If you\u2019re looking for the best things to do in Sanibel Island<\/a>, come follow our two-day adventure across the San Carlos Bay to a new world.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve locked away fond memories of our short stay on this very special island. I love its charm, the slow pace, and the fact that it\u2019s not overdeveloped. The opportunities to get out and explore the island\u2019s mangrove ecosystem and its animal and plant life are plentiful.<\/p>\n See more Small Towns in Florida here!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here are a few firsthand recommendations I can make for maximizing the relaxation and the romance<\/a> in this Southwest Florida town across the bay from Fort Myers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gulf Breeze Cottages.\u00a0<\/strong>This small property on the southeast side of Sanibel Island earns five gold stars in my book. It\u2019s not lavish or upscale by any means; it\u2019s the place to stay if you\u2019re looking for clean, comfortable, affordable cottage lodging.<\/p>\n For our first two nights on Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast<\/a>, the Gulf Breeze Cottages<\/a> were ideal for my husband and me. I loved the beachy, casual feel to the white clapboard buildings trimmed in light blue and soft pink.<\/p>\n Our one-bedroom cottage with full kitchen was perfect for us: we made breakfast on our own each morning (saving us from spending money on a meal out), but there are also restaurants within an easy drive or bike ride.<\/p>\n While we weren\u2019t in one of the two-bedroom Gulf-front cottages directly facing the water, our cottage was mere yards from the white sandy beach and its plethora of shells. Which brings me to\u2026<\/p>\n Shelling.<\/strong>\u00a0Shell collectors come to Sanibel from around the world to pick up the pretty conch, tulip, olive, whelk and cockle shells, among others.<\/p>\n Did you know dogs are allowed on the beaches in Sanibel?\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Even if you don\u2019t set out to gather seashells, it\u2019s nearly impossible not to bend down and pick up the pretty pink and white shells that catch your eye.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find shells all along the Gulf-side beaches on Sanibel \u2013 we recommend Blind Pass Beach for your procuring pleasures. For ease of collecting, bring a bag or bucket (unlike me, who piled them in my hands and my husband\u2019s pockets).<\/p>\n Another great shelling location is Bowman\u2019s Beach, about 20 minutes from the cottage, on the southwest part of the island, on the way to Captiva Island.<\/p>\n Greyfield Inn \u2013 another romantic southern destination<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n If you really want to learn about these shells and the lovely shelling history of the island, then be sure to make a stop at Bailey Matthews Shell Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bicycling.\u00a0<\/strong>The network of paved recreation paths<\/a> that run along the main roads in Sanibel make it so easy to get some exercise on the island.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t bring your own, rent bikes from Billy\u2019s Rentals<\/a>, which is easy to find on Periwinkle Way. The flat trails make it easy to pedal on the one-speed, no-hand-brake beach cruisers that are so popular here.<\/p>\n We recommend riding the bike to the eastern tip of the island, to the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. On the way back to the cottages, make a small detour and visit\u00a0Pinocchio\u2019s Italian Ice Cream \u2013 the owners learned their technique in Italy so you know it\u2019s delicious!<\/p>\n Kayaking and J.N. \u201cDing\u201d Darling National Wildlife Refuge.\u00a0<\/strong>A highlight of our stay on Sanibel was our morning spent kayaking through the Commodore Creek kayaking trail within the J.N. \u201cDing\u201d Darling Wildlife Refuge.<\/p>\n We borrowed kayaks from Tarpon Bay Explorers<\/a>, the refuge\u2019s licensed outfitter, and we followed markers by ourselves for about an hour and a half round trip, admiring the rich bird life along the way.<\/p>\n We encountered four other couples intermittently on our morning kayaking experience, but otherwise we were by ourselves in the mangroves, enjoying the marvelous peace and quiet. Just prior to launching our kayaks, we spotted two dolphins in Tarpon Bay, which I thought was pretty darn cool.<\/p>\n Since we were sans children, we simply enjoyed walking through the indoor exhibits and learning about about the fascinating Mr. Darling, an editorial cartoonist from Iowa who dedicated much of his life to preserving the wildlife on Sanibel, his winter home. He was a true pioneer in wildlife conservation in the early 20th century.<\/p>\n Alas, no alligators for us, though we did come upon a web with the biggest spider I\u2019ve ever seen in my life (I should have put my hand next to it to show its height \u2014 at least 4 inches long!).<\/p>\n It costs the money to drive through the refuge yourself; just walk or bike through. Tarpon Bay Explorers also offers a tram tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n Captiva Cruises.\u00a0<\/strong>Technically this outfitter is located on the northern tip of Captiva Island, just northwest of Sanibel and about a 45-minute drive from the Gulf Breeze Cottages.<\/p>\n But, since many folks staying on Sanibel take advantage of the many boat tours the company offers, I\u2019ll share the scoop here!<\/p>\n We went on a sunset sail aboard a 40-foot catamaran with the incredibly affable captain Jorge and his equally accommodating and friendly first mate Ruben. The sail was fun \u2014 we appreciated getting on the water for a different perspective of the islands.<\/p>\n Plus, Jorge is incredibly knowledgeable about Sanibel and Captiva\u2019s history and ecology, and he shared his insight with us.<\/p>\n Our catamaran wasn\u2019t too full; it can accommodate 24 passengers, and there were only 12 of us, so it was nice to be able to have plenty of elbow room.<\/p>\n We all enjoyed a complimentary first drink, and inexpensive beverages that followed. We lucked out with the weather and enjoyed a stunning sunset over the Gulf.<\/p>\n Captiva Cruises<\/a> offers other boat rides, including shelling cruises to remote Cayo Costa state park (an island accessible only by boat), dolphin-watching tours and and excursions to exclusive Cabbage Key and Useppa Island.<\/p>\n Doc Ford\u2019s Rum Bar & Grille.\u00a0<\/strong>Mojito anyone? Yep, this is \u201cnot your ordinary sports bar,\u201d with a full array of rum drinks on offer, including creative drinks made with mint leaves (aka mojitos) and fruity pineapple concoctions.<\/p>\n Of course there\u2019s loads of beer on tap, too, and at least a half dozen TV screens for watching the big game. But I think it\u2019s the stellar food that keeps people coming back to this Sanibel eatery.<\/p>\n The menu \u2014 served from 11 a.m. to close \u2014 is vast, and focuses on seafood with Caribbean influence:\u00a0 Cartagena Shrimp Sausage Quesadillas, Conch Chowder, Lime Panko Crusted Fish Sandwich, Island-Style Shrimp & Grits\u2026 you get the picture.<\/p>\n For non-seafood eaters at Doc Ford\u2019s Rum Bar & Grill<\/a>, there are items like Panamaniac\u2019s Pulled Pork, Steak Salad and Texas Babyback Ribs.<\/p>\n If you recognize the name Doc Ford, it may be because you\u2019ve read Randy Wayne White\u2019s mysteries about a tropical adventuring protagonist of the same name.<\/p>\n Doc Ford\u2019s is in a nondescript building on interior Sanibel, but it drew us in with the plethora of cars in its parking lot on a Thursday night.<\/p>\n Indeed, even during the slow \u201coff season,\u201d the dining room saw plenty of customers, and we were told that during the high winter season the restaurant \u2014 including an outdoor back patio \u2014 is packed to the gills.<\/p>\n For more information on visiting Sanibel and Capitva islands, visit The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel website.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Pin This Post<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks to the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau for organizing and subsidizing our trip! More in Florida<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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<\/a>The Visitor Center at the J.N. \u201cDing\u201dDarling Wildlife Refuge is absolutely worth a visit. If you\u2019re with kids, check out the outdoor GPS \u201ctreasure hunt\u201d to learn more about the animals that make their home in the refuge or the indoor opportunity to earn a Junior Refuge Manager badge.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thevacationgals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/spider.jpg\" "\\"spider\\"")
<\/a>We also took our car along Wildlife Drive through the refuge (note: it\u2019s closed Fridays), hoping to spot some alligators in the water, among the mangroves.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thevacationgals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/sanibelsun.jpg\" "\\"sanibelsun\\"")
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