Blog
Sanibel Island Birding
In every season, Sanibel Island bird watching can set even the most experienced birder’s heart racing. The abundance of species is almost overwhelming. Even year-round residents such as herons, egrets, pelicans, cormorants, ospreys, spoonbills, storks, moorhens, bald eagles and more!
Sanibel Island Beaches Top The Charts!
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the beaches of southwest Florida are among the nations cleanest. See video of the report here!
Planning Your Sanibel Vacation
Since 1895, people have chosen the Island Inn as their Sanibel retreat. The historic Island Inn beachfront resort has worked hard ever since to make sure the vacation you imagined and looked forward to, turns into a sandy, sunny reality. Let us know how we’re doing!
Planning Your Florida Beach Vacation
Are you headed for the beach? A Florida vacation may be just the thing. Any beach will do, right? Well, we’d hate for the secret to get out, but a lot of people think there is no substitute for a Sanibel beach. Arthur Frommer agrees, he rated Sanibel Island as his top vacation destination … in the world!
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...
Hiking at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge has three popular hiking trails The Indigo Trail, The Wulfert Keys Trail and The Shell Mound Trail….
Friends of Sanibel Work to Protect Island’s Beaches
It’s pretty quiet here most of the time, and when you come to Sanibel’s Island Inn, we want you to have a carefree time on our beaches. It’s interesting for many of our guests to discover how much work it takes to have this opportunity for profound relaxation!
Sanibel Island Fishing
Whether you are a serious angler or a rank amateur with a rented rod, the waters off Sanibel and Captiva islands offer some of the best fishing in all of southwest Florida. Casting from knee-deep just off Island Inn’s own shoreline, guests pull in handsomely sized Sea Trout, Snook, Redfish and even Tarpon. Pier fishing is also popular, usually requiring heavier tackle for larger species such as Grouper and Snapper.
A Day in the Life of an Island Inn Guest
I am really looking forward to our first day at Island Inn on Sanibel Island. We arrived last evening just after dark and were tired from our long drive. Boy is it quiet here; don’t know why I woke up. It’s still dark outside and my wife is still asleep. I guess I’m just used to getting up early.
We left the windows open while we slept. I’m glad we did that because I love breathing that beautiful salt air! I can just barely hear the waves sloshing on the shore. It sure is a relaxing sound – maybe I’ll just lay back and listen for a few minutes while I decide what to do next…
Island Inn’s 2012 Summer Newsletter
Women in History at the Island Inn
Women in History at the Island InnISLAND 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...
Witness The Fascinating Journey of the Sea Turtle
Witness The Fascinating Journey of the Sea TurtleSea 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...
Wall Street Journal: Florida’s Best Beaches
Wall Street Journal: Florida’s Best Beaches The Island Inn, Sanibel's #1 hotel & inn, was named in the Wall Street Journal for Florida's BEST beaches! We are incredibly proud of this recognition and definitely agree that our 550ft of pristine beachfront checks all...
Things To Do During Your Island Inn Sanibel Vacation!
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...
The Island Inn Brings Home the Championship!
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...
Tarpon Bay Explorers Touch Tanks
Visit the Tarpon Bay Explorers Touch Tanks and aquarium displays…..
Sanibel Shell Planter Tutorial for National Craft Month
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 Sea School
The Sanibel Sea School is a great hands on way to learn about Sanibel Island’s marine ecosystem.
Sanibel & Captiva Beaches Serve as Nursery for Florida’s Sea Turtles
Sanibel & Captiva Beaches Serve as Nursery for Florida’s Sea TurtlesIt’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...
Sand Dollars
Sand dollars can be found on most all the beaches of Sanibel Island. They are loved by shell collectors for their intricate designs, symmetrical shape and beautiful colors.
Passing of Sanibel Icon Mr. Sam Bailey
“Sanibel was forever changed by Sam Bailey’s life and Sanibel will never be the same with Sam Bailey’s passing.”
Sanibel Family Vacation Tradition: A Historic Guest Story at the Island Inn
Travel back in time with us with this story of a Sanibel Family Vacation Tradition from the 1950’s.
Sanibel Rejects Overdevelopment – Stands Out Among Florida Resort Destinations
Sanibel Rejects Overdevelopment – Stands Out Among Florida Resort DestinationsHow 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...
Sanibel Luxury Suites – Introducing the New Matthew Lodge
Sanibel Luxury Suites – Introducing the New Matthew LodgeThe 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...
Sanibel Conservation Walking Tours
As a Sanibel beachfront resort, the Island Inn obviously cares a lot about the state of our beach. We want it to be clean, and it is, but that doesn’t mean it should be tidy! We’re a traditional place – we’ve been providing Sanibel Island vacation lodging on this property since 1895 – but one tradition we don’t practice is raking up the bits of seaweed and sea grasses that come ashore with the waves. Those organic materials are an important part of the island’s ecosystem, supporting birds, plants and other wildlife our guests expect and deserve to experience.
Visitor Reviews
Excellent! Stayed at Island Inn for the first time and was very impressed. At check in you get a packet of information about hotel amenities, tide charts, businesses that are open, information about turtle nests, etc - very well organized. Walking through the front door of my room, I was greeted by a panoramic view of the beach. Room was very spacious with a bedroom, living area, full kitchen and a large screened in balcony. There are sliding doors so each area can be separated for privacy if desired. If it was pet friendly, it would be my go to place when I visit Sanibel once or twice a year. 
