Location: Sanibel Island
Top Things to do in Sanibel Island
Countries
Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Sanibel Island, Florida (FL)
Most vacation spots are either relaxing (Tahiti) or family-friendly (Orlando). Sanibel Island, however, is that rare place which is both. Spend a quiet afternoon shell-collecting, or find a hotel with a kids' program so you can enjoy a trip to the spa or a round of golf.
Restaurants in Sanibel Island
1. Adventures In Paradise Outfitters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Since 1986, Adventures in Paradise has provided travelers from around the world with a wide variety of boating excursions and adventures. Now we are excited to introduce our new outfitters store on Sanibel Island, Adventures In Paradise Outfitters. Here we provide the finest assortment of the island’s best outdoor clothing, fly fishing equipment and technical gear, featuring: Orvis, Patagonia, Exofficio, Nat Nast, Island Company, Helen Kaminsky, Coola, Revo, and more.
Reviewed By Ackmiral_Adbar - Barnum, United States
Thanks to Captain Jim and First Mate Andrew for the fun and informative trip to see dolphins and a beautiful sunset! Highly recommend to anyone looking to affordably get on the water and see some beautiful and amazing sights.
2. Sanibel Sea School Day Program
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 363 reviews
Sanibel Sea School is dedicated to vibrantly teaching children and adults about marine ecosystems. We use the barrier island habitats of Sanibel and Captiva to give our students an opportunity to touch, feel, and understand their surroundings. Thanks to the nature of field education, we provide a rich ocean experience that will invigorate students for a lifetime of appreciation and responsibility. We offer transformative education. It's more than an experience, it changes the way we live.
3. Sanibel Community Playground
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By thehappydane - Elma, United States
Our grandson loved stopping here. We biked here and also dropped in when driving past. We used it to burn off some energy before the drive home.
4. Sanibel Island Farmer's Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 447 reviews
Founded in 2008, The Sanibel Island Farmers Market is held at City Hall, Sundays, 8am - 1pm, October thru end of May. This open air market features over 40 vendors including: local produce, baked goods, live plants, fresh seafood, cheese, pasta, meats, honey, pet treats, prepared foods, organics and so much more. We will be closed on November 11 due to Veteran's Day event, but will be open on Monday November 12th. We are open on Easter Sunday.
Reviewed By scrosby76 - Waconia, United States
Went there with my daughters with the intent of getting breakfast and wound up with so much more! While on vacation I don't love to cook more than I have to but I also get tired of eating out and thought this would be a nice happy medium. We arrived closer to 8 AM and didn't have trouble finding a parking spot in the historical museum parking lot. It does get crowded, so even though it is outdoors they currently have a masking policy since it is near impossible to maintain distance. The girls started out with some fresh fruit smoothies while we scoped the place out. I was so impressed by the variety of things there from goods, to prepared food, fresh flowers, and produce. And so many ethnic choices as well! One of my kids got a fresh, made to order crepe and the other got, I think it's called the little bird from 3 little birds food truck-think toad in a hole meets biscuits and gravy. I got a croissant breakfast sandwich from 3 Little Birds as well-bacon, cheddar, egg and added avacado-it was yuge! So much for just getting breakfast...We ended up getting enough food to eat for 2 more days and not have to make a trip to the grocery store. We brought home some delicious empanadas, fresh guacamole, some pastries, and more. There was a stand with Indian food and I forget what it was called, but OMG, I am still daydreaming of their food. She was giving me sample after sample and I don't even know what I was eating it was coming at me so fast and I was stuffed by the time I left. We ended up with a couple of different samosas, yogurt sauce, and a mango chutney. I'd have them ship to me if it was an option-give them a try! If I make it back to Sanibel, this will definitely be a stop on my list again!
5. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,607 reviews
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only museum in the U.S. devoted entirely to shells and mollusks, and one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island. It features more than 30 engaging exhibits of stunning shells, showcasing some of the largest and rarest shell specimens in the world, including the goliath conch, lightning whelk and Atlantic trumpet triton, as well as common Southwest Florida shells, fossil shells and more. New in March 2020, “Beyond Shells: The Mysterious World of Mollusks” adds the live animals that create shells to its must-see experiences. New aquariums include live octopuses, giant clams, nautilus, nudibranchs and gastropods, and two 15-foot-long touch tanks let young visitors get their hands wet. For a perfect Sanibel experience, fun daily beach walks can be reserved, and the nonprofit museum’s scientists also conduct research with local mollusk species.
Reviewed By invertpaleo - New York City, United States
This has always been an amazing museum, and now it has many aquariums with live mollusks in them, and the live mollusks are fascinating to see! There are mollusks with shells like the Junonia (yes a live Junonia!), and ones without a shell like the octopus, the cuttlefish, and the seahares. If you like shells, you will love this place -- the only national shell museum. Sanibel is all about shells, so even if you are not shell-crazy, you may find this museum of interest because it covers so many shell-related topics. It is a little expensive but it offers so much for the price!
6. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,185 reviews
Established in 1945, this wildlife refuge occupies one-third of Sanibel Island and is a prime spot for bird watching. Fees are required for Wildlife Drive, which is open everyday but is closed on Fridays, gate times vary. The best way to plan your visit is to stop in the informative FREE visitor center first which is open daily 9am-4pm. Then begin your adventure with many activities including the wildlife drive, tram tour, kayaking, fishing opportunities, picnic benches, and even a free scavenger hunt style game and wildlife spotting app (Discover Ding) if you prefer a self-guided tour.
Reviewed By michiales - North Fort Myers, United States
Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge is home to a large number of wildlife, including roseate spoonbills, anhinga, pelicans, herons, egrets, anoles, otter, alligators... it's a must-see for anyone visiting the island!
7. Finnimore's Cycle Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By luckyegirl - Greenville, United States
We went and rented bikes for the day and we very happy. The customer service was great! My husband has some physical needs and they were very accommodating . The bikes were in good shape and it was a great day to ride around the island!
8. Sanibel Historical Museum and Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
A delightful village museum that recounts the island's history through photographs, exhibits and live presentations.
Reviewed By Departure282900
The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is a truly underrated experience for those who love the island, its charm and history. Consisting of about a dozen original buildings from the early 20th century, well before the causeway was built, when the only means of accessing Sanibel was the ferry, the historical village includes the (second*) original Bailey's General Store, several original homes, the original Post Office and school building, and MANY fascinating historical objects and displays. Volunteers give informative talks about life on the early island, and a real sense of what it meant to live there. We have been coming to Sanibel since the early 1970's and I had never visited the museum; what a fool I've been! A really great time and great teaching opportunity for kids. * -- The original original was destroyed in a hurricane.
9. Bowman's Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,042 reviews
Reviewed By Markclo1 - San Antonio, United States
Our family has been coming here for the last decade and its just beautiful here. Bowman is a wonderful beach, beautiful white sand, awesome blue ocean. There is tonnes of space on this beach. They have great facilities as well, only downside is that its a long walk from the parking lot to the beach, only a problem if you have small children like us. There is a park which are kids enjoyed too, we saw turtles, everywhere is very clean. I dont mind paying for parking when the facilities are well maintained like this. There is no doubt that red tide has had an impact on the wildlife in South West Florida, there seem to be less birds and fish than previous years, we are seeing that everywhere
10. Tarpon Bay Explorers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
See wildlife up-close and discover the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge with an experienced naturalist by your side. Tarpon Bay Explorers offers many guided tours designed to be both educational and fun! Birds, dolphins, manatees, and alligators are just some of the amazing wildlife found in the pristine native tropical and subtropical vegetation of Sanibel Island. Tarpon Bay Explorers is the licensed concessionaire of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, providing recreational and educational tours and rentals to the public under contract with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
