So you have decided to spend your vacation on lovely Sanibel Island. You have chosen comfortable accommodations, but now are in search of a great restaurant. Have no worry, Sanibel offers numerous top dining options that are only a short distance from most accommodations on the island. Take a stroll down the island’s quaint, tree lined street and discover the smells and tastes of Sanibel Island.

Convenience is a major factor while on vacation. If you are sitting in your hotel room wondering where to eat, feel free to search online. Many of the island’s restaurants have included their menus on their websites as a convenience to vacationers. Another latest feature available in some restaurants is online ordering. If you are out exploring the island, you can simply take five minutes to order online. Then when you arrive at the restaurant for your meal, there is minimal waiting. This ensures that you will be back in the sunshine enjoying yourself in no time.

Sanibel RestaurantsSo you have decided to spend your vacation on lovely Sanibel Island. You have chosen comfortable accommodations, but now are in search of a great restaurant. Have no worry, Sanibel offers numerous top dining options that are only a short distance from most accommodations on the island. Take a stroll down the island’s quaint, tree lined street and discover the smells and tastes of Sanibel Island.

As you head down Periwinkle Way, you are sure to find a restaurant to suit your taste. Chefs from all over the world have migrated to Sanibel Island to infuse their country’s creations into the island cuisine. The restaurants have become a “melting pot” of unique, savory creations that you will never forget.
If you are in the mood for casual or casual fine dining, Sanibel offers both. Many casual dining restaurants are kid friendly and offer a kid’s menu. You will even find a few restaurants that are pet friendly, so that your entire family can be satisfied. You may decide to sit as a family on the patio enjoying the sun, burgers and creamy milkshakes.

Perhaps you have more of a taste for an evening of fine dining. Sanibel can provide that also. You will find elaborately decorated restaurants with a staff at your beck and call to provide you with the perfect dining experience. Appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, dessert and wines are some of the categories that line the menu in these venues. Remember that you are on an island, so of course many restaurants have perfected succulent seafood dishes.
If you desire to have a private party, the restaurants are able to work with you to help facilitate your event. Merchandise is available in many restaurants if you would like a souvenir to remember your unforgettable vacation.

Convenience is a major factor while on vacation. If you are sitting in your hotel room wondering where to eat, feel free to search online. Many of the island’s restaurants have included their menus on their websites as a convenience to vacationers. Another latest feature available in some restaurants is online ordering. If you are out exploring the island, you can simply take five minutes to order online. Then when you arrive at the restaurant for your meal, there is minimal waiting. This ensures that you will be back in the sunshine enjoying yourself in no time.

As you can see, the restaurant options are endless. Each restaurant strives to make your stay a memorable one by offering comforts to provide the best experience possible.

Share your Sanibel Restaurant Favorites below!

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Enjoy a hot cup of coffee while sitting on the terrace overlooking a coastline with hues of purples, yellows and oranges quietly melting into the ocean’s tranquil waters. Sound like a bit of paradise? It’s Sanibel Island, a once in a lifetime vacationer’s paradise located off the coast of Florida. Visiting Sanibel Island is the perfect destination for a family vacation, wedding, holiday or spur of the moment getaway. This island retreat lies in a subtropical climate with warm sunshine year round.

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Sanibel Island is a barrier island located off the southwest coast of Florida by Fort Myers. It has a population of 5,600 that quadruples during the winter which is prime tourist season. Sanibel Island is twelve miles long and four miles wide. Thousands of visitors flock to this island yearly to enjoy its beaches and to hunt for seashells. People come from all over the world to collect these renowned shells. Sanibel Island is considered to have the best shelling in North America. In fact, when Ponce De Leon arrived, he named this area “Costa de Carocles” which translates to Coast of Seashells.

It is not unusual to see both the young and old with buckets, bags and nets, bending down in the “Sanibel Stoop” position to carefully search for the perfect shell. Sanibel Island lies east to west and is a large plateau that acts like a shelf for seashells from the Gulf of Mexico to gather. They are “scooped up” by this shelf.

The best time to go shelling is during the winter from December through April. Shells are also easier to locate in the low tide. At this time more of the beach is exposed and it is possible to search more of the ground because the tide recedes and leaves shells at different levels along the coastline. The shells may also be found in the sandbar which is accessible during a low tide. Other optimal shelling times are in a new or full moon phase and when the weather is windy and stormy. The winds disrupt the seashells in the Gulf of Mexico, giving them a tendency to wash along the beaches.

There is a scarcity of larger shells on the island such as the big Horse Conch. This and other rare, native shells such as the Sundial, Junonia, Nutmeg, Lion’s Paw and Scotch Bonnet can be purchased in local gift shops along the island. The smaller shells can be found towards the east end of the island near the lighthouse. The larger shells are near Captiva. A good method to use is to drag your feet to avoid stumbling upon the buried shells. Also, stingrays will swim away if they are gently nudged. You want to avoid stepping on these and being stung. When finding shells, all live shells must be thrown back into the ocean.

Sanibel Island is home to over 400 varieties of seashells. Visiting this island during prime shelling time is sure to please any avid shell collector.

Please Share your favorite shelling stories in the comments below!

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Sanibel is a beautiful place that you need to visit often. There are various lodging options available here. You could go for the hotels, resorts, condos, or cottages, but first I would check out this awesome sanibel vacation rental. However, that’s an opinion and the choices are vast. Take a look below and let us know if you have anything to add to the list.

Just a few of the lodging options on Sanibel Island~

• Sandalfoot Condominium complex sits right in beachfront of the Gulf of Mexico. The complex is known for its value and amenities.

• Sanibel Siesta Condominiums is another complex surrounded by sparking sugar beaches and greenery all around with excellent condos, equipped with every thing one could possibly need.

• Pointe Santo De Sanibel Condominium Complex has beachfront amazing units with the luxury of the ocean view and a rooftop sundeck.

• Sanibel Arms West? complex has state of the art condos. They are decorated and well furnished. With the amazing view and location, they are airy as well.

• Sanibel Moorings Condominium? complex are great fun to stay with family or friends. The condos are great and so is the location.

• Casa Ybel Resort? is more of a condo complex. Newly renovated and really nice.

It is difficult to choose lodging, but one thing is definite each of the choices would offer a great Sanibel Island experience.

Chime in share your favorites with us…

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There are presently more than 330 nests on Sanibel and Captiva, 150 more than this time last year. With no explanation this years nesting season has been a tremendous success over previous years in Southwest Florida. 

Loggerheads are tough to see but their tracks are easy to spot on an early morning beach.  “Turtle Patrol”  identifies possible nests every morning during nesting season so that nests are protected and hatchlings may be given assistance during the night hours after incubation. Upon hatching the little turtles make a mad dash for the water, following the light of the horizon.  This short trip is filled with hazards including dehydration and raccoons, birds, crabs that may snack on them before they hit the water.  Once in the water they are just bite size morsels for larger fish, including sharks.  Only about 1 in 100 eggs will become an adult turtle, which takes at least 16 years. 

Female turtles will make the long trek back to their nesting area and in the night will crawl on to the beach, dig a deep hole with their hind flippers, lay her eggs, cover up the nest, and return to the water. The procedure, once they find their nesting beach may take as long as three hours.  Each nest may contain nearly 100 ping pong ball size eggs. 

For further info on logger head turtles contact the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation while on Sanibel or sccf.org  or  turtletime.org.  

Loggerhead Turtles Facts: 

*Loggerheads are the most common sea turtles in Florida. 

*Adults grow to more than 3 feet long and weigh 200 to 350 pounds. 

*They may travel thousands of miles from feeding grounds to nesting beaches. 

*Females nest on the same beaches where they were born. 

*A female may nest one to seven times during a season at about 15 day intervals. 

*Incubation takes 55 to 65 days. 

*The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the hatchlings.  Cooler sand produces

      mostly males while warmer sand produces mostly females. 

*Hatchlings are about 2 inches long. 

*Hatchlings emerge at night and are guided by the lighter horizon to the water. 
 

Laws: 

*Both interior and exterior lights must not shine on the beach. 

*Nothing should be left on the beach at night that would interfere with nesting. 

*These rules are in effect from 9pm to 7am May 1 to Oct. 31.

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Later we decided to head to Jerry’s to stock up on a few things like juice and coffee, and maybe a little beer and wine. Just a few essentials, and as always I had to walk past all of the bird cages and check out all of the beauties. We drove this time, but from now on we will take the rental bikes and go for breakfast. Don’t get me wrong, the condo is stocked to the gills with all of the eating and cooking utensils and appliances you could need, but we love to eat out when we are on vacation. But now it is time to get ready to watch the sunset, and then on to dinner somewhere. The sunsets are incredible, and I always go home with many pictures of each one. Try and imagine sitting on a couple of towels with a nice bottle of wine and hoping to be the one to see the green flash just 19 steps from your condo! I get goosebumps every time I think of it! But now, we need to decide where we are going to eat. There are so many choices and so many types of food available, with seafood being high on the list. I think I have to go back to the Lazy Flamingo, the original one on Pine Avenue. I love that place! It is just so rustic. Tomorrow, coffee on our lanai, check our email (all of the condos have high speed wireless) and then 19 steps to the beach and a full sun day, and lots of shells to take home. Just think we have six more days to luxuriate at Ocean’s Reach.

Tomorrow evening, we have some friends joining us at the condo, so I think we will do a little grilling on the Ocean’s Reach patio. Then, maybe a fun game of shuffleboard or even a game of tennis. I will have to see how much energy I can conjure up after all that work on the beach. But for now, I am ready to do a little dolphin watching. A few years back I was lucky enough to have one swim right along side of me as I was walking. That was a thrill I will never forget, and of course my camera was back in the condo. Well, on with my dolphin watching and I have always had great luck doing that in front of Ocean’s Reach.

Ocean’s Reach is really pretty to look at from the beach. It looks as if it has always been there, snuggled in amongst the grasses.The four buildings are four stories high and four units to each. Not so big that you loose the friendly atmosphere. Each unit is brand new, courtesy once again of Hurricane Charley, and uniquely decorated with a flair for individuality. The units are all one and two bedrooms and each is equipped to sleep two to four guests. I really prefer the two bedroom units even if it is only for the two of us, because the master bedroom is situated at the front with a slider to the lanai. That means you can listen to the roar of the ocean as it gently rocks you to sleep. And if I am going to the beach, I want to be as close as possible to the sand and the surf. There is that little voice again, saying “19 steps”. Both the one and two bedroom units are available for rent year round and you can view the condo interiors of each unit. Check out unit 2D2, that is where we are staying and I love the colors and decor. They are all truly beautiful! Ocean’s Reach also has an assigned car port for your use, a lovely heated gulf front pool, a championship tennis and shuffleboard courts, gas grills, elevators and handicapped ramps. They really have everything you might need and they make you feel so at home. If you need something or have a problem, the Guest Services Team in the office is always there to help in any way.

The beach in front of Ocean’s Reach is a great place to go shelling! The best time for shelling is during a low tide when more of the beach is available and the receding tide has left many new finds. I have been know to get up in what seems like the middle of the night to me and flashlight in hand, trek out to the beach to look for the real gem and believe me I find a lot of gems that have to go home with me. No matter how many times I sneak out to do this, I am amazed at how many other Ocean’s Reach guests are out there with their flashlights in hand also. You are never really alone on the beach at Sanibel, and it is never more obvious than as the incredible sun starts to slowly rise, and you see all of these huddled people doing the same as you. What an awesome thrill it is!

OK!! I am going back to my Sanibel vacation in paradise at Ocean’s Reach. You, my friends, need to go to the website and check out this wonderful place. I am sure you will find your little bit of whatever you are seeking, here at the beautiful Ocean’s Reach Condominiums. Happy shelling!

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If you are going to be spending some time on Sanibel or Captiva, then one special treat you should not miss is the Sanibel Sea School. They have a program to suit almost anyone’s desires. They have morning, afternoon and all day sessions. You can even sign up your child or yourself for the whole week! Classroom space is limited to 25 to 30 students at a time, and classes range in price from $55.00 for one class to $90.00 for all day. If you are lucky enough to catch a space, you will walk away with a new view of island living.

The Sanibel Sea School, better known as Sx3 was founded by Bruce and Evelyn Neill. Mr. Neill is a marine biologist and together they wanted to educate kids and adults with fun, hands-on experiences, concerning the importance of our ecosystem.

The classes teach the students about many diverse subjects. There is a class on all types of island birds and takes them out in the field to observe. What a thrill it is to be as close as four or five feet from any of the exquisite species! There are also classes to teach students about the animals that live on the islands, the wondrous world of the shells and their inhabitants, and about the lunar pull that causes our tides to ebb and flow. Students go on a field trip to the Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) to learn why rehabilitation is to important. Students are taught about the mangrove islands, and how they in turn, supply food to the never ending food chain needed for all to survive. Did you know that the mangrove tree roots poke out of the water to allow it to breathe? Sx3 teaches about the Calusa Indians that were the first inhabitants of the island, and about the pirates that favored the waters around Sanibel and Captiva many years ago. Students also share a hands-on experience learning about the sea turtles and the manatees. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are so fortunate to have the beautiful bay area to the east of them. San Carlos Bay offers the young at sea, a safe harbor where they can grow.

Sx3 has another program they take part in to teach recycling. The program is called “Take Five”, and is set up so that each day the students are to collect all of the litter they can in five minutes. The litter is then collected, weighed, and then stored. At the end of the week it is on display, making an impressive display of the positive effect recycling has on our environment.

Sanibel Sea School is the perfect place to reawaken our minds and our senses. They teach that at any age we need to learn how to play outside and how to look closely at what we normally do not see. Listening and an occasional taste are necessary also. So, please, take time to stop in and look around. Talk to someone, sign up for a class or two, but beware, Sx3 could become an addiction!!

For more information, visit Sanibel Sea School.

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Recently planning a trip to Sanibel Island and looking for Pet Friendly Homes to rent, I became increasingly frustrated at the searching I had to do to find anything, so I thought I would put together a list of all the Pet Friendly Rental Homes I found. Hope it helps, leave a comment you know of any I missed.

• 3 Bedroom – close to beach
• 2 Bedroom 3 bath – walk to beach
• 19 Luxurious Elevated Beach Houses
• 3 Bedroom 2 Bath – Pool Home
• Manatee Cottage 3 Bedroom
• Captiva Luxury 4b 4b – inquire about your pet
• Sanibel 3b Luxury – Pet possible

more pet friendly homes to come

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The website is shaping up too and they even have a blog. It’s called Sanibel Talk.

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