View Full Version : captiva and sanibel islands - dreamy or nightmare?
ahoy there experts
not wanting to flood the islands with tourista, but..........
please tell us all about sanibel and captiva islands
we all know they are great for shell pickers and that the 18th century pirate of the carribean jose gaspar used to stow his female captives there, til he had time for a quick e! but what do they hold for the more modern visitor, anyone?
trev
Sorted! ;) They're completely different from the Orlando area for a start... No mega park rides or anything of that type of thing so if you're wanting a rest from hustle and bustle, these are the sort of places for that. Laid back I think would be the description I'd use.
Around and about you'll find Big Cypress Natural Preserve, Corkscrew Swamp National Sanctuary, the Everglades and the winter home of Thomas Edison. Then there's J N 'Ding' Darling's National Wildlife Refuge, Museum of the Islands and lots of fishing, golfing, cruises, etc but watch out for the jewellers and gift shops at the Periwinkle Drive area of Sanibel and some malls and factory outlets too. Oh, and you can get that famous Sanibel stoop by collecting sea shells!
We researched the gulf coast areas before booking a villa on Captiva for the 2nd week of out holiday. We wanted somewhere to chill and we think Captiva is the place. Lots of restaurants, quirky shops, beach, crab racing,!! shells, and tennis/golf/sailing all on the isalnd. Also it is close to other areas of interest Fort MYers,Naples, Marco Island etc. Although I put a question out re other places in the area on the net and someone replied"why would you want to leave the best place in Florida to see others!!"
So I am hoping it is going to be pretty special, but even though I have billed it as a chill out to the family our "must see/do"" itinerary for that week is growing longer every day!!!:):):)
We have stayed twice in Sanibel, first time we never left the island, and indeed, had it not poured with rain and we had bored teenagers, we would not have the second time!
For me, part of the charm is no high rise buildings, no outlets etc. There are small individual shops where the owners are friendly and chatty, spend time with you even if you don't buy. The restaurants are ok - typical floridian fare, best food we have eaten there is windows on the water at the Sundial complex.
It's a chill out place, but you can take boat trips to the surrounding islands, play golf, catch fish etc if you wish!
If we had been buying to suit ourselves (and not thinking of our children!) - and oh, of course had the millions, we would have bought on Sanibel. Last time we were there (3 years ago) STR condos on the gulf @ $850K - 2 bed, gulp!
2 pluses for the dreamy side then:D
trev[8D]