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There is so much to learn about Sanibel Island and the surrounding region of Southwest Florida. The unique beauty of Sanibel Island is one of the many reasons that keeps visitors coming back year after year. The island is definitely a top vacation destination.
Sanibel Island is a barrier island 25-miles west of Fort Myers in the Gulf of Mexico. The island’s location makes it a prime spot to find seashells, serve as a sea turtle nesting area, and hang out in the Florida sun while enjoying the sandy beaches.

Spending time in paradise means finding perfect accommodations to relax and enjoy your visit. Working with Royal Shell, our professional team lives in the area and are highly capable of sharing any details about Sanibel Island. The island is teeming with luxury properties to suit a variety of guests.

Property types available on Sanibel Island include:

Whether you want to be within mere steps of walking on the beach or to see the sun rise early or sit on the patio to watch the sun set, it can all be accomplished on Sanibel Island.

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What Is The Best Time To Go To Sanibel Island

The winter season is a busy time as visitors flock to the island to soak up the Florida sunshine, sink their toes in the sand and let the waves of the Gulf of Mexico lull away the stress. There is rarely, if ever, a need for a heavy coat while out and about Sanibel Island.

Guests will find Sanibel Island a great vacation option year round so get your calendar out and pick a date!

Yes, the island is family-friendly and largely pet-friendly so don’t leave anyone behind while on vacation. The area offers plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained while out and about Sanibel Island. Travel along the scenic bike paths and take in the breathtaking views of the island beaches.

There are a few interesting things to know about Sanibel Island:

  • Known as the "seashell capital of the world"
  • Home to the J.N. ding darling national wildlife refuge
  • There are no traffic signals on the island
  • 15 miles of white sandy beaches
  • 22-mile network of bike paths
  • Fishing for snook, tarpon and redfish is popular activity
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Visitors are drawn in by the scenic views upon arriving on the island either by driving across the Sanibel Causeway or via a boat. Guests answering the call, get a closer view and learn more about Sanibel Island and its historic past while experiencing the enchanting natural beauty.

Guests who visit Sanibel Island, are sure to be curious about the Sanibel Lighthouse. The structure, one of the first lighthouses on Florida’s west coast, is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. While it overlooks a public beach, the lighthouse is not open for public tours.

Island Hopping

Enjoying the area means taking in Sanibel Island and Captiva to the north. The two islands, known as sister islands, are connected by the Blind Pass Bridge. Traveling between the two is a short trip which can be done by vehicle, on foot or by bicycle. Often, guests make it a day trip to visit the more casual Captiva Island to navigate the eclectic mix of art galleries and boutiques. 

Captiva Island is home to the historic Chapel-By-The-Sea which holds worship services and hosts weddings between November and April each year. The chapel, built in 1903, is also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

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Sanibel Island Vacation Rentals

Back on Sanibel Island, Royal Shell maintains an extensive inventory of available vacation rental properties. Once you decide on the timeframe for your visit, work with our professional staff to determine the rental size needed and other desired amenity.

Sanibel Island vacation rental properties include:

  • HOUSEKEEPING
  • MAINTENANCE
  • EXCLUSIVE AMENITIES

The type of exclusive amenities varies depending on the property to include a pool, boat dock, sauna, beachfront access, golf course access, gated-community to name a few.

Let us know your plans to visit Sanibel Island and we will take care of the rest; everything will be awaiting your arrival. Select from over 2,000 vacation rental properties with availability during your stay. It’s wise to plan well in advance to get your choice for prime properties on the island. Most of the properties have beach access or are located within close proximity to beach access. It’s up to you how close you want to be.

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Island Waves

One of the biggest attractions for visitors planning a trip to Sanibel Island is spending time in the water. The area offers a variety of fishing cruises, water sport activities from boating and paddle boarding or just taking a refreshing swim. The combination of sunshine, shimmering waves, pristine sand and relaxation is all most guests need to know about Sanibel Island to realize it’s a great vacation destination.

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Plan an entire day on the water while visiting Sanibel Island. Start the morning with watching the sunrise from the beach and maybe finding a couple of seashells for your collection. Then take a paddleboard lesson before lunch. Next spend the afternoon on a fishing excursion around the island. Then plan to have dinner overlooking the southeastern tip of the island or go for a sunset stroll along the Gulf of Mexico.

Choose a rental property with a pool and guests have even more options to enjoy their time in the sun while splashing about in the water. So pool access means even more hours to spend in the water in Sanibel.

But no worries if you didn’t get it all today, there is always tomorrow for the next list of Sanibel Island water activities.

About Royal Shell

Royal Shell has been in business for more than 20 years. The company’s original focus was to manage the growing real estate holdings for R+L Carriers, the family-owned freight transportation company started by Ralph L. Roberts, Sr. Royal Shell quickly grew and the firm’s footprint includes real estate brokerage, vacation rental and relocation services. The firm has 19 office locations to include Southwest Florida, Ocala, Florida and western North Carolina.

On average, Royal Shell has 300,000 vacation rental check-ins each year. Royal Shell is an award winning company and holds membership in Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, a global designation awarded based on rigorous standards for service and performance. Royal Shell is synonymous with luxury accommodations. Whether it’s an intimate cottage nestled under a canopy of palm trees or a stately home with private beach access, each guest will find their own piece of paradise on Sanibel Island.

The vacation rental division employs a full service staff including booking, concierge, housekeeping and maintenance. Our focus is to enhance the experience of each guest so they return home with wonderful vacation memories about Sanibel Island.

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Blog: Travel News & Articles

February 10, 2020
Sanibel Island Wildlife: What You Need to Know

Thanks to over 6,000 acres of protected land, Sanibel Island wildlife is able to thrive. The protected wildlife is contained with the J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Even outside of the protected land, birds, animals, and creatures can be found across the island.

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February 10, 2020
What to do on Sanibel Island at Night: 13 Best Choices

So if you’re looking for inspiration about what to do in Sanibel Island at night, then you’re in the right place. Our top 13 choices below will let you know the very best places to eat, drink, play, relax and unwind so that you can focus on making the most of your visit.

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February 13, 2020
Best Places to Watch the Sunset on Sanibel Island

When planning a trip to Southwest Florida, finding the best places to watch the sunset on Sanibel Island should be a top task on your list. Choosing the best place will come down to the experience you're looking to have.

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