Sanibel Captiva Island Message Board

[Heather]

Hello everyone!

As a shell enthusiast I've wanted to go to Sanibel as long as I can remember. I think we're finally making plans to go in late May/early June and I'm getting very excited!

We're planning on driving, from Indiana, which will be long but hopefully worth it. I'm not a fan of flying and actually enjoy seeing the countryside anyway. Besides I need a way to bring back some fabulous shells!

Right now we're scouring VRBO for rentals, and were wondering if there's any major benefit to staying in any certain area on the island? Better shelling anywhere in particular? Somewhere less populated might be ideal - I'm not a fan of busy public beaches. Anything else we should know about Sanibel as we plan our vacation? Thanks!!

[CrazyKaren]

Heather, welcome to the board and congrats! If you like shells, I think you will be more than pleased with Sanibel.

How long will you be staying?

The islands should be a little less crowded in the May/June time frame. Also, if you are taking your car, you can drive to any beach on the island which is what I always do. The shells are different at each location. For example, it is much easier to find wentletraps on the east end near the light house than it is on the opposite end at blind pass. So, there's a little different selection at each beach. Also, I recommend checking out the following links:
http://www.bestofsanibelcaptiva.com/
http://www.thebaitbox.com/Tidal%20Predictions.htm
http://www.captivacruises.com/
http://www.sanibelthriller.com/

Also, look around these forums. There is a ton of information here about beaches, shells, restaurants, and things to do.

[Beachcomber 2]

I agree with you on the driving thing! Flying stresses me out! Plus when you have tons of shells and shopping to drag home also, it helps if you drove! The beaches I don't think are very crowded at that time of year. We usually go in august. The beaches as far as shelling are different day to day. We like blind pass and gulfside city park. We always stay at southseas plantation, we stay with a private owner and love it! But have found shelling is usually not that great on that beach! I'm counting down now, only 3 more months!

[Heather]

Thanks for the tips so far! All that is really helpful.

Right now we're looking at a condo in Tarpon Beach. Haven't heard much about that area though. Blind Pass seems to be popular, I may look there instead.

We'll be staying at least 5 days, maybe a week. Haven't quite decided yet since it depends on the availability of condos and our work schedules. Trying to plan around Memorial Day to get that extra day off!

[PD]

West Gulf is less populated, especially farther out, but also farther away from restaurants, etc, although closer to Doc Ford's. It's also about as far away as you can get from this forum's favorite sandwich - the Grouper at Granma Dot's.

I don't think anywhere you'd go, you'd be disappointed with how many people are on the beach. I've stood on Siesta Beach off Sarasota and estimated 1000 people. By contrast on West Gulf I can see 1/2 mile in each direction and I've never counted more than 20 people over 15+ years. Your mileage may vary.

I just drove from Indiana by myself and considered it a pleasant adventure. I was on Sanibel for about 10 days and it was really nice to have my own folding chair, fishing gear, citronella candles, tons of books and magazines, extra clothing, cooler, a big bag of my favorite food, mostly things difficult or impossible to carry aboard a plane. Oh, and also a case of bottled water. I also didn't have to worry about taking contact solution, bug spray, sunscreen, toiletries, etc in 3 oz containers.

My B-I-L who lives near Atlanta advises not to travel thru ATL from 3-7pm M-F. On the way down, I passed through @ 6:00am on a Sat which was great and on the way back about 7:00pm on a weekday which was congested, but doable. I assume there's also a morning congested period, but it wasn't relevant to me.

Also do a search for the preferred bug treatments.
While it's likely you'll vacation in other places, I bet Sanibel will be your favorite from day 1.

[kirbyrambo]

I think you will be happy with most of the beaches on Sanibel. Really!! Any where near the east end of the island near the lighthouse is usually good for smaller whelk, murexes and wentletraps. The dolphins have been giving great shows (haha) close to shore in the evenings when they feed- I even have video! Any where from Middle Gulf to West Gulf there are some nice cottage rentals that aren't crowded at that time of year and on most of their beaches you will find olives, whelks, cockles, conchs and murexes most of the time. It all depends on the weather but i think you'll be in luck. Like CrazyKaren said, it's great to have your car! If it's not good in one spot, you can easily check out another beach.

[busybee2]

We always go in June and it's never crowded.

All the beaches are good for shelling, but they vary due to time, tides, winds. It's the luck of the draw as far as what you will find.

Having your own car is definately a plus. Be aware that there is a fee to park at all the beaches. Be sure to pay it or you will get an expensive ticket. We usually estimate how long we will be at the beach and pay accordingly. You pay by the hour. You can always run back and stick more money in the machine if shelling is good and you want to stay.

Have fun - you are in for a treat!

[CTinCT]

Welcome to the board, Heather! Please be aware that there are places you may NOT pay to park (unless you buy a $90 pass or are willing to risk $50 fines). See:
http://www.mysanibel.com/content/download/7650/44140

[Heather]

Great tips! Thanks all!

I've been trying to do some research on the Tarpon Beach area, but there's not much on it. Has anyone stayed here? It seems like a central location, which could be desirable.

I'm loving the fact the beaches won't likely be crowded this time of year. Of course, my favorite thing to do is get up super early and walk the beach and look for treasures - and usually no one's out at that hour anyway!

Now I just need to settle on a condo and book the dates!

[brimac]

That area of the beach is very nice. We have stayed at Pointe Santo several times (which is right next door) and have enjoyed it.

[kirbyrambo]

You should find lots of good shells all along the Tarpon Beach area. I've seen so many people find everything there including the most collectable shell on the islands...the junonia. No, I've never found one (boohoo! ..and I shell about every day) but I've had lots of luck with most every other shell around Middle Gulf Dr to West Gulf Dr. I've found lots of my favorite little orange horse conchs (aka candy corn) there too.

[Heather]

I've heard it's near public beach access, so wondering if it gets noisy or busy in that area.

Great to hear the shelling is good there, though!

[Neptunesmuse]

All beaches on Sanibel are public. If you are looking for a private beach - then you will need to stay on Captiva at the South Seas Resort. They have a private beach for guests only.

By parking anywhere that there are spaces (see the map CT published) you can walk anywhere on the beach. Example : Gulfside park is right next to Ocean's Reach Condos - nothing prevents you from parking at Gulfside beach and walking down to the beach in front of Ocean's Reach and nothing prevents the guests at Ocean's Reach from sitting in front of the parking area of Gulfside Park.
All beaches on Sanibel are beautiful and non-resident parkiing is limited.

[Heather]

[PD]

[brimac]

These were taken last June in the afternoon in front of Pointe Santo. Not sure what day but believe it was a weekday. Weekends get a little busier.

Just me popping in to fix your photos. ~K

[brimac]

Doesn't look like the pics I tried to post made it.

[CTinCT]

They show if one clicks on the file name. However, since you posted them as .bmp's, there are no thumbnails, and file size is huge relative to .jpg's, a better format for pix here.

[Heather]

Great pics! The water is such a lovely blue/green!

[beachdancer]

We have stayed at Tarpon Beach many times, in fact have stayed in at least 6 of the units, and 2 of the 3 buildings. We love it. The small size is a real plus, and the location is great. We were just there, less than 2 weeks ago and had a wonderful week.

We much prefer the western part of Gulf Drive. This trip we biked out to the last beach access on West Gulf and walked on the beach there, it was practically empty. The shelling was not so great this trip, we were there during a very calm week. But the winds picked up just as we were leaving and things got better recentlly, from all the accounts I have read. We took it in stride, as we have learned the beach is never the same, and there is always something great to see and enjoy. We had one rainy day and used that to do most of our shopping. Rest of the week was perfect. Will start planning for next April break very soon.

[barb]

Hello, as you can tell you've come to the right place to get recommendations on the best place to stay when visiting Sanibel. We all have our favorite place. I recommend staying somewhere on West Gulf Drive--the shelling is great and it's a quick drive to restaurants and shopping on Periwinkle Drive. The closer you stay to the intersection of West Gulf and Tarpon Road the shorter the drive to all the fun stuff.

Barb

[Heather]

So far, I think I'm a bit torn between a condo in Tarpon Beach and one in Ocean's Reach. Any insight you guys can provide to help me decide would be great.

Ocean's Reach does seem quite closer to the ocean, and the view I think is nicer. It seems very well reviewed. It's definitely a bit smaller though. Of course, we won't be spending THAT much time lounging!

Also, on another topic, I saw that many of you enjoy the book "Sanibel & Captiva: A Guide to the Islands." However, it doesn't seem to be in print on Amazon.com. Is it outdated or hard to find now?

I have some books on shells too, but in honor of the trip I think I may splurge just a bit more and get a new one. Any recommendations?

[weimmom]

Heather,
We just got back from a stay at Ocean's Reach 2 weeks ago. It was our 1st time to stay there and we loved it! The units are very close to the beach, it is also a very neatly kept and manicured property. The location is great. We were very pleased and liked that it was not a large property with a lot of people. We would stay there again for sure. I have never stayed at Tarpon Bay so I cannot compare the two.

[Neptunesmuse]

Ocean's Reach has their own Blog:
http://www.oceansreach.com/sanibel-island/

You can get a better idea of all they have to offer.

The book stores on Sanibel offer great books and reference material to help identify shells.

[o2binsanibel]

Heather.....We stay at Ocean's reach everytime we go....which is 2-3 times a year. I haven't stayed at Tarpon Bay so I can't help with that! Ocean's Reach is more of a 'homelike' place...not a resort! No Fancy restaurants, bars etc. They have a nice sized pool, an area where you can cookout with multiple gas grills, shuffleboard and a tennis court. Each unit is owned by a real person, and they always provide chairs for the beach and usually umbrellas. But you take them out if you want, it is not done for you.

We love it, it's like 'home away from home!'!

...The shelling is great there also ( see trip report 4/23-5/1) for pics!!

Wherever you stay, you will have a blast...there are no bad places on Sanibel island!!