Sanibel Island is one of my favorite places in the world. I love the island vibes, local restaurants and beach living. My parents bought a place in Sanibel almost two years ago, and I've been coming down as often as possible ever since. Due to my remote job, I have spent the majority of the winter working (snowbirding) from down here and have completely fallen in love with the island. Since I'm now a semi-local, I have some recommendations of things you MUST do if you ever find yourself on this quaint little island. Sanibel is my ultimate happy place, and I am so thrilled to be sharing it with y'all!
1. Hop on a Bike
My mom and dog Beef on a Sanibel bike ride.
Sanibel features 22 miles of paved bike trails, allowing you to explore all that the island has to offer. From pedestrian paths along Periwinkle Drive to a 4+ mile trail through the wildlife reserve, there are a ton of ways to see the island. We have a few bikes at our house, but when we have additional company, we rent bikes from one of the many on-island bike rental companies, who deliver the bikes (and helmets) directly to our house.
2. Sunday Morning Farmers Market
According to Trip Advisor, the Sanibel Farmers Market is the number one attraction on the island, and there's a reason why! Every Sunday from October to May, Sanibel City Hall hosts the open air market, featuring over 30 vendors including baked goods, live plants, honey, pasta, cheese, sausages, fresh fish, and fresh organic produce. Stop by to pick up a pastry and coffee for breakfast, wait in line for the infamous BBQ for lunch, or do your grocery shopping for the week! My mom and I bike to the market every week and stock up on fresh strawberries, the "world's best" guacamole (self-proclaimed, but it is quite good), and whatever else is looking good that week. If you are in Sanibel on a Sunday October-May, the Farmers Market is not to be missed.
3. Get on the Water
When you're on the islands, it's hard not to want to be out on the water. From fishing charters to sunset cruises to shelling excursions, there are opportunities for everyone to enjoy the sea:
Sanibel Thriller
A 90-minute high speed boat adventure around the islands. Get an oral history of Sanibel and Captiva while attracting pods of dolphins to the wake of the boat. Call ahead to get your tickets, as the boat fills up quickly (Note: I have never been on the Thriller, but my parents have and loved it. We see it go by the beach on a daily basis, and the boat almost always has dolphins following it. I have tried to get tickets on multiple occasions and the boat has been sold out - stay tuned for my Thriller debut!)
Sunset Cruise
There are a few options for sunset cruises, but my favorite is Captiva Cruises. With an easy departure out of McCarthy's Marina on Captiva, you're quickly on the water and enjoying the scenery. They have beer and wine for sale, but you can also BYOB (which is a big plus in my book). You cruise around Captiva and North Captiva, with a brief history of the island and the wildlife. You are also almost guaranteed to see dolphins on the cruise and manatees at the marina. The marina is also within walking distance of most of the restaurants on Captiva, so you have a ton of options post-cruise!
Shelling Excursion
I am obsessed with shelling - I go to the beach every day while I'm in Sanibel and don't leave until I find a shell worthy of bringing home. I have shells on display everywhere in the house and I often find shells in pockets when I'm not anywhere near Sanibel. Last summer, my mom and I were down here painting some bedrooms and decided to have an excursion day. We ended up doing a Shelling & Lunch Cruise through Adventures in Paradise. As a shelling nerd (I have a laminated shell identification guide and an app on my phone to determine the best time to shell), I had pretty low expectations about the quality of the shelling ahead of me. When the boat arrived on a private beach on North Captiva Island, I was floored. This pristine beach had the best shelling I had ever seen! An off-island shelling excursion is a must for fellow shelling enthusiasts.
4. Go Shelling
My dog/shelling assistant Beef
If you don't know already, I am obsessed with shelling. Fortunately, Sanibel Island is the Shelling Capital of the World. I'm not exactly sure what is necessary to become the Shelling Capital of the World, but I'm guessing a Shell Museum, two stores that sell exclusively shells, and an Annual Shell Festival (I've been and it was awesome - if you're here for it, make sure to go, and get a t-shirt!) don't hurt. When I first started shelling, I would pick up anything and everything that resembled a shell. My tastes have become more refined, and I'm a little more selective now, but I still get excited when I find a rare gem washed up on the shore. See what "rare finds" (according to the laminated shell identification guide sold throughout the island) you're able to find!
5. Visit Ding Darling
Mom and me after our kayak was attacked by a manatee. I'm don't think my mother will ever kayak again.
The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge was created by President Truman in 1945. The 6,400 acre refuge provides habitat to over 245 species of birds, an abundance of alligators, groups of manatees, tons of species of fish, and the occasional bobcat. We have an annual pass to the park (saving us the nominal $5 per car or $1 per bike entrance fee), so we drive through the Wildlife Drive quite regularly to look at the migratory birds, fish in the backwaters, and look for alligators. We have also rented kayaks through Tarpon Bay Explorers and got up close and (a little too) personal with some manatees. Whether you're on the hunt for the white pelicans that nest in the park, looking for a scenic bike ride, or looking to paddle the backwaters, Ding Darling is not to be missed.
6. Watch the Sunset
There is nothing that screams #vacation more than watching the sunset on the beach with a drink in your hand. If you are lucky enough to be staying beach front, head down to the water and watch for the green flash. If you're more inland, don't worry - there are plenty of places to capture that breathtaking view.
Beach Accesses
There are public beach accesses throughout the islands, and many of them have nearby parking lots. Determine which access is best for you, grab your drink and camera, and hit the sand!
Sun Dial Resort
Featuring one of the best views on Sanibel, the Sun Dial resort is a great place to catch the sunset. Grab a happy hour special Bahama Mama at the poolside bar and enjoy the view. (The Sun Dial also has a Japanese steak house, so if you're in the mood for an onion volcano, stick around for dinner after the sunset).
Mucky Duck
The Mucky Duck easily has the best real estate on Captiva Island and is the only restaurant that sits on the beach (that I know of - if you know of any other hidden gems, HMU). Every time we're in Sanibel, we do at least one sunset at Mucky Duck. Grab a margarita at the outdoor bar, enjoy the live music, and live the #islandlife.
7. Grab Dessert
Have a sweet tooth? Satisfy your cravings with some of Sanibel and Captiva's best options:
The Bubble Room on Captiva Island
I'm going to be honest with you: the Bubble Room is super creepy and makes me very uncomfortable. Between the grown men in boy scout uniforms, weird vintage decorations that remind me of garbage, and the smell, the Bubble Room is not a place I like to spend a lot of time. Every once in a while, I'll brave the crazy for a slice of their famous cake. My personal favorite is the Buttercrunch Ice Cream Pie, but you can't go wrong with any of their options. TallGuy loves the Red Velvet (and he wanted me to include that, so here you go). Not feeling brave? Order at the counter and get a slice to go!
Ice Cream Taste Test
If you're longing for dessert down on Sanibel, there used to only be one place to go: Love Boat Ice Cream. With over 40 flavors to choose from, there are delicious options for everyone. This was my family's nightly tradition, until Joey's opened. Joey's Custard appeals to my Midwestern side, offering custard, ice cream and frozen yogurt. Try 'em both out and let me know your favorite!
8. Eat a Wiener
Sanibel and Captiva have a ton of great restaurant options (mentioned later in this post), but there is one restaurant I need to single out because it should not be missed. There is only one place I make sure I go to every time I'm there: Schnapper's Hots. Schnapper's is a New York-style hot dog stand that just gets it right. No frills, just good food and a friendly staff. There's something about eating a hot dog (get the Schnapper's Original) and drinking a milk shake on this charming island that makes you feel like a kid again.
9. Explore the Lighthouse
The Sanibel Island Light was one of the original lighthouses along Florida's Gulf coast. It was first lit in 1884 and is still in operation today under the US Coast Guard. Walk around the historic lighthouse and snap some photos, all while collecting shells along Lighthouse Beach.
10. Eat Local
Almost every establishment on Sanibel is locally owned and unique in its own way. From seafood to steakhouses to Italian, you can't go wrong on Sanibel and Captiva. My recommendations are:
Breakfast:
TallGuy and me enjoying a Sanibel sunset.
Lighthouse Cafe
Breakfast with your dog:
Over Easy Cafe
Italian:
Il Tesoro
Mexican:
Cantina Captiva
Seafood:
Sand Bar
Burgers:
Cheeburger Cheeburgers
Casual Family Dinner:
Doc Fords
Best Overall Menu:
Traders
Date Night:
Sunset Grille
Tips and Tricks
There is a toll to get on the islands - make sure you either have a LeePass, SunPass or $6 in cash (no credit cards accepted)
There is only one way on and off the island, so try to avoid peak times to minimize traffic jams
Pack comfy beach shoes - the shelly beach can be tough on bare feet. I live in my Crocs when I'm down here #stylish
Looking to maintain your fitness regimen while you're here? Join the Sanibel Rec Center for the duration of your trip and take advantage of the extraordinary (and affordable) amenities
Many restaurants on Sanibel and Captiva are dog-friendly, so don't leave your pooches at home
The best time to shell is at low tide - check (Google) the local tide charts and bring a shell bag
The Wildlife Drive at Ding Darling is closed on Fridays, so plan your visit accordingly
Don't let a bad weather forecast scare you - rain rarely lasts all day (and usually misses the island completely)
