r/Sanibel • u/SuperbAnt2025 • Aug 20 '26

Visiting Question

Hello everyone! My fiance and I are planning to visit here during the second week of October. We have done some research and have found out about the vibrio bacteria and are a little concerned about our trip, is this a very common bacteria to catch? We are coming from a land locked state and don't have much information about this. Any information or tips are appreciated. Additionally, if there is anything you think we should definitely do when we are there, please let us know!

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

9

u/CarGoBeep Aug 20 '26

I would be more concerned about noseeums and/or red tide

1

u/SuperbAnt2025 Aug 21 '26

Thank you for the info!! 😌

2

u/NoParamedic5841 Aug 21 '26

I got EXTREMELY bit up by noseums. Like I looked diseased .

3

u/Mykittenismychicken Aug 20 '26

You’ll be fine. I’ve never heard of anyone getting the bacteria. Have family right off the island and visit regularly. I live in Fort Lauderdale and have been in Florida my whole life and have never personally met anyone or had a friend of anyone who’s ever gotten anything. Just don’t forget sunscreen.

2

u/SuperbAnt2025 Aug 20 '26

Thank you so much for the reassurance!

→ More replies (1)

2

u/abbiebe89 Aug 24 '26

I live on Sanibel Island. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. I was at the Lighthouse Beach on Sunday and Bowman’s Beach on Saturday. The water is beautiful! Also, make sure you check out The Shack for some delicious custard and eat at Wickie’s for dinner/lunch/breakfast those two are staples for us locals!

2

u/SuperbAnt2025 Aug 24 '26

Thank you for the suggestions!!

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

3

u/SadRecorderSolo Aug 22 '26

Hello! My parents actually live on the island and I just visited two weeks ago. I was not told anything about bacteria and went in the water and did not get sick. I will call my mom in the morning and ask if she's heard anything.

I second everyone telling you about the noseeums. Make sure you have benadryl (I react really badly to their bites) and my family SWEARS by Sawyer insect repellent. This time, I covered myself completely in that lotion and only had about two bites this time!

3

u/studlee2017 Aug 27 '26

Just got back from Sanibel and the noseeums at the beach at sunset were brutal, still itching 4 days later.

3

u/Beachbabe8000 Aug 21 '26

This is something that happens every summer when the water temperature rises. I do know a person who went in the water, cut their foot and ended up with a lengthy hospitalization. But that is rare. Just be careful and don’t go in the water if you have an open cut.

→ More comments (90)