Escape the Rat Race
Endless stretches of sugar white sand beaches lined with exotic shells rather than high rises. Islands rich in natural beauty and an equally colorful history. It's all closer than you may think. You will find hundreds of islands to explore and endless stretches of unspoiled shoreline on the Lee Island coast of southwestern Florida. The best of the bunch are the Sanibel & Captiva Islands - a perfect tropical beach getaway with all of the comforts you've come to expect.
From the Southwest Florida International Airport in Lee County, the Sanibel and Captiva Islands are an easy 45-minute drive. From the mainland, cruise across the Sanibel Causeway to Sanibel Island and follow the island's only main road across the bridge to Captiva Island less than half an hour away. But despite their convenient access, Sanibel and Captiva truly feel like a million miles away.
If you are close enough to cruise to the islands, there are 2 marinas in Sanibel and 4 in Captiva to choose from and more than 40 more in the surrounding area. The Sanibel Marina, South Seas Plantation Yacht Harbour and 'Tween Waters Inn & Marina offer overnight docking, fuel, shore power and pump out. If you decide to leave your Tiara at home, there are plenty of boat rental and charters available for a day of fishing or cruising.
Sanibel and Captiva are world famous for the abundance and diversity of sea shells that wash up on its pristine beaches due to the islands' east-west orientation. The entire coastline, in fact, is lined with well-marked public beaches waiting to be explored. For a secluded, picture perfect barbecue, head to Bowman's Beach where there is not a single hotel in sight. The islands are especially known for back bay fishing, but anglers won't be disappointed whether they prefer deep sea or light-tackle. Fishermen as well as shellers favor Turner Beach, known as Blind Pass for its location on Sanibel-Captiva Road at Blind Pass Bridge. On a rainy day, beachcombers of all ages will enjoy the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, the only one of its kind in the country.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands are a peek back at "Old Florida" before the amusement parks and subdivisions muscled in. Nautical history buffs shouldn't miss the still functioning Sanibel Lighthouse overlooking San Carlos Bay, the oldest standing structure on the island dating back to 1884. Nearby Lighthouse Beach on the eastern tip of Sanibel also features a T-dock fishing pier and a boardwalk nature trail that winds through native wetlands. More than a half of the islands' acreage is currently protected within parks and refuges such as Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge established in 1945. The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a 6,000-acre park named after one of the pioneers of the conservation movement, is particularly popular with birders. Eco tours to see the tropical wildlife and beginner fossil expeditions can also be arranged to look for bones and teeth of ancient sharks, whales, mammoths, bison, sabercats, and more.
For less arduous treasure hunting, head for Periwinkle Way in Sanibel, a four-mile stretch of specialty shops within quaint boardwalk shopping centers. The historical village of Captiva offers more shops as well as plenty of eateries from gourmet restaurants to cozy cafes. Peter Reycroft, West Coast Sales Manager at Allied Marine Group in Ft. Myers, often sends boaters to the waterfront restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva. His favorites spots accessible by boat include Captain Al?s at the South Seas Plantation, the restaurant at 'Tween Waters Inn and Grandma Dot's on Sanibel.
Beautiful sunsets are a daily occurrence on Florida's Southwest Coast. To fully appreciate Sanibel and Captiva, you will need to stay awhile. There are thousands of rooms available in the area to fit every taste and budget, ranging from sprawling resorts and condos to quaint inns and villa rentals. A quick call to a central reservation service can narrow the field. One of the standouts is the recently restored Collier Inn on exclusive Useppa Island, just an 8 mile boat ride north of Captiva. The island maintains private club status, but guests can stop by for fine dining or stay at one of the Inn's 11 unique luxury suites, each designed with a nod to the island?s colorful history. Another intimate seaside inn is Sanibel?s 30-room Song of the Sea. For large resorts that will please the entire family, try Casa Ybel with a lagoon size pool or the 33-acre Sundial Beach Resort, both on Sanibel Island. The posh Sandhurst Estate, a large waterfront vacation rental on Captiva, is perfect for the entire entourage or a special event.
Most of the larger resorts have access to some or all of the 45 holes of golf on the islands (not counting the miniature variety, of course). The Beachview Golf Course is a par 71 course with 18 holes. The other 18-hole course is at the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club, a par 70 course. Guests staying at the South Seas Plantation, a resort with a yacht club feel accessible by water, can play the last 9 holes.
Plenty of beach fun is to be had during your visit. The quiet elegance of Sanibel and Captiva Islands goes beyond the stuff of ordinary beach vacations. "Very conservative people live there but everybody has a laid back attitude," Reycroft explains. "It's not the rat race you see everywhere else."
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
Lee Island Coast Visitor & Convention Bureau
www.leeislandcoast.com
800.237.6444
Coopers Dining Guide
www.cuisine-scene.com/index.html
877.SANYBEL
Sanibel & Captiva Central Reservations
800.325.1352
Beach Accommodations
877.232.2448 or 941.765.1998
Local Tiara Dealer: Peter Reycroft
Allied Marine Group - Ft. Myers
941.437.3546 | 
