Sanibel Travel Guide

Sanibel is an island in the Sunshine State with tropical surroundings, picturesque beaches, and peaceful serenity. Tourists love to visit the beach and see the seashells and sand dollars that float onto the shore -- you may even be featured in the local newspaper if you find a shell of a Junonia! If you're looking for a beach holiday, Sanibel offers plenty of places to laze around on the golden sand and go swimming in the blue sea. Of course, there are lots of exciting activities here too, including museums, golf courses, and a wildlife refuge. Wander around the Sanibel Island farmer’s market to try some local produce or sample some of the seafood on offer. If you need to get away, Sanibel is the place to go!

Things to Do in Sanibel

Bowman’s Beach is a relaxed place along the coastline where windsurfers love to take advantage of the water. Bowman’s is a fantastic spot for collecting shells or just hanging out, as it’s known as one of the best Sanibel beaches around. Afterward, head to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum to view shells from around the world. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is home to lots of animals visitors can learn about, such as crocodiles and endangered giant manatees. To learn more about the island itself, check out the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village. Here, you can see the historic houses that residents used to live in and discover who first called this island their home.

Best Time to Visit Sanibel

The summer in Sanibel sees hot temperatures and humidity, which means most vacationers visit between January and April. This time of year welcomes cooler temperatures and little rainfall.

A Local's Guide to Sanibel Island

Island vacations are a perfect way to relax and unwind. Travelers will find an unspoiled paradise on Sanibel Island – ideal for a romantic break, a nature spotting trip, or just a few days away with the family.

With hundreds of different species of fish, birds, and wildlife, this Floridian island is an ideal place for lovers of the countryside.

There’s so much to do in the beautiful resort. Hiking, fishing, golf, tennis, arts, and entertainment are all popular for vacationers to this southern Florida spot. With 15 miles of picture-perfect beaches and 25 miles of bike paths, visitors can enjoy many long walks and rides along beach front properties.

It should also be mentioned that the folks in Lee County are big dog people, and it’s a great location to take your four-legged friend. Just a short drive from Sanibel will bring you to a number of different on and off-leash dog parks. Barkingham Dog Park, K-9 Corral, Paws 4 Duty, and Dog Beach on Big Hickory Island are all excellent options.

Periwinkle Way is the island’s main road, and along it you’ll find tons of opportunities for shopping, antiquing, beach-style cafes, and restaurants. Consider purchasing a kitschy souvenir at Tiki Jims, browsing for beaded jewelry at Valhalla, and diving into a char-broiled hot dog at Schnapper’s Hots. Even if you don’t poke your head into any of the shops, strolling the length of Periwinkle Way makes for a great activity.

As far as arts go in Sanibel, the town’s most important spot is the Schoolhouse Theater. What was once built as a one-room schoolhouse back in the late 19th century has now been renovated to house comedy acts, live music, and even Broadway plays. The schoolhouse is owned and managed by BIG ARTS, which is a small community of artists that have been working in the Sanibel area for the last 40 years.

There are lots of different vacation rentals to choose from on Sanibel Island that are just steps from the beach. Planning a family vacation? Choose a rental with a picnic table for open-air dinners and lunches as well as a pet-friendly apartment or lodgings which lets every member of the family enjoy a break. For big groups, there are rentals with several bedrooms and two bathrooms or more. One particular spot to keep in mind is the condos at Pointe Santo de Sanibel. The strip of individually-owned and rented condos along the beach offers all the amenities you could ask for -- jacuzzis and heated pools, gas barbecues, tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, shuffleboard courts, a grassy knoll with tons of relaxing lawn chairs.

The best part about taking a vacation on an island is the Gulf-front locations with beach views.

For fitness fans, Sanibel Island is a great place to stay. There is a health club with tennis courts open every day as well as a spa. For golfers, the island has two public and one private 18-hole golf course. All of them are protected by a sanctuary program which preserves the whole area and gives players the opportunity to enjoy their game while spotting rare birds. For children, there’s a miniature golf course too! Lee County boasts some of the best athletic facilities on Florida’s west coast. If you’ve spent enough time soaking up the sun outdoors, head to any of the Lee County Sports Complexes. Most of the state-run complexes have pools, wellness centers, gyms, and an array of sports courts.

For those really looking to get active, you should consider scuba diving down to the USS Mohawk and Veteran’s Memorial Reef. After serving its time in World War Two, the 165-foot warship was eventually cleaned left to sink to the bottom of the ocean. Today it stands upright and serves as a home to many species of fish and marine animals. In time, corals will slowly inhabit its nooks and crannies, creating the first artificial reef of its kind.

Vactioners wanting a slower pace can see some incredible nature on the island. Bird watching, nature trails, historical walks and science centers are just some of the activities available. The flora is also spectacular, and one magical place to bring your spouse or loved one is the Botanical Garden at Sanibel Moorings. What started as one humble gardener’s creative side project became a cooperative project between passionate botanists, and eventually, it became a formal botanical garden. The garden has tons of native Floridian plants including species of cactus, orchids, bromeliads, fruits, palms, and cycads.

Take a trip to the mid-island for white sandy beaches and watersports. There are many to choose from including Tarpon Beach, Blind Pass Beach and Bowman’s Beach. Some also have picnic tables and showers for a small charge while restrooms are available at every beach. Watersports include boat rentals, parasailing, jet skis, and parasailing.

Staying on Sanibel Island is the perfect place to explore the surrounding southwest Florida area.

The city of Fort Myers is close by and is a great place to explore. Shopping, fishing and the stunning beaches draw in thousands of tourists every year.

Some of America’s most famous figures, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, made this area on Florida’s Gulf Coast their home and visitors can still see their estates. In 1916, Henry Ford bought land in downtown Fort Myers – right next door to Thomas Edison. The estates have since been turned into museums which honor the great men and tell the history of their achievements.

Further up the coastline to the north is Captiva Island. The island sits in the Gulf of Mexico and offers activities similar to Sanibel. Sanibel Captiva island is a great dual destination vacation giving families and friends plenty of coastline, nature and unspoiled beaches to explore. The crossing to either island is over a small bridge from Turner Beach.

Most island vacations are known for having long hours of sunshine and a laid back atmosphere, and Sanibel Island is no different. December to April are the best months to stay on the island and vacation homeowners can avoid the peak times by coming at the start or end of the season.

The highest average temperature is 82 degrees F in August and the lowest is 64 degrees in January.

Cabins in Sanibel

Escape to Sanibel Island, just a short drive away from Fort Myers in Southwest Florida, and home to white sandy beaches, stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, and awesome shelling opportunities. Shelling is by far the most popular activity on beautiful Sanibel Island, with the beaches covered in an impressive assortment of stunning shells.

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life to the Gulf Coast, where endless relaxation awaits in some of the state’s most idyllic cabins around. Here in Sanibel you’ll find an array of picturesque beach bungalow cabins that will serve as an excellent home away from home. Cabins, cottages, bungalows -- whatever you want to call them, they’re great places to stay. With so many options in cabins to choose from, you’ll surely be able to find the perfect gem for your beachside vacation. Trust us, as far as island vacation rentals go, Sanibel Island vacation rentals some of the best of the bunch.

Things to do include near these vacation rentals include visiting Sanibel Lighthouse, playing a round of golf on the golf course, fishing, and more. Near Sanibel, Captiva Island is a lovely place to visit, and is a tiny sliver of land nestled up against the coast.

Sanibel condo rentals provide all the comforts of home and have been designed to suit a range of needs. Many Sanibel Island vacation rentals are pet-friendly and have private screened windows, while other rental homes are located right on the beach front. With so much on offer, guests are sure to find the perfect vacation home or condo rental.

Condos in Sanibel Island

Escape to Sanibel Island, just a short drive away from Fort Myers in Southwest Florida, and home to white sandy beaches, stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, and awesome shelling opportunities. Shelling is by far the most popular activity on beautiful Sanibel Island, with the beaches covered in an impressive assortment of stunning shells.

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life to the Gulf Coast, where endless relaxation awaits. Things to do include visiting Sanibel Lighthouse, playing a round of golf on the golf course, fishing, and more. Near Sanibel, Captiva Island is a lovely place to visit, and is a tiny sliver of land nestled up against the coast.

Sanibel condo rentals provide all the comforts of home, and have been designed to suit a range of needs. Many Sanibel Island vacation rentals are pet-friendly and have private screened windows, while other rental homes are located right on the beach front. With so much on offer, guests are sure to find the perfect vacation home or condo rental.