On 11/6/08, as part of a “Western Florida Wish List,” I posed the following question:

18. Before entering the ICW, captains can choose to break off the southwest and visit Sanibel Island Marina. Anyone stayed here lately? What did you find? Did you eat at Grandma Dot’s restaurant? Is it still as good as ever?

Responses follow:

Subject: Sanibel Marina
Message: Last year we stayed at Sanibel Marina on our 44′ MY. Despite making reservations several weeks in advance and confirming that AM they had no space available until late in the afternoon and we had to stand off for quire awhile until the finally decided to put us at the west end of the fuel dock. The Frequent coming and going of fueling boats made this an undesirable location. There is a boat broker on site and that may have filled all the normal transient slips, I don’t know.
There is no public transport on Sanibel so we walked many miles eventually arriving at Randy Whites restaurant which was fine then to the Ding Darling area then taxied back. Things are spread all over the island so getting about isn’t easy. Bikes will help but not much. Gramma Dots is OK but very busy and the entire Sanibel marina experience was not worth it, we wont be back.
Bruce

Yes, great food – and the channel was dredged. You will bump on low tide if draw over 4 feet. The best water is starboard going into the marina and the dock master is terrific.
Richard

Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Sanibel Marina