One thing that you can always count on is that where there is a beach, there is going to be some fantastic seafood. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are not exceptions to this. There is no doubt that there is a restaurant or café on either island that can satisfy your every craving, whatever the time of day.

And do you know what the greatest thing about these amazing, award-winning Sanibel restaurants is? You never have to wear a coat or tie! Of course, if you feel comfortable wearing one, your coat and tie are welcome. Otherwise, you can walk right in with your favorite jeans and enjoy some of the finest dining that Florida has to offer. These phenomenal restaurants serve everything from fresh seafood or Italian cuisine, to the best prime rib available or tart and delicious Key Lime pie. If you are in the mood for a great glass of wine, you will certainly find it here.

If you are thinking about going a little more casual, then you will find some amazing eateries that don’t require linen tablecloths. We are talking about some amazing pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, and raw bars. There are some top-notch delis, sports bars, and bars with billiards and other games. There are a few places that can even combine the very best of both worlds, offering you views of the sea, while showing the latest ball game in the bar area.

So leave your coat and tie and home. You can still find great eats with views of the ocean, like Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar and Grille. I guarantee that there is a restaurant for every occasion, and that you will be so thrilled with your culinary experience, you will want to go back again and again.

Sanibel Island, Florida, could be the family getaway that you have been seeking. With the sparkling water and sugar sands, you might think that Sanibel Island is best for romance, but there is always something for people of all ages on the island. Your best bet, though, if you’re bringing younger children with you on vacation, is to choose one of the resorts that offers a kids’ club.

If your resort offers a kid-friendly itinerary, then it might be possible for you and your partner to enjoy a romantic dinner or moonlit stroll on the beach. Trained staff members that will keep your children entertained for hours on end run these clubs. And if you feel guilty at all about leaving your kids with someone else, let me assure you that the best vacation that I ever had as a kid was the year that my parents found one of the resorts with a kids club. I’m pretty sure that we went to Disney World that year, but I remember learning magic tricks and swimming pool games. There is no reason to worry that your children won’t enjoy the time spent in the club.

If you are really lucky, or if you’re just a really good planner, you can also find a resort that offers babysitting services. These are usually later in the evening, after the regularly scheduled activities have ended. You may find an individual staff member that will care for your children, or there may be another group activity planned to help several parents get out for a night of romance. However you do it, the important thing is that your children will have all kinds of fun, and you will have more time that you thought possible to pursue the things that you want to do.

There is something about an island culture that draws some of the greatest artists to the shores. You will find that there is nothing different about the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. These fantastic island communities offer up some fantastic words by artist that are nationally and internationally known. If you are in the mood to scope out some emerging artists, then you should check out the shops and galleries on the island. Won’t you feel amazing when you “discover” the next great artist right in your own hometown?

The coolest thing about these art stores and galleries is that shoppers can find some amazing antiques and heirloom jewelry. Many of the artists on the island don’t work only in canvas and paint, and you will be able to take home some of your treasures in a little bag. Even better, you can wear them from time to time, knowing that one of your neighbors was the creator.

Something else that you might not know is that almost every piece of artwork that you see in your bank or favorite restaurant is for sale. That’s right. If you have a favorite work of art that you see over and over again, be sure to ask someone about it. You might be able to take it home with you!

There is just no way that an artist can live near the ocean and not be inspired. You will find many works that depict special island landmarks, like the lighthouse or Captiva’s Chapel by the Sea. If you already have a house full of Sanibel art, then you might start considering gifts for your loved ones. And if you find that you are inspired by the many artists that call Sanibel and Captiva home, then you can take a few painting and sculpting classes yourself from BIG Arts!

Each year many families make an annual trip or visit to Sanibel Island Florida and while there they will enjoy the many fine Sanibel Island restaurants, the many excellent Sanibel events, some scenic boat rides, and at least one visit to the beach.

In fact, it is the beaches and the waters that attract so many families year after year because they are often seen as a complete vacation solution. Visitors can enjoy some of the safest swimming conditions imaginable, spend hours hunting for gorgeous sea shells, and of course they can kick-back on the white sands for hours of “fun in the sun”.

Because so many people return year after year, however, they will also make a point of getting a lot of photographs of their family on the beach, and this is the reason that formal beach portraits are such a popular activity in Sanibel Island Florida.

Imagine using an annual portrait as a holiday greeting card where people can see how much the children have grown up since the previous year, or wonder at the marvelous colors of the sunset framing your family in the photograph. Some people use the images as an ideal subject to be framed by the very seashells they gathered while spending time at the shore. This is because the Sanibel Island Florida beaches are famous for their massive numbers of shells.

The geographic location of Sanibel and nearby Captiva Islands put them into ideal locations for catching all kinds of sea shells, and some of the most popular souvenirs from the region are mirrors, picture frames, and small boxes covered in the shells gathered on the shore. When a family gathers buckets of beautiful shells, they could also use them to craft one of a kind frames for annual beach portraits in order to create a truly unique gallery of images in their home.

So, you just took a look at the nearest wall calendar and realized that June, and the end of the school year, is literally just around the corner. What are you planning to do with the kids? If you live in the Sanibel area you can head over to the Sanibel Recreation Center and enroll them in the wonderful nine-week Summer Day Camp program. This is open to kids from Captiva FL too, and is a fantastic opportunity to provide kids from first through eighth grades with a full day of activities, socialization, and fun.

Consider that your kids will be able to learn how to play tennis, perfect their swimming techniques (or be safely taught to swim by trained counselors), enjoy a huge number of daily arts and crafts, and be in a safe place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each and every day. This is a wonderful opportunity for families in Sanibel to support the Recreation Center, but non-members are just as welcome to enroll their children too.

Not sure you can afford the weekly tuition? Financial assistance is readily available for those who require it. This means that anyone who needs a safe, educational, active, and interesting experience for their kids in the upcoming summer months can turn to the Sanibel Recreation Center for a solution.

Remember, the site is not only responsible for kid’s activities and is also host to an impressive number of community services too. There is regular blood pressure screening, fitness classes, community programs, and much more. While enrolling your kids for the Summer Day Camp program why not checkout options for a Yoga class or two, or maybe join in on a pickup softball game? There is so much to do in Sanibel and Captiva FL and the local Recreation Center is a great place to start.

One of the most ideal activities for families visiting the Sanibel Island and Captiva Island areas is shell-hunting. This is because both of the islands lie in geographic locations ideally suited to “catching” shells headed into the Gulf of Mexico. A simple walk along a beach will often yield buckets of the more than two hundred varieties of sea shells that appear on throughout the region.

There are a few things to know before you go, however, and one of the most significant is that some of the shells so readily found on the beaches of Captiva Island and Sanibel Island might still be alive! Because of this it is necessary to check that the sand dollars, star fish, or sea urchins you and your family collect are no longer living. Even accidentally removing live shells from the beach can lead to a fine, so make sure you spend some time checking that all shells are completely empty and that all creatures have “expired”.

Okay, so picking up a bucket of shells is a great way to spend time at the beach with the kids, but what do you do with them once you get back to the hotel or the condo? Never leave damp shells in the car! The heat will soon help to create a somewhat unpleasant or even fishy odor that is hard to eliminate. The best thing to do is to spend some time double-checking that no “critters” are in the buckets and then to gently wash the shells free of debris and sand. You can then place them in the sun to dry and begin planning some crafts to make with them.

Some of the most popular gifts purchased by visitors to the Islands are mirrors, boxes, and picture frames decorated with shells. Instead of purchasing such items you could instead use your harvest to make your own!

If you are a professional in the Sanibel Island area you should make a point of joining in on the monthly Chamber of Commerce Afterhours events that can help you to network with many other island professionals. These events are open to members of the Chamber of Commerce (both the Sanibel and Captiva Island members) and their guests, but pre-registration is necessary. It is a wonderful method for keeping up to date with the many things that occur in this busy area and building up your business too.

For instance, Sanibel Island real estate professionals can get together in a casual atmosphere to discuss developments in their field, but so too can restaurateurs, photographers, wedding specialists, those involved in local government, and so many more.

Just consider the value of information such as the conditions at the beaches, the status of the annual “red tide” activity, and the general conditions of the significant tourist trade. All of this is usually discussed at these gatherings, and many professionals are able to link up with like-minded or relevant businesses to ensure success.

For example, the wedding industry is a strong one in the Sanibel Island area, and there are now wedding planners, photographers, entertainers, beauty specialists, and wedding venue operators who all benefit from interacting with others in their field.

In addition to information gathering and networking, the afterhours meetings are a great way to sample some of the Sanibel Island restaurants because they are frequently held in them. Each month will use a different member location, and the busy professionals who know just how difficult it is to get some time to head out for a full meal, and networking opportunities, can often be sure of experience some of the best cuisine in the region.

If you are a local business professional interested in becoming a Chamber member or networking regularly then this is the ideal opportunity for you!

For more than 30 years the Sanibel and Captiva Island institution known as BIG ARTS has been striving to serve as a source of “cultural enrichment and fulfillment to island residents” through its many monthly and annual programs. It relies on more than two hundred area volunteers to meet its mission, and it includes several galleries, a performance hall, sculpture garden, and a roster of incredibly interesting events.

Coming up within the next few months will be such welcome events as their BIG ARTS Summer Arts Camp experience that gives kids a seemingly endless menu of options for hands-on arts experiences. This mixes children of all ages and even has a fine arts apprentice program for both middle and high school students.

There is also the ongoing Phillips and Founders Gallery displays, the annual Film Series, regular lectures and workshops, and more. Any of the events or regular activities in the BIG ARTS facility are open to residents and visitors alike, and it is a good idea to encourage everyone in the Sanibel and Captiva Island area to make a visit to the grounds. This is because the lovely Boler Garden sculpture park is located at the site and it is full of gorgeous plantings, walkways, and sculptures for all to enjoy entirely free of charge.

Consider too that there is also a fabulous gift shop in the popular Periwinkle shopping area that can provide locals and travelers alike with a way to purchase unique items and objects crafted by Sanibel and Captiva Island artists. The shop also houses a few classrooms and meeting spaces that have a lineup of regular events as well. Because it is in the shopping area many visitors make a point of enjoying a meal in one of the Sanibel Island restaurants nearby too.

Pirates, Native Americans, historic homes, and endangered species are all part of the experience in Sanibel. If you are currently enjoying a visit in one of the many fine Sanibel Island hotels you might want to plan a day or two in exploring the area history. This is easily done on foot, but many people hop on a bicycle to get a bit of exercise and education all at the same time.

It could all start with a day, or even a few hours, in the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum. Here you will step back in time and see what things were like when the area began to be heavily settled in the early 1900s. There are still authentic cottages and homes, as well as a handful of actual businesses that include the Post Office, the Packing Company, and the Tea Room. Most of the buildings will present their 1930s charms, and it is worth even a few minutes inside each of them.

There are also many historic markers dotting the landscape of Sanibel Island, and this might be a great way to pair up a ride along the 27 miles of official bicycle paths along with a historical exploration too.

Nearby on Sanibel’s sister island, Captiva FL, there is a lot of history to experience as well. The home of the Calusa Indians can be found here as well as an historic inn, a chapel, and several unique restaurants and bars.

Back in Sanibel you could head to the local library (open to resident and traveler alike) to checkout many books, publications, and recordings all about the history of the region. You can also speak with the librarians about their recommendations for local bookshops too. Heading out to the shops and cafes along the famous Periwinkle Way is even a historic experience because this busy and crowded thoroughfare once offered an uninterrupted view all of the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

So, you’ve been staying at one of the gorgeous Sanibel Island hotels for a few days but the kids are getting a bit “itchy” to go out and “do something”. While you could use your laptop to scout out some Sanibel events you could just as easily plan a nice little day trip to any number of excellent spots in the area.

For instance, you could drive for just under two hours and make a visit to the remarkable national park known as The Everglades. Here you could see endangered species and rare animals like Manatees, crocodiles, and an array of colorful birds. You could explore the River of Grass and try to spot all three types of mangrove trees, flightless Anhinga birds, and even an alligator or two.

Closer to the Sanibel area you could introduce your kids to the private “getaways” of such historic and famous people as Thomas Edison or Henry Ford. Their estates are now museums open to the public and both give an interesting view of men who helped to shape our modern world.

Of course, some of the better Sanibel Island hotels often provide guests with an array of options for a day trip as well. This might be a guided bicycle trip all around the 25+ miles of formal bicycle paths that fill the island, or it could be a family-friendly trip to the Lighthouse. Some spots will happily deliver their guests to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge for a day of education and fun, and others consider a day of chartered fishing as the perfect “day trip” too.

If a day on the greens is your ideal way to enjoy a day trip away from the hotel, there are two top of the line courses that provide non-residents with full-access to the greens as well.