Top Things to Do in Sanibel Island, FL - Sanibel Island Attractions
Things to Do in Sanibel Island
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Sanibel Island.
Top Attractions in Sanibel Island
Flea & Street Markets • Farmers Markets
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Nature & Wildlife Areas • Educational sites
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Art Galleries • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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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.
What travellers are saying
- summerbreeze269 contributionsLove the Wild Life Refuge. Calm and serene. We planned our visit for early morning and also for sunset. We were rewarded with some beautiful natural beauty, birds and even an alligator. We took time to explore the visitor center and see the exhibits that helped us understand this coastal environment better. We also shopped the Nature Center Store inside the Visitor center where they had many kinds of merchandise based on nature and wildlife and other fun conservation based products. They told us all proceeds help the refuge programs and will help them continue their work and education.Written 30 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- millersb022 contributionsWe stayed at Blind Pass Condos which has a walking path that leads to Bowman’s Beach. We were there in June, the water was warm & we played in the water a lot. Beach is great and has lots of shells. We took bikes down Silver Key Trail that runs 3.5 miles behind the beach. If you head out to the end of the trail there were no people and mountains of shells. We picked up so many perfect shells that we eventually had to stop because we just didn’t need any more! We had several close encounters with stingrays, the water was a bit cloudy from storms going through so the stingrays could easily sneak up on you. They’re not aggressive.. but not everyone’s cup of tea.Written 9 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- BaysingerOrlando, FL103 contributionsMy wife has recently discovered the hobby of shell collecting, so she really loves seeing the variety of things she could find. The exhibit isn't very large and you only need about an hour to see everything. There were plenty of opportunities for my daughters to get hands-on. It's well maintained and clean.Written 1 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- NickellFamilyTravelLos Angeles, CA2,076 contributionsSanibel island is super cool. Over a long bridge from Ft Meyers Has a large more than half the island natural reserve with alligators. Birds. Manatee. Etc. Also an excellent island for shells. Two or three times a day. They way the island is positioned. The shells just wash up everywhere. Kids collected shells for hours.Written 21 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- kleenfreekNebraska138 contributionsI would suggest getting there right at 8 a.m. before the crowd. Take a stroll around and make a plan of attack, but don't miss the guacamole, fish dips, and fresh produce. I was on a diet (yes, very dumb to do so on vacation!), but the fresh baked goods looked delicious. There's way more there than I anticipated and everything that we purchased was delicious.Written 31 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- acgwinnNew York, NY64 contributionsBeautiful beach with shells. Great for kids. Large parking lot. I believe there were bathrooms etc. the lighthouse itself is simple.Written 20 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- kleenfreekNebraska138 contributionsWhile the shelling can be quite good, the parking is awful. We were fortunate to be staying at West Wind and our parking pass from there allowed us to park at Castaways.Written 31 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- SuyreaRChristmas, FL10 contributionsBrochures, maps, guidebooks and staff eager to share their knowledge of Sanibel and Captiva. It was nice and cool there on a very hot day.Written 20 April 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Rhonda RFriendsville, TN8 contributionsEnjoyed the lighthouse. Enjoyed watching people look for shells. They found some very nice ones. Restrooms available. Nice photo op.Written 30 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Dennis FFort Myers, FL280 contributionsYes, it's a hospital for injured wildlife with interns from veterinary colleges across the country. But it's also a museum of sorts with a building housing professional wildlife, environment, and conservation displays. Truly an educational experience and not to be missed on any visit to Sanibel Island.Written 14 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- JohmoWhitefish, MT125 contributionsReassembled , restored, and stocked with every imaginable household item in the pioneers homes, school, and country store. The introductory video is a must see to get an in depth greeting to who lived in these very houses. Fascinating.Written 12 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Bobby C2 contributionsWonderful library. Clean, nice, everything you would want from a public library. Great kids section too!Written 22 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Kathy KOrange Park, FL142 contributionsGreat beach with lots of shells. Must go at low tide to find the best shells. Very relaxing and enjoyable.Written 7 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- allifromWIWest Bend, WI217 contributionsI loved the open air feel to the area. There were some stores that had some unique gifts to bring home. A lot of it was a little more upscale than I usually shop, but it was nice to look. They have a nice little play area for the kids and seating on benches all around (for husbands waiting for their wives? My husband sat on one a couple times). I found a beautiful painted shell that you can take and either keep or rehide. We have a similar thing with rocks in my local community, so when it gets warmer here (because unfortunately, I'm usually shoveling snow, not sand), I'll hide it up here for someone else to enjoy. Nice place to shop & enjoy the area.Written 5 February 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- PaulPhiladelphia, PA2 contributionsParking lot is close to the beach entrance. We were the first cars in the lot at 8am on a weekday, and lot was not full when we left at 1230. $5/hr. Beach was nice, lots of simple shells, nothing too fancy. There is a bathroom and foot wash at the access point.Written 10 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sanibel Island
- The top attractions to visit in Sanibel Island are:
- J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Bowman's Beach
- The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
- Sanibel Causeway
- Sanibel Island Farmer's Market
- The best outdoor activities in Sanibel Island according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
- Lighthouse Beach Park
- Bowman's Beach
- Blind Pass Beach
- The most popular things to do in Sanibel Island with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Sanibel Public Library
- Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
- Sanibel Island Farmer's Market
- Sanibel Historical Museum and Village
- J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge