October On and Around Sanibel Offers Great Weather and Great Fun

Want to s t r e t c h out your summer? Then think about spending some part of October on Sanibel.


The Island is really ready for you in October. The weather is cooling down a bit, summer vacationers are gone and winter vacationers not yet arrived. No crowds, yet loads of things to do.


Topping off a very long list of activities are the incredibly interesting Ding Darling Days, truly something for everyone. The event runs from October 18 to October 24, in the National Wildlife Refuge, of course. And the menu is most tantalizing.


The 6 day spectacular, morning til night, concentrates on wildlife in many ways: talks, tours, workshops and exhibits to name just a few.


Among the free events, there will be talks about wildlife, a reptile show, naturalist narrated tram tours, face painting....even free hot dogs and drinks.


And for a nominal fee nature cruises, kayaking and bird watching caravans will be offered.


We think it's motivation sufficient to come to Sanibel Island just for the Ding Darling Days.


But there's more!


An exciting and beautiful regatta will take place right off the Island in Fort Myers Beach on October 3 and 4, and you don't need to own a boat to enjoy it.


Fifty boats carrying 250 sailors will compete in the 44th annual Summerset Regatta. Sailors from up and down the Southwest Florida coast participate in this first sailing event of the season. Buoy races will take place on October 3rd, and a distance race will happen on the 4th.


For spectators, the sight of billowy sails and sleek yachts racing with the wind stirs romantic notions of a sport that requires skill, strategy, and muscle.


Shore activities will be based at the Pink Shell Resort on Fort Myers Beach, so both days will be good for watching the activities kick off from the shore.


Crowds gather on the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier and the beach around it for a staggered send-off of the different divisions of boats beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 3rd.


And if ships brings to mind visions of pirates, you're in luck. The 4th Annual Pirate Festival takes place from October 9th to October 11th. Again, the Festival is right off Sanibel at Fort Myers Beach. Join the merry making as (friendly) pirates invade the island in ship to shore battles, food, period entertainment and period vendors.


Now, really, with dozens of things to do and weather that is beckoning, is there any reason you should not put Sanibel on your October calendar?