Sanibel is one of my favorite places to visit for a quick, relaxing vacation. Living in Miami, we have the luxury of being less than a 3 hour ride away, so we take advantage of this, and spend many weekends (sometimes even day trips) in Sanibel. If you’re not familiar with the area, Sanibel is a barrier island located near Fort Myers off the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast. The island has a laid-back tropical, Caribbean feel that also offers breathtaking sunsets, great eateries (my favorite being The Island Cow) and fantastic shopping. It’s no wonder Sanibel was recently named the #1 family-friendly vacation spot in the country during NBC’s Today show. We love everything about the island and while we also enjoy visiting Naples and Marco Island, Sanibel remains our favorite. It’s so relaxed and cozy, I just love to spend my days on the white sand beaches collecting shells or riding bike through the adorable streets with the beautiful houses, and finishing off the day with a great meal and some fun shopping. And if you’re looking for beachy themed and preppy stores (think Lily Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines and Spirit Jersey), look no further. On our last trip it rained pretty heavily, so I had hubby take me from shop to shop (after all, I had to make use of my time there). Here are my favorite stores on this amazing little island.
FantaSea
2075 Periwinkle Way, #37
239.395.3300
www.fantaseasshells.com
This has to be the store that I loved most on my last trip. Everything in this shop is beach themed, including gorgeous bedding, scented candles, bath & body products, clothing, home accessories….you name it. Simply gorgeous, both the items sold and the store layout. Trust me, once you walk into this place, you will convince yourself you need to by a beach house and completely decorate it with items found here. Take a look at these…
Naples Soap Company
2075 Periwinkle Way
239.312.4236
www.naplessoap.com
So lately I have been coming across so many new soap, bath and body products stores (I have blogged about a few already). And I can’t help it, I love them all. On this last trip to Sanibel I came across The Naples Soap Company, offering all sorts of sea salt scrubs, bath bombs (I love those), olive oil soaps, body butters and shampoo and conditioner bars. Their soaps are all hand made in the US, and they use quality ingredients, which are all vegan-based, eco-friendly, and never tested on animals. Well, all of this sounds terrific, but all I know is that I bought my daughter a lavender lime bath bomb, which was literally…the bomb. The scent was amazing and she loved her bath. I also splurged on a Lavender Vanilla Sea Salt Scrub, which I just fell in love with.
Sand Castle Gifts & Gourmet
2075 Periwinkle Way, #20
239.472.2201
www.sandcastlegiftsgourmet.com
When you walk into Sand Castle Gifts & Gourmet you are immediately drawn in by the spicy scent, a result of their Sand Castle Seasonings, party dip mixes and seasoning blends, made in small batches on Sanibel, and sold exclusively in this store. This terrific little shop also sells many other Floridian treats like coconut patties, salt water taffy, Tortuga rum cakes, local honey and drink mixes in beautiful gift packaging. They also sell adorable coastal themed home accessories and gifts such as tumblers, kitchen towels, mugs and beach bags. You can’t miss this place.
Three Crafty Ladies
1628 Periwinkle Way
239.472.2893
www.threecraftyladies.com
OK, so I am super crafty, but sewing and knitting have unfortunately never been my thing. I can barely sew a button on. However, when I came across this beautiful shop, (the name of course caught my eye), I just had to stop in. The store had an incredible and unique selection of quilting fabrics, sewing notions, cross stitch patterns, scrapbooking papers, paints & canvases, arts and crafts supplies and so much more! They specialize in high-quality cotton fabrics, including a large selection of batiks and tropical prints. And if you have time and love to craft, drop by and create one of their Make-it-and-Take-it Souvenir Crafts, available most Thursdays from 10:00-4:00! I actually found some very unique Sanibel and Captiva scrapbooking papers that I had never seen anywhere else. Definitely a place to make a stop at, especially if you enjoy sewing.
Sanibel Island Bookshop, Jewelry & Boutique
1571 Periwinkle Way
239.472.5223
www.sanibelbookshop.com
The Sanibel Island bookshop carries a large selection of books, many by local authors, of which I picked up a few and can’t wait to read and review on the blog soon. They also carry some exclusive lines of jewelry, including Trollbeads, Kameleon and Lovelinks, as well as, Lindsay Phillips switchflops, Spartina bags, candles, toys and stationery items. Definitely a very unique bookshop, as their tagline says “A Great Place To Be Stranded”. Also worthy of a mention is MacIntosh Books & Paper.
Fresh Produce Sportswear
2075 Periwinkle Way, #33
239.395.1839
www.freshproduceclothes.com
This is one of the many locations of Fresh Produce Sportswear stores, offering fun, coastal designs and also a great selection of jewelry and Vera Bradley products (you know how much I love VB). Make sure to check them out when you’re visiting all of these great stores of Periwinkle Place. Also worth a mention, Simply Boutique, a few doors down from here, selling Lily Pulitzer, Spirit Jersey and various other accessories and clothing.
Jerry’s Foods
1700 Periwinkle Way
239.472.9300
www.jerrysfoods.com
This is a charming grocery store, which anchors Jerry’s Shopping Center, also on Periwinkle Way, (most everything in Sanibel is located on Periwinkle Way), and it’s only one of two supermarkets on the island. The shopping center has a pretty courtyard, which offers outdoor seating for the eateries and also houses some gorgeous tropical birds in some very large cages, which attract a ton of attention from the tourists. You will also find some great shops in here, but the market is the main attraction. Oh, and inside the market, there is a café, serving local favorites such as the Grouper Sandwich. But what cannot be missed is their famous Jerry’s Key Lime Pie, voted the best in all of Sanibel, and trust me, I tried it and it’s got my vote as well.
H2O Outfitters (Jerry’s Shopping Center)
1700 Periwinkle Way, #2
239.472.4717
www.beachstuffinc.com
Conveniently located inside of Jerry’s Shopping Center you will find H2O Outfitters, carrying a complete collection of apparel, accessories, swimwear and jewelry. Some of the premier clothing lines include Tommy Bahama, Tori Richards, Columbia, Billabong, Quicksilver, Life is Good, and the famous Spirit Jerseys (my daughter loved her Sanibel one). Definitely stop in if you’re looking for some good quality t-shirts and beach accessories. Owned by the same company, check out Beach Life in Chadwick’s Square, directly across from the South Seas Island Resort in Captiva, for additional brands from Lily Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines.
No matter what you like to shop for, I am sure you will find it in Sanibel. Have you ever visited Sanibel? I’d love to hear which shops you enjoyed most.
I have never heard of Sanibel before, but it sounds like a fun place for a getaway or even a daytrip!
LikeLike
I’ve never been to Sanibel. It looks like there’s a great variety of shops there. I bet the soap company store smelled amazing.
LikeLike
I live in Florida and still haven’t made my way to Sanibel. I love to shop so this area would be perfect for my taste.
LikeLike
Oh trust me you will love Sanibel!
LikeLike
I want to go shopping with you! 🙂 What great places to shop and eat. That Key Lime Pie is calling my name!
LikeLike
All the stores are interesting. I’ve never been to Sanibel, but I want to go there after reading this post.
LikeLike
Never been to Sanibel! But those look like amazing places to shop! I love a nautical, beach-inspired home!! 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve never been to Sanibel before but I have been to Miami and am often in Florida (visiting Disney World!) This seems like such a fun place to spend the day ❤
LikeLike
OMG I could go crazy in that store! The starfish pillows are just to cute! I love them! I would need to go with lots of money.
LikeLike
If I loved on the coast I would visit every day. This looks like the perfect store to decorate a coastal home with.
LikeLike
So many cute stores! I would love to check out the soap store. I bet it smells wonderful in there.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh these stores are awesome. We had a family trip to Florida/Sanibel and loved it. I need to go back!
LikeLike
I have heard of Sanibel. It looks very pretty and pricey. I’d love to go 🙂
LikeLike
Oh it sounds like an amazing place! I love beached themed decor, of course it make no sense to have it where I live, but I love love love it! These shops look cute. I’ve never heard of Sanibel (west coaster), but maybe one day we’ll be able to visit.
LikeLike
I have not been but it look like a great place to shop. They seem to have it all.
LikeLike
Wow. Look at all the things! Those Key Lime Shortbread cookies sure caught my eye! I haven’t ever heard of Sanibel but it looks like a great place to shop!
LikeLike
Oh my gosh, no one tell my daughter about this store! She will try to convince me to buy ALL THE THINGS! She is obsessed with mermaids and wants to completely redesign her room now. Those starfish pillows, though – I’m tempted!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness what some amazing looking shops – I could get lost in them. x
LikeLike
I would love to visit Sanibel! I would snag all of those cute starfish pillows.
LikeLike
Never heard of Sanibel, but being new to south Florida, I’d love to find out more. I’ll have to check out these places.
LikeLike
I have never been to Sanibel but I can clearly see that I would love to shop there at the very least, lol. What great shops and products. I love those starfish pillows!
LikeLike
I love all the beach decor! I could definitely use a beach vacation and some time browsing Sanibel and the shops.
LikeLike
I am a Florida native and have never visited Sanibel. I think I need to remedy that soon, I wish I could decorate my house in all those coastal colors.
LikeLike
It looks like Sanibel has some great shopping. I will have to check it out the next time i am in Florida.
LikeLike
Okay, I love these little boutiques and shops. I especially love the shops that are nautical themed. So much fun!
LikeLike
Ooooh the more reasons to return to FL! Those boutiques and shops look so pretty 😀 I’m a sucker for anything ocean/water things.
LikeLike
These are amazing shops and boutiques 🙂 I wish I could visit Sanibel in the future.
LikeLike
Oh these shops look so cute! 🙂 I love the first one!
LikeLike
Omg! I love the motif of the place. If i were there, I would love to visit Sanibel more often.
LikeLike
I have never been there. It’s on my list of destinations that I am actually really wanting to go see. Great post. I will pin it in case I ever do get there.
LikeLike
I’ve actually never been there. It’s on my list of places I do you want to visit soon in Florida. The shops look so cute!
LikeLike
Sanibel is one of my favorite places ever! Looks like not just the beaches are amazing but so is the shopping!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for this – these shops look so cook! I’ve actually been in Jerry’s shopping a few times – I have been blessed with vacationing there a few times. Will check out these other cute shops if and when I make it back down there!
LikeLike
What a fun place to shop. I like the open ans beach feel. Lots of nice products to decorate with.
LikeLike
I think the spicy scent would draw me in too. I love to shop when places are warm and inviting to shop.
LikeLike
I love shops that are warm and inviting as well. I also love the ocean theme of the shop I wouldn’t be able to walk pass it with out at least window shopping. A lot of great treasures are in that place I am sure.
LikeLike
I am in LOVE with this place!!! I have never been nor heard of it however, I absolutely ADORE shops that have beach-inspired furniture and accessories.
LikeLike
This place looks sounds amazing. I would totally love to check out that charming little craft shop.
LikeLike
This looks like some amazing shopping! I want to go to that soap company. I love handmade soaps.
LikeLike
I love all the items they sell here. They look so quaint and like they make any home really warm.
LikeLike
How cute is the home decor store??! I would love to go shopping at a place like that! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
LikeLike
This is my dream place. I am currently decorating my home and I’m always looking for fun pieces and this place seems to have quite a lot of places that I would go into and shop at.
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of Sanibel before (and I lived in Florida for 5 years!) but it looks like a nice place to visit. Love beach themed anything.
LikeLike
I have heard some wonderful things about Sanibel. Now I want to visit there just for the shopping alone!
LikeLike
I love this post! I live in Fort Myers & I don’t get a chance to visit Sanibel nearly as much as I would like to. I love the luminary night there, if you have not made it to Sanibel for their luminary night I suggest it! They light up the streets with candles around the holidays and all the shops are open, music, and horderves. You would love it!
LikeLike
Oh thank you so much for suggesting this, I had not heard about it and definitely want to go check it out now!
LikeLike
Hi Carmen,
Thank you so much for including FantaSea on your list of shops to stop in when visiting Sanibel. We hope that you enjoyed shopping and strolling through our collection of coastal home décor. Great choice on the sign you picked, I’m sure it makes a wonderful addition in your home and reminds you of the sandy shores of Sanibel. Stop in and see us again next time you are in the area. We also have stores in Sarasota, Naples and Key West and online at http://www.shopfantasea.com.
Peace, Love and Sandy Feet-
the FantaSea Team
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, so glad you liked my post. I LOVE your store and look forward to shopping there again soon.
LikeLike
Can you tell me where to find that Shell Seekers spirit jersey? We were on Sanibel for 2 days last month and didn’t get to shop. Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the kind words about my shop, Sand Castle Gifts & Gourmet! We love Sanibel visitors and residents and offer something for everyone! Come and visit anytime! ❤️️ Check us out on Facebook @ Sand Castle Gifts & Gourmet
LikeLike
Pingback: Summer of Sanibel | Listen2Mama