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 9am-1pm. Check their social media page 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 9am-1pm. Check their social media page 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
Smooth and creamy custard you can eat on the patio, or take a pint to go! Their red velvet cake custard is a dream! After the hurricane, this establishment helped tremendously with recovery on the island.
The Shack of Sanibel
1219 Periwinkle WaySmooth and creamy custard you can eat on the patio, or take a pint to go! Their red velvet cake custard is a dream! After the hurricane, this establishment helped tremendously with recovery on the island.
A new restaurant established by a long time islander. This restaurant/bar gives a nod to lighthouse tradition with good food and drinks!
Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant
A new restaurant established by a long time islander. This restaurant/bar gives a nod to lighthouse tradition with good food and drinks!
Rosalita's Cantina Sanibel
Modern Mexican food with a fun atmosphere!
Unique setting at the Sanibel Marina. Watch the boats come and go while you dine on fresh seafood!
19 locals recommend
Gramma Dot's Restaurant
634 N Yachtsman DrUnique setting at the Sanibel Marina. Watch the boats come and go while you dine on fresh seafood!
Want a latte, or an amazing blueberry muffin? Sanibel has your caffeine fix and traditional sandwiches for a quick and tasty lunch!
Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory
2330 Palm Ridge RdWant a latte, or an amazing blueberry muffin? Sanibel has your caffeine fix and traditional sandwiches for a quick and tasty lunch!
A Sanibel tradition! No visit is complete without a visit to Doc Ford's. Be sure to try their beach bread appetizer and, of course, their famous mojito!
40 locals recommend
Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille - Sanibel Island
2500 Island Inn RdA Sanibel tradition! No visit is complete without a visit to Doc Ford's. Be sure to try their beach bread appetizer and, of course, their famous mojito!