TARPON TALE

About Us

The Tarpon Tale Inn is as unique as Sanibel, offering privacy, a natural unspoiled setting, and relaxed hospitality. Our Inn has been entirely renovated since hurricane Ian and is an inspired hideaway located on the quiet east end of the island, a short walk to beaches on both the bay and Gulf sides of the island.


We want it to be easy for you to enjoy all that Sanibel has to offer. We love Sanibel, and want you to as well! Our complementary amenities include:


  • Bicycles for adults
  • Beach chairs, umbrellas and carts on every patio
  • Shell collecting gear
  • Shell cleaning station
  • Relaxing hammocks
  • Gas grills
  • High speed internet


All our guest rooms have cool tile floors, mini-split a/c and heating units, showers, and private patios.  For larger families, we offer suites and connecting rooms and some of our rooms include sleeper sofas.  Detailed descriptions and photos are included on the Rooms page.

Here´s our tale

Originally built in 1962, the Tarpon Tale Inn was opened in 1996 by Terry and Carlene Brennan.  Carlene was founder of the Sanibel Island Fishing Club, and a founding member of the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, a conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of bonefish and tarpon populations.  In 1990 she co-wrote a booklet about tarpon fishing with local fishing guide Randy Wayne White (author of the popular Doc Ford suspense novels set on Sanibel) titled Tarpon Tales: Lost Stories and Research. The inn’s name is taken from this work.


Joe and Dawn Ramsey purchased the inn from the Brennan’s in 2001 and have been the innkeepers ever since. Florida natives, they moved to Sanibel from Maryland when they purchased the Tarpon Tale and live on the island with their two children. Roger and Phyllis Mueller purchased the inn in 2013 and sold the Inn to Joe Lavigne, the current owner, nine months before Hurricane Ian. Dawn remained the innkeeper until the hurricane.  Our love of the island and passion to share its magic with our guests has made the Tarpon Tale a favorite destination for many of our visitors, who look forward to returning to the inn year after year.  Joe Lavigne purchased the Inn in 2021 and rebuilt the Inn following hurricane Ian, retaining its charms and adding modern touches, conveniences and efficiencies.

Our passion for hospitality ensures your stay is unforgettable!

The Tarpon Tale Inn consistently receives Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor, and is proud to have been named to its Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame!

Come to the Tarpon Tale Inn for the Florida charm you’ve been looking for. We offer rooms ranging from cozy efficiencies to spacious cottage style suites, all within a short walk of our island’s famous shelling beaches, the lighthouse and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.


We’re located on the quiet east end of the island, just a few minutes drive from the causeway. You’ll be tempted by delicious home made ice cream and some of the area’s best breakfasts at island favorites just across the street.


Each of our cottage style accommodations has its own distinct character, and they all feature a private patio. You can also relax in one of our hammocks, nestled in the shade of our palms.


We want you to love Sanibel as much as we do, so we make it easy for you to enjoy all the wonders of our island. We offer complementary bikes, beach chairs, carts, umbrellas and towels, so the only beach gear you need to pack is your bathing suit! You’ll even find Sanibel shell and bird guides in your room!


We hope  you’ll choose the Tarpon Tale Inn as your home on Sanibel to explore all the wonders of our island… or simply to relax in paradise. We look forward to welcoming you!

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

  • May I have an early check in or late check out?

    Our check in time is 3:00 PM. We often have the rooms prepared before 3:00, but we can’t guarantee an early check-in time. We do encourage you to come early and park your car, take the bikes to the beach after registration or have lunch at the Deli or Café.


    Check out time is 10:00 AM. We’re sorry but we are unable to make exceptions to the check out time. 

  • What is your deposit and cancellation policy?

    To reserve your room, a deposit equal to one night’s stay, including the 11.5% local room tax, is required.  Within 30 days of arrival, we will collect a total deposit of 50%


    If a reservation is cancelled prior to 30 days before the check-in date, the deposit will be refunded minus a $30 processing fee (charged to us by the credit card company). If a reservation is cancelled within 30 days of check-in, the entire deposit will be subject to forfeiture.

  • Travel insurance

    Cancellations pose a considerable challenge for small Inn's like the Tarpon Tale, which rent specific rooms to our guests and gaurantee we do not overbook.  Our 30 day cancellation policy helps us mitigate those issues.  To assist our guests in protecting their deposits, we have added links to independent travel insurance companies that specialize in weather related cancellations (hurricanes) as well as more general issues.  Please consider travel insurance if you are concerned about having to cancel and losing your deposit.

  • Are there grocery stores on the island?

    Sanibel has two full-service grocery stores, Bailey’s and Jerry’s as well as several convenience stores. Both Bailey’s and Jerry’s offer online shopping service and delivery, allowing you to start your vacation sooner. You can take advantage of these services by clicking Bailey’s Online Grocery Shopping or Jerry’s Online Grocery Shopping.

  • Is daily maid service provided?

    While daily maid service is not provided, additional towels and linens are always available at no extra charge. If you desire housekeeping services during your stay, please ask as these may be arranged for a reasonable fee.

  • What do the rooms include?

    Cottage style suites and studios include a full kitchen with range oven, cook top, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, pots, pans and cooking utensils, dishes and drinking glasses. Efficiency units include a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker and toaster, dishes, silverware and drinking glasses.


    All units include linens, bath towels and beach towels, and additional linens and towels are available at no extra charge. Irons, ironing boards, and hair dryers are provided in each room.   Beach chairs, umbrellas, carts and other beach gear are also provided free of charge, as are bicycles for adult guest use.  We have a propane grill, outdoor hot/cold shower, hammocks, a fire pit and sitting areas.

  • Can I bring my boat, waverunner, or camper?

    The Tarpon Tale Inn has limited parking. Occasionally we have extra room for boat trailers during off-season months. Arrangements must be made before arrival – please call for details. Unfortunately we don’t have space for campers.


    We recommend you contact The Bait Box . Space is often available behind their store for a fee. For reservations call 239-472-3939. 

  • Are bikes provided?

    Yes, each unit includes use of two, adult multi-speed beach bikes. We’re sorry but our insurance does not permit minors to use our bikes. If you have an extra person in your party, require a specialty bike, child trailer or child’s bike we recommend Billy’s Bike Rentals here on Sanibel.

  • Are there phones in the rooms?

    There are no phones in the guest rooms. There is a phone for guest use in our lounge area which may be used to make local and emergency (911) calls. Most cellular services receive strong signals at the Inn.

  • Is Internet service available?

    Wireless service is available and complementary to all guests.



  • May I bring my pet?

    True service animals are of course welcome at the inn, but otherwise, although we are animal lovers ourselves, pets may not share your accommodations. Please call us directly if you have any questions about our policy.

  • Is breakfast included?

    We do not serve breakfast at the inn. There are  popular restaurants nearby, including Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant (opening soon) along with Magic Bus Ice Cream across the street that serves a full breakfast, lunch and dineer. Many of our rooms have full kitchens, and all have small refrigerators and microwaves.

  • Are we ADA Compliant?

    No. We have no handicap accessible rooms or common areas on the property.



TERMS AND CONDITIONS


SMOKING OF ANY KIND IS NOT PERMITTED IN ROOMS (tobacco, marijuana, or vape).  Pets, including emotional support animals, are not permitted in rooms.  Infractions of either smoking or pet policy will result in a fee of $250 without exception.


PARKING is strictly limited to one spot per room, without exception. 


Lodging tax on Sanibel is 11.5%.  The cost for each room at the Tarpon Tale Inn is simply our room rate plus 11.5% lodging tax.  Any amount above 11.5% includes fees unrelated to lodging tax.  We do not add fees such as parking, security, resort, cleaning...  The only additional fees you may incur relate to abusing our property (bringing pets into rooms, smoking in rooms, damaging towels or other items in rooms, etc. 

We do not sell any guest information.  We obtain cell phone numbers and email addresses to be able to contact you before, during and after your stay as well as provide updates about Sanibel, the Inn and any specials we may offer.


Third party reservation websites - we are not able to modify or cancel reservations made through any third party site.  You must contact third party sites directly with any issues with your reservation.  If you want to modify your dates of reservations booked with third party sites in accordance with our policies, cancel directly with them and rebook directly with us.


Cancelations and refunds - Please read our specific policies in full for each.  In short, we do not provide refunds for reservations within 30 days of cancelation.  We withhold merchant service fees on refunds of cancelations beyond 30 days or offer full hotel credit. 


Deposits - We require a deposit with every reservation.  Within 30 days of arrival, we require a 50% deposit.  Beyond 30 days, we require a one-night deposit.

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