Why rent a vacation home on Sanibel Island, Florida

A subtropical paradise just off southern Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sanibel Island is the perfect beach getaway. Unique among barrier islands, which are generally oriented north-south, Sanibel has an east-west orientation, which has allowed it to accumulate fantastic sandy beaches along its southern coast. Meanwhile, Sanibel’s north side is a nature-lover’s dream: the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife refuge dominates a full third of Sanibel Island and features exotic wildlife like alligators, iguanas, manatees, bobcats, spoonbills, and over 250 species of migratory birds.

If you are planning a trip out to Sanibel, consider renting a vacation home. Vacation rentals offer many advantages over traditional hotels, especially for group trips. Families and groups will love the added space a vacation rental offers, with living rooms for group bonding and full kitchens that allow you to prepare meals together. You’ll also find that vacation rentals offer more privacy, and often include perks like convenient, dedicated parking, yards (especially for those travelling with pets) and private pools or hot tubs. And when you stay in a TurnKey Sanibel Island rental, you don’t have to forgo your favorite hotel perks: every stay with us includes free WiFi, hotel-grade towels and linens, a starter set of toiletries, is professionally cleaned before your arrival, and 24/7 support from our local Sanibel Island team.

Here are some things you can look forward to during your stay on Sanibel Island:

• Unbeatable BeachesWith over 15 miles of beaches, Sanibel offers many options for beach-bumming. Some of the favorites include Lighthouse Beach on the eastern tip of the island, with its functioning, historic lighthouse, Gulfside City Park in the middle of the island, a perfect place for a beach picnic, and Blind Pass beach between the western end of the island and Captiva Island, which is famous for its sea shells.
• ShellingSanibel Island has been named the best spot for shelling in North America. Its unique location and environmental conditions mean that spectacular, intact shells can be found all over Sanibel -- you might even find some in your yard. Beachcombing is so popular and ubiquitous here that the act of bending over to sift a shell out of the sand has been nicknamed the “Sanibel Stoop.”
• J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife RefugePulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist J.N "Ding" Darling helped create this refuge in 1945 to protect wildlife species and their environment. At 6,400 acres, this large conversation area houses forests and marshes inhabited by bobcats, otters, even crocodiles. Over 245 species of birds nest here as well, so be on the lookout for mangrove cuckoos and roseate spoonbills.
• Sanibel Public LibraryWhat better way to spend a relaxing afternoon than reading a good book? The 5 star-rated Sanibel Public Library offers visitors a quiet place to read, discover, and grow. Its current location has been open since 1994 and is being remodeled to include greater access to technology and redesigned spaces for adults, teens, and children. Check out their new facility the next time you want to check out a book!
• Crow ClinicIs there a burgeoning veterinarian in your family? Then you have to visit the Crow Clinic! Injured wildlife are given the utmost care at this facility, and guests can learn about their recovery process in the Visitor Education Center. Veterinary students can even apply for externships with their hospital and practice treating different sick and injured species. One trip here and your young animal-lover may have just found their calling.
• Bailey-Matthews National Shell MuseumOpened to the public in 1995, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum prides itself on being "the only museum in the United States solely devoted to shells." Over 30 permanent exhibits detail the making of shells, their history, and their artistic versatility. Book one of their Beach Walks and you'll journey down the sandy shore as a marine biologist teaches you about these colorful collectibles. You might even spy a mollusk!