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SANIBEL
and CAPTIVA
ISLANDS, FLORIDA   ---- Review by an Irish Family who have visited Sanibel a few times. Sanibel Island Florida, is a Magnificent Island 3 miles off the coast of Florida. It is one big Nature reserve with secluded buildings surrounded by palm trees and huge natural vegetation, not to mention the Beautiful Beaches. The Beaches of Sanibel are the best Shelling Beaches in the USA You get there by a spectacular 3 mile causeway West of Fort Myers, Florida. This place is a must for anyone interested in a quiet relaxing holiday. Whether you are on honeymoon, have a young family or just want to go where you totally switch off, this is the place for you. |
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There are
no Fast Food joints here or commercial like places here
just timber decks and small friendly shops and stores. If you
like Party Night life and late drinking with lots of noise, Sanibel
is not the place for you. If you need good Shopping you can go
to the Edison Mall in Fort Myers or the Sanibel outlet Stores
just over the Causeway for excellent shopping as well as the lovely
shopping available on the Island its self. Sanibel Island has
plenty variety when it comes to small shops with a huge choice.
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The Island has over
30 miles of cycling lanes and is very safe to cycle for all ages.
When in Sanibel you can rent every type of bike you can imagine
from Billy' Rentals on Periwinkle way, we rented one Dual adult
and 5 year old and one for an adult with a trailers tented in
for a 2 year old. We loved this and the kids loved even more.
The prices from Billy's are very reasonable
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We have rented a Boat
on two occasions and visited "Cabbage Key" .. It is
10 miles roughly by boat from the Marina on the East end of Sanibel.
You will pass all of Sanibel and Captiva on your left and Pine
Island on your right. You dock your Boat to a very friendly welcome
from a man with Irish and Canadian ancestors. Next you walk up
a pathway to see the famous Restaurant covered from ceiling to
floor in Dollar Bill's, yes Dollar Bill's. You write a message
on it and paste it on, it is as simple as that. Some of the Bill's
look very old. There is even a song written about the place "A
Cheeseburger in Paradise" By: Jimmy Buffett 1978. After you
can walk to the Lighthouse and some very nice walks here you will
see some very large Boats and Yachts here, and there is some really
expansive Boats here. If you have the Bucks and want to get away
from the Rat Race here would be an excellent spot. |
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What we liked : |
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The Islanders, The
Island, the Beaches, the Weather, the lush foliage over hanging
the roadways, The Chamber of Commerce and their information pack
and friendly staff, The friendly atmosphere on the Island throughout,
Billy Rentals, The Shell Museum and staff especially the Marlin
Monroe look alike, Ding Darling National Park, Alligators, Birds,
Raccoon's and all the wild life not to mention the Gecko's, Swimming
pools,Dolphins Swimming close to us, the Gulf, Sea Temperature
78 F , Sunsets at the" Mucky Duck" the cold beer the
relaxed holiday atmosphere, Boat to Cabbage Key, Dolphins, Pelicans,
Halloween on Sanibel, the list goes on.
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What we didn't like : ( very little ) No see ums, ( Bugs ) There so small
hence the name so Bring repellent for calm evenings on the Beach
4.30 - 7 PM Would we go back again ? Yes every day and more ! if we could afford it of course |
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Chamber of Commerce Sanibel Island Florida : http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/
Beaches in Ireland : www.lakehotel.com/beaches