We are planning a relaxing vacation to the Sanibel/Captiva area Dec.14-20th. Need some suggestions--should we stay on Sanibel/Captiva the whole time, or is there any other nice beach resorts on the gulf coast, perhaps a little north of there that we should also check out? We are probably going to stay at the South Seas Plantation for part of the time. Any other places we should see while down in that area? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Staying at a South Seas property on Sanibel/Captiva you will definitely have more of a resort feel vs. the Ft. Myers & Naples Beaches. Sanibel/Captiva are quiet and relaxed(except for the traffic) whereas the other beaches are easier to get to and more along the lines of highrises, waverunner rentals, beachfront bars, etc. Here are some suggestions for things to check into: wildlife preserves on Sanibel, sunset cruise aboard a clipper ship, day trip to Everglades City for an airboat tour (no mosquitoes in the Winter and comfortable temps), seashell hunting on Sanibel/Captiva, day cruise to Key West, also if you can catch any Cuban jazz locally it's usually excellent (even if you're not into jazz). All in all, I would stay in that area vs. venturing north. Ft.Myers is at the top of the Tropics so if you venture any further north, it'll get more temperate. Hope this helps!

Having just returned from Sanibel, I believe you have picked the perfect place for a relaxing vacation. If your key word is relaxing then my suggestion would be to stay put on Sanibel or Captiva. There is so much to do there you won't be bored, the food is great, the atmosphere so casual and friendly.In addition to the other posters suggestions you can go on wildlife cruises siting manatees, dolphins, and a wide variety of birds. Our shelling cruise to North Captiva was wonderful.Sanibel is covered with biking trails (flat, easy, relaxing).Don't miss watching the sun set on the beach by the Mucky Duck restaurant on Captiva (minutes drive from South Seas Plantation) . Then go inside for a great meal. Have a great trip!

Thanks so much for your suggestions! We have now made reservations for 3 nights on Captiva and 3 nights on Sanibel (at Song of the Sea). It sounds like we are in for a wonderful time, hope the weather cooperates. By the way, how do you go about getting info for the cruises ahead of time--like cost, length of time, etc...? Or do you just stop at the marina when you get there? Thanks again for the help

Please do yourself a favor--book the three nights on Sanibel at the Sanibel Moorings, a condominium complex run entirely with central reservations like a hotel with award-winning gardens throughout the many buildings and located soon after you pull onto the island from the long bridge, saving you from having to drive through the slow traffic up the main drag of Periwinkle. There are many fine restaurants in the area. The staff is extremely friendly and the condos are immaculately clean. Each one has a screened-in porch. We have been there twice for more than one week each time, and we have two sets of friends who have stayed a week there for 10 years each! One day each week, the gardener will take the guests for a walking tour of the gardens (all of the plants are labeled), and one day per week, they have free breakfast around one of the pools with fruit grown on the grounds. It is not as fancy as South Seas, nor is it as costly, but you won't be disappointed.

The cruises we took we offered by a company called Captiva Cruises and left from several marinas at South Seas Plantation.Their reservations number is 941-472-5300. Ask them about their gold card which costs $50 and enables one person to take unlimited cruises for a year ( a good deal even if you only take 2 cruises).They probably can mail you a brochure but until then my brochure lists the following: Cabbage Key or Useppa Island Cruise 10:30-3:30 adults $27.50, Dolphin and Wildlife Adventure Cruise 4-5:30pm adults $17.50, Sunset Serenade Cruise departure time varies with the sunset adults $17.50, Photo Safari Cruise 4:15-5:15pm adults $17.50,
Island Shelling Cruise (to Cayo Costa or North Captiva) 9am-noon or 1pm-4pm (shelling is best at low tide so book the cruise that will get you on a beach at low tide) adults $35, Boca Grande or Cayo Costa Cruise 10am-4pm adults $35. The front desk people at South Seas can give you the numbers to call for other types of cruises such as those mentioned by the other poster not offered by Captiva cruises. Hope this helps. Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone for the great advice!