Sanibel Island
Sightseeing
The lighthouse beach is a beautiful place to watch a sunrise or collect shells during low tide. The beached driftwood provides a great backdrop for taking photos. There is a fee to park (~$5/hr) and it gets very busy on weekends so we would recommend a weekday visit. Make sure to walk around the entire point of the island so you don't miss any beautiful vistas!
69 locals recommend
Lighthouse Beach Park
110 Periwinkle WayThe lighthouse beach is a beautiful place to watch a sunrise or collect shells during low tide. The beached driftwood provides a great backdrop for taking photos. There is a fee to park (~$5/hr) and it gets very busy on weekends so we would recommend a weekday visit. Make sure to walk around the entire point of the island so you don't miss any beautiful vistas!
If you enjoy seeing wildlife in it's natural habitat this is a must-visit! The refuge in it's entirety is over 8,000 acres. Visit their website at
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling/
for current hours and admission fees. You can explore via car, bike, or on foot and free tours are available. Check out their website and carve out some time for this Sanibel treasure!
139 locals recommend
J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
1 Wildlife DriveIf you enjoy seeing wildlife in it's natural habitat this is a must-visit! The refuge in it's entirety is over 8,000 acres. Visit their website at
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling/
for current hours and admission fees. You can explore via car, bike, or on foot and free tours are available. Check out their website and carve out some time for this Sanibel treasure!
Find fresh fruits & vegetables, locally made bath & body products, food trucks, flowers, and more! It runs October thru May on Sunday 8am-1pm. Check their Facebook for updates!
13 locals recommend
Sanibel Island Farmer's Market
800 Dunlop RdFind fresh fruits & vegetables, locally made bath & body products, food trucks, flowers, and more! It runs October thru May on Sunday 8am-1pm. Check their Facebook for updates!
This beautiful new building hosts a number of unique films, nationally recognized performing artists, rewarding workshops, stimulating lectures and a beautiful series of gallery exhibits. Check their website www.bigarts.org
6 locals recommend
BIG ARTS Sanibel
900 Dunlop RdThis beautiful new building hosts a number of unique films, nationally recognized performing artists, rewarding workshops, stimulating lectures and a beautiful series of gallery exhibits. Check their website www.bigarts.org
It's hard to beat a speed boat ride with dolphins! This tour showcases Sanibel, Captiva, and North Captiva from a fun new vantage point. And, you even learn a little history along the way!
11 locals recommend
Sanibel Thriller LLC
634 N Yachtsman DrIt's hard to beat a speed boat ride with dolphins! This tour showcases Sanibel, Captiva, and North Captiva from a fun new vantage point. And, you even learn a little history along the way!
The rec center is a beautiful facility that has daily fitness classes, indoor workout equipment, pickle ball courts, lap pool, basketball court, and seasonal kids activities. They offer daily, weekly, and longer memberships.
8 locals recommend
Sanibel Recreation Center
3880 Sanibel Captiva RdThe rec center is a beautiful facility that has daily fitness classes, indoor workout equipment, pickle ball courts, lap pool, basketball court, and seasonal kids activities. They offer daily, weekly, and longer memberships.
If exploring the mangroves via kayak sounds like your kind of fun, we recommend Tarpon Bay Explorers as tour guides! They have a great reputation on the island. It is sure to be a fun experience!
25 locals recommend
Tarpon Bay Explorers
900 Tarpon Bay RdIf exploring the mangroves via kayak sounds like your kind of fun, we recommend Tarpon Bay Explorers as tour guides! They have a great reputation on the island. It is sure to be a fun experience!
Food scene
Our family conducted a very scientific experiment where we tested all the ice cream/custard shops on the island. The results were conclusive and Joey's won :)
Joey's Custard
2467 Periwinkle WayOur family conducted a very scientific experiment where we tested all the ice cream/custard shops on the island. The results were conclusive and Joey's won :)
Sanibel Beach
A nice café for a quick pick-me up!
A Sanibel tradition! Seafood and American cuisine at the beautiful Sanibel marina. Check out their menu on the website:
www.sanibelmarina.com/dining/menu
19 locals recommend
Gramma Dot's Restaurant
634 N Yachtsman DrA Sanibel tradition! Seafood and American cuisine at the beautiful Sanibel marina. Check out their menu on the website:
www.sanibelmarina.com/dining/menu
Serving breakfast and lunch. A modern cafe with traditional and vegetarian options. Check out their menu:
www.lighthousecafe.com/menu
13 locals recommend
Lighthouse Cafe
1020 Periwinkle WayServing breakfast and lunch. A modern cafe with traditional and vegetarian options. Check out their menu:
www.lighthousecafe.com/menu
Smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and a bakery. Delicious and healthy with ample indoor seating.
7 locals recommend
Sanibel Seashell
1544 Periwinkle WaySmoothies, sandwiches, salads, and a bakery. Delicious and healthy with ample indoor seating.