The 83rd Annual Sanibel Shell Festival will take place at the Sanibel Community House in just over a week! From March 5th – March 7th see what amazing shell seekers do with all of their wonderful shells they find on our local beaches! You’ll see shells, shell art, crafts, books, Judged Artistic & Scientific exhibits […]

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 surreal beaches, there’s no denying its beauty. If you are looking to have fun-filled and memorable vacation at, look […]

If you’ve been to the Island Inn lately, you might have noticed a giant new addition, our oversized Adirondak chair! Perfectly positioned for the ideal snapshot to make your friends and family back at home jealous! Next time you visit, make sure to hop on and get your photo taken for a Sanibel keepsake that […]

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.

As Sanibel’s oldest resort, Island Inn has relaxation down to a science. And like most worthy pursuits, true relaxation, true vacation, is a multi-faceted pursuit. In other words, we know you want to come here to sit on the beach. By all means, we want you to sit on the beach, but we also know that mixing it up with fine dining, shopping and touring will make your stay even more enjoyable. Go on, grab a bike and tour Sanibel!

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.

Sanibel offers first-class kayaking and paddleboarding. Canoe & Kayak Magazine and Paddler Magazine both list Sanibel as a top destination for great weather, abundant wildlife, world-class beaches and proximity to other hot spots such as Captiva and Pine Island.

The Island Inn now has kayaks and paddleboards available to rent, directly on the beach! Paddle along the coast and enjoy the warm water and the beautiful view from the other side of the beach. Visit the front desk for rentals and more information.

Tarpon bring fisherman to Sanibel Island year after year to experience the thrill of the catch. Come down to Sanibel Island and enjoy a fishing experience you will never forget!

iloveshelling.com is an awesome shelling blog that is complete with great write-ups on shelling beaches and experiences, spectacular shell pictures, great shell craft ideas and lots more. It is a place for shelling enthusiasts to share their findings and shelling stories. If you love shelling or simply appreciate the beauty of these remarkable works of […]

Visit the Tarpon Bay Explorers Touch Tanks and aquarium displays…..

J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge has three popular hiking trails The Indigo Trail, The Wulfert Keys Trail and The Shell Mound Trail….