15 Fun Things To Do on Sanibel Island, Florida

There are so many things to do on Sanibel Island in southwest Florida that just one week may not seem like enough.

With beautiful beaches, natural reserves, and outdoor activities, Sanibel Island is a premier and very popular destination for those seeking a laid-back, go at your own pace vacation.

Sanibel has a lot going for it. First, the beaches are beautiful stretches of white sand with amazing shelling that slope gently into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Sanibel is a well-preserved and protected Gulf coast barrier island and the natural environment is easily accessible on foot, boat, or kayak,

There are plenty of unique shops and dining choices with a number of very good Sanibel restaurants.

It’s a relaxed beach vacation with a unique Old Florida feel and a place the whole family can enjoy.

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Best Time to Visit Sanibel Island

There are two seasons in southwest Florida, the dry season and the wet season.

The dry season begins in October and lasts until April. During this time of year temperatures are moderate and the humidity is low.

Mild sunny days during the dry season make hiking and biking pleasant activities, and beaches that aren’t blazing hot.

The Gulf cools down over the winter months but is still swimmable. With not as much water inundating everything, it’s far less buggy, which is a big plus.

Another dry season perk is January through March are traditionally some of the best months to go shelling on Sanibel and Captiva.

The wet season runs from around early June to early-October with September historically being the wettest month.

Afternoon thunderstorms and showers can be expected almost daily, but the storms and rain seldom last very long and occur mostly in the afternoon and early evening.

The extra water in ponds and lakes brings alligators and seasonal wildlife out at the J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Keep your bug spray on hand as it’s also the buggier time of year.

The good news is that it’s not crowded during the wet season, the waters of the Gulf are warm, the beaches sunny and bright, and you won’t have to wait a week to score a restaurant reservation.

Where is Sanibel Island and How Do You Get There?

Sanibel Island is a barrier island south of Pine Island just off the coast of Fort Myers and an easy one hour day trip up from Naples.

Most travelers fly into Southwest Florida International Airport.

It’s best and most convenient to pick-up a rental car at the airport and drive the 40 minutes to Sanibel.

Directions to Sanibel Island

From the airport take I-75 South to exit 131, Daniels Parkway.

Turn left on Summerlin Road and follow it to the Sanibel Causeway which takes you straight to the island.

The 3-mile long Sanibel Causeway is only two lanes.

Unless you have a SunPass account, there is a $6.00 per vehicle toll when going to the island, but no toll when leaving.

Along the causeway are picnic areas, places to swim, and great photo ops. You might even see a dolphin or two.

Sanibel or Captiva?

If you’ve never been to either island before, you may be wondering about the differences between Sanibel and Captiva islands as it relates to your trip planning and where to base yourself.

Even though these islands are essentially the same island (just separated by a small two-lane bridge) there are subtle differences that could affect your overall vacation.

Check out our complete guide here as to which island is best for your island stay — Sanibel or Captiva.

Dining on Sanibel Island

Sanibel restaurants offer many options for dining. Whether it’s a great breakfast or enjoying a higher end restaurant for dinner, Sanibel has whatever you’re in the mood for - casual eateries, bars, pizza shops, and upscale restaurants with creative cuisines.

By the way, there are no fast food chains on the island — just one more reason to love this authentic island spot.

Things To Do on Sanibel Island

Enjoy the Beaches on Sanibel Island

With nearly 12 miles of shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico and an east-west orientation, the best beaches on Sanibel Island all have parking and are named making them easy for you to locate.

Most visitors pick one or two as their favorites and return to those during their stay.

For a change of pace, drive the short distance to the beaches in Fort Myers which are some of the best beaches in southwest Florida.

If you happen to be staying at a hotel or cottage right on the beach it’s easy to just walk out the door and be only steps to the closest beach.

But not all accommodations are located on the beach, so you’ll either have to drive or bike to the popular beaches on Sanibel Island.

Bonus - if you have your four legged family member along, no problem. All Sanibel beaches are dog-friendly!

Dogs are welcome provided they are kept on a leash no longer than 8 feet.

The leash law is to protect Sanibel’s nesting sea turtles, beach dune vegetation, and nesting seabirds. Please respect the environment and your fellow sun worshippers and clean-up after your pet.

Parking lots all have trash cans to dispose of wastes.

Note: All public beaches on Sanibel have basic restrooms, and a few have outside showers, charcoal grills, and picnic tables.

Parking at a public beach is $5.00/hour on both Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Handicapped parking is free.

Transferring the parking receipt from one parking lot to another is prohibited.

Pack a Picnic Lunch

If you’re going to spend several hours in the sun and surf, it’s a good idea to take along water, cold drinks, sandwiches, and snacks.

Bailey’s General Store, our personal favorite, has everything you need - fresh produce, sandwiches, deli salads, chips and snacks, water, cold drinks, and beer and wine.

The pastries are also luscious and right next to a coffee bar.

For something hot there is a nice variety of freshly made items at the hot food counter — the fried chicken is to die for.

If needed, you can buy a styrofoam cooler that you can dispose of or pass on to other visitors before heading home.

There’s also a hardware side of the store carrying all sorts of beach gear and sundrees.

For some, Jerry’s Food might be a closer option to their accommodations and favorite beach.

You can get much of the same things at Jerry’s. Their deli section might be a tad better than Bailey’s, but that’s splitting hairs.

Jerry’s has a collection of exotic birds in giant cages along the steps leading to the entrance and seems more tourist oriented with t-shirts, beach toys, and an assortment of souvenirs.

Go Shelling on Sanibel

Shelling on Sanibel may well be the best thing to do on Sanibel Island and certainly the favorite pastime of visitors to the island.

The shelling here is renowned around the world and after just a few minutes on a beach you’ll see why.

Look for folks with their shell bag in hand bending over at the waist, affectionately known as the Sanibel Stoop, and you’ll know where to start looking.

There are literally tons of broken shells on the beach, and part of the fun is looking for those unbroken Sanibel Island shells to take home as keepsakes of your visit.

Just remember to return any shell that still has a live occupant.

It’s the law, and it’s environmentally conscientious.

Our favorites for shelling are Bowman’s Beach which is never crowded, and Blind Pass Beach, considered by many to be the best shelling beach on Sanibel Island, but sadly is not good for swimming due to strong currents.

Tip: If the soles of your feet are sensitive, invest in an inexpensive pair of beach shoes at one of the grocery stores or shops. Your feet will thank you.

Rent a Bike

One of the most popular things to do on Sanibel Island is to rent a bike.

There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy.

There’s a safe designated bike path to pedal the length and width of the island, and you can even beat the traffic when it slows to a crawl during season.

With a bike you can easily get to the beach, visit the Shell Museum, the Sanibel Historical Museum, the J N Ding Darling Refuge, restaurants, and most importantly, to the ice cream shop near Lighthouse Beach.

Go Saltwater Fishing on Sanibel Island

Fishing from the shoreline anywhere along Sanibel’s beaches is generally pretty darn good.

However, some of the very best fishing in Sanibel Island can be had at Blind Pass and from the pier at Lighthouse Beach Park.

Everything you need from fishing gear, licenses for non-residents, bait, and info on what’s being caught and where can all be had at the fishing shops on the island and at Bailey’s General Store.

Another option is to book a fishing charter at the Sanibel Marina.

Boat captains will get you quickly to whatever fish are in season, and when you go fishing on a charter boat, there’s no need to purchase a fishing license.

Go Camping on Sanibel Island

Periwinkle Park & Campground located on Periwinkle Way on Sanibel welcomes tent campers as well as motorhomes and travel trailers.

It’s a short 10 minute walk to the beach from the campground.

The campground has a long list of amenities including hookups, showers, restrooms, a laundry, ice, LP gas, and bike rentals, and the location is close to shopping and dining.

This southwest Florida campground also has its own Aviary with macaws, toucans, parrots, and lots of non-native birds.

Every morning you can watch a volunteer feed the birds. Your kids will love it.

Kayaking on sanibel island

At J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge you can rent a kayak and paddle through mangroves to your heart’s content.

Bird watchers will love the many species of birds in the mangroves, and if you’re lucky you might even spot a manatee or two.

And if you hear an unusual popping sound, it’s probably just the pistol shrimp putting on a show!

For both novice and seasoned kayakers, the 190-mile long Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail connects the coastal waters of Lee County from the Pine Island Sound to Estero Bay and up the Caloosahatchee River through its tributaries so you can explore them all in a kayak.

Rent a kayak and paddle the Sanibel portion of the Blueway — there are several vendors on Sanibel from which to choose and some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying.

Golf Sanibel Island

If you brought along your clubs or racket, there’s no place better on Sanibel Island than The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club.

Featuring a championship 18 hole golf course with lush surroundings and 7 Har-Tru tennis courts, both activities suitable for any skill level.

Just because it says “Club” doesn’t mean you have to join as a member.

Both golf and tennis are open to the public for a fee, as are lessons.

Sanibel island Boat Tours

See the island from the water by booking a seat on a guided boat tour. Choose from dolphin tours, a visitor favorite, sightseeing cruises, or a shelling cruise to pristine Keeywadin island for remarkable shelling.

When the boat engine is turned off after you arrive at Keewaydin, the only sounds are waves hitting the shore and the cries of seabirds.

It’s as relaxing as it gets.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

To learn more about the delicate ecosystems, sea turtles, shore birds, native vegetation, and wildlife on and around the island visit the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Nature Center.

Located just past the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Captiva Road, the facility features an interactive educational center and 4 miles of walking trails through wetlands and the Sanibel Slough.

For a great educational experience for kids the Foundation holds a Sea School for either a half day or a whole day.

Kids will learn about the ocean, wildlife habitat, and the delicate ecosystems that make up Sanibel Island.

Shopping on Sanibel

Sanibel Island may not have a lot of shops, but what the island does have are lovely quaint boutiques, souvenir shops, and small upscale stores.

Along Periwinkle Way are four unique shopping centers that blend in with Sanibel’s natural world.

Here you will find boutiques offering clothing and shoes, gifts, art galleries, and jewelry.

Popular with shoppers are Periwinkle Place, Olde Sanibel shops, and Tahitian gardens.

Bailey-Matthews national Shell Museum

On your way to Blind Pass beach or the J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, make time to stop at the Sanibel Shell Museum.

This is one of the best things to do on Sanibel, the Museum features fun educational activities for the whole family.

Kids can touch live critters in the touch pools and watch the Giant Pacific Octopus as it looks back at them from in its own aquarium.

The second floor is devoted to every aspect of seashells found around the world and conchology.

There are interesting displays of the paleontological and archeological study of shells as well.

Tour the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

Visitors can can explore the Visitor Education Center with interactive exhibits, enjoy the daily “Wonders of Wildlife” presentations, or take a guided “Wildlife Walk” through the hospital to observe veterinarians treating sick and injured wildlife.

The Clinic is a leading rehabilitation hospital to native and migratory wildlife providing medical care for over 200 species and nearly 3,500 patients every year.

With the goal of returning animals to the wild, exposure to humans is controlled and the hospital is not open to the public.

Although you can’t enter the hospital other than with a guided tour, there are live cameras showing the intake room of the hospital and patient enclosures.

Registration is required for all tours.

Visit the Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens

Located at the Sanibel Moorings resort these botanical gardens feature 6 acres of tropical trees and plants including orchids, hibiscus, palm and citrus trees, bamboo, and native Florida plants.

Guided 90 minute walking tours are offered every Wednesday at 9am and are open to the public.

There is a modest fee of $5.00 per person and reservations are required.

Catch a Sanibel sunset

No trip to Sanibel would be complete without experiencing a beautiful Sanibel sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Sunsets can be soft pastels or bright glowing colors.

Sure, you can catch a sunset from just about anywhere on the island, but we think the best place is at Lighthouse Beach.

Keep your eye on the setting sun and just as it slides down over the horizon, if the conditions are right, you just might catch the illusive “green flash” shortly after sunset.

It only lasts for a blink of an eye, but you’ll know it when you see it.

With more than half of the island dedicated to wildlife refuges, Sanibel Island is a truly unique destination especially for nature and outdoor lovers.

Shelling on white sand beaches and swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf are perfect for beach lovers.

A variety of dining options and things to do on Sanibel Island, Florida that the entire family can enjoy make this a premier vacation spot in southwest Florida.

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