Sanibel Travel Guide

  View up the beach from our 2nd story...
by HOWruth105
 
  • View up the beach from our 2nd story room.
      View up the beach from our 2nd story...
    by HOWruth105
  • View from our 2nd floor room of the Gulf/beach
      View from our 2nd floor room of the...
    by HOWruth105
  • Beach at the Inn
      Beach at the Inn
    by HOWruth105
  • The manatees that the desk personnel told us about
      The manatees that the desk personnel...
    by HOWruth105
  • Our daughter with one of the mantees, priceless!
      Our daughter with one of the mantees,...
    by HOWruth105
 

Explore Sanibel

Things to Do  

Ding Darling

Ding Darling, Sanibel

 Meggi Says:  You must go here, it is full of wildlife, i really do suggest early morning, I find the birds at there most active then, feeding, bathing and just busy with there life Also if you like t fish, it has so many spots, i just do not stand at the waters edge, alligators an all... 

Because of the islands'...

Because of the islands'..., Sanibel

 tmyanks24 Says:  Because of the islands' configuration, the sunsets here are just amazing. Make sure you bring your camera when you go to the small bridge betweent he two islands. This is the best spot to catch the sunset. 

Hotels  

Hotels  

West Wind Inn: Great place on the Gulf!

West Wind Inn: Great place on the Gulf!, Sanibel

 HOWruth105 Says:  My family also stayed at the West Wind and had a great stay. The hotel people are correct. The guests were not bitten by bed mites but by what locals call 'Nosee'ms' (no see ums) They are very small flying insects that do bite. We were told by some locals, not the West Wind... 

Shalimar Resort: sanible rudest hotel

Shalimar Resort: sanible rudest hotel, Sanibel

 ericmt239 Says:  First they call this a resort, far from it. The manager Romas was pretty rude when asked for things such as turning the heat on the pool, we were told it's only 78 degrees, teh location was nice but thats about it. I would expect the rooms to be a little nicer or atleast... 

SeaHorse Cottages: SeaHorse Cottages

SeaHorse Cottages: SeaHorse Cottages, Sanibel

 kcgii Says:   Quiet, serene setting. Adult-only ground level, attached cottages, (designed for adults) has it's own particular charm, attractive island decor, antique oak furnishings, Central Air Conditioning, and paddle fans cooling each room. Heated pool, etc. 

Restaurants  

Key Lime Bistro: Great Food, Great Jazz

Key Lime Bistro: Great Food, Great Jazz, Sanibel

 Chiliking Says:  The Key Lime Bistro is a wonderful outdoor cafe where local musicans play while you eat.a Tropical setting and colorful tables with good service. Make sure you catch Marc Vee.He is a local jazz guitar player who is awesome. Buy one of his CD's they are all great.Check out... 

Mermaid Cafe: divine indulgence

Mermaid Cafe: divine indulgence, Sanibel

 vickiv2 Says:  The decor was fascinating with lots of mermaid kitzsch and old and new photos of locals. The service was excellent, and the food was the best we had on the island. The raspberry cake we had was made with excellent ingredients beautifully cooked and well presented. We had... 

The Brass Elephant or most of...

The Brass Elephant or most of..., Sanibel

 seth0919 Says:  The Brass Elephant or most of the restaurants on the island are very nice. It feels like many, if not all, have an 'early bird special' which allows you to get the great menu items but you just have to eat before or 5:00 or something like that. If you get into the rutine of... 

Nightlife  

The mucky Duck: ocean side music

The mucky Duck: ocean side music, Sanibel

 Meggi Says:  outdoors tables wile you wait, tropical drinks and light snacks, and either a band or single musician, if you walk out behind, you will find the darkest inky black sky with the stars so clear the moon shining over te gulf. casual 

The Mucky duck: Ocean side music

The Mucky duck: Ocean side music, Sanibel

 Meggi Says:  Even if you dont want a table, check this out at night, picknicktables outside while wait, a bar for your tropical drink, andlight snacks, sometimes a band or a single musician playing music. If you like just walk out behind this area to the beach, an inky dark sky which... 

Tourist Traps  

Is there any?
Meggi profile photo
Meggi 9 reviews

i cant think of one!
~well.....maybe the stores, they do entice you to buy little reminders of your stay, but is this a bad thing? I dont
think so, i love to shop! I love the store "sanibles finest" which i belive is in jerrys shopping plaza.

Unique Suggestions: Buy somthing for yourself!

Written Mar 12, 2003

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What to Pack  

To make it easier

To make it easier, Sanibel

 Meggi Says:  shopping bags! good walking shoes, water shoes(a real must, i could show you the scar from a shell that cut my foot :) light clothing (of course!;) a good hat. bug spray for those real hot months! i bring tons of film an umbrella on the beach is nice for shade,dont... 

Packing List

Packing List, Sanibel

 tmyanks24 Says:   You can expect a regular rain shower on a daily basis at certain times. It will usually be in the evening, though, so it shouldn't really ahve a big impact. Lots of film!!! Zoom lenses (if you have) are extremely helpful when shooting at Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. The... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Live conchs!

Live conchs!, Sanibel

 Meggi Says:  Its not quite a secret but going onto the causeway beaches and strolling early morning you find so many shells, i have found so many large live conchs, there somthing to see! but please do not collect live shells,there are plenty of empties for all. Also if you can get up so... 

I highly recommend taking a...

I highly recommend taking a..., Sanibel

 JuliaL Says:  I highly recommend taking a boat tour to Cayo Costa Island. This little undeveloped island is between Sanibel and Captiva. It is a state park and there is absolutely no development. We took a day trip there, and really had a great time. You are allowed to take beach chairs... 

Favorites  

Venture into Captiva Island...
mookie22 profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

mookie22 3 reviews

Favorite thing: Venture into Captiva Island (attatched to Sanibel) and see the sunset at the Mucky Duck. Everyone gets up from their tables and walks out to the beach to watch the sunset. It's great.

Fondest memory: Peace and quite. There's not much to do in way of night-life, so if you're a partyer, or spring breaker, you will be bored.

Written Aug 24, 2002

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