Do you guys know what tomorrow is? It's National Seashell Day!!! Tomorrow (June 21st) is the day to shellebrate seashells, and the home of the shellebration is our beloved Sanibel Island. We had the opportunity to enjoy the festivities last year, and today we are sharing a few reasons why you should put the beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel on your must-see bucket list. For real. It's THAT cool. Here's why:
IT'S A TROPICAL PARADISE
Well, obviously. Everyone knows that Florida has a dreamy climate, especially by the beach. But what is interesting is that not many people head to southwest Florida. Even though it's easy to get to (fly into RSW – Southwest Florida International Airport), it’s very affordable, and it is peaceful and mellow (think the opposite of nearby Disneyworld in terms of crowds).
While we were there last summer, we stayed at the South Seas Island Resort. Here we enjoyed palm tree lined streets, ocean views from our room, and saw TONS of wildlife – dolphins, beautiful birds, manatees, and monkeys to name a few! We spent hours lying in the sand or by the pool (also right in front of the sand). Blue skies, sunny beaches, your love by your side, and drink in hand... it really doesn’t get much better!
THE SEA-SHELLING WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
Our biggest takeaway from our trip last year is that sea-shelling is a legit activity - especially here. To us (California natives), the beach is for tanning, surfing, and relaxing. On the beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel there are SO many shells (We found ourselves geeking out over the different varieties!) and it’s only natural for one to start combing the beaches looking for the more exotic shells.
During our “shelling” sessions on Sanibel Island, we became addicted to the hunt of attempting to spot various shells on the sand. We would recommend getting a guide, like Captain Brian (he's the BEST!), to help you scour the beaches for “The Sanibel Six”. We found two – the Lightning Whelk and the Lettered Olive. We need to go back for the other four, as well as the prized Junonia (the rarest of them all).
THE PERFECT ROMANTIC GETAWAY
Whether you stay at the South Seas Island Resort, an Airbnb, or another nearby resort, the beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel are a couple’s DREAM. The sunsets, the picture-perfect sand, the warm water, the food… it’s the perfect romantic escape for honeymooners, newlyweds, or oldy-weds that may need a break from their kids. We highly recommend long walks on the beach. ;)
ONCE YOU HAVE TOO MANY SHELLS (NEVER), THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE!
You may never have enough shells, but chances are you'll at some point get too sunburnt to continue laying on the sand. In which case there are so many other places to see and things to do during your stay on the beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel! For those seeking thrills, we would recommend parasailing on the open seas, or kayaking in J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. For those seeking time out of the sun, you can go learn about all of your shells at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Or for the history buffs, visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates! There is amazing shopping in downtown Fort Myers, there are islands to explore by boat (like Cabbage Key), and there are plenty of delectable restaurants to keep your stomachs happy. The opportunities are endless!!
You could do all that, or maybe you just want to keep searching for a Junonia? Good luck!
Thank you to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel for sponsoring this post!
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Bobby & Alli Talley
instagram.com/traveling_newlyweds