I love to travel to new places that bring a sense of wonder and awe as well as something very distinct. Sanibel Island has that! The island is located off the coast of Fort Myers in southwestern Florida and is known for the thousands of shells that wash up on it’s beaches. Much of the island acts as a barrier island and the island is part of a plateau that traps seashells on the island and also gifts Sanibel Island with white sandy beaches.
Several beaches in Sanibel Island may be covered with seashells so much so that it’s impossible to find where the sand begins. Obviously people come to Sanibel Island to collect seashells but there is one seashell that people would love to find. Named the Scaphella Junonia or just the Junonia, it was once a rare seashell prized for it’s beauty. It is usually found way in the depths of the Western Atlantic and only comes on shore when a strong storm or hurricane passes through. Now this seashell is found commonly when trawling ships scoop it up, but if people find the Junonia on Sanibel Island, they get recognized by the local newspaper.
Getting to Sanibel Island
Your best option is to fly in to either Fort Myers, Naples, or Tampa. Tampa is your best option since there are more flights and it will probably be cheaper. When I went to Sanibel Island, I flew through Tampa and then rented a car. Head south on 275 or 75 until you reach Fort Myers, and the head south on FL-80 to Fl-867. Total time from Tampa is around 3 hours.
What to do on Sanibel Island?
The island is quaint and quiet with most of the residents being retirees. If you’re going to Sanibel Island you’re probably looking for a beach resort town with tasteful yet expensive restaurants and bed and breakfast type of hotels.
Obviously there is seashell picking but beyond that Sanibel Island actually has great sandy beaches. One of the best sandy beaches to visit is Bowman Beach, located on the western part of the island which makes it great for sunsets. Other sandy beaches include Blind Pass Beach, and the many other beaches that line the southern part of the island. One of the best places to go shelling is Gulfside City Park Beach, located near the center of the island all way at the southern end. Almost all beaches are within less than a 10 minute driving or walking distance from your accommodations.
One of the main sights on Sanibel Island is the Sanibel Lighthouse located on the eastern end. Around the lighthouse fishing is popular as well as the beach because it’s known to be one of the most pristine beaches on the island thanks to the area being less visited by tourists. Personally this was one of my favorite beaches and areas on Sanibel Island.
On the northern part of the island there is the JN Darling national refuge and is particularly known for bird watching. On a good day it’s possible to see alligators, raccoon’s, crabs, and all types of birds. The cost to get in is $5 and it seems to be well worth the ticket! Another idea is to head over to Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife or CROW, located in the center part of the island near the local school. This facility is to help understand, educate and protect the wildlife although there is no live animals that can actually be seen.
Tours around the island are also offered including the recommended Sanibel Thriller and the Sanibel Island Cruise Line. The Sanibel Thiller is an 1 hour and half boat ride around Sanibel Island where tourists get the chance to see dolphins jumping as well as local wildlife. The Sanibel Island Cruise Line offers somewhat the same tour but includes stopping off at a secluded beach where you can go shelling, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, lay on the beach and possibly see some dolphins. Check both sites for pricing and variations of tours!
If you’re in the mood for more slower paced activities Sanibel Island is perfect for riding a bike around the island and fishing. There are many rentals around the island and I would check out Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, Billy’s Rentals and Finnimore’s Cycle Shop. If you’re in a spa mood check out Spatini Teabar. Also I would recommend taking your rental car and heading up to the next island above Sanibel called Captiva. It’s small and less developed than Sanibel but it too has sandy beaches and open space.
Food and Hotels on Sanibel Island
Most of the resorts are like bed and breakfasts or apartments and offer kitchen spaces, parking lots and sometimes views of the beach and water. Most resorts are within walking or at least a short drive from the beach but my recommendation is to still have a rent a car to drive to other beaches and to get food. I would recommended staying at Tortuga Beach Club Resort, Sanibel Sieta on the Beach, and Island Inn.
I remember the restaurants and the food was quite expensive and there isn’t that much selection due to the island being small. Typical tourist come for a short time, around 1 day or 2, so perhaps this is why there isn’t a huge selection.
I recommend going to restaurants like Over Easy Cafe where we had breakfast for our entire time, Timber Fish Market, il Tesoro Bistro, or Island BBQ Company. All four of these restaurants are located near the center of the island at the intersection of Library Way and Palm Ridge Road. I guess you can say this is the “dense” part of Sanibel and there is even a local CVS and a cinema. From the Sanibel Causeway there are many restaurant choices on Periwinkle Way and to the immediate south of that street.
Why Sanibel Island?
Sanibel Island is actually a little bit off the beaten track but that helps keep down the population that visits. It can get busy on weekends and holidays but overall the island is peaceful with a mix between family friendly and sophistication. Of course the number one activity is shelling and there are certainly many beaches that are completely covered in shells! But beyond the shells Sanibel is also gifted with wonderful sandy beaches, bringing in the best of both worlds. This is a great destination for a quick trip, honeymoon, family vacation or even a romantic one!
images by: alan, nikoretro, amanderson, anne, dan
