Places to visit in Sanibel Island

Top Things to Do in Sanibel Island, FL

Places to Visit in Sanibel Island


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Sanibel Island.

Top Attractions in Sanibel Island

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Alison M
    5 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is an excellent place for the great outdoors and the birds are indeed splendid. There were white pelicans, osprey fishing and on nests, resting roseate spoonbills, heron and 2 green iguanas crossing the road. There are boardwalks and a 4 mile drive where you can stop on the right and get out the car. There's a lovely visitor centre & shop. One serious obstacle is accessing Sanibel, a long and torturous journey in and an even more desperate crawl to exit. BE WARNED
    Written 7 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sandee
    Villas, NJ443 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Friendly and helpful staff ...make this your stop as you enter Sanibel as it's directly on the right after you cross causeway! Recommendations were perfect for a day of adventure on the island....thanks alot!
    Written 18 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Barbara C
    21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was so wonderful to be back on a gorgeous, huge, white sand beach after a big hurricane of destruction a couple of years ago! Lots of shells, and plenty of space for folks to spread out and enjoy the beauty of Florida Gulf Coast nature! However, the qr parking mechanism really set me back. Though several others had no difficulty with the system, my debit card number somehow got stolen while I was waiting for it to be registered, and I received two calls from fraud alert! It took literally one hour, two phone calls to the Sanibel police (who have NO other option for paying!!) several calls to my bank, and kind assistance from two other beach-goers to FINALLY get parked and join my friends on the beach!! This system is terrible when it goes awry!!!!! Beware - there is no plan B to pay for parking!!!
    Written 18 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tammy R
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    in Captiva , We visited the Farmers Market at the library in sanibel while vacationing on Captiva Island. There was breakfast& lunch, veggies/fruits homemade salso guac queso all sorts of food, craft venders of all types

    Wonderful atmosphere, great service .
    Written 7 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Happy Traveler Iowa
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very informative. Talks are daily at 11am only(though we arrived 15 minutes late and were the only ones visiting, so they started it for us). Listened to an hour talk about what they do at the sanctuary. Hailey was excellent. If you are going to see animals this is not the experience you are looking for. Since the Hurricane, their ambassador animal have been taken off of display. The animals in rehab are not on display or open to the public viewing. Despite us not seeing animals, we thoroughly enjoyed the stop.
    Written 26 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DayTrip43872460419
    Elgin, IL1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you are serious about shelling, I suggest Blind Pass Beach. I checked the Internet for the tide schedule and looked for low tide. You'll want to go a half hour to an hour before low tide and plan to stay at least an hour after low tide. If low tide is early in the morning, all the better to get a parking spot. Parking at all Sanibel beaches is very tight. Bring a long handle scoop to grab nice shells as water comes in and out. Found lots of cool shells. After spending the morning at Blind Pass Beach, went to lunch and then to Bowman beach. What a difference. Bowman was full of beach goers and there were very few shells.
    Written 16 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • egreen_13
    Massapequa, NY8 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Recommended for anyone who appreciates the islands of San-Cap. The history both new and old such as how the names Sanibel Captiva came about to the 1963 causeway will interest you.
    Written 27 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kzoo50
    Lansing, MI35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Travelled to Sanibel and Captiva Island in Feb 2024. The traffic is very heavy in the morning traveling to the island and in the afternoon leaving the island. Travel time at 8:30 am from Ft. Myers was over an hour.

    Leaving Captiva Island at 3:00, drive time back to Ft. Myers was over an hour, with traffic stopped for several minutes at a time.

    You can save up to 1/2 an hour by driving through a neighborhood just off Perwinkle Way.
    Written 18 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Patricams
    Dallas, TX21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very pretty location. The librarian I spoke with was very friendly and helpful. I will go back again the next time I am there!
    Written 28 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Christopher E
    Colonial Heights, VA21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfect playground for young children. It is mostly shaded with adjoining clean restrooms. Really, besides the beach and pool, this was the best part of the island.
    Written 29 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Hitheroadwithlila
    Lenexa, KS2,189 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a trip to prove two things. To find another lighthouse to mark off my list of so many I have yet to visit and to find out if the area was the seashell capital of the world. The best time to visit is early in the morning, before the traffic on the causeway and island drives you crazy. When you travel alone like I do, getting on the road at 6 am is easy to do. Although it was a hunt, I found the lighthouse, shot a few pictures with my 35 mm camera and made my way to the other side of the island for a class on shelling.
    Unlike a child, I used a regular mop bucket for my shell collecting because I knew I would spend the day searching up and down the beach for all types of shells to take home. The informal class was fun and only increased my desire to learn more about seashells, the animals and ocean life.
    Tip-There are so many shells on the beach and in the water that beach shoes will save your feet from many jabs, pokes and cuts!
    Written 4 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tammy R
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The beach was excellent, lots of shells white sand and the lighthouse.. the water gets a little murky by the lighthouse... there is restrooms available... get there early to get a spot. There is a charge for parking that can be done on your phone.
    Written 7 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sanibel Island