Sanibel Island Florida: Paradise on the Gulf

Sanibel Island Florida: Paradise on the Gulf

Imagine an island retreat nestled in the warm, tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Picture a destination big enough to offer a variety of exciting activities and opportunities for solitude, but small enough to avoid the hassle of the sprawling resort towns. In your imagination you just conjured up Sanibel Island Florida, truly a jewel in the Gulf region.

Trip Advisor Recognizes Island Inn for Excellent Lodging

Whether you and your family have been coming to Sanibel for years, or if you are just looking for ideas or lodging options, it pays to do your homework. Looking at a map of Southwest Florida, seeing tiny Sanibel curled up just offshore of Fort Myers, you wouldn’t know there are hundreds of lodging choices on the island.

Sanibel Island Hotels

Island Inn offers eleven accommodation styles to choose from including spacious and flexible cottages, suites, rooms and lodges. The variety of choices ensures that, no matter your travel style or preferences, Island Inn has you covered.

Sanibel Island Vacations

Sanibel Island Vacations Offer More Than Beach Time

For generations, people have been heading to Sanibel Island for vacations. Sanibel and Captiva are scattered with many attractions geared toward lovers of nature, nightlife, history, art and fine dining.

sanibel bird watching itinerary preview

Sanibel Bird Watching Ranks Top 10 for Birding Around the World in 2018

Millennials are super into birding now. Here are the best places to go birding around the world: 9. Sanibel Island, Florida, United States Photo: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (Official) Sanibel Island is home to 245 bird species, including the bright pink roseate spoonbill which roam the wetlands. The Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge ensures that waders, singers, and peckers […]

Sanibel Shell Planter Tutorial Cover Photo

Sanibel Shell Planter Tutorial for National Craft Month

Wondering what to do with all of those fabulous shells you just found while on vacation at Island Inn? We’ve got an idea for you! This is a great activity for children, as well as adults, and will keep those Sanibel Island memories alive wherever you are. Use your imagination and creativity and partake in […]

sanibel luxury suites - matthews lodge at the island inn

Sanibel Luxury Suites – Introducing the New Matthew Lodge

The historic Island Inn, the island’s oldest hotel (Est. 1895), is excited to announce the Matthews Lodge Luxury Suites on Sanibel. The Inn’s latest investment is in the replacement of the Matthews Lodge, a 12 unit concrete block building built in 1961, with the brand new Matthews Lodge, which offers 12 Gulf View Luxury Suite accommodations. […]

Untouched by the Storm – Sanibel Island is the Perfect South Florida Destination

We are all extremely thankful that Sanibel Island and the Island Inn were spared the worst of the Florida-wide storm early this September. While we had a bit of cleanup on the beach immediately after the storm, our accommodations remain spotless and our beaches world-class. Since the storm, many of our long-time regular guests, as […]

Things To Do During Your Island Inn Sanibel Vacation!

Whether you are planning a weekend getaway with friends or a long vacation with family, Sanibel Island is guaranteed to meet all your expectations and more! Between the abundance of wildlife on the island to its surreal beaches, there’s no denying its beauty. If you are looking to have fun-filled and memorable vacation at, look […]

Sanibel Beach Reads

Sanibel Beach Read Recommendations

When traveling to Sanibel for a vacation you’re probably thinking you’ll relax, soak up some sun, take walks on the beach and get swept away into the newest bestsellers you don’t normally have time to read! Local Sanibel bookstore, MACINTOSH BOOKS & PAPER has shared their beach read recommendations with us. You’ll want to add these to […]

Tice Elementary at Island Inn Beach

Island Inn Sponsors Classes with ‘Adopt-A-Class’ Program

On May 17 & 18th the Island Inn sponsored a group of 4th grade students from Tice Elementary School in Fort Myers, FL for the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum ‘Adopt-A-Class’ Program. For the first time with the program, the students were brought to the Island Inn’s beach for a beach walk! The students were able […]

new sanibel hotel

Introducing Matthews Lodge Luxury Suites

Take A Live Tour! Watch the Video Above… The historic Island Inn, the oldest hotel on Sanibel (Est 1895), is excited to announce the launch of the next phase of its refurbishment program. The Inn’s latest multi-million dollar investment is in the replacement of the Matthews Lodge, a 12 unit concrete block building built in 1961, […]

Baby Sea Turtles in Sand

Sanibel Sea Turtles

Summer is right around the corner here at the Island Inn! The change of the season brings long days at the beach, fun in the sun and a good time.  It also brings the start of Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Season. From May – October, Sanibel beaches are home to many nests and making sure these […]

island inn logo

Women in History at the Island Inn

ISLAND INN HONORS WOMEN PIONEERS DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH Women’s History Month is a great time to offer thanks to the many island women who embraced this almost forgotten little barrier island and battled through hardships and near unbearable circumstances, just to call it home. Here’s to the years when rare shells rolled in endlessly, water […]

Sanibel Islander Ferry Replica

Historic Replica of Islander Ferry Boat on Display

The Island Inn is now displaying a model of the historic Islander ferry, which was used back in the 1950’s to transport visitors to and from the Islands before the Causeway. The newest addition to the Island Inn’s historic projects, the Islander sits above the fireplace in the lounge at Traditions On The Beach. Complete with […]

Island Inn Company Photo on BIG Chair

We’ve Saved You a Seat! Say Cheese!

If you’ve been to the Island Inn lately, you might have noticed a giant new addition, our oversized Adirondak chair! Perfectly positioned for the ideal snapshot to make your friends and family back at home jealous! Next time you visit, make sure to hop on and get your photo taken for a Sanibel keepsake that […]

SPEND 4TH OF JULY IN PARADISE!

Summer season has arrived and the Island Inn awaits! Bring the whole family out to the Island Inn for the 4th of July! Enjoy the pristine beaches, blue waters and beautiful weather at the Island Inn while you celebrate America’s independence!  Below we’ve gathered the activities that you, your family and friends can partake in […]

The Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum

ISLAND INN SPONSORS BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE

For the entire month of June attendees at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will be greeted by a 6-foot Island Inn ‘Welcome‘ banner and various other Inn-branded items that will be scattered throughout the 3-level, popular Island attraction. These sponsored materials are a result of the Inn’s continued support for this key Island Non-Profit and the opportunity to […]

ISLAND INN SPONSORS 5TH ANNUAL “DING” DARLING TARPON TOURNEY

Anglers from all over the country jump in line to participate in the 2016 “Ding” Darling Tarpon Tournament held at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill on Fort Myers Beach. The Island Inn joined in as a sponsor of the tournament and part of the 50 teams that competed on May 7th. They raised over $50,000 […]

The Island Inn Fall 2015 Softball Team

The Island Inn Brings Home the Championship!

The Island Inn softball team brought home the 2015 Fall Co-Ed Championship! The City of Sanibel’s Co-Ed Softball League consists of several teams from various businesses on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. The tournament scores are below…. Island Inn 21 vs. Bailey’s 15 Sanibel Air & Electric 20 vs. The Bubble Room 5 Championship Game: […]

Sanibel Shell Fair

The Annual Shell Festival is Here!

The 79th Annual Shell Festival will take place at the Sanibel Community House March 3rd– March 5th. Doors will open on Thursday & Friday from 9am and close at 5pm, followed by Saturday from 9-4pm. This fundraising event will bring support to the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club & the Sanibel Community Association with your $5 donation […]

Artist Spotlight – Spoonbill Mosaics

Artist & Founder of Ultimate Mosaics, Wilson E. Lopez, creates exclusive designs that are certified and copyrighted to ensure the authenticity of every piece. He has constructed two handcrafted mosaics for the Island Inn in their Spoonbill Cottage. The mosaics depict a dazzling array of light and color from the natural beauty of Florida’s pristine […]

Witness The Fascinating Journey of the Sea Turtle

Sea turtles are among the world’s oldest living creatures, having inhabited Earth’s oceans for more than 65 million years.  These gentle, long-lived reptiles have fascinated people around the world.  Sanibel Island’s subtropical beaches are a prime nesting area for five species of sea turtles: Green turtle, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, Leatherback, and Hawksbill. Each of these […]

Are Vacations To Sanibel Island Good For Us Physically?

Many Island Inn guests say that Sanibel Island is just what the doctor ordered. It turns out, that might be more than a figure of speech.
Holiday stress or bitter-cold weather, the negative effects of the winter season can become quite debilitating. The winter weather may already be taking its toll on your body. Here are a few ways to detect the early warning signs and suggestions for overcoming the winter blues.

Is a trip to the beach healthy?

Travelers today are looking for a wide range of adventures. Some even seek out opportunities to push themselves physically, either in organized events or solo “extreme travel” pursuits. Many more simply want to get a little exercise while on vacation, “blow off steam” or develop some new, healthy habits. Should your trip to the beaches of […]

Is a Sanibel Island Vacation Good for You Physically?

Vacation time is a big deal. In our careers, time off is the most important factor we consider, next to wages and medical coverage. We anticipate and count the days to summer vacation, Christmas break, Spring break and the rest of the holidays. The entire hospitality industry, including the Island Inn Sanibel, depends on the […]

How Can A “Type A” Personality Relax On Vacation?

Are vacations relaxing? They’re supposed to be, but are they really?  How many times have you heard people say they are worn out from being on vacation? Although we would like to think we have a magic recipe for relaxation here at The Island Inn on Sanibel, the truth is we see plenty of vacationers […]

Sanibel & Captiva Beaches Serve as Nursery for Florida’s Sea Turtles

It’s Sea Turtle season on Sanibel Island; and for all of us at the Island Inn, this brings to mind another example of how we choose to balance our responsibility to the island’s ecosystem with our responsibility to our guests. From May through October each year, female sea turtles crawl onto our shores, seeking a […]

Path to the Beach

Sanibel Rejects Overdevelopment – Stands Out Among Florida Resort Destinations

How do you know when something is worth saving? Maybe it’s when you can’t duplicate it yourself – or like Sanibel and Captiva islands – a place becomes worthy of preservation when few places like it remain.  Sanibel Island, home to The Island Inn, is a rare environment that has been attracting visitors for thousands […]