Sanibel trip report
Mar 14th, 2010, 07:16 AM
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Sanibel trip report
We ( myself and my spouse, both 60ish women) were on Sanibel March 6-13. The weather was coolish and we had a huge rain friday, but otherwise there was sun. We stayed at Beachview, which I highly recommend if you like an old Florida cottage experience right on the beach. Many people there return yearly for decades. People widely joke about how to kill off the renters of the most desirable cottages. It is an older crowd, very quiet, friendly but not intrusive, staff is friendly and helpful. Accommodations are very basic and not cheap but it is Sanibel, after all. There is a wonderful partly shaded large deck at the edge of the beach, a great place to hang out, watch sunsets. The pool is small but nice and I swam daily. My partner, wanting more serious lap swimming got daily passes to the beautiful pool at the Sanibel community center.
We loved Ding Darling refuge and spent many hours there, on the tram tour, the sunset pontoon ride in Tarpon Bay to see the roosting islands and on our own, observing the plethora of birds. early morning and low tides provide best viewing.
The farmers market on Sunday mornings is not to be missed, especially if you are cooking in, which we did almost exclusively. There were wonderful fruits and veggies, fish, prepared sauces and lasagne, fresh pasta, salsas, cheeses, etc, etc.
We had excellent lunches at the Lazy flamingo, once at each site, and enjoyed a wonderful early breakfast at the Lighthouse before the crowds set in. We loved Pinnochio's ice cream.
We were bummed out about several aspects of Sanibel: the really built up feel, so many condos everywhere, the crowded beaches, even Bowman's which is reputed to be less so , the many posted private roads, like gated communites without the gates, and most of all the fact that unless you are right on a beach there is no sense of water around you. We had one very negative experience at a well reputed inn where the owner was clearly not interested in renting to two women, but overall our experience in that way was very positive.
We plan to return to Sanibel and have booked already at Beachview.
We loved Ding Darling refuge and spent many hours there, on the tram tour, the sunset pontoon ride in Tarpon Bay to see the roosting islands and on our own, observing the plethora of birds. early morning and low tides provide best viewing.
The farmers market on Sunday mornings is not to be missed, especially if you are cooking in, which we did almost exclusively. There were wonderful fruits and veggies, fish, prepared sauces and lasagne, fresh pasta, salsas, cheeses, etc, etc.
We had excellent lunches at the Lazy flamingo, once at each site, and enjoyed a wonderful early breakfast at the Lighthouse before the crowds set in. We loved Pinnochio's ice cream.
We were bummed out about several aspects of Sanibel: the really built up feel, so many condos everywhere, the crowded beaches, even Bowman's which is reputed to be less so , the many posted private roads, like gated communites without the gates, and most of all the fact that unless you are right on a beach there is no sense of water around you. We had one very negative experience at a well reputed inn where the owner was clearly not interested in renting to two women, but overall our experience in that way was very positive.
We plan to return to Sanibel and have booked already at Beachview.
Mar 14th, 2010, 06:39 PM
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I'm utterly shocked at your comment about a place not interested in renting to two women -- Sanibel is reputedly one of the most gay friendly places in the US (other than the sheriff's office trying to close down the gay beach north of Bowmans.)
And I'm confused what kind of water atmosphere you'd expect when NOT on the beach which is everywhere there is water?
Built up with condos? Compared to what other Florida beaches? Since there is nothing over 3 or 4 stories, I'd find it hard to trash that aspect compared to the wall to wall high rises of 90% of Florida beaches.
And I'm confused what kind of water atmosphere you'd expect when NOT on the beach which is everywhere there is water?
Built up with condos? Compared to what other Florida beaches? Since there is nothing over 3 or 4 stories, I'd find it hard to trash that aspect compared to the wall to wall high rises of 90% of Florida beaches.
Mar 16th, 2010, 05:33 PM
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NeoPatrick:
I was shocked too. Sanibel is gay friendly ( I don't know about it being one of the most gay friendly places in America) but there are bigots EVERYWHERE.
The water atmosphere I expected on a narrow island is, like in Anna Maria, seeing the water as you walk, drive around, coming upon vistas. Although there are condos there they do not block the view of the beach everywhere you go. Also, you can see both the gulf and the bay easily, as well as the canals. I am not trashing anything, just reporting my impressions. No offense intended.
Actually since my original post we have decided to return to AMI next year as it suits us better than Sanibel. I think if we were more interested in shelling we would have like Sanibel better, but if you reread my post you will find no trashing.
I was shocked too. Sanibel is gay friendly ( I don't know about it being one of the most gay friendly places in America) but there are bigots EVERYWHERE.
The water atmosphere I expected on a narrow island is, like in Anna Maria, seeing the water as you walk, drive around, coming upon vistas. Although there are condos there they do not block the view of the beach everywhere you go. Also, you can see both the gulf and the bay easily, as well as the canals. I am not trashing anything, just reporting my impressions. No offense intended.
Actually since my original post we have decided to return to AMI next year as it suits us better than Sanibel. I think if we were more interested in shelling we would have like Sanibel better, but if you reread my post you will find no trashing.
Mar 21st, 2010, 05:33 AM
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Jubi---My wife and I (50's) were in Sanibel last month and I must agree with your statement regarding Sanibel: "the really built up feel, so many condos everywhere, the crowded beaches, even Bowman's which is reputed to be less so".
We rented bicycles for the entire day (we biked out via the Nature Preserve) and went all the way to the end of Captiva Island (Which we really loved). And The Mucky Duck restaurant right on the beach at Captiva offered both a great lunch and a great (Read: Quiet) beach.
Biking back into town we stopped at Bowman's Beach and did enjoy the shelling--but, you're right, it was crowded.
We rented bicycles for the entire day (we biked out via the Nature Preserve) and went all the way to the end of Captiva Island (Which we really loved). And The Mucky Duck restaurant right on the beach at Captiva offered both a great lunch and a great (Read: Quiet) beach.
Biking back into town we stopped at Bowman's Beach and did enjoy the shelling--but, you're right, it was crowded.
Mar 21st, 2010, 05:48 AM
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Sorry, I didn't mean "trash that aspect" to sound as bad as it did. And I didn't mean you were trashing the island. I was just surprised at the "built up beach" comment since it is one of the least built up beaches in Florida -- particularly in relation to high rise hotels and condos which are not allowed there, as well as how much vegetation there is. I guess that's what confused me as well. Because the beach is often secluded by so much vegetation and set back from any roads, with wide expanses of land around the lower rise condos and motels, it seems that not being able to see the water from the street everywhere also means that on the beach, you are more removed from traffic going along the beach. I guess it's a trade off. If you want to see the beach as you drive along, then that means that on the beach you have traffic right along side of you, instead of feeling you have to get off the beaten track to be on the beach. I guess that's what I dislike about places like Ft. Lauderdale, and what I personally like about Sanibel.
But you are right. AMI is one of those few "old fashioned" Florida beaches that is totally not dominated with high rises and condos.
But you are right. AMI is one of those few "old fashioned" Florida beaches that is totally not dominated with high rises and condos.
