Sanibel Island is one the larger islands of West Florida. Long and narrow in shape, about 12 miles in length, it is one of the main destinations for those who are looking for golden beaches for a relaxing vacation on the Gulf of Mexico. Not far from the coast and close to Fort Myers, Sanibel is much frequented by locals, but in the period from December to April it is filled with tourists in search of sun and sea. Let’s discover what are the best things to do in Sanibel Island and its amazing beaches!
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How to arrive and how to get around
Like many other “barrier islands”, or rather the series of varying-sized islands that are located near the coast of Florida and that act as a barrier between the mainland and the open sea, Sanibel is also connected by a bridge. It is the Sanibel Causeway and it is practically the only way to get to the island unless you have a boat.
There are no buses on the island, and no other means that connect it to the mainland, so having a rental car is the most appropriate solution for visiting its beautiful beaches. The only alternative: cabs.
Once on the island, orientation is simple: there are two main roads that run parallel along the entire length of the island, from the Sanibel Causeway Bridge to the Blind Pass Bridge, the bridge located on the opposite end that connects it with Captiva Island. The first road runs along the west coast, near the beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The second, more inland, separates the urbanized area of the island from the part dedicated to the nature reserve.
Sanibel Island Beaches
As for all the coastal resorts of Florida, the reason why most tourists go to Sanibel is the sea. Spending hours under the sun for a perfect tan or doing water sports are the reasons that might make you decide on a relaxing stop here during your vacation in the Sunshine State. Here are the shorelines we can find on the island.
In order, following the coast from southeast to northwest, the first beach is Lighthouse Beach Park. As you can tell from the name, it is the beach where the island’s lighthouse is located, with its 100 feet height clearly visible to boats that move between the open sea and Fort Myers. The beach has a large public parking lot and is equipped with showers.
At the hottest times of the day, it is possible to find shelter from the sun in the shade of the trees lining the beach. The northern end of the beach is bordered by the pier, beyond which we find Sanibel Northside Beach, one of the few beaches located on the north side of the island. However, it is the southern side, the one facing the open sea, which offers the best coastline.
Continuing along the coast, we come to Gulfside City Park Beach, also known as Algiers Beach in memory of a steamboat that landed at this point. From the paid parking lot, a number of boardwalks make it easy to get to the waterfront. There is also the beautiful Tarpon Bay Beach, near the previous one, where parking is a little cheaper and the beach is just as beautiful. Clear sand, shells and lots of relaxation are the buzzwords.
Things to do besides the beaches
The whole coast is actually one long beach, which changes name depending on the access point. But if those mentioned so far are beaches close to the inhabited part of the island, Bowman’s Beach is much wilder. On this long stretch of coast you will be more isolated and you can see sea turtles’ nests.
Maybe you have booked a vacation here, but in addition to sunbathing you also want to see something or devote a few hours to a different activity. Almost everything you can see or do on Sanibel Island is in the southeastern part of the island, where the bulk of the population is concentrated. Old Town, the most historic area, has always been the hub of activity on the island. Periwinkle Way is the most important street, which connects all points of interest.
The protected natural area
The northern area of the island is largely made up of a protected natural area: the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. This is the habitat of a rich and varied wildlife, where mangroves invade part of the lagoon, creating the perfect environment for many different species of animals. In the water we find dolphins and alligators, while lynxes and raccoons hide among the trees. Among the many types of birds here, we can admire pelicans, woodpeckers, eagles and numerous flamingos.
Thanks to an observation tower, you can take pictures of wildlife, but you can also join a birdwatching group or participate in a canoe or paddleboard tour. A bike ride is another good alternative for visiting the part of the park located on the mainland. The first stop must be the Visitor Center, where you can get a map and collect all the information you need for the visit. For schedules and prices you can consult the official website.
Museums
Although they are not the reason why so many tourists come to the island, Sanibel Island also has two museums that you can visit during your stay here.
- Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Sanibel is also known as the Island of Shells, because it is among the Florida islands with beaches where it is easy to collect beautiful and even large shells. This is why one of the museums is dedicated to mollusks and their beautiful shells. Inside you can see various shells, some aquariums with fish and shellfish and learn more about them, but it is especially interesting to take part in one of the guided walks on the beach, organized regularly by the museum. For information on schedules and prices take a look at the official website. On the site it is also possible to see an octopus live thanks to the “Octo-cam” webcam.
- Sanibel Historical Museum & Village. Seven historic buildings make up this museum, but in truth they were originally located elsewhere. They were moved here and restored to become a permanent exhibit on local history, starting with the Calusa Indians and ending with the pioneers and Spanish settlers. You can take a guided tour, with times and prices available on the official website.
Best Time to Visit Sanibel Island: Climate and Events
Florida’s climate is notorious for not always being generous. During the summer months you are likely to spend miserable days in the pouring rain and high winds. That’s why winter, which is warm and much drier, is generally the best time to visit this state. However, check out our article on when to go to Florida to get a clearer idea.
Once you have decided when to visit, you can see if there is any event to take part in while you are here, to make the trip even more interesting. For example, in February the Rotary Club organizes Sanibel Arts & Crafts at the Community House: over one hundred artists, among the best in the nation, give life to a unique art gallery, where there is such a variety that you will certainly find a piece of art that reflects your tastes. Also at the Community House in March is the Sanibel Shell Festival, a must-attend event on Shell Island. Among other things, artwork made from the shells themselves is displayed and for sale.
Also in March, the Sanibel Music Festival brings classical music to the island, specifically to the Congregational Church. Also in November, music is the protagonist, with the Sanibel Blues & Jazz Festival. In this case, the genre changes and so does the location, as live music is played outdoors in the courtyard of the Backyard Bailey’s shopping center. Finally, the Luminary Festival Week-End, in December, is a holiday lighting display that follows Captiva Drive and Periwinkle Way, almost the entire length of the island. It’s a truly impressive effect.
Best Places to Eat in Sanibel Island
Whether you’re spending a long vacation here or just a day, at some point you’re bound to need something to eat. There is no shortage of quality restaurants and indeed there is quite a choice. To give a few examples, The Island Cow (2163 Periwinkle Way) serves typical Southwest Florida dishes in a very nice tropical setting. There’s also live entertainment in the evenings, which is great for pairing with a gulf shrimp dish, some fried artichokes or a barbecue chicken sandwich. Sanibel Fish House (1523 Periwinkle Way) is the perfect restaurant if you’re looking for good, fresh seafood without breaking the bank. It also serves great beers and is ideal for happy hour.
Thistle Lodge Restaurant (2255 West Gulf Dr.) is an elegant hotel restaurant that serves fusion cuisine. The prices are not the cheapest, but the quality is high. The advice is to go on Sunday for the Sunday brunch: definitely very worthwhile. Along the same street we also recommend The Sandbar (2761 W. Gulf Dr.) and Traditions on the Beach (3111 W. Gulf Dr.), both with good menus.
Places to Stay in Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island isn’t exactly the cheapest place to stay, so if you’re looking for low-priced lodgings you’ll want to look for a hotel on the mainland.
That said, however, there are several quality hotels in Sanibel and we suggest some here to facilitate your choice if you are interested in staying overnight on the island.
- Island Inn. This property directly overlooks the beach, which is reserved for guests, and offers water sports and other activities. There is a pool and the rooms are well stocked with everything you need.
- Sundial Beach Resort & Spa. An excellent four-star resort, with a spa overlooking the gulf, five swimming pools, four restaurants, two bars and a take-away sushi store, as well as sports fields (tennis and beach volleyball), a service for organizing excursions and much more. Certainly one of the best places for a long stay on Sanibel Island.
- Shalimar Cottages And Motel. A resort with lower prices, two stars, but still overlooking the beach, with a swimming pool and other essential services.
- Kona Kai. A cottage in a tropical setting, with a pool and barbecue available. Fairly basic accommodation, but in a quiet and peaceful place.
- Song of the Sea. A good three-star hotel, also with a pool and several amenities, including bike rental and barbecue. Well maintained rooms and a very nice setting. The beach can be reached by a wooden walkway that connects it to the hotel.
