My husband and I are considering a LOT of places for a vacation in late summer (or late July?). So far we've discussed (and researched) the Bahamas, Hawaii and Italy! But, so many people have said that Sanibel is just HEAVEN (and it's in the US and not as expensive), that I was curious about what people think are the best places to stay, etc.

We'd like something ON the beach; cozy but nice, maybe with a porch, things to do or just sit and relax; not TOO expensive...

I don't know much about Sanibel... how is the weather? Humid? Can you snorkel? What is there to do while you're there? Good food? Does it compare to the Caribbean???

Any help would be great... THANKS!!!!

KT

do a search on Sanibel and you'll find a great deal of mention and discussion here. Much discussion of the heat in Summer. The beach is at its best for me in summer for these reasons:
1. less people
2. better shelling (those storms churn up the gulf and wash the big ones in)
3. awesome sunsets from the aformentioned storms

Downside things:
1. service can be spotty as many of the better waiters, etc. have departed for the Cape, the Hamptons, etc.
2. hotter than hell most days and days without storms have muggy stifling nights.

Many condos have screened porches (we call them lanais but a porch by any other name). Most resorts have two bedroom condo type units. One mentioned frequently is Casa Ybel. Search that here and you will get lots of information.

No snorkelling on sanibel. The wave action of the water makes the water somewhat murky. Lots of sea life however and you can dig them up with your toes: sand dollars the size of a skillet and starfish. Just be careful to return them to their home in the water and do not take them for souveniers. It's against the law. Sanibel is about doing little, observing nature and relaxing with the tides.

LMF

I live near Sanibel and have been there several times during November. I've been to Hawaii and Italy (Venice) and the Bahamas.

Bahamas, Hawaii, Italy they all have beautiful terrain, mountains, etc.

Sanibel is on the Gulf the water is not spectacular as Hawaii or the Bahamas, there is no snorkeling. It is a beach town. It only has the beach to offer.

The resorts are just average.

It is not crowded (for a reason). I think of Sanibel as somewhere for locals to go that is not a touristy place in the summer or someplace that northern's come to spend the winter for 2-3 months to get out of the cold.

If you want to sit on the beach and read a good book. Have a few decent places to eat and watch the sunset - it's good.

But if you want a whole "experience" I'd pick one of you other choices.

Just my 2 cents.

HAve stayed at the Sundial on 2 occasions -once in a condo and once in a hotel room. Views of the ocean, pool, etc. I enjoy Sanibel. It is noce and quiet, many good restaurants - dpends on the time of year, so close down during the off season.
Fort Meyers is close by in case you want to venture over there. Another great island is Boca Grande. Very quiet, a few restaurants, lots of condos, etc. Beautiful water, but not alot of action going on there.

KT - you don't say where you are from, if it is not someplace warm, be prepared for FL in the summer!!! It is HOT, does not compare with Carribean breezes. I went to Bermuda last July, beautiful, and not hot like FL... Did Italy in 2002, and it by far gets my vote if you can swing it. One thing about Sanibel is that eating and activities are very expensive, so you could spend more getting somewhere else, but be entertained for less. (IMHO)

Sanibel gets my vote from November-March, but not any other months! -Kristy

As much as I love Sanibel, keep in mind the beach is a shell beach - not at all like a beach you would find in the caribbean. No powdery sand but fun if you are prepared for it with water shoes to do the "Sanibel stoop" (shelling)!

First of all, Sanibel is not Heaven. It's nice, laid back, quiet, serene, very natural and it IS expensive. I would choose Hawaii over Sanibel if I had the choice. Hawaii is beautiful with powdery beaches, Sanibel has shell strewn beaches and if you have tender feet you must wear beach shoes! The restaurants are OK, nothing great. If you are looking for quiet and relaxation then Sanibel may be the best decision for you. Incidentally, I've taken trips to London that were cheaper than the trips to Sanibel.

We spent our 1st & 2nd honeymoon in Sanibel. The first was in July & even though it was hot, the Gulf breeze made it nice. We stayed at Sundial for the 1st time & Song of the Sea the 2nd time. I really like Song of the Sea better. We had a screened porch & sat watching a thunderstorm over Ft Myers. It was neat natural fireworks. We also enjoyed the wonderful shells. We honored the policy on not taking live specimens.

It just depends on your budget. This vacation we are going to Negril Jamaica. Great beach, not too expensive & a tropical scenery.The weather is good & snorkling is great.

"Heaven" is different for everyone. I imagine the spiritual one is the same- different for each.

Look at this thread, as it talks about next door island Captiva, but there is also some info on Sanibel.

FYI, you have to drive through Sanibel to get to Captiva.

We have lived in Ft. Myers for 40 years. We own time shares on Ft. Myers Beach, & Sanibel & have traveled throughout most of the free world. We sometimes trade TS weeks but never my Sanibel one. Sanibel is quiet & quaint with limited activities since We do not bike or kyak. As far as hot is concerned, Sanibel is surrounded by water & thus a breeze & passing shower or storm to cool things down from the low 90s. Restaurants are good & varied with moderate pricing. They used to be cheap with all you can eat shrimp or crab legs under $15 but I've been in them when snowbirds were loudly raving about how much more they pay up north for smaller portions & food not as good. If I were to criticize Sanibel or Captiva, it would have to be the wall to wall traffic during the winter season. Snowbirds are like women, you can't live with them or without them. That's my opinion, opinions are like rearends, we all have them, but they are all a little different!

Sorry, forgot to post the link in the above post. Let's try it again

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...AFrequentFlyer