If you’re looking into babymooning on the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel area (learn why you should here), here’s a detailed look at where we stayed, where we ate, and what we did.
As we’ve said before, everyone’s pregnancy is different - so listen to your body and do as much (or as little) as you feel comfortable with. We love this area (specifically Captiva Island!) for babymooning for so many reasons, one of which being that it’s so relaxing and stress-free… which is what a true babymoon is all about!
STAY
’Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa :: This resort has a lot of things going for it. The location is ideal (in the heart of Captiva and steps from the water), the chic and spacious rooms, the beautiful grounds and luxe amenities (three words, adult-only pool), and our favorite, the award-winning Spa At Tween Waters! Whether you decide to stay here or not, I highly suggest a prenatal massage here… it’s absolutely heavenly.
As usual, Sunsets were INSANE!
Steps from our room were paths to glorious beaches!
PLAY
Yoga on the beach with Ambu Yoga :: We kicked off our babymoon with sunrise beach yoga, and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. They graciously customized the stretches to be pregnancy-friendly, and it felt amazing to stretch my sore and aching body. (And doing so with the sun rising and the waves crashing in the background was incredible, too!)
Relax Beachside :: There wasn’t a day that went by that we didn’t spend at least a few hours soaking up the sun at one of Sanibel or Captiva’s white, sandy beaches. Pack a book, water and some snacks, and head to Blind Pass, Bowman’s Beach, or Lighthouse Beach Park - three of our favorite beaches in the area.
Spa at Tween Waters :: I’ll mention it again because I loved it so much, a prenatal massage here is a must in my opinion. Their trained masseuses know exactly how to calm and care for your sore and achy body... You’ll thank me later. ;)
Rent Bikes with YOLO Watersports :: Based in Captiva, this sports rental company has everything from paddleboards to golf carts (and if we’d had more time we would have rented more equipment). But because our time was short and a bike ride sounded fun, we opted for their bike rental. We had a blast exploring Captiva by bikes, and at only $12 for an eight hour rental, it’s an amazingly affordable way to see the island!
Day Trip to Boca Grande :: The friendly folks at Captiva Cruises offer day trips to Boca Grande, a town located on Gasparilla Island. This captivating “Old Florida” town has no traffic lights or billboards, and couldn’t be more charming. We walked along the shops downtown, enjoyed pastries and a light lunch at some local spots, and even rented a golf cart for a few hours! Note… Boca Grande has an incredible hotel called the Gasparilla Inn that we may be sneaking a night or two in next time we visit. Check it out!
Nothing like a sunrise stretch
Couples yoga fun!
We spent plenty of time on the sand…
Riding bikes to some yummy Mexican food!
Captiva Cruises whisked us over to Boca Grande
If you’re prone to seasickness (like Bobby), no issues on this ride!
We were obsessed with the colors and the lighthouse!
Renting a golf cart is the BEST way to explore the island, and it’s cheap!
DINE
When it comes to eating out on Sanibel and Captiva, you really can’t go wrong. We’ve eaten almost everywhere, and have yet to have a bad meal. The restaurants here are all quirky and cozy in their own way, and depending on what you (or the baby) are in the mood for - you’ll be sure to find something to satisfy even the weirdest pregnancy craving! ;) Here are just a few of the places we enjoyed this time around:
Green Flash Restaurant :: We love this waterfront spot for lunch, as the views from inside (or outside) are stunning, and the food is delicious! Pregnant mamma’s, order one of their indulgent virgin pina coladas - and their shrimp tacos are to die for!
Mucky Duck :: While the food is great, we love hitting up the Mucky Duck for cocktails at sunset. Since I couldn’t order my typical rum punch this time around, I opted for simply the punch - and it was just as tasty!
Old Captiva House :: Our favorite place for a romantic date night is the Old Captiva House, as it’s elegant and chic without feeling pretentious. Known for their fresh seafood, we highly recommend the Grouper or the Chilean Sea Bass!
Cantina Captiva :: If you’re anything like me, you crave Mexican food with a passion almost daily. This hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant was just what I was dreaming about, with tostadas so tasty and crispy, I cleaned my plate in a matter of minutes!
The Bubble Room :: Mamma’s with a sweet tooth, this is your place. While they serve a full menu (that looked really good), we come here for one thing only: cake. The Bubble Room is known for their Christmas themed decor and nostalgic decor, but in our opinion the real winner here is their mouthwatering cakes. Try the Orange Crunch. Trust us.
Cheers to lunch dates and virgin piña coladas!
Hoping this is us in 50 years :)
Mucky Duck views
Date night at the Old Captiva House
Feeling close to home at Cantina Captiva
Check out all the bills on the walls at Cantina Captiva!
The Bubble Room gets its name from all the little lamps with bubbles… there are SO many bubbles!
We may or may not have consumed all of this cake. Don’t judge.
This babymoon was exactly what we needed. Warm weather, a tropical setting, fun activities, delightful meals, and tons of good, quality time together. If you have any questions regarding our time on the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel (and Captiva), or babymoon-specific details, leave a comment and let us know!
Cruising to Boca Grande!
The Sanibel Island Lighthouse in all its glory.