What to pack for your Sanibel Holiday

Now that Sanibel Island has become a year round destination, the climate differences are important to note when preparing for your vacation.

In the cooler high season months, layering in packing clothing is always well advised.

Our winters are sunny and bright, but temperatures can certainly drop into the 60's during the day, and, occasionally even less at night.

For the most part, you need not worry about rain during the entirety of high season.  It is an infrequent event and short lived.

A sweater to throw on when the sun goes down and the breezes pick up is usually sufficient wear to star or moon gaze on those chillier nights.  Long pants probably make more sense than shorts as well.  During any visit, good foot ware-----sneakers or walking shoes----are advisable, particularly if you intend to walk or bike.  Flip flops are fun and cool on the feet, but not the best alternative when you are really using your feet.

But summer and early fall offer more interesting opportunities to contemplate.

It would be unusual to need more than shorts and light tops for off season vacationing, and , of course, a bathing suit or two is a must. So that part of the packing is easy and very quickly accomplished.

But the rest of the suitcase can and should accommodate special needs.  Our rains off season can be heavy even though they are both predictable and brief.  Do bring an umbrella for those 2 and 3 hour down pours.

And the 3 mile walk you can do in winter without breaking a sweat will leave you a bit wilted in summer if you are not prepared.  Many long distance walkers on the island carry small packs where they keep water and wash cloths for those hot and humid treks through the nature preserve.

Sunscreen is a must any season but particularly so in off season, as is bug repellent.  Beautiful and lush, Sanibel has the best the sunny tropics have to offer, and that comes with the downsides of mosquitoes and sun burn.

Regardless of the season, though most vacation rentals offer games and books, it's always nice to bring those you and your family enjoy.  Such pleasant distractions add to the fun of going out to dinner or a movie.

And when ever the visit, keep in mind that Sanibel is a natural treasure.  There will be so many opportunities presented for picture taking, whether birds or seashells or dolphins playing in the waves.  So do bring your camera.

If you are a return visitor and can think of anything we left out, please let us know.  Our goal, always, is to help you find the best possible ways to enjoy our little island.