find anywhere in the world! Embrace the pungent scent and add true jewels to your shell collection. Insiders know you should NEVER go for a walk on the beach unless you bring a couple of bags with you - otherwise we guarantee your pockets and hands will be overfilled with shells within 5 minutes. It's impossible to resist picking them all up! The hardcore shelling enthusiasts also bring a flashlight, so they can start combing the beach before dawn. Warning - it's against the law to collect shells which still have a creature inside them. Toss them into the water, because you can find a dozen empty shells within a few feet.
Whether you're looking for a romantic escape, worry-free family vacation, or warm sunshine all winter long, you can find the best lodging and best beach vacation in Sanibel Island.