I will be visiting Florida over Christmas for the first time this year. Will it be warm enough to lay on the beach, swim and/or jet ski & parasail? If I won't have a white Christmas, I at least want a tanned one! Also, are skimpy bikinis in or out at Sanibel?

Well, at Fort Myers skimpy is ok...you'll fit in with the white trash and rednecks. On Sanibel, you can wear stylish or classy skimpy as long as you don't have cellulite...that's disgusting.

ashley - I've seen you in your bikini - skip it.

I'm always amazed when I see people- tourists- running into what I would consider to be a freezing cold ocean. It all depends on where you're from. But I see people swimming year round. Naturally, we are not rednecks, you need to move a little farther north for that.

Depends on the year. The last 2 years have not been that great. The water is very cold for the people that live here, but if you are from the North the water is still warmer than you get in the middle of the summer.

enjoy,
Duane

I am from Chicago and I still feel that it is too cold to go swimming at Christmas time. Of course, it can be a warmer than normal year but usually it is too cold.

The gulf is no longer a big bathtub in December. Water is is mid 80's in summer and in the high 60's in December regardless of air temp. Shortness of days cools the water. You can still sun and walk along the water and then swim in your hotel's pool.

Sanibel is busy at Christmas but not paralyzed with traffic like it is in March.