Sanibel Advisor» Sanibel Advisor – Sanibel Island Blog

This Blog is Taking Off

Sanibel Advisor — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:10:47 +0000

Sanibel Bloggers are coming

Ocean Reach Resort’s Sanibel Island Blog is extending its hand to more and more viewers every day. With a place for comments, sanibel photos, interviews, slideshows, videos, and more, Sanibel Island Blog is the blog to be on.

Ocean Reach Resort is a condominium complex situated beachfront on the Gulf Coast of Florida on Sanibel Island. Activities include their beachfront pool, tennis court, outdoor games, and bicycle paths just to name a few. Outdoor ambience is made up of gas grills, picnic tables, and lighting at night to illuminate the view of the Gulf Coast. With magnificent tropical landscaping and every condo facing the Gulf, there is much to blog about.

On the Ocean Reach Resort’s Sanibel Island Blog, not only is there much to talk about, but there is much to learn. Most vacationers on other blogs leave comments as to what their experience was and if they would consider returning in the future. The Sanibel blog is unique in that the lives of the people who vacation there are shared with fellow bloggers. There you can find stories about the elderly who come down every winter for a retreat or perhaps a tale of two sisters who return on a regular basis for some much needed rest and relaxation. The bloggers here love to share their individual reasons for going to Sanibel Island, and also a bit about themselves.

The photos on the Sanibel Island Blog are different as well. They aren’t the same old pretty sunset pictures. Each and every picture has a gleam of color, a shade, or an angle completely unique unto itself, just like the people who took the photos. Pictures range from sand castles made out of snowmen to golf outings, and even one of someone’s daily metal detector loot of the day. An interview conducted of a family who vacationed on Sanibel Island for a 30 year time span can be viewed on the blog as well. This is not something you usually see on your typical vacation blog.

Finally, the news section is an integral part of the blog. Updates regarding the facilities and grounds are posted so one can see the dedication and hard work that goes into maintaining Ocean Reach Resort on Sanibel Island. Of course, with the addition of slideshows and videos, one cannot help but feel that the Ocean Resort’s Sanibel Island Blog is reaching out for them.

Wanna Rent A Boat?

Sanibel Advisor — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:22:59 +0000

Located off the Gulf Coast and just a short drive from Fort Myers,
Sanibel Island has become one of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations. Known for its world-renowned shelling, tourists also flock to the island to experience the sandy beaches, diverse wildlife and outdoor activities, especially fishing and boating. Getting out on the water is extremely accessible to visitors and don’t require heading to another island or the mainland. Below are two accommodating locations for boat rentals on Sanibel Island and the things you need to know to aboard and navigate the island as it was intended to be.

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is one of the most visited refuges in the U.S. and there is no better way to soak in the diverse landscape of animals and floral than by boat. Tarpon Bay Explorers is located directly in the park and lets travelers explore it up close with a variety of boat rentals. Accommodating up to 8 people, their 20 foot pontoon rentals are pefect for family trips, and they come furnished with a bimini top, cooler with ice and plenty of storage for fishing gear and valuables. The cost is $180 for half a day and $260 for the full day. Boating experience is not required.

In addition, Tarpon Bay Explorers also offers boat rentals for smaller parties to wade around the waters of the refuge and Tarpon Bay to catch site of manatees, dolphins and exotic birds. Kayaks and canoes are available for a 2 hour minimum rental. Singles cost $20, while doubles are $30 with each additional hour $10 and $15 respectively. They are outfitted with safety vests at no additional charge. And for the fishermen, two-person motorized canoes can be rented featuring an electric trolling motor. They start at $70 for a half day and $90 for the full day. Fishing gear is $10 for a half day trip and $9 for the full day, plus fishing licenses and live bait are available.

If nature isn’t your thing and you are interested in visiting other parts of the island and partake in the world-class shelling, then the boat rentals at Sanibel Marina are the ideal option. Located on the east side of the island the marina offers a fleet of center consoles and cruisers to navigate the island and enjoy its many activities. Each boat can be rented at three rate intervals. The 20 foot deck boats start a $150 for a half day, $200 for six hours and the all day rate is $225. These cruisers are fit for bigger parties and relishing the open water. Meanwhile, the 21 foot center consoles let riders hop off to sight see and spend time shelling. They run $125 for a half day, $160 for six hours and $200 for a full day. Fuel, oil and tax are not included.

For the less adventurous, numerous places provide charters, but the boat rentals on Sanibel Island let you be your own captain.

Let’s Have Some Fun!

Sanibel Advisor — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:09:08 +0000

Fun Things to Do on Sanibel Island

Enjoy a hot cup of coffee while sitting on the terrace overlooking a coastline with hues of purples, yellows and oranges quietly melting into the ocean’s tranquil waters. Sound like a bit of paradise? It’s Sanibel Island, a once in a lifetime vacationer’s paradise located off the coast of Florida. Visiting Sanibel Island is the perfect destination for a family vacation, wedding, holiday or spur of the moment getaway. This island retreat lies in a subtropical climate with warm sunshine year round.

Sanibel Island is well known for its shelling on Blind Pass located on the northern tip of the island. The island acts as a “shelf” capturing many of the seashells swept onto its coastline by the Gulf of Mexico’s currents. It is not uncommon to seeing visitors stooping and searching carefully for shells to add to their collections.

Some other outdoor action would include visiting one of the many golf courses that dot Sanibel Island’s landscape. You have your pick of 70 lush green courses complete with spectacular 18 hole golf games. Maybe you would enjoy some of the activity of the many water sports available. Whether you choose fast paced water skiing, kayaking, canoeing or fishing, you will definitely experience a great part of Sanibel Island. Chartering a fishing trip for a small group is a unique way to tour the island. Complete with a captain, this would be a fishing adventure to always remember.

Perhaps you decide to take a land tour and rent a bicycle to ride through Sanibel’s 25 miles of biking paths sprawled across the island. Be sure to carry a camera in case one of the local wildlife decides to make an appearance. On your bicycle tour, visiting the Sanibel Lighthouse would be a prime stop on the tour. It is one of the oldest structures on the island and is located in a quaint, historical area.

There is plenty of shopping available in the unique shops located along Periwinkle Way. From handmade gifts, souvenirs and clothing items, you are sure to find an item to suit any taste.

Thinking about experiencing the wedding of your dreams? Sanibel Island will allow you to say your “I do’s” barefoot in the sand facing the smiling tropical sunset. Consultants are at your beck and call to assist in planning this unforgettable event.

Visiting Sanibel Island allows you to step into a dreamer’s paradise. From its scenic locale and breathtaking views to its fast paced activities for the adventurer, this island will please the vacationer seeking a world of fun.

Share your favorite things to do on Sanibel Island below!

Sanibel Island Vacation – Fun Things To Do

Sanibel Advisor — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:10:55 +0000

Sanibel Sea School

If you are going to be spending some time on Sanibel or Captiva, then one special treat you should not miss is the Sanibel Sea School. They have a program to suit almost anyone’s desires. They have morning, afternoon and all day sessions. You can even sign up your child or yourself for the whole week! Classroom space is limited to 25 to 30 students at a time, and classes range in price from $55.00 for one class to $90.00 for all day. If you are lucky enough to catch a space, you will walk away with a new view of island living.

The Sanibel Sea School, better known as Sx3 was founded by Bruce and Evelyn Neill. Mr. Neill is a marine biologist and together they wanted to educate kids and adults with fun, hands-on experiences, concerning the importance of our ecosystem.

The classes teach the students about many diverse subjects. There is a class on all types of island birds and takes them out in the field to observe. What a thrill it is to be as close as four or five feet from any of the exquisite species! There are also classes to teach students about the animals that live on the islands, the wondrous world of the shells and their inhabitants, and about the lunar pull that causes our tides to ebb and flow. Students go on a field trip to the Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) to learn why rehabilitation is to important. Students are taught about the mangrove islands, and how they in turn, supply food to the never ending food chain needed for all to survive. Did you know that the mangrove tree roots poke out of the water to allow it to breathe? Sx3 teaches about the Calusa Indians that were the first inhabitants of the island, and about the pirates that favored the waters around Sanibel and Captiva many years ago. Students also share a hands-on experience learning about the sea turtles and the manatees. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are so fortunate to have the beautiful bay area to the east of them. San Carlos Bay offers the young at sea, a safe harbor where they can grow.

Sx3 has another program they take part in to teach recycling. The program is called “Take Five”, and is set up so that each day the students are to collect all of the litter they can in five minutes. The litter is then collected, weighed, and then stored. At the end of the week it is on display, making an impressive display of the positive effect recycling has on our environment.

Sanibel Sea School is the perfect place to reawaken our minds and our senses. They teach that at any age we need to learn how to play outside and how to look closely at what we normally do not see. Listening and an occasional taste are necessary also. So, please, take time to stop in and look around. Talk to someone, sign up for a class or two, but beware, Sx3 could become an addiction!!

For more information, visit Sanibel Sea School.