Sanibel Island: Salty Air and Sunshine

You have probably noticed a theme to my vacation style by now. I love the beach. I love the mountains, and I’ve been a lucky enough girl to have the best of them all. Spring is showing tiny signs that its not to far off, but I have been hiding in my igloo the past 6 months of winter and was ready for that salty breeze in my hair and to feel the sunshine on my skin. We joined what seemed like the entire Midwest, and made a trip to the Florida coast for Spring Break, finding ourselves on Sanibel Island.

As with just about every vacation we have ever taken, there never seems to be a reliable agenda. There is always a lot more ‘go with the flow, we’ll figure it out, there’ll be Target if we need it’. Our fear of a big snowstorm blowing through, closing down the airport and canceling the whole trip before it even started became a reality. Like literally, two days before we were scheduled to fly out.

The solution, let’s just leave earlier, like the next morning earlier. I see no qualms enjoying a few extra days in sand. It was totally worth it. But… I was a little sad to miss what will probably be our last ski day of the season. (Girl, make up your mind.) Changing the fights forced us into a smaller airport near Sarasota, not ready for family style Spring Break hurricane that was about to flood the state. Usually a successful schmoozer for a car rental upgrade, the Avis line was not having it this time.

But unpredictability is the tale of the rugged traveler. After finally making it to our destination two days early, it was a week of the water and sunshine and bliss. We were almost to Sanibel Island.

Things to Do:

Day Trip: Florida Everglades National Park

We started off the trip on the adventurous side and took a day trip to Everglades National Park. I literally grew up like an hour from the park, yet had never been. For a family who has spent a good amount of time hiking through the national park system the last few years this was a new experience. We didn’t traverse the swamp on foot, but rather by boat. We had rented kayaks through Everglades Florida Adventures and it was totally a hit with the kids. That is, until the long paddle back against the wind. Note to my future self: Plan the wind accordingly.

Taking the kayaks out meant we were able to coast through the different channels and stop for a picnic on any little island we found. Grocery stores are limited in the area, so we had to picnic on my emergency purse stash of granola bars. We were also able to see dolphins swimming through the same channels we were kayaking through. The boys found crabs and fish near the shore line as well. They also enjoyed traversing and a little swashbuckling through the endless mangrove trees.

Getting on Island Time:

After a long day of travelling and a solid shoulder and core workout on the kayaks, we were ready to finally get to Sanibel Island and the beach. The thoughts of blizzards and alligators had been replaced by daquiri’s and a perpetually filled Yeti cup. We had stayed at the Casa Ybel Resort on the beach and really worked out great for a travelling family. With the rooms centralized around the amenities (pool, hot tub, volleyball courts, and a restaurant) and backing up to the beach, the boys could easily move from activity to activity and I could sit on my bottom, read a book and soak up the sunshine. And that is precisely what I did for the next couple days.

The island is completely covered in shells and that was a sight to see. We found conchs and clams and crabs and what seemed like miles and miles of treasures and nature. We had also made sure to buy a fishing pole so the boys (mostly Chris) could do some shore fishing. However, we quickly learned mid day is not the time for fishing. They also made early morning and evening casts that proved to be a little more lucky. What’s even more lucky? The kids seemed unphased to go in the water after Luke managed to hook a shark. And boy, oh boy, that perfect Florida sunset.

Eating Around Sanibel

When we get to the beach, we are there for the day – sun up to sun down and aren’t super great about remembering to make dinner reservations. We did however, eat dinner out at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille… twice. Once in the Fort Myers location right on the water and once in Captiva because Chris just loved their Yucatan shrimp appetizer so much the first time. And, it’s Captiva, you just have to see it for yourself. We also got some world famous chicken tender ‘Pub Subs‘. Surprisingly enough though, food was not the center of this little trip.

I told you, literally Sanibel Island has something for everyone in your family, but close enough to still check each other out. It is so delightful to break away from the grind and just relax but there were definitely somethings going on that we totally missed out on. We had hoped to see the lighthouse of the end of the island and maybe join in with all the beach bikers going through the cute, little downtown strip. But there’s always next time. I maybe an East Coast (of Florida) girl, but I love those West Coast (of Florida) vibes.