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:
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.
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.
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!
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.