Hi all,

My friend and I are going to Sanibel for Memorial Day weekend and are staying at the Marriott Residence Inn just outside the bridge to the islands. We would like to do some shopping, bike riding, eat good food and relax on the beach.

I was wondering what would be the best public beach to spend the day at?

Area to rent bikes with best trails?

Any restaurant recommendations?

Other must sees and dos?

I appreciate any tip you can provide.

Thanks,
Linda

Just across the bridges, take a left turn to the Lighthouse beach for one option... for shopping go right along the main road to Periwinkle Place for the best option... I'll let the nature lovers chime in on the nature preserve, bike rentals, and kayaking... have fun!

Thanks for the input. I hear Captiva has the best beaches and since we have only one full day at the beach, we want to go to the best one.

Even tho Ft. Myers Beach is a little honky-tonkish they have a beautiful beach there.

The beach at Sanibel is hardpacked,flat and great for walking, but to me it's just one long beach and I wouldn't be able to pick the best part. Maybe since it is Memorial weekend, you would want to drive farther down the island to the big parking lot and then walk across the street to the beach. To get to this lot, I think you would take Periwinkle to Casa Ybel Rd., follow that around and it becomes West Gulf Dr. The parking lot is on Tarpon Bay Rd.

I also think Bowmans Beach is usually less crowded but I have not gone down that far. Parking seems to be limited for those driving onto the island- so the earlier you can get there, the better.

You might enjoy getting up early one day, heading over to Sanibel and shelling, go to breakfast somewhere (maybe the Lighthouse or Amy's Over Easy), rent bikes, eat lunch, walk the beach, there's nowhere to rent beach chairs, which might be a problem for relaxing on the beach--but that would be a fun day. We did that a few times when we stayed at the Sanibel Harbour Resort, (except for the get up early and go shelling part.)

Since it is a shell beach, many people walk with footwear since the shells can hurt your feet. We walk and my husband jogs forever on that beach but I don't think it is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. I prefer the look of soft sandy beaches.

The beach on Captiva, at least the one in front of Tween Waters is a softer sand but it makes it harder to walk on.

The bike rentals are right on the main road, Periwinkle. there is Billy's Bike shop and Finnimores. We have used both. You can park in their lot. The bike trails are great. We love riding bikes on Sanibel.

We have had luck at all the restaurants in Sanibel but on our last visit ate at a restaurant we really enjoyed that we hadn't been to before, Grandma Dot's. It's at the Marina. I also like the soups, salads and sandwiches at the Sanibel Bean, right there on Periwinkle. We also like the grouper at the Lazy Flamingo, the Twilight Cafe for a nice dinner, Key Lime Bistro at night on Captiva--outside seating and they usually have entertainment. Perhaps someone who goes there more than once a year can give your better restaurant recommendations.

The beaches on the gulf side are all very nice. Bowman's, and Lighthouse beaches on Sanibel have parking lots and Blind Pass between Captiva and Sanibel has some parking too. Depending on the day, weather, and season they might fill up fairly early so do wake up to be sure of a place to park. There are bike rentals as I recall not too far to the right of the causway and bike paths with a nice loop through Ding Darling nature preserve.

I love the beach at the very top end of Captiva (near South Seas Island Resort). You drive until you can't go any further and you arrive in a car park! The car park is small so you would need to be there early, say by 10:00, to get a parking space. The drive is stunning, but takes about 45 minutes from the causeway. If you plan to be there for the day, take your own food and drink. The Mucky Duck pub on Captiva is a short drive away and worth a visit. Someone has already mentioned the Sanibel Bean which has wonderful coffee, muffins, and sandwiches. If you like to shop at outlets there is a Tanger Outlet across from your hotel.

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