I've been seeing some posts about Sanibel Island which is peaking my interest. Could someone tell me the difference between Sanibel and Ft.Lauderdale. I've been to Ft.Lauderdale and loved it. How does Ft.Lauderdale compare to Sanibel Island? Curious? Another reason I'm asking is because I can fly to Ft.Meyers at a really good rate.

Well, Sanibel is on the West coast of Florida and Ft. Lauderdale is on the East coast (Atlantic) of Florida - so that is the major location difference. It's been a while since I've been to Sanibel, I know we flew into Ft. Meyers and the drive to Casa Ybel Resort was under an hour. You would have to check a map to see the distance from Ft. Meyer to Ft. Lauderdale if you are considering that location. In case your interested, here is the site for Casa Ybel
http://www.casaybelresort.com/about.htm

Sanibel is definately more laid back than FL. The Gulf of Mexico is as well! No big waves over here! Remember, FL is where a lot of Spring Breakers go, so that should tell you something about the nightlife.

I would definately pick Sanibel myself. Much prettier, In MY opinion.

Have fun.

I would pick FLL! We are moving there from across the bay from Sanibel. I like Sanibel, it is verypretty and laid back, but there is not much to do....therefore I PICK FLL

Anymore opinions? DH does like the waves of the ocean. That is another reason we enjoyed Ft.Lauderdale so much.

janny - Having stayed at both I prefer FLL. We have stayed there at least a dozen times and will be returning in a couple of weeks after having been there in May. Much more activity and great places to dine. Good luck!!

"Could someone tell me the difference between Sanibel and Ft.Lauderdale?"

Apples and oranges.....apples and oranges.....apples and oranges.

You couldn't have picked two opposite places if you tried. Florida vacations come in many different shapes and sizes.

Let me put it this way, Sanibel is the opposite of Ft. Lauderdale.

Keep in mind, however, that Ft. Myers Beach might offer the same advantages as Ft. Lauderdale. Sanibel is close to Ft. Myers Beach, but you certainly don't have to limit yourself to Sanibel. Ft. Myers might have what you want (like Ft. Lauderdale).

I don't mean to be so vague, but a quick search on these boards will help you with your decision. Unless you tell us what you liked about Ft. Lauderdale, it's hard to help you decide.

I haven't been to Ft. Lauderdale. But I can tell you what I liked about Sanibel. It's relaxing, full of nature, laid back. People spend their time in wildlife refuge, shelling, going on charters to look at dolphins or do shelling on islands. Sanibel & Captiva have lots of good restaurants but they are laid back and there's little night life. It's a place for people who like the beach, who like shelling, who like nature, who like fishing. There's some neat shopping but no malls or anything like that. It's also pretty small compared to a big city. We loved it so much, kayaking through the mangroves and watching a mottled little blue heron snatch up mangrove crabs and swallow them down ... my husband fishing from the beach (and catching lots of sea trout) while I watched a snowy egret run from the tide ... watching manatees along the beach ... getting up early to go hiking in some of the conservation areas.

Decisions!! I liked the variety of dining in Ft.Lauderdale. Loved the beach. We stayed at the Marriott Harbor Resort and had a perfect oceanview room. Loved watching the cruise ships come & go. Loved the malls (shopping), sightseeing & restaurants in Ft.Lauderdale. It was a nice relaxing inexpensive vacation.

I'm concerned about the wildlife mentioned in Sanibel? What type of wildlife because I'm not fond of birds. We aren't partygoers like to relax, beautiful surroundings, shopping, taking sightseeing tours. Not into fishing, hiking, definitely not bird watching or snorkling. Your help is greatly appreciated.

TTT

Sanibel & Captiva are full of birds. Lots of large birds such as the great blue heron (and the white Florida morph), tri-colored heron, roseate spoonbills, etc. It's not as though they are going to come up to you or anything, but they are one of the main attractions.

If you are not fond of birds, but like nature in general, you'll still probably enjoy Ding Darling b/c it's pretty, but the birds are the big draw. I'm sure plenty of people enjoy Sanibel's beach, shelling, shopping, restaurants, and wonderful laid back attitude without ever venturing out to see the birds or hiking etc. In fact, when we went hiking in the Rabbit Road preserve (forget what it's called off the top of my head), we saw no one for the first 90 minutes (we were there at sun up).

Do you like the water? You could take a sightseeing charter to see dolphins, maybe stop at Cabbage Key for a cheeseburger (the restaurant there is supposedly the inspiration for Jimmy Buffet's song "Cheeseburger in Paradise") and even stop at Cayo Costa, a Florida state park that's quite beautiful.

If you don't like wildlife, but like the beach and the water, I think you'd still enjoy Sanibel. If you don't like wildlife, the beach or the water, then there's not that much left on Sanibel/Captiva for you.

I live in Ft. Lauderdale and have been to Sanibel & Ft. Meyers Beach, so maybe I can help you. FLL has loads of stuff to do, even if you don't rent a car. You can stay near the beach and take the Water Taxi for $5 a day to many different locations such as dining, shopping, museums, theaters, etc.

Sanibel is definitely more laid back. You can take or rent a bike and see most of the island that way, if you wish. You can enjoy the natural surroundings if that is what you like. And you can enjoy the sun and water along the beach and find some beautiful shells. However, if you like the water, I prefer FLL to Sanibel. I was in Sanibel last year and they were experiencing "red tide" and the water was not swimmable, and there was stinky seaweed along the beach. The sand on FLL beach is nicer than Sanibel, in my opinion. However, I like beach sand made from shells, not beach sand that feels and looks like compacted light colored dirt.

Sanibel has nice island-style shopping opportunities and good restaurants. Captiva looked much nicer, but more pricey. Captiva also appeared to have nicer beaches (white sand and blue water.)

If you are planning a trip longer than 3-4 days, I'd suggest FLL because you won't get bored as quickly. If you are just going for a long weekend, Sanibel would be nice.

Ft. Meyers beach is okay, but not as quaint as Sanibel/Captiva and not as active as FLL.

Hope this helps you decide. It just depends on what you like to do.

Thanks Heartburn for your input. You probably don't remember me but you helped a lot when we went to Ft.Lauderdale last November. Gave me great advice! We really enjoyed Ft.Lauderdale and had a rental car. Last year we stayed at the Marriott Harbour Beach resort and loved it! We were thinking of trying another part of Florida like Sanibel this fall but I'm really skeptical now due to the birds. We would be staying 5 days. Now I'm thinking we should stick with Ft.Lauderdale. Loved the shopping and dining there.

We stayed in Fort Lauderdale with a rental car and drove to Fort Myers Beach for the day and took the WONDERFUL tour of the Edison home in Fort Myers. Amazing trees there!!! Worth an hour or two if you go that direction. Did not make it over to Sanibel, but the coast along Fort Myers Beach was thick with shells, whereas the FL beach was much sandier. Have fun!

Janny -- I thought your screen name was familiar, but I wasn't sure if I'd helped you. I'm glad my advice was good and you enjoyed your trip. If you are only going for 5 days, you might want to try Sanibel just to see if you like it. If you happen to go, make sure to eat at The Seafood Factory on the corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road (heading towards Captiva from Sanibel.) We spent a long evening there and had a fantastic time! I loved walking through all the shops, too. Everyone was very pleasant and not pushy at all. You might enjoy it. You can always head to Ft. Meyers if you get bored and want to see the Edison Home (I enjoyed that, too) or just see a different beach area.

Maybe others can comment on the beach conditions I experienced last May in Sanibel. I wonder if they are still having occasional problems with "red tide"??

I live in fort myers and my work takes me to Sanibel and Captiva frequently. From your comments, I think you should find another beach area for your vacation. I love Sanibel, but the shopping there is really sort of limited to resort clothing and tropical tchotckes.

Naples comes to mind first. Shopping is first rate and so are the beaches. No ocean waves however.

What about South Beach for something different. Better shopping down there if you are interested in current fashion and something different. I have never found Fort Lauderdale great for shopping and I am there at least once a month to go to the Design Center in Dania. When we stay there I drive down to Merrick Park and South Beach to shop. Great beaches. Shops are not all Versace and that price bracket. Lots of moderately priced things.

Palm Beach is also a great place. There are a few beach front resorts there that do not require a second mortgage. I'm going to Ocean Pointe on Singer Island which is right across an inlet from Palm Beach proper next week.

Sanibel is bird paradise and while the birds will not harm you, they do consider the beach their own. A great heron will come and stand near your beach chair looking for his next snack. I just love it but it sounds like this would be awful for you.

LMF

LMF, I have to disagree with you about shopping in FLL. The Galleria Mall is wonderful and you can't beat Neiman's and Saks IMO. Nola Zeller, Lily Pulitzer, on Las Olas and don't forget Sawgrass Mill outlet shopping.....best outlet Mall of all IMO. Judy

I'd also have to say based on what you say your likes/dislikes are that you shouldn't go to Sanibel. Sounds like you wouldn't like it.

By the way I was in Sanibel for a week this past May and there was no red tide. And for a change we had waves. Must have been a storm or something that came thru previously in the week because that is unusual, thought not unheard of, for that side of FL.

Made for some excellent shelling though.

Red tide has become an increasing problem for not just Sanibel, but a lot of the beaches on the southern Gulf Coast. But the reason you'll notice it more at Sanibel is that they do not remove anything from the beaches (unlike Captiva or Ft Myers etc) because they have a philosophy that natural is best. I almost always agree but when we went last year and there were dead fish everywhere, I wasn't so sure. It cleared up quickly but the first few days, I didn't go in the water. Generally, my understanding is that red tide will not hit the whole island at once, if it's at one beach, it's probably not at all of them - just go find another. But with Sanibel's expensive beach parking, that's a bit of a problem.