We visited Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida Gulf Coast islands in September ,2007. As a general rule, we plan our beach vacations the day after Labor Day because 1.) rates are lower and 2.) crowds are gone.We flew into Ft. Myers and drove the short distance to Sanibel Island. We stayed at the Seaside Inn. Although our beach view was partially obscured, the beach was a short walk from the hotel. The hotel's amenities included free bikes, pool and a daily complimentary continental breakfast basket. Bike riding around the island is enjoyable, easy and highly recommended. The Sanibel lighthouse is a quick ride by bike or a 30 minute walk by the beach.
For shell collectors, Sanibel is Nirvana. The shoreline is thick with shells. The hardest thing to do besides the "Sanibel Stoop," is deciding on which shell to pick. The calico scallops were colorful and abundant. I also found starfish, turkey wings, cockles, fighting conchs, jingles, olive shells, lightning whelks, kitten paws, cones, cocquinas and others. I added 7 lb. to our luggage weight and just missed being overweight!
Not only is Sanibel the best beach I have ever combed, Sanibel is home to the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge; one of the best places I have ever bird watched. Altogether, I added 15 birds to my life list. We cruised Tarpon Bay and watched the pelicans return to roost. We also spotted dolphins, storks, ospreys and egrets. In Ding Darling, we got close to an alligator and saw heron, ibis, tern, spoonbills and cormorants. The tram tour offered an excellent educational background to the preserve, its birds and the mangrove ecosystem.
- Other sights to see include the Sanibel Bailey-Mathews Shell Museum and Captiva's Bubble Room Restaurant. It is a pleasant drive up to Captiva. The restaurant features generous portions, mammoth desserts and a fun atmosphere. The interior is decorated with Hollywood photographs, Christmas decorations and all manner of things nostalgic. We had a good time touring the different dining rooms and burned off a little of that slab of coconut cake.
My rating: Unsurpassed for shelling and birding.
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