Average Monthly Temps
- April - 84 / 62
- May - 88 / 67
- June - 90 / 73
The forecast is for GREAT weather!
Trying to decide the perfect time for your trip? Be sure to read through our helpful tips for
Timing Your Visit.
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Did You Know?
- The much anticipated 28th Annual Taste of the Islands,
Earth Day 2008 and Island Night are all right around the corner.
Get information on these and many other upcoming events on our
Special Events Calendar.
- We offer money-saving coupons for some of the Islands' most popular businesses. From french fries to cruises,
there's something for everyone.
Visit the Message Board and check out
Steals, Deals & Lots of Appeal
- Manatee sleep for short periods throughout the day and night. They rest on the bottom or just below the
surface of the water and surface to breathe without fully waking up.
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Fun Tip
Sanibel’s new Community Park was officially completed April 1. The park is centrally located next
to the Community House and features playground equipment, shuffleboard courts, a picnic area with tables and public
restrooms. Of special note is a city ordinance that will set the park as a "tobacco-free public space".
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Shelling
Tips
"How To Clean Your Shells" is a class offered every Thursday from 11:30am to noon at the Bailey-Matthews Shell
Museum. The cost is free with paid admission to the museum.
Have you seen Sanibel Island Seashells -
Secrets of SW Florida's Best Vacation Beach? |
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| Are You Ready...
...to admit your addiction to the Islands?
Do it in style with apparel from BOSC! Visit our
Cool Stuff! store today.
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| Speak
Out! What specific
topics would you like to see covered in future editions?
Send us your suggestions
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Island Happenings |
Sanibel & Captiva 'on a Budget'
Are you trying to fit an escape to the islands into your budget? Actually,
few if any vacationers DON'T travel on a budget, it's just the size of that budget that varies. We've put together
some variables to consider in the planning process - things that can add up to big savings and enhance the value of
your vacation:
Timing Your Visit
In some parts of the world, a change of seasons means snow. In Florida, a change of seasons means savings!
Accommodation availability and rates are best away from holidays and other busy vacation periods. The amount of savings
can vary, but anywhere from 10% to 30% is common and a planner with a sharp eye - and fast fingers - can find up to
50% off in some instances! Keep an eye on our Message Board.
We always post money saving deals as soon as they become available. How does a
Memorial Day Weekend Getaway or
Summer Vacation Package sound!?
Choosing Accommodations
Sanibel & Captiva offer literally hundreds of accommodation options, everything from tropical beach cottages to
four-star resorts. For those who prefer a tent or RV, there are also campsites. There really is something to
accommodate a whole range of "budgets".
Many places offer 'kids stay FREE' options, as long as they are staying in the same room as their parents/guardians,
though age does vary. Check your favorite place to see if you can take advantage of this perk.
Selecting A Room Location
Many vacationers don't realize that all rooms under the same 'roof' aren't priced the same. Price often depends on
nothing more than the view out the window (or balcony). Amenities are the same - the only difference being a
water front, water view, garden view or pool view room, and be honest, how much time are you planning to spend in your
room?
If the view out the window is important to you, remember that the enhanced view frequently comes at a higher price. If
managing the budget is more important, investigate the other options within that resort or condominium complex.
Overall savings can be substantial and you still have a very short walk to the beach.
Getting Here
Families should weigh the pros and cons of driving versus flying when planning a vacation. Although driving may
initially seem more affordable, after considering gas, tolls and the costs of adding mileage to a vehicle, it may be
less expensive to fly. Visitors who still prefer to drive might also consider renting a vehicle to use during their
trip instead of adding mileage to their personal vehicle.
When looking at flight information, don't forget the option of flying into Tampa, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale or Miami.
All are just a couple hours away by car and there are often more deals into the bigger cities. Be sure to check all
of the low-cost carriers individually. Southwest, JetBlue, USA3000 and Spirit all fly into Ft. Myers and are not
featured on many of the flight-booking websites. We have a full listing of all non-stop flights as well as approximate
drive times from other cities on our
Getting Here page.
Now, get busy! Its time to Plan Your Vacation!
It's Almost Turtle Time!
May 1 through October 31 is sea turtle nesting season and that means its time once again for our annual reminder.
Every year during this time, endangered Green and Loggerhead sea turtles return to the same beach they hatched
from (up to five times in a season) to lay their eggs.
The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) has provided important guidelines for all who visit and live on
the islands:
Please keep lights near the beach off or shielded, this includes closing your drapes. Artificial lighting confuses
and disorientates nesting females and hatchlings causing them to wander towards it and away from the Gulf.
Flashlights should be hooded or use a red light.
Pick up toys and chairs on the beach and fill in any holes you may have dug on the beach every day. Adults and
hatchlings can become entangled or trapped.
Please pick up any litter but especially plastic and styrofoam you see in the water or on the beach. These items are
particularly dangerous as they are frequently mistaken by the turtles for one of their favorite foods - jellyfish.
Stay well clear of marked nests.
Together, we can help make this a successful season.
Airline Updates
Beginning May 5, 2008, US Airways will begin charging a $25 fee each way for a second
checked bag. Travelers who purchased tickets on or before February 26, 2008 are exempt from this policy change.
Customers may check one bag, under 50 pounds, for free. Oversized bags or those weighing more than 50 pounds will
be charged a fee beginning at $50 per bag.
United Airlines' new checked bag policy applies to tickets purchased on or after February 4, 2008, for travel beginning
on May 5, 2008. Customers may check one bag for free and a second bag for a $25 fee each way. Oversized bags or those
weighing more than 50 pounds now cost $100 per bag each way. Items that require special handling also have new variable
prices.
From the Forum
Our Message Board remains a very popular feature - many folks log on several times a
day, checking to see what's new in their favorite vacation spot and taking a little armchair trip to the islands.
Come "Dream" with us at BestofSanibelCaptiva.com!
A quote from a recent visitor:
"I have to say that this message board and all you people were invaluable to me in planning for this trip.
So many great people and so much good information. Thanks again."
Our Mailbox
"My in-laws are planning to join [us] for vacation on Sanibel. I am concerned that
my mother-in-law won't enjoy herself as she is wheelchair bound and we had planned to spend most of our time on the
beach. Is it possible to take her chair onto the beach? Is there a boardwalk of any kind? Should we just rethink our
plans? This is the first trip for all of us, any help would be appreciated."
It is possible for everyone to enjoy our beautiful beaches! Almost all of the beachfront condominium complexes
and resorts and all of the public beach accesses have a boardwalk that goes over an area of dunes and vegetation,
however, once you are on the beach there is nothing but sand and shells. We do NOT recommend taking a regular
wheelchair onto the beach - the wheels will do nothing but bog down and the water and sand will play havoc with the
frame (not to mention the controls if its motorized).
So, what to do? Don't change your plans! Instead, contact
Billy's Rentals and rent a Beach Wheelchair. These are regular, manual chairs that have been adapted with very
wide all-terrain tires that allow the chair to move over sand and shells very easily. The chairs fold-up and fit into
the trunk of your car or, for a small fee, Billy's will deliver the chair to your door and pick it up at the end of
your trip.
Your mother-in-law will be able to use her own chair for visiting shops and restaurants. Enjoy your trip!
We have the latest air fare deals,
the perfect home away from home and
monthly tide charts for your trip!
Sanibel & Captiva Islands are waiting for YOU!
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