If you went on beach vacations as a child, you'll love the town of Sanibel. It's a low-key tees and flip-flops kind of place, where you can rent bikes to explore by wheel. There are no traffic lights on the island, making drivers more pedestrian-conscious, and contributing to the small-town feel.
The town offers ample places to chow down on inexpensive yet delicious thin crust pizzas and old-school burgers and handmade milkshakes (try Cheeburger, Cheeburger, a positively Atomic Age relic that, as it turns out, is part of a chain – who'd a thunk it?). The Island Cow is a popular family choice with a real cottage-country vibe. Because this is coastal Florida after all, almost all restaurants offer fresh seafood, casually prepared. Don't leave without some grilled grouper or Key West shrimp. And get your daily latte fix at the quaint Sanibel Bean .
Visit the historic Sanibel lighthouse. It offers gorgeous sunset views, and the beach all around it is ripe with prime shelling opps!
6. The dolphins
There's no comparing wild dolphins to their caged counterparts at marine amusement parks. Wild dolphins are free, and if they choose to race your boat, it's out of choice, not because they earn their meals by performing. Don't miss Captiva Cruise's dolphin boat tour, which departs from McCarthy's Marina in Captiva Island. You don't touch or feed the dolphins, but to watch them swim powerfully alongside the boat, leaping occasionally into the air, or racing right in front of you, is to marvel at soul-stirring beauty.
You'll see random dolphins (and maybe even a manatee or two) during Adventures in Paradise's two-and-a-half-hour sea life encounter excursion departing from the Port Sanibel Marina to the outer islands. You'll land on a small island that's only accessible by boat and shell along pristine beaches. The tour is guided by a naturalist, and the kids can net various small creatures, which are held for a few minutes in a touch tank, while the naturalist offers a short marine biology lesson, then all are returned to the wild.
7. The souvenirs
Got friends you need to bring something back for, or space on your travel wall of fame that you want to fill? Here are some unique choices.
Babcock's Wilderness Nectar, produced from palmetto blossoms at the Crescent B Ranch. This light amber honey has a light, bright sweetness, perfect for spreading on soft untoasted bread. Or spooning into your mouth.
T-shirts from Beach Stuff at Captiva Village Square. Or buy a giant inflatable beach toy (we ended up with a four-foot dragon our daughter named Chowder); the store will inflate it for you in a jiff, then deflate it for your trip home.
Souvenir tees or hoodies from Cheeburger, Cheeburger. The retro lettering and styling (especially of the black and white ringer tee) will have total strangers asking where you got it.
Shells. Don't forget to bring back a bag or two!
For more information, visit the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau at
Fortmyerssanibel.com.
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