3 SWFL Islands Make List Of Best Island Getaways In America

When the weight of the world is upon us, a getaway to paradise can do just the trick and 3 SWFL islands have made a list of the best island getaways in America.

Sometimes life can be, well, life-y and you just need to get away from it all. Luckily, here in SWFL we have so many places to feel like you're on vacation without even leaving the area. I live in Fort Myers, and as soon as I drive over the Sanibel Causeway Bridge, it's like I'm instantly transported to a faraway island, but the drive was only 10 minutes. But for those that live a little farther away, trying to find the most magical vacation is the goal.

Especially with all the passport issues there have been over the last year, escaping the country might not be easy. I had to wait almost 4 months just to renew my passport, so I had to change some vacation plans. But the good thing, is that there are some great island getaways to be had. House Beautiful put together their list of the most magical island getaways in America. Right here in SWFL, Sanibel got the top spot. Since Hurricane Ian, it certainly doesn't look the same as it once did. But the beaches and the water are beautiful and many bars and restaurants have reopened.  Coming in at #21, Marco Island. The island is part of the Paradise Coast and certainly lives up to the name. Coming in at #28 is Gasparilla Island. Boca Grande feels like a world away and has great old Florida charm.

Time to book two tickets to paradise!

It's hard to believe Hurricane Ian hit almost a year and a half ago and while we still have a long way to go, more than 25 restaurants are now open on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

I've been spending a lot time on our local beaches. I love that here in Southwest Florida, even when there's nothing to do, there's something to do. And that something for me, is always heading to the beach. I usually head to Sanibel to either Bowman's Beach or Tarpon Bay Beach. I love Gulfside City Park too, but rarely do I make it out early enough to get a parking spot. It's been SO nice seeing all the people out enjoying the beaches, it's been busy nearly every weekend.

There's also a lot of businesses reopening too. Between lodging, restaurants, shopping, and things to do like kayaking and fishing charters. I will say that driving around out there just breaks your heart. It's not so much that there's debris everywhere, it just looks very bare and to see huge homes and condo complexes just crumbling, is so sad. Slowly but surely though, things are reopening and the island is welcoming visitors back out to the islands to stay, play and dine. You can find a full list of open businesses here

They've been open, but now taking a break for summer. They'll reopen in October. Menu items include lamb chops, duck, steak and more.

Open Monday through Saturday, 10 am-2 pm at 2075 Periwinkle Way. Enjoy breakfast items and a variety of wraps and sandwiches.

Boops By The Bubble Room is a dessert shop serving cake, ice cream, pastries, and coffee. Open 8:30am-9pm daily at 15001 Captiva Drive.

The restaurant itself is still closed, but the food truck is set up in the parking lot at 14970 Captiva Dr.

Voted Best Pizza 2023 by Restaurant Guru. Open daily from 11am-7pm for take-out and offering free delivery Friday & Saturday nights.

Offering farm to table cuisine, craft cocktails and scratch-made desserts. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday.

Enjoy great views of the Gulf, delicious food and craft cocktails. Make sure to make a reservation as seating is limited to 60 guests.

With 2 dining rooms and an outdoor patio, they're open daily for lunch & dinner. Everything I've ever had has been delicious, Doc Ford's is a favorite of mine.

Gramma Dots is open daily from 11:30am-8pm serving lunch and dinner. Located at Sanibel Marina 634 N Yachtsman Drive

Open Monday-Friday 11-7. Enjoy gyros, burgers, wings, salads and more.

The deli and mini mart are open! Sandwiches, chips, beer, wine, drinks and salads available. Lots of grocery items as well.

Open 11am-close at 1619 Periwinkle Way. Sanibel's #1 ranked jumbo wings.

With meat, cheese, a bakery, produce, grocery and floral departments, they have everything you need. Great weekly specials too.

Featuring a variety of seafood, sandwiches, apps, soups and salads. Open 11:30-9 daily.

Located at 1473 Periwinkle Way with live music and happy hour daily. Offering cajun style food with an island twist. Enjoy oysters, fried green tomatoes, beignets and more.

Open for dinner only with reservations available from 5-9pm. Entrees include filet, duck, lobster & crab crusted scallops and more. Enjoy desserts too like banana bread pudding and crème brulee.

RC Otter's officially reopened last week on Captiva. With nearly 100 menu items, they're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Rosalita's Cantina is a new restaurant located where 400 Rabbits was pre-Hurricane Ian. Enjoy signature table-side guacamole and a wide variety of Mexican dishes including their specialty Cadillac Fajitas.

Winner of Best Pizza from Taste of the Islands. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 2330 Palm Ridge Road

Open daily from 4-10pm. Serving oysters, scallops, lobster and grouper.

Located in the Chadwicks Square South plaza at 5400 Plantation Rd. Open 7am-2:30pm daily.

Located next to Old Captiva House at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.

Enjoy fresh frozen custard in flavors like key lime cheesecake, lemon raspberry, mint brownie, sea turtle and red velvet. Located on the East End of Sanibel Island, 1/4 mile up Periwinkle from the Sanibel Causeway.

Located at 1551 Periwinkle Way. Serving lunch and dinner daily from 11am-8pm.

Open daily for dinner. Serving a variety of Italian dishes including Ravioli alla Formaggio, Pollo alla Parmigiana, Insalata Caprese and Fettuccine Alfredo.

For even more restaurants open on Sanibel and Captiva islands click here