I just started looking into these places yesterday and I was wondering if anyone could tell me the pros and cons of both places (either Sanibel or Captiva, doesn't matter). I just don't know that much about any of them. Which has more to do? Which might have better restaurants? Etc., etc.

We are a large family (ages 1-71), so we have many interests, including golf. Any info would be helpful. I'm really confused right now.

Thanks,
Molly

Siesta Key is a small island that is more residential and less tourist-oriented than Captiva or Sanibel. The up side of Siesta Key is that you would be a short drive across the bridge to Sarasota, which is a destination in/of itself with some interesting attractions, museums, restaurants, a cosmopolitan city. But the range of accomodations on Siesta Key will be limited. Siesta Key is a more urban experience than Sanibel/Captiva.

Sanibel/Captiva is a sandy lazy couple of neighboring islands where you can truly feel island bound without any tugs to "do something" or "go somewhere" -- the beach is the draw, you can fish, swim, walk. From Captiva, you can go to Sanibel. From Sanibel, you can go to Captiva. Getting off the islands can be a chore via the single bridge (which stalls with even small amounts of traffic). The obvious nearby destination, Ft. Myers, is a lovely place to live but there's not much there.

Comparing the two, Sanibel is a much larger island than Captiva, which has few amenities. If you want to go to a grocery store while on Captiva, for instance, you will find only a crammed mini-market -- but Sanibel has a very nice large super market.

Hope that's of some help.