Sanibel Named Top Small Town Destination

It may exude more of a small town feel, but Sanibel is certainly overflowing with opportunity. In fact, some of Florida’s larger cities are no match when it comes to Sanibel Island and its showing on the list of the “11 Most Popular Small Town Florida Destinations”. The ranking comes from FloridaRentals.com, a Florida tourism website that set out to find some of the best destinations in the state that exist off the traditional beaten path. One of the favorites is Sanibel Island, noted for its beautiful beaches, warm temperatures and great shelling. In fact, it’s said the island is home to hundreds of species of shells, making it an ideal spot to uncover a real gem. The website also points out the opportunity for outdoor recreation on Sanibel, from golfing and boat tours to kayaking. While Sanibel made the list, this small sliver of paradise is truly larger than life. With around 15-miles of beaches, an endless supply of shells and gorgeous blue water, the island is undoubtedly a favorite. Other popular activities on and off the island include fishing, shopping, pickleball and tennis, with an array of watersports easily at your disposal. Once a popular destination for the likes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, fishing has also long been a draw of the island. It’s additionally the site of thousands of acres of marshes, hardwood hammocks, seagrass beds and mangroves, coming together as part of a protected wildlife refuge. While this makes up more than half the island, you’ll also find historical sites, like the old Sanibel Island Lighthouse ad the only museum in the entire world dedicated solely to shells. FloridaRentals.com came up with the list of the top destinations based on six months of web traffic. Other contenders in the state include Vero Beach, Pompano Beach, Saint Petersburg and Madeira Beach.