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Sick of spending spring break on crowded beaches, littered with beer cans and party-hardy freshmen? Don’t suffer through another year of barhopping along sketchy boardwalks, guzzling overpriced beer and feasting on fast-food. Visit Sanibel Island for shell-sprinkled shorelines, beach cruising, water sporting, wildlife sightings, tropical drinks, and flavorful food – not to mention breathtaking sunsets!
Staying in Sanibel
Because most spring breaks occur during the beginning and middle of March, picking a place to stay this time of year in Sanibel can be a manhunt if you don’t book early. In addition to many vacationers enjoying the warm weather, it’s also the time of year for Sanibel’s annual Shell Festival and Show, as well as Spring Training. Play it safe and enjoy pristine waterfront accommodations with onsite restaurants and activities. Here are a few favorite places for spring break vacationers:
- The Lani Kai Island Resort – Complete with three Tiki bars, live entertainment, and multiple on-site restaurants, this resort is geared for the young and the young at heart.
- Royal Shell Vacation Rentals – A vacation rental may be the way to go if you have a big party staying the week. Booking a furnished condo with a few bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen can be extremely convenient.
- Hotel Indigo in the Downtown Fort Myers River District – If you’re looking for a livelier scene, this riverfront hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Ft. Myers and has all the amenities you’d want, including suite-style rooms available.
Dining Options
Instead of grabbing dinner at a drive-thru, Sanibel’s endless dining options are just a bike ride away. Cruise down the beach and chow down on Sanibel’s fresh seafood menu items including lobster and grouper. Finally, a spring break without stale beer on tap! Sanibel’s restaurants and bars also serve topnotch cocktails. There are so many delicious places to eat in and around Sanibel!
Activities
Don’t feel guilty if you indulge at dinner. There are plenty of ways to stay active during the day. Walk the beach and pick up shells at sunset. You might want to bring more than one bucket to fill because Sanibel’s shoreline is one of the world’s best places for shelling.
If you are traveling by air, you won’t need to rent a car. Sanibel is a bike rider’s dream. You can ride to dinner on two wheels or beach cruise. The soft breeze and still waters are also perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kiting, fishing, and boating. Port Sanibel Marina offers many affordable rental options for water activities.
Nightlife
Since Sanibel is known for being very family-oriented, there isn’t a huge nightlife scene. There are a few places that offer live entertainment, drinks, dancing, great food, and broadcasted sporting events. The Jac Bar at the Jacaranda Restaurant is a fun, low-key environment with live entertainment most nights and a small dance floor. Also, the Beaches Bar & Grill at the Sundial Beach Resort has nightly live music and dancing. Sanibel Grill is a sports bar with great food and plenty of TVs that show sporting events. There are a few other sports bars as well, including the Lazy Flamingo, The Fish House, and Doc Ford’s.
Need a Little More Excitement?!
If you are looking for a little more “action”, you can head off the island to Fort Myers Beach during the evenings, which has a more lively nightlife for a younger crowd. Maintaining its reputation as a hotspot for beer-bonging, shot-shooting spring breakers, Ft. Myers is conveniently located close-by (about 10-15 minutes away from the bridge) in case you have the urge to rage your face off. Afterwards, you can take a taxi back to the island for a quiet night’s sleep on Sanibel.
Upgrade your spring break vacation this year and plan your stay in Sanibel. You will be impressed and planning a trip back by summer! Remember, you can book all your spring break water activities, boat cruises, and tours at Port Sanibel Marina!
