Sunny South West Florida

 The shrimp shaped island known as Sanibel floats along Florida’s southwest coast 30 minutes from Fort Myers. In contrast to the developed, tourist-full parts of the state, Sanibel is a  nature lover’s dream characterized by pristine beaches, bird-filled wildlife refuges, and boat docks to other quiet isles accessible only by boat. With locally-owned restaurants and hotels,  this eco-friendly destination will redefine your preconceptions of what a Florida vacation can be. 

 Among your seagoing options: sunset, shelling, and wildlife cruises with near-guaranteed dolphin sightings. Thanks to their locations on the  west side of Florida, Sanibel and Captiva have legendary sunsets, and the combination of roaring sky and the rippling ocean is even more impressive when viewed from a boat bobbing in the waves. 

If you want to experience the charm and laid-back lifestyle of turn-of-the-century Florida, the old fishing village of Matlacha is the  place to visit. With a population of under 900, this waterfront town of artisans and fishermen is located on a tiny island in  Matlacha Pass on the road between Cape Coral and Pine Island.


The bridge over Matlacha Pass is famous. Nicknamed the “World’s  Fishing-est Bridge” originally a wooden swing bridge back in the early 1960s. The tidal current that runs beneath the bridge sweeps in tons of snook, redfish, and even tarpon in season. For obvious reasons, the bridge is always lined with anglers casting a line.