Vacationing in a Sanibel or Captiva Florida Timeshare – Part II
Friday, April 5, 2013
Our second Guest Post on The Timeshare Authority blog from Marge Lennon, founder of Lennon Communications Group Inc. Please be sure to read Part I of Vacationing in Sanibel or Captiva Florida Timeshare, for more of Marge’s insights on the pleasures of timeshare ownership in a Sanibel or Captiva Florida timeshare.
Vacationing in a Sanibel or Captiva Florida Timeshare (Part II)
by Marge Lennon
Sanibel Ranked #1 In World by Frommer
Arthur Frommer has ranked Sanibel Island as his #1 favorite travel destination in the world – beating places like Bali and Paris (ranked #2 and #3)!!! The travel guru is the mastermind behind Frommer’s guidebooks and budget travel magazine.
Sanibel has won much recognition over the years, but being the personal favorite of such a renowned travel expert is high praise. Frommer calls Sanibel an “idyllic haven of white-sand beaches, condos whose sea-front apartments are available for weekly rentals, excellent restaurants, good shopping.” He then singles out for special praise, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, “visited by thousands of birds of every species, who bask in the sun after diving for fish and are one of the great natural sights of wildlife in America.
Captiva Cruises
Captiva Cruises is an excursion boat company, which operates a fleet of vessels and an exciting program of tours and cruises departing from South Seas Island Resort and McCarthy’s Marina on Captiva Island. Founded in 1986, the company is committed to honoring the conservation and history of the islands and their legacy of environmental education.
A sampling of cruises, ideal for the entire family, includes: The Dolphin Watch & Wildlife Adventure Cruise on Pine Island Sound: The Sunset Serenade Cruise featuring live entertainment and Gulf of Mexico sunsets; Beach and Shelling Cruises to the secluded Cayo Costa State Park Islands; and Out-Island Cruises – a half-day cruise to Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Boca Grande, or Cayo Costa, plus private sailing cruises and charters.
Reservations are required for all cruises may be made via phone or the website with a credit card and will be taken one week or less prior to the scheduled cruise. For rates and reservations, call 239-472-5300 or go to [email protected] for upcoming schedules.
The next time you are on Sanibel, you may want to consider a “side trip” that takes you off island and into the smooth waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We have two great companies nearby which offer comparable nautical excursions and pricing. To obtain more information, we suggest you check out their websites.
Adventures in Paradise
Owned and Operated by the Stewart Family on Sanibel Island since 1986, Adventures in Paradise Cruises shares their love of the waters surrounding Sanibel and Captiva Islands with a long list of cruises. Join them for fishing, selling and lunch excursions as well as sea life encounters, dolphin watches and sunset cruises. All cruises depart from G Dock at Port Sanibel Marina.
For their six-hour Shelling and Lunch cruise, you will visit outer islands accessible by boat or plane, watch dolphins at play, shell along pristine beaches and dine at Barnacle Phil’s, a local favorite. Bring your own shelling bag and swimsuit and they provide beach chairs, umbrellas and water toys.
They also operate the Hop on the Adventures In Paradise trolley for the Historical Trolley Tour of Sanibel Island. For information on rates and schedules, contact them at 239-472-8443 or visit their website at adventureinparadiseinc.com
Tarpon Bay Explorers
If you or your children love nature and being on the water, a visit to the Tarpon Bay Explorers should be high on your list during your next Casa Ybel vacation. This hidden jewel is nestled at the end of Tarpon Bay Road and is open every day except Christmas from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (or 6 p.m. – depending on season). Here you can see wildlife up-close with an experienced naturalist by your side.
The facility offers a variety of nature tours and rentals as well as a tram tour and touch tank exploration for the little ones. Don’t miss one of the Island’s most unique gift shops, featuring children’s nature toys, home accessories, delightful children’s books, and jewelry.
Tarpon Bay Explorers offers many guided tours designed to be both educational and fun. Ranked as “one of the top ten places to paddle in the nation” by Canoe & Kayak Magazine, visitors can choose between a guided kayak trail tour (1 1/2 hours) with an experienced naturalist, or a 2-hour sunset rookery paddle, a bird-watchers dream.
If fishing is your preference, the facility provides everything you’ll need for the big catch, to include licenses, live bait, tackle and free advice.
- Kayaks and Canoes. Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle through the mangrove forest along the Commodore Creek Water Trail or explore the open waters of Tarpon Bay and look for dolphins, manatees, birds, and more. (2-hours minimum. Safety vests included at no charge.)
- Bikes . Ride a bike along Wildlife Drive in the heart of the Refuge with no intersections to cross. Children’s bikes, trail-a bikes, and baby seats are also available. (Half or full-day. Safety helmets included at no charge.)
- Motorized Canoes . These two-person canoes for fishing only come equipped with an electric trolling motor so you don’t have to spend time paddling. Bring your own fishing gear or rent it from there. Live bait and fishing licenses are also available. (Half or full-day.)
- Nature & Sea Life Cruises include a 1 1/2 hour Breakfast Cruise which features complimentary coffee, orange juice, and fresh gourmet pastries. This has been very popular with Casa Ybel guests! Or, enjoy a 90-minute mid-day cruise or a 2-hour evening cruise just as the sun goes down.
- Available for rental or as a fishing charter with a captain, Pontoon Boats enable you and your family to explore the 950 acres of pristine waters of Tarpon Bay. The 20-foot boats accommodate up to 8 people (handicap-accessible) and come equipped with bimini top, trim and tilt motors, cooler with ice, live well and ample storage. Bring your own fishing gear or rent it. No boating experience necessary. (Half- or full-day.)
Tarpon Bay Explorers is the licensed concessionaire of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, providing recreational and educational opportunities to the public under contract with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
