Sanibel and Captiva Getaways

SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Oil tar balls have washed up on beaches in the Florida panhandle, but further south there is no sign of the oil.

Tourism officials of Sanibel and Captiva Islands want people to come on down and vacation.

They're hoping to get vacationers and staycationers away from the mess of the media coverage on the BP oil spill.
"People are concerned when the papers are showing 'Oil Spill Hits Florida Beaches.'They think it's happening all over Florida," says Ric Base of the Sanibel/Captiva Chamber of Commerce .

In this case, perception is not reality however, as Base adds that "There's no hint of oil at this time."

People like Travis Caldwell are concerned but have no regrets in traveling to Southwest Florida: "It's our second year here, and it's obviously beautiful, and we're not wanting it to destroy this beautiful landscape."

Experts also say that unless there's a hurricane to stir it all up, the oil spill will stay far from Florida's west coast.

"The loop current comes quite aways offshore," Base says "And there's also a shelf that goes out about 70 miles."

Sanibel and Captiva are popular spots for Central Florida staycationers. Wanting to keep it that way for the summer, merchants are providing some booking confidence as well.

"If you book a vacation down here, and God forbid we get oil and they close the beach, you'll get your money back," Base says.

Not only is it a 100% money back guarantee, but the hotels and condos will let you stay in the room a night for free.

Ric points out there's plenty of things to get you out of your hotel room besides the beach by reminding travelers that, "We have 28 miles of bike paths, we've got Ding Darling Nat'l Preserve, we've got the Edison Ford Estates here. There's so much to do without going to the beach."

Yet, he recognizes that the beaches remain the main pull for the area and wants everyone to know, "The beaches are beautiful and open."