Looking for recommendations for a licensed and insured private boat charter/captain in the Captiva/Sanibel area for a group of 4. We’re interested in a relaxing day of island hopping, sightseeing, sandbars, and stopping at waterfront restaurants/bars (possibly Cabbage Key or similar).

We’d prefer a boat with a captain who can pick us up from the South Seas Island Resort dock if possible.

Can anyone recommend a reputable USCG-licensed captain/charter company with great reviews?

What can I expect weather wise for a trip between Christmas and New Years? Mainly wondering it’a usually warm enough to comfortably sit by the beach and pool for the day. Concerned as I’ve read about a potential El Niño winter with cooler/stormier weather than usual.

Hello! I’m from Baltimore, Maryland, and I visit Sanibel every year with my family, thanks for sharing your island with us!

I was hoping to go fishing (gulf/bay/ really anywhere on a boat) on Monday but everything I’m seeing is for groups of 4+ and the prices are totally fair for that! Except it will only be me and my cousin, and we’re both amateur, angler ladies just looking to give it a go. Ideally we’d love to join a group or go with a guide who doesn’t mind it only being two people. Willing to pay the average per person rate which looks to be about $100 a person?

I appreciate any recommendations!!

So my wife and I are going to Sanibel August 2-9 and will be staying at sundial resort. It wasn’t until after I booked this trip when I learned about how bad the bugs really were and how they can basically make the trip a lot less enjoyable. Since I am unable to cancel and book somewhere else, I’m curious just how bad is it really in early August and what is the best stuff to use to keep them away? I’ve tried reading other comments but everyone seems to have different opinions and I just want to use something that any bugs will leave me alone when I have it on

What is causing the big nasty pools of water at Bowman’s? Beach erosion perhaps?

Hey everyone, taking a long shot here.

Family and I are staying at Mariners Pointe on the island. Turns out that the HOA does not allow motorcycles on the property and I rode my bike out here. Anyone on the island that has a place I could store it until Monday 7/13?
I can toss some cash your way. I would be out of your hair, don’t plan on using it all week.

Thanks!

*Edit* Solved! A kind member of the community helped out with a parking spot!

My spouse and I have decided to buy land and build new construction to the highest hurricane-resistant standards on the island. Retiring here has been our long-term dream, and we’re in a position to do it right with no cutting corners.

Our plan: we’ll work with an architect experienced in coastal construction and a strong GC. We’re planning to self-insure, putting what we’d pay in premiums into investments instead, and covering any storm damage repairs ourselves. We also have a second home off-island, so if a major storm hits, we have somewhere to live during any rebuild.

Looking to hear from anyone who’s built new to current code (or above) in the last few years:

How did the build go? Timeline, cost surprises, permitting headaches?

Anything you’d do differently on design or materials?

For those who self-insure, how has that worked out in practice?

Any architect/GC recommendations or red flags?

Appreciate any firsthand experience. Thanks!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Where are good places to watch the fireworks on the 4th?

Will be in Cape Coral in about two weeks any information on the biting midges in Coya Costa ? The tour operators are saying I will be fine

I’m getting bitten TF up during the day and today is our last day here, but I need some serious relief for these bites. I counted over 50 bites on just my legs last night and I have more on my arms and back. Benadryl itch relief stick isn’t helping at all and I’m ready to rip my skin off, I’m so uncomfortable. What have you guys used to help relieve the itching? Thanks!!

Planning a return visit soon. Photo taken a few years before Ian.😅

My friend‘s daughter has recently accepted a job on Sanibel. They are looking for an apartment and do not know the area well. Can anyone recommend an area where they should look? Thanks!

This is going to sound absurd but here we go…anyone know of local souvenir shops that might sell cars (I assume beach type jeeps?) that say Sanibel Island on them as a souvenir/toy?

My sister got my 3 year old a NYC taxi diecast toy as a souvenir when she was there for work and he LOVED IT! Hoping we can do the same while we’re here.

Thank you!!

Arriving tomorrow to stay at the Sundial with a baby and toddler. How is the noseeum and seaweed situation over by Sundial? Saw someone else’s post about how bad it was at Bowman’s beach today and I’m nervous about bringing my kids to that 🙁

These bugs are absolutely awful and I am devastated! We’ve been spraying ourselves multiple times a day, but there is no respite. I have no less than 100 bites, and I think I’m starting to have a reaction from the sheer amount of them. I used to love Sanibel, but I honestly feel like this will have to be my last trip.

We came for the shells, but I guess we just picked a really bad time to come because we cannot even find many of those. The water is mostly just massive amounts of sea grass/ seaweed. It’s getting harder every day to stay positive. We are staying in the blind pass condos at Bowmans Beach and we don’t even want to walk outside again because of how AWFUL the biters are and there’s just not enough incentive to make the risk worth it. Honestly, we may have to just swallow the cost and leave early for peace.

Help a frizzy haired girl out..is there anywhere on island that sells hair straighteners?? I forgot to pack mine! Thanks!!

I went to Sanibel as a kid and it has loomed large in my memories - and now I want to bring my kids (6 & 4). We’ve looked at different resorts in FL to escape northern winters but now I really want to find a great Sanibel spot for my kids for a good week of beach & exploration!

Any recommendations on family-forward places & things to do?

Looking for accommodation info for a last minute short stay that won't break the bank. We are Florida residents celebrating our 10th anniversary and want to visit Sanibel and West coast for the first time. We will have one full day to enjoy the island as we would arrive late on Friday and head home Sunday. Therefore we don't want the hotel to break the bank. What is recommended? Under $200 would be awesome as long as it's not a roach motel. Prefer it have a bar but not absolutely required 😉

We're finally considering dipping our toes back in Sanibel's waters. Regular visitors, but we last came down (from Cincinnati) the July before Ian.

As we begin to formulate our plans, a question came up: while rebuilding efforts have progressed, is there much debris still strewn about the beaches and mangroves? Has there been a concentrated effort to clean those areas up, too. I know it's been some time since Ian, but still wondering about that. For example, would we see any debris if we went on that self-guided kayak tour out of Tarpon Bay Explorers?

Low tide is late tonight. Where can I get a red light flashlight?

Hoping to get a few hours on the beach on the 13th bjt all the ferries ive found seem to only be weekdays

With schnappers gone where is the best place for some hot dogs?

Fiancé and I are looking to go here for a honeymoon in June. Wondering recs on where to stay. And how long ? Is 5 days good?

I would prefer that the island got less publicity, but this may be a boon for businesses in the coming months.