My husband and I are thinking about spending the last weekend of July in Sanibel. The hotels are cheap and it's an easy drive. However, we have never been before. Is it going to be unbearably hot and humid or is this a good time to take advantage of low rates? Thanks!

I've only been to Sanibel once, but it was the last week of July last summer and it was incredibly hot and humid. We got fried even with multiple applications of sunscreen and the evenings were still so humid that we sweated like crazy just playing mini golf. Granted, we actually stayed on the mainland and only visited the beaches on Sanibel during the day, but it was still pretty hot. Maybe staying on Sanibel would be a little cooler in the evenings because of the breeze?

But you say it's an easy drive, so you are from the general area it sounds like and may be used to the weather. We are from VA (the valley) so we weren't quite used to Florida summers.

It will be hot and humid--that's why the rates are low, after all. Whether it's unbearable depends on you. I live in Florida, but not at the beach, so when I'm at the beach, I think the breeze is refreshing because I'm already acclimated.

But during the day, it will be very hot in the sun, and it will very likely storm in the afternoon and evening.

I guess a lot depends on what you plan to do while there...

In my experience, you should expect rain/storms as NewbE mentioned. And, along with that, the surf can get stirred up bringing in a ton of seaweed into the water.

We've done it a few times because it is much less expensive and only a few hours' drive for us. But a friend in North Carolina spent his honeymoon there in July on my recommendation and is still a bit sore at me about it.

sludick, seems like perfect honeymoon weather to me...

It is HOT, but being a Floridian, I would rather be on the beach in Sanibel than at home in late July. Will be there in 10 days!

You really don't want to be out on the beach at night, the bugs can be bad no matter what spray you use.

Well, if you really are a short drive from Sanibel then I suspect you already know about heat and humidity. I live on the other coast at the beach and it is often a bit cooler thanks to the breezes but it will be humid given that vast body of water so be prepared. However, those sunsets are worth the trip alone IMO.

NewbE - yeah, I couldn't understand the gripe either...