Hello, I am new to this site and live in North Carolina and was thinking of planning a trip to Sarasota/Sanibel area over Christmas. I saw some good info on Mergatroid's post, but I would like to know how stable the weather is and if is a good to be there at that time of year? I will be in a Macgregor 26D with the wife and 2 kids Thanks, Stan
Sarasota/Sanibel area
- Thread starter Bullrider
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I think it all depends on the big weather picture
I was in the Ft. Meyers Beach/Sanibel area for a few days in early March of this year and at that time there was a big wind event that blew all kinds of sea creatures out of the gulf and onto the beach at Sanibel. The beach was littered with all kinds of living scallops, clams, urchins and even a few small octopi. This wind (which would have been too much for most boats including a 26D) was part of a huge storm that dumped many inches of snow over the midwest. Of course it did not snow in FL but the souther tail of the system churned up the Gulf pretty badly. It took a couple of days for that system to blow through until the normal weather pattern set back in. You would have known about a system like that from many sources though and since you are a trailer sailor (I assume) you could have put in up the river (from Ft. Meyers) and looked for Manatees in relatively protected water. Hell, with the Mac 26D you could park in a Wall Mart parking lot and still spend the night on the boat (hotels ain't cheap or easy to come by that time of year). There is some pretty skinny water along the Gulf side by Sanibel so I would try to get a hold of some charts and/or cruising guides for the Gulf Coast of FL. I know very little about anchorages/marinas there but I do recommend at least a day trip (even by car) to the Gulf beach on Sanibel as it is still a pretty nice place. Not sure how old your kids are but even adults enjoy the shells on that beach. Be prepared to pay for beach parking. Sounds like fun.
I was in the Ft. Meyers Beach/Sanibel area for a few days in early March of this year and at that time there was a big wind event that blew all kinds of sea creatures out of the gulf and onto the beach at Sanibel. The beach was littered with all kinds of living scallops, clams, urchins and even a few small octopi. This wind (which would have been too much for most boats including a 26D) was part of a huge storm that dumped many inches of snow over the midwest. Of course it did not snow in FL but the souther tail of the system churned up the Gulf pretty badly. It took a couple of days for that system to blow through until the normal weather pattern set back in. You would have known about a system like that from many sources though and since you are a trailer sailor (I assume) you could have put in up the river (from Ft. Meyers) and looked for Manatees in relatively protected water. Hell, with the Mac 26D you could park in a Wall Mart parking lot and still spend the night on the boat (hotels ain't cheap or easy to come by that time of year). There is some pretty skinny water along the Gulf side by Sanibel so I would try to get a hold of some charts and/or cruising guides for the Gulf Coast of FL. I know very little about anchorages/marinas there but I do recommend at least a day trip (even by car) to the Gulf beach on Sanibel as it is still a pretty nice place. Not sure how old your kids are but even adults enjoy the shells on that beach. Be prepared to pay for beach parking. Sounds like fun.
Ft.Meyers/Sanibell
There are two things in that area to be aware of. Wonderful sailing, and lots of shallow water. I too would recommend a trip to Sanibell. If you want to stay at a marina, there is are several in Ft.Meyers. The only one I have stayed at is the Big M. Marina/gambling boat combination place. Not what you would call a five star marina, but decent, and within walking distance of resturants and the beach. Lots to see and do there.
There are two things in that area to be aware of. Wonderful sailing, and lots of shallow water. I too would recommend a trip to Sanibell. If you want to stay at a marina, there is are several in Ft.Meyers. The only one I have stayed at is the Big M. Marina/gambling boat combination place. Not what you would call a five star marina, but decent, and within walking distance of resturants and the beach. Lots to see and do there.
Sanibel area
There are many places you could go in your 26 in the sound between Charlotte Harbor and all the way to Ft, Myers beach without ever geting in the gulf. Lots of anchorages and several nice places to anchor out and then dingy in and explore or eat. We just returned from a few day there. You can stop at Useppa Island see the museum eat at the yacht club marina or go to Cabbage Key and get a great lunch or dinner fairly reasonable. Good anchorage along the IC. Then on North to Ft Myers along Captiva and Sanibel there ae several anchorages along the East side of Captiva and Sanibel. 2 Good marinas are Tween Waters where you can stay at the dock or anchor out and then maybe one of the nicest marinas along the coast, South SEa Plantation. (but you may need a reservastion there at Christmas time) is available. Real fanacy and disney like in landscaping. Great resturnants. You can anachor off St James city and take a ride in to town but not a lot there. Then on to Ft Myers beach , under the sanibel bridge to get there. At the beach you can agrab a mooring for $13 a night and take the ding in to the dinghy dock and take the kids along the beach for ice crea, pizza, MacDonalds etc. All these in easy safe water for a 26. This route is about 20 to 25 miles. Christmas can get cold and blustery here though. I have seen it too cold to boat , in the 40's in the morning and getting to only highs in the 50's. Usually though, it ranges for 60 to 80. No one can predict the weather. So you can go and spend a lot of marinas or just anchor out, eat on the run or on the boat. both options available
There are many places you could go in your 26 in the sound between Charlotte Harbor and all the way to Ft, Myers beach without ever geting in the gulf. Lots of anchorages and several nice places to anchor out and then dingy in and explore or eat. We just returned from a few day there. You can stop at Useppa Island see the museum eat at the yacht club marina or go to Cabbage Key and get a great lunch or dinner fairly reasonable. Good anchorage along the IC. Then on North to Ft Myers along Captiva and Sanibel there ae several anchorages along the East side of Captiva and Sanibel. 2 Good marinas are Tween Waters where you can stay at the dock or anchor out and then maybe one of the nicest marinas along the coast, South SEa Plantation. (but you may need a reservastion there at Christmas time) is available. Real fanacy and disney like in landscaping. Great resturnants. You can anachor off St James city and take a ride in to town but not a lot there. Then on to Ft Myers beach , under the sanibel bridge to get there. At the beach you can agrab a mooring for $13 a night and take the ding in to the dinghy dock and take the kids along the beach for ice crea, pizza, MacDonalds etc. All these in easy safe water for a 26. This route is about 20 to 25 miles. Christmas can get cold and blustery here though. I have seen it too cold to boat , in the 40's in the morning and getting to only highs in the 50's. Usually though, it ranges for 60 to 80. No one can predict the weather. So you can go and spend a lot of marinas or just anchor out, eat on the run or on the boat. both options available
I forgot to mention 2 spots
The first is Ft. Myers Beach which has a much more low-rise, old-Florida kind of appeal. Nice beach too. Kind of a 'Key West' sort of flavor but more Jimmy Buffet (eg., less gay, more old hippy). This is on Estero Island, just south of Ft. Myers. The second is Lover's Key which is just south of Estero Is. It is a park and therefore quite undeveloped and 'natural'. Not much in the way of easy provisioning her though. I would imagine that the bugs are at their worst here in the summer but you might still find some from the mangrove swamps around the more remote areas. If it gets as cool as Terry from Naples suggests make sure to bring enough fuel to heat the cabin a bit. I will take 60 to 80 though in winter. Your choices of where to go will be based in part on whether you want to see the 'new' Florida (the built up parts like Disneyworld or the older, less developed spots). There do be gators there though and sea urchins so bring your swim shoes. I wish I was going.
The first is Ft. Myers Beach which has a much more low-rise, old-Florida kind of appeal. Nice beach too. Kind of a 'Key West' sort of flavor but more Jimmy Buffet (eg., less gay, more old hippy). This is on Estero Island, just south of Ft. Myers. The second is Lover's Key which is just south of Estero Is. It is a park and therefore quite undeveloped and 'natural'. Not much in the way of easy provisioning her though. I would imagine that the bugs are at their worst here in the summer but you might still find some from the mangrove swamps around the more remote areas. If it gets as cool as Terry from Naples suggests make sure to bring enough fuel to heat the cabin a bit. I will take 60 to 80 though in winter. Your choices of where to go will be based in part on whether you want to see the 'new' Florida (the built up parts like Disneyworld or the older, less developed spots). There do be gators there though and sea urchins so bring your swim shoes. I wish I was going.
Vacation Suggestion
Stan, you are going at a time when it is tourist season. This means slightly higher costs. And competitive rates which means getting reservations for camping or hotels/motels. That being said only means planning now. First of all, Sanibel is the most expensive island area to base your adventure. After all it costs six bucks in toll just to cross the bridge over to the island. True, it has a lot going for it, like marinas and Gulf beachside areas to play and comb for shells and what not. But basically it is becoming the playground of the well-to-do. So if you are 'midiocra' in monetary talents may I suggest the following vacation plan: Select Pine Island as your destination headquarters. Pine Island doesn't charge to cross 'their bridge' and is a more hospitable family island. This island is located in Port Charlotte harbor between Sanibel and the Florida mainland. Basically a country island only 17 miles long it has only one four-way stop sign intersection and no traffic lights. The island is divide into 4 townships; Pine Island center (Pineland), Bokeelia (to the northern tip), Saint James City to the southern tip and the 'Art Deco' section of the island named Matlacha. Matlacha is the first town you blow through on your way to the main island area. It is pronounced "Mat-la-shay". Belive it or not. There is a nice County Park on Matlacha where you can launch your 26D and store your rig while you are out sailing. There is another nice country style launch ramp in Bokeelia on the norther tip of the island In fact there are a few up there. Saint James has a few nice launch ramps belonging to marinas that charge varing rates. All have Harbor access to the Gulf of Mexico. So after crossing over to the island, and while at the 4way stop, you will see a convenience store and Dairy Queen to the left. If you turn left, you will be heading south and will see a strip mall to the left. There you can resupply at the Winn Dixie or grab a Pizza or drop in to the CVS drug store for sunscreen or bug repellant and so forth. Plenty of wide open parking to pull through with boat et cetra. Plus there is a bank and car wash in the shopping center. But that's about it for Pine Island stores and such. But it should be sufficient to your needs. There are cabins that you can rent in Bokeelia at Tropic Star tours. But there are only about 5 cabins. Very nice and very affordable with weekly rates. Best part is, the boat ramp is only yards away. The big let down is ... they are booked so you will have to search the web for Tropic Star and find it to get in touch and make a reservation. But the best news is ... on the southern tip of the island is an inn located in Saint James City. Oddly enough it is called, 'Southernmost Inn'. It is a cluster of 4 cottages that have canal access. This means, while going out your front door, there sits your vehicle and trailer, while going out your back door there sits your 26D tied up pretty as a picture at your seawall! Can't beat that! Imagine grabbing the garden hose and servicing your boat along with and electic extension cord to charge your batteries for you next mornings adventure. That is, after your wife showers up and fixes breakfast for you and the kids. You sit sipping your morning coffee in the garden by the canal or in the privacy of your own screened-in porch. The Southernmost Inn has 2 effiency apartments and 2 full size kitchen/bedroom apartments. All units are fully equipped. Just bring suitcases and boat and groceries. If you prefer, there is a canal front restaurant next door that is family friendly and cost efficient with excellent food. All the places CalebD described are within a days outing by boat from the Southernmost Inn. To setup a stay at the Southermost Inn, you must check in to the rental office at 2FishInn up the road a few miles. Daily and weekly rates are posted on their website. I will include a link for you to click on. Any questions are gladly answered in email of phone. This is a great option to consider. Start saving up now! Good luck and peaceful sailing Stan.
Stan, you are going at a time when it is tourist season. This means slightly higher costs. And competitive rates which means getting reservations for camping or hotels/motels. That being said only means planning now. First of all, Sanibel is the most expensive island area to base your adventure. After all it costs six bucks in toll just to cross the bridge over to the island. True, it has a lot going for it, like marinas and Gulf beachside areas to play and comb for shells and what not. But basically it is becoming the playground of the well-to-do. So if you are 'midiocra' in monetary talents may I suggest the following vacation plan: Select Pine Island as your destination headquarters. Pine Island doesn't charge to cross 'their bridge' and is a more hospitable family island. This island is located in Port Charlotte harbor between Sanibel and the Florida mainland. Basically a country island only 17 miles long it has only one four-way stop sign intersection and no traffic lights. The island is divide into 4 townships; Pine Island center (Pineland), Bokeelia (to the northern tip), Saint James City to the southern tip and the 'Art Deco' section of the island named Matlacha. Matlacha is the first town you blow through on your way to the main island area. It is pronounced "Mat-la-shay". Belive it or not. There is a nice County Park on Matlacha where you can launch your 26D and store your rig while you are out sailing. There is another nice country style launch ramp in Bokeelia on the norther tip of the island In fact there are a few up there. Saint James has a few nice launch ramps belonging to marinas that charge varing rates. All have Harbor access to the Gulf of Mexico. So after crossing over to the island, and while at the 4way stop, you will see a convenience store and Dairy Queen to the left. If you turn left, you will be heading south and will see a strip mall to the left. There you can resupply at the Winn Dixie or grab a Pizza or drop in to the CVS drug store for sunscreen or bug repellant and so forth. Plenty of wide open parking to pull through with boat et cetra. Plus there is a bank and car wash in the shopping center. But that's about it for Pine Island stores and such. But it should be sufficient to your needs. There are cabins that you can rent in Bokeelia at Tropic Star tours. But there are only about 5 cabins. Very nice and very affordable with weekly rates. Best part is, the boat ramp is only yards away. The big let down is ... they are booked so you will have to search the web for Tropic Star and find it to get in touch and make a reservation. But the best news is ... on the southern tip of the island is an inn located in Saint James City. Oddly enough it is called, 'Southernmost Inn'. It is a cluster of 4 cottages that have canal access. This means, while going out your front door, there sits your vehicle and trailer, while going out your back door there sits your 26D tied up pretty as a picture at your seawall! Can't beat that! Imagine grabbing the garden hose and servicing your boat along with and electic extension cord to charge your batteries for you next mornings adventure. That is, after your wife showers up and fixes breakfast for you and the kids. You sit sipping your morning coffee in the garden by the canal or in the privacy of your own screened-in porch. The Southernmost Inn has 2 effiency apartments and 2 full size kitchen/bedroom apartments. All units are fully equipped. Just bring suitcases and boat and groceries. If you prefer, there is a canal front restaurant next door that is family friendly and cost efficient with excellent food. All the places CalebD described are within a days outing by boat from the Southernmost Inn. To setup a stay at the Southermost Inn, you must check in to the rental office at 2FishInn up the road a few miles. Daily and weekly rates are posted on their website. I will include a link for you to click on. Any questions are gladly answered in email of phone. This is a great option to consider. Start saving up now! Good luck and peaceful sailing Stan.
Nearly Forgot to mention
Stan, Most of the rental places you see have weekly rates advertised. My wife and I went down there for the weekend to check out the Inn and she (the lady in charge) had no problem with renting out units for a single night or weekend. So if you decide to take a weekend jaunt down here to check it out, give the lady a call. It is always nice to 'scout-out' places of interest before you commit to dragging down a boat to unknown places. good luck Stan CP
Stan, Most of the rental places you see have weekly rates advertised. My wife and I went down there for the weekend to check out the Inn and she (the lady in charge) had no problem with renting out units for a single night or weekend. So if you decide to take a weekend jaunt down here to check it out, give the lady a call. It is always nice to 'scout-out' places of interest before you commit to dragging down a boat to unknown places. good luck Stan CP
Stan is the man (aka Clownpilot)
I stayed on Sanibel about 35 years ago with my family when in my teens. It was idyllic then and was much more like the way Stan describes Big Pine Island. Friendly locals took me tarpon fishing one night on the bridge between Sanibel and Captive that is now filled in. Sanibel now is a pretty expensive place; even the Holiday Inn there was nearly 300/night; the simple cottages we rented in the 70's are now condos etc. My wife and I took an afternoon drive over to Big Pine Island looking for a beach. It is as he describes it. It is kind of a throwback and undeveloped and probably wants to stay that way. One reason it hasn't become the 'destination' that Sanibel has is that it is in the Sound behind the Gulf barrier islands and is largely surrounded by mangrove trees. I am sure there may be a few beaches that you could find by boat that we did not by car and asking the locals (who gave very little away). I still like the feel of the place and loved the absence of tall buildings (Sanibel's building codes keep structures pretty low too - unlike Naples and Marco Island). What Stan described sounded pretty darn good to me on Big Pine Island. I am just amazed he mentioned it and I was just there last March. Definitely has an 'old' Florida feel to it (laid back, pretty quiet and lots of vegetation of all kinds). Good luck with your plans.
I stayed on Sanibel about 35 years ago with my family when in my teens. It was idyllic then and was much more like the way Stan describes Big Pine Island. Friendly locals took me tarpon fishing one night on the bridge between Sanibel and Captive that is now filled in. Sanibel now is a pretty expensive place; even the Holiday Inn there was nearly 300/night; the simple cottages we rented in the 70's are now condos etc. My wife and I took an afternoon drive over to Big Pine Island looking for a beach. It is as he describes it. It is kind of a throwback and undeveloped and probably wants to stay that way. One reason it hasn't become the 'destination' that Sanibel has is that it is in the Sound behind the Gulf barrier islands and is largely surrounded by mangrove trees. I am sure there may be a few beaches that you could find by boat that we did not by car and asking the locals (who gave very little away). I still like the feel of the place and loved the absence of tall buildings (Sanibel's building codes keep structures pretty low too - unlike Naples and Marco Island). What Stan described sounded pretty darn good to me on Big Pine Island. I am just amazed he mentioned it and I was just there last March. Definitely has an 'old' Florida feel to it (laid back, pretty quiet and lots of vegetation of all kinds). Good luck with your plans.
Great info
I would like to thank everone so far for the great info. I didn't even thing about setting up a base camp and just daysailing That may be the best way to go down there the first time and work in a few anchorages.
I would like to thank everone so far for the great info. I didn't even thing about setting up a base camp and just daysailing That may be the best way to go down there the first time and work in a few anchorages.
May issue of Soundings for Pine Island info
Good article and a great area. Being from Sarasota we get down that way pretty often and love cruising the whole lower west coast. December can be tough for weather so be very watchful of approaching fronts. Michael
Good article and a great area. Being from Sarasota we get down that way pretty often and love cruising the whole lower west coast. December can be tough for weather so be very watchful of approaching fronts. Michael
Great info, but.......
The main problem with Bullriders float plan is the time of year. We vacation on Sanibel yearly, last week of February, first week of March. We love the island and there is lots to see and do, but if you want to sail, you MIGHT get 1 or 2 days out of 7 that are suitable. We have been there in years when staying in Indiana would have given us better weather! (AND NO RED TIDE IN INDIANA) As I remember saying to my wife, "50 degrees and rain, I can get that in Indiana!" Myself, I am looking at October as the prime month to sail. Try and find a good weather site where you can get historical seasonal data to make your decision. Also you might try calling some of the charter companies in the area and get some input from them, they know the best times to sail.
The main problem with Bullriders float plan is the time of year. We vacation on Sanibel yearly, last week of February, first week of March. We love the island and there is lots to see and do, but if you want to sail, you MIGHT get 1 or 2 days out of 7 that are suitable. We have been there in years when staying in Indiana would have given us better weather! (AND NO RED TIDE IN INDIANA) As I remember saying to my wife, "50 degrees and rain, I can get that in Indiana!" Myself, I am looking at October as the prime month to sail. Try and find a good weather site where you can get historical seasonal data to make your decision. Also you might try calling some of the charter companies in the area and get some input from them, they know the best times to sail.
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