Best Things To Do in Sanibel, Florida

Are you looking for what to do in Sanibel?

  • J.N. (Ding) Darling National Wildlife Refuge: This wildlife refuge is home to alligators, crocodiles, marsh plants and a wealth of other natural life. Must have on your travel itinerary.
  • Bowman's Beach: Multi coloured shells nestled in powdery sand and a stunning view of the Gulf of Mexico make this beach the most popular on the Island.
  • Sanibel Island Lighthouse: This is a symbol of Sanibel and the first thing you’ll see as you drive towards the Island.
  • The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum: Pink, orange and all kinds of pastel hues await the shell lover and collector at this one of a kind museum. Unmissable on your list of things to do.
  • Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Centre: This is where you’ll get all the information you’ll need to have a blast in Sanibel and Captive.

Below we have a list of things to do in Sanibel and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Sanibel getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Sanibel with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Sanibel

Here is the list of things to do in Sanibel and tourist attractions in city.

  1. J.n. Darling National Wildlife Refuge

    Outdoors, Wildlife Sanctuary , Wildlife Park

    Jay Norwood Darling was a popular cartoonist with a passion for the environment. The double Pulitzer Prize winner was appointed head of the U.S Biological Survey and the National Wildlife Federation but his most valiant effort took place in 1945. On the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel, lies the beautiful, luscious J.N (Ding) Darling National Wildlife Refuge. In 1945, this was a parcel of ...Read more
  2. Bowman's Beach

    4.5 (343 Votes)
    Bowman's Beach

    Outdoors, Beach, Entertainment, Water Sport

    Warm white sand, warmer beach breezes and delicious smells wafting off barbecue grills will mellow you down at Bowman’s Beach. This pretty beach in Sanibel Island is a favourite amongst visitors thanks to its many amenities and isolated location. This beach is located off Sanibel-Captiva Road. You’ll have to park your car, walk over a few bridges and hike up for around 5 minutes. On...Read more
  3. The Bailey-matthews National Shell Museum

    Museum, Exhibition , Specialty Museum

    Have you ever wondered how clams, oysters and sea slugs create their precious shells? A visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will tell you how. Visitors, especially children, marvel at their fascinating collection of shells and information. And what better place than Sanibel Island – home of shell speckled beaches? The museum opened its door in 1995 and since then, it has mo...Read more
  4. Sanibel And Captiva Chamber Of Commerce And Visitors Center

    Outdoors, Beach, Restaurant, Entertainment

    When people visit Florida, two of the most popular get-aways are the beautiful little islands of Sanibel and Captiva. Both, with their own alluring charms, are filled with restaurants, shopping centers, natural beauties and other forms of entertainment. But how do people, especially new comers, find out the hot spots? The restaurants that play life music? The places you can get cool discout cou...Read more
  5. Sanibel Causeway

    View Point, Bridge, Architecture

    Biking, fishing and gliding over the sea is possible thanks to the Sanibel Causeway. It spans over the San Carlos Bay and connects Sanibel Island with the Florida mainland in Punta Rassa. This is 3 kilometers of bridge with two lanes, owned and operated by Lee Country. Automobile ferries have been services Sanibel Island from as far back as 1912. As demand for vehicles increased, and a few wild...Read more
  6. Periwinkle Way

    Trail, Park, Landmark, Walking Area

    Imagine a long stretch of road, with delicious odours of expertly cooked food wafting past you. Boutique stores filled with Floridian fashion and quirky treasures, some of the best hotels on the Island and a host of other cosmopolitan delights make Periwinkle Way special. It’s also home to beautiful semi tropical trees and foliage, making this one of the Islands prettiest streets. This st...Read more
  7. Blind Pass Beach

    4.4 (195 Votes)
    Blind Pass Beach

    Outdoors, Beach, Entertainment, Water Sport

    This beach is one of Southwest Florida’s best kept secrets, though not for long perhaps. Tucked away at the end of Sanibel, right before the bridge to Captiva starts, is where you’ll find this small but bountiful beach. The first Blind Pass bridge was built in 1918, and in the 1980’s a more modern bridge was built thus allowed more comfortable access to the pass. In the 90&rsq...Read more
  8. Clinic For The Rehabilitation Of Wildlife Crow

    Wildlife Sanctuary , Wildlife Park, Educational Site, Bird Watching

    CROW is home to one of the country’s most prominent wildlife rehabilitation centers, with state-of-the-art facilities, a qualified veterinarian and dedicated volunteers. In 1968, Island resident Shirley Walter came across an injured tern and carried the bird home. She tried to find a facility that would look after the bird but found none, and shared her story with friends. This prompted a...Read more
  9. Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens

    Outdoors, Botanical Garden, Nature

    Blue African Iris, yellow and orange Reed Orchids, red Weeping Hibiscus and an astounding variety of flowering plants, herbs and tropical trees create a stunning rainbow of petals and leaves in the Moorings Botanical Gardens. Built in 1974, the gardens have been tended to by expert gardeners and botanists. The collection of plants are constantly being added to, and today this vibrant garden is ...Read more
  10. Gulfside City Park

    Outdoors, Beach, Park, Entertainment

    The Gulfside City Park Beach, also known as Algiers Beach, is a long stretch of shell filled sand along the Gulf of Mexico. There is a park as well as the beach, and their numerous features give you the best of both worlds. The Park: The park is a popular dog walking area but it’s essential your pooch is kept on a leash. Cleaning up after them is a must. There’s a bike path in the ...Read more
  11. Sanibel Community Playground

    Park, Entertainment, Play, Nature

    Museums, historical architecture and learning centers are all child friendly, but your little one is bound to have the biggest blast at the playground situated within Sanibel Community Park. With soft, mulchy grass providing a soft cushion every time they fall, you can sit by in peace as your kids run around and burn their energy to their heart’s content. The park has huge, canvas covers...Read more
  12. Three Crafty Ladies

    4.6 (169 Votes)
    Three Crafty Ladies

    Outdoors, Entertainment, Shopping Center, Arts And Crafts

    Sometimes, all one wants to do is spend a day inside, even when they’re on vacation. If knitting or making things with your hands are your favourite indoor activities, then Three Crafty Ladies should prove to be a delight for you. This is Sanibel premier quilting and craft supply destination. You’ll find quilting fabrics, sewing notions, cross stitch patterns, scrapbooking papers, p...Read more
  13. Mel Fisher Treasure Exhibit Image
    ©
    The Mel Fisher Treasure Exhibit in Sanibel, United States was started in 1992 by Mel Fisher himself. Mel Fisher was a famous treasure hunter who dedicated his life to searching for sunken Spanish galleons in the waters off the coast of Florida. He became well-known for his discovery of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, a Spanish ship that sank in 1622 with a cargo of gold, silver, and precious gem...Read more
  14. J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Image
    ©
    The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1945 by President Harry S. Truman. It is located on Sanibel Island in the state of Florida, United States. The refuge was named after Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling, a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and conservationist who played a key role in the establishment of the refuge.The refuge was created to protect and preserve...Read more
  15. Seahorse Cottages On Sanibel

    Leisure

    Located on the shore of the San Carlos Bay, the Seahorse Cottages On Sanibel are nestled amid the verdant tropical vegetation and palm groves. In the heart of the Old Town of Sanibel, the cottages offer a tranquil and laid-back setup by the magnificent blue waters. The cottages of the Seahorse Cottages On Sanibel vary from Studio apartment to One Bedroom Cottages, Deluxe One Bedroom Cottages to...Read more
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  • We are taking the Sanibel Thriller, then having lunch at Gramma Dot's. Where should we spend the remainder of the day on Sanibel Island? 4 Adults with different interests???

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    • There is the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum to visit. Those interested in nature can go to J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Or you can simply spend the remaining day at one of the beaches like Bowman's Beach or Lighthouse Beach Park. 

       

        

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  • What is the average temperature in the island in March? Is there a place to just "veg" on the beach?

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    • In Sanibel, the average high-temperature in the month of March stays around 78°F (26°C) and the average low-temperature usually goes to 59°F (15°C). You can check the detailed information about the weather and seasons in Sanibel here. 

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  • My husband and I need a limited mobility vacation. Can Sanibel fill that need?

    Answer Report Abuse
    • You may enjoy a limited mobility vacation in Sanibel. Many of its attractions are easily accessible for those with limited mobility. By choosing the right places to visit in Sanibel, you would be able to enjoy your vacation.  

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