Planning Your Vacation to Sanibel Island, Florida
To make the most of your vacation on Sanibel, plan well now so that you are hassle-free during your stay here. The last thing you want is to be fumbling through your things to remember phone numbers of banks or drug stores you need to visit, or searching for an island paper for dining recommendations. From airfare and accommodations, to credit card information, island attractions and law enforcement numbers, this page will help you organize everything you need to get to Sanibel, get around Sanibel, and manage any emergencies you may encounter during your trip.
It would be a good idea to print up any of the following pages that you think have information you want quick access to. For example, I have provided you with phone numbers of banks that operate on the island in case you find yourself needing banking services. In addition, there are phone numbers for restaurants that you may want to call in advance to make reservations or inquire about delivery services. While you might not expect to need these numbers, it can’t hurt to print them and keep them in your luggage just in case something comes up. If in fact an emergency arises, you will save yourself valuable vacation time.
Enjoy yourself as you plan your unforgettable trip to our
noble island. Approach everything with an eye on creating the most
unforgettable trip
you and your family will share together. Undoubtedly, you will come to
Sanibel
to experience her invigorating beauty and sun-kissed glory, and you
will
leave wanting more. Even if you pack your schedule with fun in the sun,
historic attractions, boating, shelling, shopping, and nature hiking,
you will
not be able to experience all of Sanibel in just one trip. But
that’s okay.
If you come spend time with Sanibel, you will leave promising to return
to her again.
Step 1 – Accommodations
When you come to Sanibel Island you are treated to the best that she has to offer – on any budget. Sanibel’s claim to being the ultimate family destination has endured thanks to her calm waters, her safe island culture, her wealth of wildlife, and the pristine quaintness of it all. In an effort to maintain Sanibel as a paradise on earth that no one is denied access to, island natives have tried to keep costs on the island down. Unfortunately, some costly construction has occurred in pockets (and more heavily on Captiva Island), however Sanibel has managed to maintain accommodations through all price levels to insure that all who wish to know Sanibel can visit her.
Along Sanibel’s Gulf shore you will find campsites, small inns, apartments, condos, and high-end resorts. Making reservations can be stressful without some guidance because the only familiar chain franchises on the island are Best Western and Holiday Inn. If you find these establishments full, or simply wish for an experience outside of the box, you will need to seek out private inns, shoreline cottages, and condos for rent. You may find after visiting Sanibel for the first time that you want to try a different, hidden place you found while exploring one afternoon for your next trip.
Click here for a listing and descriptions of the accommodations available on Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, and on the near Florida mainland.
Step
2 – Getting To Sanibel Island
People
often come to Sanibel from neighboring Florida cities, frequently after
a trip to Disney World. Whether you are driving or
arriving by plane, you will
want to
have a car on the island. You will need a car to get from the seashore
to the
many shopping and dining destinations on Periwinkle Way, to Captiva
Island, and
to the Ding Darling Reserve (an attraction not to be missed!)If you are flying to Sanibel you will want to land at Southwest International Airport in Fort Meyers. 22 airlines serve the airport and flights go in and out daily. From the airport you can rent a car from one of the six car rental companies available to drive to the island, or you can take a taxi to the island and rent a car on the island at the Amoco Service Center on Periwinkle Way. Taxis have a fixed rate for service to the islands. The cost is $40 for the eastern half of the island (up to tarpon Bay Road), $47 for western Sanibel, and $60 to get to Captiva Island, just north of Sanibel.
If you wish to charter a plane to Sanibel, or fly in your private plane, you will be landing at Page Field. It has four runways with the longest being 6400 feet. If you land at Page Field, you will able to rent a car from Budget or Enterprise, both of which service this airfield.
As someone who is frequently flying in and out of Southwest International Airport, I have found the best rates on airfare to be with the company below.
For the best rates on airline tickets, try visiting Travelocity.Airport Code for Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Meyers, Florida)=RSW
Step 3 – Getting Around Sanibel Island During Your Vacation
You will definitely need a car to
get around Sanibel. You will want to visit historic attractions, dine
at our amazing restaurants, and explore Captiva while you are here. If
you are
renting an apartment, condo, or cottage, you will need to get over to
Bailey’s (our
general store) to pick up groceries for your fridge. Without a car you
will find it difficult to get to the many quaint shopping areas.
If you arrive during the peak of summer, you will want a car to escape the heat when you’re not on the beach or relaxing at a pool. The Amoco Service Center on Periwinkle Way rents Hertz cars, or you may choose to rent a car from one of the car rental companies at Southwest International Airport.
Click here for a list of rental car companies that service Southwest Florida International Airport, Page Field, and the Island of Sanibel.