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Just over the Causeway from Fort Myers, Southwest Florida visitors will find the beautiful island of Sanibel. The town features prominently on lists of weekend getaways in the south and as one of the best honeymoon destinations in the US. Sanibel Island’s best beaches are what attracts visitors. But if you need to escape the sun, or if you’re looking for what to do in Sanibel if it rains, this list will inspire you to get out there. So after you’ve collected seashells on beautiful Bowman’s Beach and Lighthouse Beach Park, gather yourself and your group and explore what to see in Sanibel Island Fl other than beaches!
Please note that this area suffered a lot of damage in September 2022 due to Hurricane Ian. This post will be updated as recovery continues.
Best Things to See in Sanibel Island
1. Sanibel Lighthouse
112 Periwinkle Way
Located on the easternmost point of Sanibel Island, this iron skeleton tower is worth a stop. Surrounded by Lighthouse Beach, most people bike their way to the lighthouse. Pay-by-the-hour parking spots are available for those driving.
2. J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
1 Wildlife Drive
The Visitor and Education Center is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm and is FREE.
Most people enjoy exploring the Wildlife Drive, open every day except Friday, from 7 am until about sunset. Cost is $5 per vehicle or $1 per pedestrian or bicycle.
Take a 90-minute tram ride to explore the Wildlife Trail.
3. Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
3075 Sanibel Captiva Road
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (check holiday hours)
Admission: Adults $23.95; 12-17 $14.95; 5-11 $8.95
4. Sanibel Historical Museum & Village
950 Dunlop Road, #4017
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm
Admission: Adults $10; under 18 free
Tours: Included in admission, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm
5. Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Nature Center
3333 Sanibel Captiva Road
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
6. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
3833 Sanibel Captiva Road
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm (January 1 – April 30 also open Saturday) – Closed Holidays
Admission: 13 and over $12; 4-12 $7
7. BIG ARTS Sanibel
900 Dunlop Road
Check their calendar for special events including all forms of performing arts and exhibits. For those staying a little longer, look at their calendar of classes as well.
Where to Eat in Sanibel Island
A visit to Sanibel Island wouldn’t be complete without stopping by one of Sanibel’s many eateries. While there are too many to be included here, this list of where to eat in Sanibel Island covers a variety of establishments.
1. Mad Hatter Restaurant
6467 Sanibel Captiva Road
If you’re on Sanibel Island, you might as well eat with a view of the beach, right? Expect a constantly varied menu with an upscale feel. Time your reservation to watch a magnificent sunset!
2. The Island Cow
2163 Periwinkle Way
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this casual eating establishment is well known for its at-mooo-sphere. With a family-friendly atmosphere, expect udderly great food from burgers to a raw bar. Pets permitted in outside eating areas.
3. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
2500 Island Inn Road
Looking for the best island mojitos? Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille claims that title. Open for lunch and dinner, Doc Ford’s serves great food with a Caribbean flair. Fans of writer Randy Wayne White may also spot him here a few times a week.
4. Blue Giraffe
2075 Periwinkle Way #14
Looking for a casual restaurant to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Blue Giraffe hits the spot if you’re looking for good food without a fussy atmosphere. Pets permitted on the patio.
5. Cip’s Place
2055 Periwinkle Way
For lunch or dinner, if you’re looking for a place with a twist on old favorites, Cip’s Place is the place to go if you’re looking for delicious wings, chips, veggie burgers, you name it. Don’t leave without trying the whiskey-pecan pie!
Where to Stay in Sanibel Island
Wish to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Sanibel for a longer stay? Sanibel Island features some fabulous Airbnb vacation rentals, perfect for families. Prefer a hotel? These three places have great reputations as wonderful locations if you’re looking where to stay in Sanibel.
1. Casa Ybel
2255 West Gulf Drive
2. Sanibel Inn
937 East Gulf Drive
3. Island Inn
3111 West Gulf Drive
The Island Inn offers complimentary beach walks for its guests led by Marine Biologists from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.
If you’re in the area and looking to explore even more, you should read these:
- 5 Best Spots in SW Florida to See the Sunset
- Best Things to do in Fort Myers
- Best Things to do in Naples
- Fort Myers Brewing
- Best Things to do in Bonita Springs
I hope that you enjoy exploring Southwest Florida and all it has to offer, beaches and more!
Happy travels!
Annick, The Common Traveler
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.
This is a great guide! It’s always good to have back up plans for whenever the weather doesn’t want to cooperate!
It rained so much when I went at Christmas! So disappointing! Gotta make lemonade with those lemons.
While I love being by the ocean, I’m not a great swimmer and I have already had skin cancer twice in my young life. So, this is my kind of list! I think the Sanibel Lighthouse would be at the top of my to do list!
My kids are really sensitive to the sun so we have to come up with optional activities when we go to beach destinations. The Sanibel Lighthouse is a great option.
There are so many beautiful places in Florida, and Sanibel Island seems to be included! I would love to hang out at Doc Ford’s!
A great place with a great vibe.
I went to Florida a few times last year and it seems to be a common destination on my trips haha. Good to discover new areas to explore when I go.
Always good to find new places. We go back to Florida time and again.
We’ve spent a fair bit of time in Florida but never visited Sanibel Island. I like your list of what to see and do other than beaches, we are not big beach lovers, though we can appreciate the beauty. So the history and wildlife attractions are more our thing. I would definitely visit the Captiva Conservation Foundation.
Glad we could find you some optional attractions!
This is one area of Florida that I havent been yet. I’ve always wanted to go to Sanibel Island. Tonnes of restaurants by the sound of it. I had to PIN this. Thank you!
You’re welcome! Beautiful area!