Top Things to Do in Sanibel Island - Sanibel Island Attractions
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Things to Do in Sanibel Island
Check out must-see sights and activities:
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Bowman's Beach, Beaches, Nature and Wildlife Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Bowman's Beach, Beaches, Nature and Wildlife Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Sanibel Island.
Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult$129
Transportation Rentalsfromper group (up to 4)$639
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult$293
Eco Toursfromper adult$129
Likely To Sell Outfromper adult$92
Sailingfromper adult$129
Scavenger Huntsfromper adult$50- fromper adult$238
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult$92
Likely To Sell Outfromper group (up to 12)$1,098
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Visitor centre with exhibits on local ecosystems and a curated gift shop, complemented by a wildlife drive and trails through a mangrove ecosystem, includes birdwatching opportunities.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Beaches
Spacious beach with an array of small shells and clear waters, ideal for tranquil shelling and swimming. Enjoy the serene ambiance and a sunset that invites a gentle breeze.
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Beaches
Serene beach with scenic walkways and a bounty of shells during low tide, ideal for dedicated collectors. Check the tide schedule for optimal shelling conditions.
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Scenic Drives
Scenic coastal drive to islands known for natural reserves, wildlife spotting, swimming, fishing, and shell collecting, with picturesque sunsets.
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Lighthouses
Seaside destination with scenic lighthouse and beach ideal for shell collecting and photography, amidst a recovering landscape and bustling crowds.
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Public beach with clear waters and soft white sand, ideal for relaxation, wildlife sightings, and shelling during low tide in a picturesque setting.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
*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.
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What travellers are saying
- Family P26 contributionsThe white pelicans were migrating and the staff is amazing- absolutely beautiful!! The walking trails are well maintained and it is recovering nicely from such a horrible hurricane season.Written 12 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Acidelic28 contributionsNice beach with good facilities. Arrive early to get parking and you pay via app or website. There is wifi at the payment stand if you have poor cell service. Parking is $5 an hour, but you get notifications when you're time is close to ending and you can add more time from your phone.
There are lots of good and large shells to be had, but you have to look in the right places for them. We made the same mistake as most people and were looking for them on the waters edge. We learned from others that the best pickings are further away from the water, between the sea grass and the mound on which the side-by-sides drive on. If you walk down the beach passed everybody you'll have more shells than you know what to do with.
Big shells are all over. The interesting and more unique shells are usually found while digging through the big patches of shells, far away from the water. When in doubt ask the people with big bags of shells where to look.Written 5 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Allana C7 contributionsLove this market so much! So many options. My favorite is Lisa V Holistic Skin. Her skincare works wonders and you can see it in real time with sampling. Completely cleared my acne.
Love the helichrysum serums and jasmine perfume! Phenomenal!Written 12 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - George PRichmond Hill, Canada4 contributionsArrive early as that is the best time for shelling and the best chance to get a parking spot. We went early on Sunday morning, arriving before 9AM, stayed for a couple of hours. By the time we left, around 11AM, the beach was busier, and the parking lot was lined-up 5-6 car deep waiting to get a spot!Written 9 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kzoo50Lansing, MI42 contributionsTravelled 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 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Elaine B14 contributionsWe enjoyed our visit to the newly renovated National Shell Museum. While the museum is still renovating from the Hurricanes, the opened exhibits were terrific! An Octopus is the latest addition, though it slept while we were there! There are touch tanks and an interactive scavenger hunt. The staff was incredible...answering our questions and providing great information. It is well worth the modest fee to get in.Written 9 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SandeeVillas, NJ523 contributionsFriendly 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 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Trek415143132058 contributionsAn interesting wildlife animal sanctuary which aims to takes care of any injured or isolated/ lost wild animal that is brought in by the public. You can attend a most interesting presentation available each morning at 11 am which talks about the different types of animals , injuries they may incur and the status of the animal - baby , dependent, etc t that they receive . They have a visitors room and an educational centre. It’s run by qualified staff and supported by volunteers.Written 21 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nurse girl49 contributionsWe mostly went here to walk on the beach and look for shells. There were some pretty ones. The beach was beautiful. The lighthouse in the distance near dusk was lovely. Parking was stressful because of the many warnings of penalties for any violation. I felt like I had to constantly check my phone to make sure we would not be late. There were bathrooms, but I did not use them so I cannot comment on their condition.Written 11 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ed BengelaPerrysburg, OH113 contributionsBeach white sandy beach. Found many sand dollars and saw a few dolphins swim by while in the clear water. Found many shells as well. We drove from Cape Coral, about 45 minutes. Well worth the drive. A must stop if visiting the area. Still not fully recovered from hurricane, but many places were back open.Written 17 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Joann MPunta Gorda, FL109 contributionsVisited this beach after Hurricane Milton. It was one of a few open beaches. The others had sand covering parking lots and needed to be cleaned up. Parking lot is small but we found one spot as someone was leaving. You must pay by cellphone which is $5.00 per hour & strictly enforced by people driving through on golf carts with handheld scanners. Big fine if you take a risk. Restrooms are available with one shower outside to wash off. Short walk to beach from parking & you can go left or right to find your private piece of beach. Nice shelling beach depending upon tides, etc. Water was cleaner than expected following a Hurricane. Can’t wait for the Island to recover yet againWritten 27 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PatricamsDallas, TX19 contributionsVery 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 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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