Sanibel Island

[katjalaw]

Holiday planning for 7 weeks time , our condo isn't far from AMI and planning on doing one night at Portofino to do Universal for 2 days and then maybe a night or two down towards or on Sanibel Island - anyone have any recommendations where to go, what to see, where to stay?

We're happy driving and exploring and looking to discover a new piece of paradise!

[capecoralfl]

The islands of Sanibel & Captiva can be very expensive as property prices are in the $millions!
However, there are some great places to visit (go on a boat dolphin watch from Captiva, have a wander around Periwinkle Place Mall for quirky shops & nice restaurants, have lunch at the Island Cow, watch a fab sunset on the beach at the Mucky Duck or eat brilliant cakes at the Bubble Room on Captiva!) as well as stunning beaches, a great drive over the causeways and some great sunsets! Have a great time!

[Eeyore14]

We normally stay on Fort Myers beach and drive over but I think there are quite a few Inns on Sanibel which are quite reasonable. I would try and avoid the weekends as the popular restaurants like the Bubble Room get busy. You can hire bikes and easily cycle round Sanibel there are little antique shops to stop off at. We've also done a drive around Ding Darling nature reserve but did not see any wildlife (I think that was just our bad luck).

[JimmyCricket]

Stayed at South Seas Plantation on Captiva and Tween Waters Inn on Sanibel both are lovely places
Would also reccomend the Mucky Duck and the Bubble Room

[katjalaw]

Thanks will have a look at all recommendations, though at a first glance it looks as though some places have a 3 night minimum stay and we are only looking for 1 possibly 2 max.

Any other suggestions of areas to explore around 3 hours from AMi most welcome!