Sanibel & Captiva: A Guide to the Islands [Paperback]

Julie Neal (Author), Mike Neal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

Sanibel & Captiva: A Guide to the Islands, written by Sanibel residents, is a handbook to all the islands have to offer. It's packed with useful, down-to-earth information on Sanibel and Captiva's beaches, shelling, wildlife, fishing, biking, hiking, boating, shopping, restaurants and accommodations, and includes hundreds of tips on how to have fun. The full-color, 304-page book is an invaluable resource for visitors wanting a few days of real-Florida fun and sun on these legendary, unique islands.

There's a full chapter on local shells, another on wildlife, still another on the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife refuge. The Restaurants chapter reviews 64 places to eat, from snack shacks to gourmet bistros.

Authors Julie and Mike Neal share their secrets about exploring the islands and viewing wildlife, revealing their favorite locations to spot dolphins, manatees, birds, reptiles and other creatures. Readers discover hidden bike paths and long-forgotten hiking trails, and even learn how to spot alligator tracks.

Best of all, Sanibel & Captiva: A Guide to the Islands is filled with over 350 color photos, most never before published.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you have only one book on our islands this should be it. It's the best guide to our area. -- Island Sun, March 22, 2002

Packed with information. What really makes this book unique are the personal interviews, legends, tall tales and short essays. -- Captiva Current, February 15, 2002

Plenty informative, covering everything from cultural and natural history to fishing, restaurants, accommodations and recreation. Photo-filled and entertaining. -- Times of the Islands: The Lee Island Coast Magazine, July-August, 2002

The best, most useful and comprehensive source of information about the islands. -- Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce, February 2002

The most comprehensive guide. Includes interviews with residents and tourists about their favorite spots. Lots of accommodation and dining information. -- St. Petersburg Times, May 19, 2002

Without a doubt the most comprehensive guide. Totally captures the spirit and feel of these beautiful islands. -- Tribune Media Services, Chicago, June 2002

From the Author

"We love our life on Sanibel," Julie Neal says. "But over the years we've noticed many people who come here don't really know what to do. They go to the beach, but don't know how to take advantage of it. They want to see an alligator, or a spoonbill, but don't know where to look. They rent a boat, but don't see the dolphins jumping behind them! And they drive right past the best restaurants; the places every islander loves. If they only knew what they were missing!

"That's why we wrote this book," she adds, "so people don't miss out. So everyone's days on the islands are as fun and rewarding as ours."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Coconut Press; 2 edition (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097095963X
• ISBN-13: 978-0970959638
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #612,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A former Walt Disney World concierge supervisor, Julie Neal has spent over 1,500 days at Disney... not counting her time working there. She lives next door in the Disney-designed town of Celebration, and her office overlooks the Disney entrance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely recommend, May 2, 2002

By 

Chanda Lichtsinn (Indiana University Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Ind.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sanibel & Captiva: A Guide to the Islands (Paperback)

I have read every book on Sanibel and the gulf coast that I have been able to get my hands on over the last four years. This book is by far the best, most comprehensive, and thorough book on Sanibel and Captiva that I have found. The chapters are easy to read and very informative. The pictures are beautiful, and I love the personal touches with the photographs of people who live and visit Sanibel. I wish I would have had this book before we went to Sanibel the first time! I definitely recommend it to all who will be visiting Sanibel in the future.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most personable guidebook ever., July 26, 2004

By 

Frommer's fan (virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sanibel & Captiva: A Guide to the Islands (Paperback)

We visited Sanibel and Captiva islands for the first time in June 2004. It was everything we hoped it would be thanks to this book. I must have read the book 15 times front to back before we left. I loved the given itinerary- it made organizing our time in order to experience everything so easy and we never felt rushed.

I am a huge fan of Frommer's guidebooks. Since they offer little information regarding the islands, I purchased this book instead which came highly recommended. It was really neat to get an actual islander's point of view but I did occasionally miss the to-the-point opinions of Frommer's guidebooks. The book is occasionally generic when recommending dining options.

However, I have to say that you should NEVER visit these islands without first purchasing this book. It taught us how to appreciate island life and we had a wonderful relaxing vacation. There are descriptions of each shell found on the island as well as each bird, turtle, etc. It was fun to open up the book at the end of the day and find the names of both the shells we had collected and the birds we had seen. Have a great time in Sanibel!!

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent!, June 27, 2002

By 

Jan (Coconut Grove, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sanibel & Captiva: A Guide to the Islands (Paperback)

This book was my "secret" to planning my family's 1st trip to Sanibel. I would have been completely lost without it! We have already recommened it to several friends and family members who are now planning their trip to the island. Very informative, beautiful pictures, easy to read... they even give you a few itineraries of things to do depening on your length of stay! You won't be disappointed!