Save this article
Use this article for free on your own website
Republish this article for free on your own website or blog. Or search or browse for more articles that your audience will appreciate. Huge choice available. Ideal for finding quality, free content. Read our publishers guide.
Sanibel Island Vacation: Perfection
The vacation of your dreams is waiting for you on Sanibel Island. It's the perfect spot: a little barrier island off the southwest coast of Florida, where you can gather seashells while exploring the white sand beaches and see an incredible array of wildlife in their natural habitat.
The vacation of your dreams is waiting for you on Sanibel Island. It’s the perfect spot: a little barrier island off the southwest coast of Florida, where you can gather seashells while exploring the white sand beaches and see an incredible array of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Sanibel Island is heaven on earth that promises all of this, and so much more. It can be a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and you’ll want everything to be perfect. Follow these tips to help you create the vacation you’ve always wanted:
What Should I Pack?
Unlike many popular vacation spots, you don’t need to pack three changes of clothing for each day, or bring along a ton of gear. Sanibel Island is a relaxing place, so make your personal comfort the first priority.
Bring Your Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars should be a prerequisite for everyone packing for their Sanibel Island vacation. With binoculars in hand, you can get up close and personal with the incredible abundance of natural wildlife sharing your little piece of paradise. Keep binoculars handy while exploring the country or relaxing on the beach, because you never know what sorts of birds and animals will most certainly cross your path. Sanibel’s sister island, Captiva, is also blessed with spectacular natural wildlife.
Dress for Success
If you need to just kick back and relax, Sanibel Island will be perfect for you. The casual atmosphere calls for a relaxed dress code. Of course, men can wear jackets for elegant dinners, even though there are no restaurants on the island requiring a jacket. All you’ll really need is a nice shirt paired with pants or shorts. Of course, you don’t want to spoil your dream vacation by appearing too sloppy. Leave the oversized tank tops at home, and don’t visit the grocery store or stroll down Periwinkle Way wearing only your bathing suit. The key is to dress casually, not comically.
Keep Comfy in Cotton: Sanibel Island’s climate is quite tropical, so be sure to dress accordingly. Leave your polyester at home and pack your comfy cotton shorts, pants, tops and dresses. Cotton is the best choice for staying cool and truly enjoying your Sanibel Island vacation.
Sunblock: The combination of sun and sand almost guarantees sunburn for exposed skin. Even on cloudy days, or under a sunshade, you must cover up with a good SPF sunscreen or sunblock. Long-sleeved shirts are also suggested for additional protection from the sun, particularly if you plan on taking a boat excursion. If you plan on visiting in autumn, you’ll also want to pack a windbreaker or light sweater to cover up while at sea.
Shoes and Accessories: Don’t pack anything too fancy for your Sanibel Island stay. Locals and visitors alike prefer sandals as their footwear of choice, and many shops sell sandals and flip-flops. Remember to pack a cap or visor to keep your head cool and help shield your eyes.
Polarized sunglasses are absolutely essential for your stay on Sanibel. It’s a make-or-break accessory that can really bring out the best in your vacation. There is so much to see, and you don’t want to risk missing anything because you’ve got to squint against the sun. Water activities, sightseeing, shelling and fishing are infinitely more fun when you can comfortably see. If you forget to pack your sunglasses, you can always pick up a pair in one of the many local shops.
Sanibel Shelling
Kids and adults alike list shelling as a favorite vacation activity on Sanibel Island. The gorgeous coastline is literally lined with seashells, but it’s important to remember that the most beautiful shells don’t always was up onto the sandy shore. Sometimes, you’ll need to venture out into the knee-deep water during low tide to find real tropical treasures. Walk slowly and bring along a bag to gather your treasures.
The most important rule of shelling is that you must never take a living creature from the ocean. Live shells, sand dollars, sea urchins and starfish must be left in their natural habitat. On Sanibel Island, removing living sea creatures is illegal and carries a hefty fine. Make sure that the shells you pick up are empty, before you put them in your treasure chest. And consider leaving even dead shells behind, as the pressures of tourism have resulted in rather barren beaches throughout the world.
With a little planning, light packing and virtually no effort, your Sanibel Island dream can come true. Just being there is enough to call it the vacation of your dreams.