TripAdvisor, an online travel community and reviewer Web site, named Sanibel as the No. 6 U.S. destination in their beach and sun category and said it was a winner of the Travelers' Choice Destinations Award.

"Sanibel is a true favorite with many Trip- Advisor travelers seeking a relaxing vacation spot in which to unwind," said Amelie Hurst, a TripAdvisor spokeswoman based in San Francisco. "Many of our members praise the island's beautiful beaches, wildlife and good weather in their traveler reviews, and return to the island time and time again to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life."

The awards are based on real reviews from travelers who use the site. The winners were determined by a combination of travelers' destination comments, favorite places, and overall destination popularity on Trip- Advisor.