Sanibel or The Keys?
 

Help... need some advice about where to go for a 4 day March vacation with my wife and her parents. They are going to be visiting us from South America and we want to take them to a nice place in Florida for a few days (to get away from the cold in Michigan where we are...). Can anyone tell me pros and cons of these two places. Will they be too crowded with spring breakers during the 3rd week of March? What hotel suggestions do you have?

I've been to both...sort of: Key West once and Sanibel too many times to count because my sno-bird in-laws winter there. Some may disagree but I would whole heartedly recommend Sanibel. I don't know any Key besides Key West so that is where my comparison is based. You have to look hard to find a beach in Key west. All of Sanibel's south/west coast is uninterruped white sand beach with tons of shells. Key West does have some nightlife with a strong penchant towards alchohol consumption but I'm guessing that's not as important for your parents. Sanibel has a few golf courses and the island is criss-crossed with a great bike/walking path system. There are great restaurants on Sanibel as well. As for hotels, try www.southseas.com for a family of hotels located on Sanibel and Captiva, Casaybel Resort and check out www.trip advisor.com for other hotel ideas. In Key West, I'd recommend one of the many historic B and B's or small hotels. I wouldn't recommend the Hilton where I stayed. Yes, the island population increases during Spring Break time, but Sanibel is so spread out and the beach is so big, it is still very pleasant and relaxing when the island is full. Probably much easier to get to Sanibel: Direct flights from Chicago - O'hare & Midway and Detroit to Ft. Myers (RSW).

I guess I need to put in my two cents, just because I love Key West so much. It's true the beaches aren't good, but, oh, what a wonderful tropical vibe. I haven't found anywhere in the US that I would rather be. Getting up early and walking the streets of Old Town is hard to beat. Jean

While I love Key West, there will be spring breakers there in March. Sanibel and/or Captiva are very nice. Another place I love is Siesta Key off of Sarasota.

Spring-break in Florida stretches quite a bit because it's different everywhere. But regardless, March is the busiest month of the year in Florida for tourism.

If your relatives like history and older cities, go to Key West. If they prefer newer modern places, try Sanibel. If they like crowds, go to the Keys. If they like privacy, try Sanibel. If they like the beach, go to Sanibel. If they like to snorkel go to the Keys. If they like to party down, go to the Keys. Either place has excellent restaurants.

So what are they like? It's hard to recommend a hotel if you don't know yet where to stay.

Keep us posted.

Although my experience is limited, I would choose Sanibel over Key West, however, we spent a few weeks there last Feb/Mar and there was a big problem with red tide. This causes fish to die and wash up on the beach leaving a very unpleasant odor on and around the beach. We saw dead fish on the beach as large as a large dog. I believe they were giant groupers. I am not sure whether or not the problem extended to the Keys but that's a strong possibility. Mother nature eventually resolves this problem, however, I am not sure when that happened last year. You could probably check with the Chamber of Commerce and they could tell you. Hope this helps.

Red Tide is found all over the world in various forms. In Florida it is generally isolated to the Gulf of Mexico. There is no predicting it, there is no controlling it. You have to wait for it to leave.

A very uninvited and unwelcome guest.

I was in Sanibel last May and it must have been red tide that was making the beach crummy. However, I'm spoiled by Ft. Lauderdale beaches! I was also in Key West in June. I like to have plenty to do, so I enjoyed Key West more than Sanibel. Sanibel is more laid back with nice shops, shelling on the beach (I refused to go in the ocean), and plenty of choices for restaurants. The sand on the beach in Sanibel was hard.

Key West beaches are not good at all. There are plenty of things to do in Key West. Trolley tours, historical places to visit, strolling along Duval Street, seeing the magnificent sunset at Mallory Square (go early and get a spot on the pier at Ocean Key Resort for a great uninterrupted view of the sunset.) Plenty of antique stores, shops and restaurants. You'll never be bored in Key West. You can also rent a car and drive to other keys. However, a car is NOT needed in Key West (it's more trouble than it's worth and many people say they rented a car and it spent the entire time in the garage--for a fee!)

I have no idea what the Spring Breakers are like in Key West.

You can fly directly into EYW airport. Hope this helps you decide.

I just returned last night from 10 days on Sanibel and it was wonderful! Great shops, restaurants and a beautiful beach!

Sanibel is my pick. The water is beautiful,lots of shells(one of the best in the world), a fishing pier nearby, lots of shops, & restaurants(Hungry Heron for great Seafood). It's quiet & beautiful. Captiva is a short drive away. It's so tropical & the water seems a more turquise color. (Another great restaurant is the Mucky Duck on Captiva. Beautiful sunsets.We usually see lots of dolphins frolicking in the surf.
The keys are nice. We weren't impressed with Key West-drunks sleeping on sidewalks, begging for $, coral on the beaches make it tough to walk on without shoes. Although, the historic aspect was nice. Sunset at Mallory Square was unique with it's carnival atmosphere.

We live 4 miles east by sea from Sanibel and I know it well. First let me state that Lee County(which Sanibel resides) is quite miffed with Sanibel residents for their stance on the new bridge...quite a hot topic here BTW. Needless to say, Sanibel is lovely, but does not get many spring breakers..usually too expensive. I love the Keys, however and they are a whole differant world IMO...so very laid back and and lovely. I would pick the Keys! Judy

Sanibel doesn't get many spring breakers.

1. not many, if any bars on the beach
2. restrictions on rentals: age (over 25) and length of stay.
3. too many families....BORING

In this area, Fort Myers Beach attracts the most spring breakers. It is hard to get over the bridge for all the Budweiser trucks! Our paper lists the various Midwestern colleges that are in town for each week.

Key West is a perpetual spring break destination with one of the main entertainments being bar hopping. You either like this or you don't. Vive la difference.

LMF

You might want to consider the price of airfare when contemplating this trip. I have Key West plugged into my favorites on travelocity because my niece is graduating this May and is Valedictorian. We are staying in the keys for the month of May and I need to fly back for her graduation. The flights to/from TPA/EYW are going for $258 right now. Haven't checked on the tickets from MI, but would in my travel plans.

For Red Tide try this website http://www.marinelab.sarasota.fl.us/~mhenry/rtupdate.
I too experienced the Red Tide last year. However it wasn't at the Captiva beaches , when it was at Sanibel island. If it happens to be where you are, drive a little further & try somewhere else. Our luck was not too good three years ago, when we drove to the keys & all the beaches in Key West were closed due to e-coli. Go figure.This website is very beneficial.