A Vacation Insiders Travel Guide to Sanibel, FL

The Island of Sanibel A Vacation Insiders Guide

THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR

EXHALE, UNWIND, RECHARGE...

Ahhh Sanibel. The place of shells, of low rise buildings, a place where cyclists have the right of way!

I'm lucky enough to have just returned from a week on Sanibel with my wife and kids. The previous time was with my parents 25 years ago. With age my memory has faded but I'm willing to bet, if I dug out the photos, I'd find a place which looks identical to that of today. And yes... this IS a great thing!

Like me, our Sanibel Insider, Darlene Armstrong, also first visited this island around 25 years ago. The difference is she returned year after year, smart enough to know perfection when she finds it!

With those years of experience Darlene qualifies as the perfect insider. I can personally vouch for that, having tapped her knowledge vault during our stay! The best tip according to me? Aim to make your most stressful decision be about turning left or right on the beach!

Darlene owns a 2-bedroom condo in Sanibel Surfside, directly overlooking the gulf. Surfside, along with many other condos built pre the 1974 line, is just steps from the ocean. So, as you contemplate left or right, you can sip your morning coffee watching the dolphins!

Although we didn't stay at Darlene's condo (we decided on Loggerhead Cay), she was instrumental in helping us decide and, with every interaction, she oozed a passion for the island. An owner with the perfect blend of passion and knowledge... an Insider! Happy reading!

E: andy@vacationinsiders.com W: www.vacationinsiders.com

MEET YOUR INSIDER

DARLENE ARMSTRONG...

I'm not the type of person to frequently return to the same destination due to my love of world-wide travel. However, in 1988, when my husband and I first visited Sanibel, we knew we had to return.

Every year since 1988 we visited my husband’s parents who were renting a condo in Ft Myers. Every day we would go to Sanibel and wish we could spend more time on the island. Eventually our Sanibel vacations turned into a search to own the perfect beach-front condo to enjoy any time of year!

It took 20 years of annual Sanibel visits before the dream became a reality, thanks to the owners of Pfeifer Realty, Eric and Mary Ellen. They took us to every condo complex on Sanibel! It’s like finding your spouse “we knew this was the one” kind of feeling when we found our condo! Surfside is a quiet, small complex; the large lanai was the closest to the ocean; the views and sounds were irresistible. This was the place for us!

We drove through a snow and ice storm in an overloaded Subaru to get to the closing and have been returning about four times a year ever since!

Contact Darlene:

“This isn't just an "investment property", it is truly our home and we want others to feel like it is their home too!”

Darlene's Reviews:

Sanibel Videos to INSPIRE!

Some of our guests have become dear friends and even visited us at our St. Louis, Missouri home. This isn’t just an “investment property”, it is truly our home and we want others to feel like it is their home too! If we're booked we can recommend other condos on Sanibel to guests that want other options. Remember we've been coming here since 1988 so we have some experience!

If you're staying with us, our #1 goal is to have our condo be a highlight for you. We believe in providing the best customer service and amenities. We'll help you find your way around the island, offer tips on the best place to catch a sunset, the best pizza, anything at all!

When I respond to inquiries from guests planning a vacation to Sanibel I always feel their need, almost a craving, for the most relaxing vacation possible!

Don't worry, Sanibel is one of those vacations where you can do nothing, a few things, or lots of things and still have one of the best vacations ever!

Now, before we get started, do NOT feel guilty if you don't experience everything this island has to offer. You CAN come back!! The key, as with any vacation, is just to exhale. Your most stressful decision should be “Do I walk the beach towards the right or left today?”! This is a place to unwind!

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DARLENE'S REAL SANIBEL...

Sanibel is one of those places that you visit once and then, as you return across the causeway to the mainland at the end of your stay, you're thinking “When can I return?”!

We're on the ocean so why not get out on a fishing charter, catch some grouper, and then head over to the BBQ and cook the day's catch? I have heard good things about Captain Dave and Endless Summer.

The sunrises draw you to the beach, even if you're not normally an early riser. As it rises, you find yourself rising with it. Before you know it, you are walking on the beach with a cup of coffee, enjoying the morning.

Or ride the many beautiful bike trails, golf, take a drive up to Captiva and watch the sunset (see my tip on where to catch the best sunset below), or take a dolphin boat (one of my 5 experiences not to miss).

As you stroll the beach you will meet people from all walks of life and from all over the world. Some will be shelling (Sanibel is renowned for the huge variety of shells - see our Shelling guide on page 6), others will be exercising, and others just enjoying some well earned R&R, including the occasional spot of dolphin watching!

And, when you eventually look at your watch, you'll be surprised by how long you've been out!

There are some great restaurants on Sanibel - we like Doc Fords and Gramma Dots. If you would rather cook your own meal, grab some local seafood from Timbers or the Sanibel Farmers Market (open November-April). Unless you catch your own!

Incredible as the beaches are here on Sanibel, you shouldn't ignore everything else the island has to offer. Ding Darling is definitely a top pick, a 6,354-acre wildlife refuge which you can explore by kayak, boat, bike or even car. I'd suggest by kayak if you can - it's fun, great arm exercise, and very educational!

The pace of life on Sanibel is slow and easy.

There are no high rises and no stop lights. Bike riders and pedestrians have the right-a-way on the road. You will find the people to be very friendly and to go out of their way to lend a helping hand.

Sanibel is a beautiful island that makes you want to keep coming back for more. If you are looking for a place that “has it all” you will love Sanibel!

Darlene’s 3 Places to Get the Best...

SHELLS!

SUNSET!

ICE CREAM!

There is no “Best Beach” for shells.

Just head to your nearest beach start walking in either direction!

There is, however, a best time of day for shelling: Low tide! Go to the Bait Box on Periwinkle Way and ask for a free tide chart (or download an app). If you are the type to collect shells in the dark, pack a flash light from your home!

You'll hear about The Mucky Duck but it's too crowded. Instead, head to the Tween Waters Inn. You need to buy something to park your car there so here's what you do... go into their bar, buy your favorite drink, ask for plastic cups, and simply walk across the street and watch! They also have a cute gift shop if that's your thing.

Head to Pinocchio’s! They keep winning all types of awards for having the best ice cream. One taste and you will see why! One of our favorite things to do is to ride our bike to Pinocchio’s and eat some ice cream and then continue riding our bike. The lighthouse is a short ride and will help you work off the excess of ice-cream!

5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS...

1

J. N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge...

2

Riding Sanibel's Many Bike Paths...

3

Dolphin Viewing Boat Rides...

4

Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation...

5

Bailey-Mathews Shell Museum...

If you come home from a trip to Sanibel the first question someone (that has been to Sanibel) will most likely ask you is: “Did you go the Ding Darling Refuge?”. This pristine preserve occupies almost half of Sanibel and includes hiking, biking, driving and paddling kayak/canoe trails.

Exploring by kayak is huge fun but, if you have small kids, I suggest you pay the $5 car fee and gently drive a 4 mile loop - don't take the tram!

There are 2 great bike rental companies - Billy's and Finnimore's Both companies use the same single speed bikes. There are no hills so a single speed bike is all you need! The only difference is Finnimore's bikes come with a bell on the handle bar. I like both companies equally!

I also recommend a helmet for everyone (free with bike rental). Both companies deliver and pick up at your accommodations.

Both Sanibel Thriller and Stars & Stripes are excellent for a 90 minute dolphin ride (enough if you have kids in the sun). The Thriller (the name gives that one away!) is a fast motor boat, whereas the Stars & Stripes is more laid back. Your choice! But DON'T wait until the end of your vacation in case boat rides are canceled due to rough ocean conditions.

The SCCF (as it's known) has a great nature center, 4 miles of trails, and some fascinating talks... even one on bobcats and bears found on the island! My favorite talk happens almost every Thursday morning. It's a great program all about the Sea Turtles on Sanibel. It's very interesting!

Perfect for a rainy day! But, even if it doesn’t rain, I would go! Why does Sanibel have so many beautiful sea shells? A volunteer will eagerly answer all your questions. This non-profit museum features more than 30 exhibits of mollusks from around the world. The learning lab features a hands-on play area for children, displays, games, and a tank with indigenous mollusks. A half-hour video, Mollusks in Action, is shown on the hour, and a children's video is shown continuously. They also have one of our favorite shell-themed gift stores on Sanibel!

SIMPLE EATS DARLENE SUGGESTS...

Remember Sanibel is in Florida, which means the dress code is never complicated. Short of bikinis and bare bodies pretty much anything goes! So haul in from the beach, take a quick shower, throw on something comfortable, don your flip flops, and head out to eat! Or, if you really can't be bothered to change out of the swimmers, then just pick up the phone for take out or grill the fresh bought (or caught?) shrimp!!

EATING IN EATING OUT Doc Fords: Fish tacos are good & anything with Yucatan Shrimp.

Plenty of TVs on with sporting events... if St Louis is on any of the TVs (Baseball or Hockey) please give them a shout out!

Read more here...

Gramma Dot's: Surrounded by boats, this is dockside dining at its best and the food AND atmosphere are fantastic. I am "hooked" on their mesquite grouper and order it every visit!

Read more here...

Over Easy Cafe (breakfast): A great spot! It's small = busy. But the wait will be worth it. See the hostess, she'll give you a buzzer to let you know when the table's ready. Then gift shop next door!

Read more here...

Timbers: This place has a restaurant, sports bar AND is also a great place to buy your fresh fish for cooking at home (in the retail fish market). It also gets rave reviews on TripAdvisor!

Read more here...

Pizza: Both Matzaluna and Island Pizza are good. Matzaluna doesn't deliver but it's worth picking up! If you choose Island Pizza the kids will love their "crusty curl" - the sauce goes all the way in to the crust edge!

Farmers Market: Every Sunday (8am-1pm) November through April - meat, cheese, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables. Even wonderful flowers so you can decorate your dining table for $5! Read more here...

Darlene's Sanibel "no-no's" Periwinkle Way between 4-6pm...

Ignoring Bike Riders...

Spring Break Parties...

Venture out in your car during these hours and you'll soon find all that time invested in relaxing is wasted in an instant! Strange as it sounds there is a rush hour here and you'll go nowhere fast.

Anyway, what are you even doing in a car at that hour? Stay on the beach or open a beer and relax!

Don’t drive through a cross walk crossing if a bike or person is about to cross. The fine if hefty!

Bikes have the right of way and you need to constantly look for them while you are driving. I suggest you park the car and rent a bike and you’ll have the right of way!

If you are a college student looking for a wild place… do NOT book a vacation in Sanibel or you will be disappointed. Here on Sanibel the pace is much slower and Spring Breakers usually want more of a night life. Fort Myers Beach is where all the parties happen so stay on the mainland!

DARLENE'S TIPS ON WHERE TO STAY...

Together with our research and our work with Darlene we were struck by the number of good accommodation options on Sanibel. Below is Darlene's very own vacation rental, along with a couple of other suggestions. And, here at Vacation Insiders, we've shared some additional resources with you at the bottom of the page. Hopefully they will be useful during your search we know how time consuming it can be!

Darlene’s Very Own...

Sanibel Surfside is a 2 bedroom condo in one of the islands smaller complexes - just 38 condos. Ours is literally beach front with incredible views! We have high standards so we know you'll find everything you need, plus a few special touches!

Visit Darlene's Website to Find Out More

Darlene Suggests...

Pointe Santo, with kids programs if the parents among you need a break from the darling loved ones!! We've been inside many of the condos here and, whilst we haven't met the owners, E25 was incredible (tip from Andy: E26 owner was booked but helpfully referred us).

Visit the Pointe Santo Website to Find Out More...

Vacation Insiders Suggest...

This place is a ground floor 2-bedroom condo which makes it perfect for those who just want to walk straight out to the beach or pool (both within a stone throw!).

Super comfortable and roomy. Plus it's also pet friendly (but don't worry, no signs of pets or smells, it is great!).

Visit Sandra and Peter's VRBO listing...

We're here to help if you need...

We get it, searching for the perfect place to stay can wear you down. Below are some suggestions to help make life easier. With over 30 condo complexes on the island it can be bewildering!

Places to Stay Map...

We loved this site, Sanibel Island Vacations, The interactive map at the bottom of the page is a great tool to orient yourself. Click the letters on the map for a neat overview of each place, including Sanibel Surfside (letter p) where Darlene's condo is located.

OR Ask for Referrals...

As you trawl VRBO and other vacation rental sites you'll come up against "sorry we're booked" responses. But owners frequently know other owners in the same complex. So, if you like the look of the complex, just ask the booked up owner if they can refer you!

OR Just Ask us...

Through our work with Darlene, as well as our connections to other Sanibel owners, we can help guide you in your search. Just drop us a line, let us know what's vexing you and we'll lend you a helping hand - we're not a travel agency but we can offer some tips!

THE VACATION INSIDER PHILOSOPHY

PUT THE GUIDEBOOK DOWN...

Guidebooks are a great overview but your vacation insider is a local specialist so put the guidebook down and ask your insider!

If you’re an accommodation owner and would like to participate in the Insider Guide series we’d love to hear from you!

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