Sanibel Island – Florida at its Finest

Canadians love Florida, we all know this! Most of us have been to The Sunshine State or at least know someone who has. The great thing about Florida is exploring every corner and finding out all it has to offer. Our most recent, and honestly one of our favourite, spots yet is Sanibel Island. With long stretches of beach and a unique vibe, Sanibel offers a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. Below are my favourite things about Sanibel and the top reasons why you should consider a stay for your next family vacation.

1) The Beaches. They are vast, yes with 15 miles of sandy white beaches, but they are also unique in that they offer some of the best shelling opportunities in the United States. Celebrated for the variety and quality of shells thanks to protective barriers in the water surrounding Sanibel, shellers come from far and wide to discover the treasures that wash ashore. The novice sheller (like myself), will still find themselves strolling the beach searching for the perfect prize.

Honestly. I had no idea what shells were.

A visit to The Bailey Matthews Shell Museum is a fabulous way to learn about the history of shelling in Sanibel and around the world. Looking for a rainy day activity? This little museum is both fun and educational offering both adults and children a wider perspective on what they find on the beach every day. You can find even more info on shelling on Sanibel’s beaches here.

2) The “Vibe”. You won’t find any huge high-rise resort properties on Sanibel. Nothing higher than the tallest palm tree because that’s the law. You will find quaint homes and condos lining the beaches and canals and a strong community “vibe” unlike anywhere in Florida I have been. Looking for a place to relax and unwind where beaches are thriving but not packed full? That’s Sanibel.

Beach art with shells found on the beaches of Sanibel.

3) The Food Culture. When I travel I love to check out the local restaurants. The food culture in Sanibel is definitely unique, there is just no other way to put it. Our first stop was The Island Cow. This bovine themed fun house was jam packed every time we went by! The decor is inspired and so is the menu. As is typical of many places in the United States, the portions are HUGE but that didn’t stop us. As our waiter told us after our meal, “You guys killed it!”  I definitely recommend the The Island Cow Pie (no, I am not kidding). This twist on the classic shepherd’s pie is to DIE for.

We also had a fabulous meal at sea with the Sanibel Marriott’s sunset cruise on the Sanibel Princess Yacht. A romantic tour of the harbour watching one of Sanibel’s famous sunsets while sipping wine and enjoying a delicious meal. Save room for the dessert table!

Definitely do your research before coming to Sanibel as there are a ton of local restaurants you won’t want to miss!

There is nothing like the Sanibel Sunset.

4) The History. Sanibel is surprisingly rich in history. From the Edison & Ford Winter Estates to the paleo people, the Calusas, who used nearby Useppa Island as a tool factory of sorts 10,000 years ago, this region is rich in history. Captiva Cruises out of the beautiful South Seas Island Resort, has daily cruises to Useppa Island where you can explore this beautiful spot and the museum for yourself. Plus, you may just have the additional gift of spotting dolphins on the trip!

Sanibel is a perfect mix of relaxation and fun things to do. If you are looking for a fun family vacation, I highly recommend you consider Sanibel.

Have you ever travelled to Sanibel or Captiva?