Sanibel Island

May 2, 2008 by dave.

I’d have to say that Sanibel Island is one of my favorite places to visit. I’ve been there twice and both times it has been fabulous. Sanibel is a small island located off the coast of Ft. Myers Florida….connected to the mainland by a bridge as well as another smaller island (Captiva Island). Both times I’ve visited were in March and the temperatures were in the 80’s. The island has great beaches, wildlife, small stores / shops, and is laid out with bike paths throughout. I think it’s best to use bikes on the Island rather than drive around. It’s actually small enoughthat you can get anywhere on bike.

The island boasts a very nice and unique grocery store called Jerry’s. As you approach the store you are greeted with exotic birds in cages out front. Strangely enough Jerry’s has three locations…..one in Sanibel and two locations in Minnesota - which makes me believe the owner was probably from Minnesota and vacationed on Sanibel…..and figured they would open up a store down there also. This is just a theory!…but a good one!

The most unique thing about Sanibel is the ’shelling’…..Sanibel has some of the best seashells anywhere. Actually they are home to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. I recall my first visit seeing a beach covered with literally millions of seashells. There are so many that you can easily be very finicky about which ones you decide to take for a souvenir. People who walk the beach in search of the best shells are said to sometimes suffer from the ‘Sanibel Stoop’.

I have been lucky enough to have visited other islands in the Northeast and I still feel Sanibel is the best. Compared to Nantucket (off the coast of Massachusetts). it is reasonably priced, friendly, warm, and not very congested. Nantucket, on the other hand, is pretty expensive and ‘high class’ - not my type of place. Similar to Nantucket is Martha’s Vineyard (again - off the coast of Massachusetts). ‘The Vineyard’ as it’s known is also pricey….but a little less congested and a little more friendly than Nantucket. I guess my second-favority island would be Block Island off the coast of Rhode Island. It’s actually very similar to Sanibel except it’s not as warm. Sanibel is more ‘clean looking’ and better maintained. Regardless….these have all been good places to visit - but Sanibel is the best!

Oh - I almost forgot….if you ever go down make sure to visit The Bubble Room on Captival. I can’t describe this place other than to say it’s quite unique. Check out the web site for details and make sure to get the Carolina Moons with your meals (they are basically homemade potato chips)….and get dessert! Their desserts are homemade cakes that are absolutely huge and have very unique flavor combinations. Check their site for the menu….

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