Sanibel Captiva Island, FL

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce/Dave Meardon Photography
Photo provided by Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce/Dave Meardon Photography
Photo provided by Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce/Milissa Sprecher Photography
Photo provided by Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce/Milissa Sprecher Photography
Photo provided by Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce/Dave Meardon Photography
This barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico is famous for its seashells, and charms visitors with its sunsets, watersports and family-friendly resorts.

With white-sand bays, wildlife reserves and oceanfront resorts, Sanibel Island is a holiday destination of choice. Celebrated for its natural beauty, this island off the west coast of Florida has 15 miles (24 kilometers) of beach, mangrove forests and coral reefs teeming with fish.

Sanibel Island is a city and barrier island, connected to the mainland by a tollroad. On this small island you will not be going anywhere in a hurry. You can rent a bike and follow the 22 miles (35 kilometers) of bike trails traversing the island. With very few hills, this is not too strenuous, but note that there are no streetlights after dark.

On the beaches you can stand ankle deep in seashells. Take part in the “Sanibel Stoop,” a ritual for locals and tourists alike, which involves walking along the seashore to collect the shells washed up daily from the Caribbean and southern seas. Learn about the history and science of shells at Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.

Go snorkeling, paddleboarding or windsurfing to try some of the water-based activities on offer. To get a break from the beach, enjoy the events at the Big Arts cultural center, including jazz concerts and dance performances. For a slice of history, join a guided tour of Sanibel Historical Museum and Village and learn about local pioneer families.

Over two-thirds of Sanibel Island is a designated nature reserve. Be sure to visit J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. This undeveloped mangrove ecosystem is named after Jay Norwood Darling, a cartoonist who fought to protect the island from developers. Join a kayaking tour to discover the varied flora and fauna, including horseshoe crabs and woodpeckers. Visit the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife to see who takes care of the island’s injured birds and animals.

Sanibel Island places a strong emphasis on independent stores and restaurants. A prime example is Bailey’s General Store. The Baileys, one of the city’s original families, have been running the store since 1899. If you decide to try your hand at fishing during your visit to Sanibel Island, some of the restaurants are willing to cook your catch.

Where to stay in Sanibel Captiva Island

Periwinkle Way featuring cycling as well as an individual femail

Beachview Country Club Estates

If you're spending some time in Beachview Country Club Estates, Periwinkle Way and Sanibel Island Golf Club are top sights worth seeing.

Beachview Country Club Estates
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Sanctuary

While Sanctuary might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Blind Pass Beach and Turner Beach.

Sanctuary
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Gulf Shores

When in Gulf Shores, you can plan a visit to Alison Hagerup Beach Park and Captiva Chapel By the Sea, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Gulf Shores
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Shell Harbor

Though Shell Harbor might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Bailey's Beach and Sanibel Sea School.

Shell Harbor
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The Dunes

When in The Dunes, you can plan a visit to Dunes Golf and Tennis Club and Bailey's Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

The Dunes
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Del Sega

If you're spending some time in Del Sega, Blind Pass Beach and J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge are top sights worth seeing.

Del Sega
Sanibel Island Beach Resort

Sanibel Island Beach Resort

3 out of 5
1231 Middle Gulf Dr, Sanibel, FL
The price is ¥28,493 per night from Oct 5 to Oct 6
¥28,493
¥35,459 total
Oct 5 - Oct 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Sanibel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,322 reviews)
Perfect beach getaway!
"Quick trip to relax. Perfect location right on the beach! Several different room views available- I would choose beach view next time but my room was just perfect. Mid week was nice and quiet, really was just what I needed!"

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2025

Sanibel Island Beach Resort
Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa

Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa

3 out of 5
15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva, FL
The price is ¥20,880 per night from Sep 30 to Oct 1
¥20,880
¥28,451 total
Sep 30 - Oct 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach resort in Captiva. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Captiva Beach and Captiva Chapel ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Clean room. Fresh towels every day."

Reviewed on Sep 17, 2025

Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa
Sanibel Inn

Sanibel Inn

3 out of 5
937 East Gulf Drive, Sanibel, FL
The price is ¥38,884 per night from Sep 25 to Sep 26
¥38,884
¥51,913 total
Sep 25 - Sep 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Sanibel. Enjoy a private beach, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Key West Express and Sanibel ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Very beautiful and just a very short walk to the beach"

Reviewed on Sep 12, 2025

Sanibel Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

5 out of 5
1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel, FL
Stay at this 5-star luxury condo in Sanibel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,574 reviews)
"Very nice Resort. Not a 5 star but they are remodeling. Easy access to the beautiful beach. Resturants were very good. Service was excellent. We went off season so there was not may people on the property which we liked."

Reviewed on Aug 25, 2025

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
Island Inn

Island Inn

3.5 out of 5
3111 W Gulf Dr, Sanibel, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Sanibel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a private beach. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,102 reviews)
"I think the Island Inn was a great place to stay if you want to walk out of your room onto a beautiful uncrowded beach that the crowd ls limited to the rooms it has occupied at the resort. Sanibel Island as a whole is still recovering from the devastation that the last hurricane there caused, as ..."

Reviewed on Sep 17, 2025

Island Inn
Beach View + 1-2 Min walk to Beach + Huge TVs & Fully Remodeled

Beach View + 1-2 Min walk to Beach + Huge TVs & Fully Remodeled

Sanibel
Stay at this apartment in Sanibel. Enjoy laundry facilities, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Sanibel Island Southern ...
10/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"We were so happy with our stay at Sanibel! The condo was clean and comfortable, the kitchen had everything we needed, the pool was very nice and it was just a few steps from the beach. The owner suggested where we could rent bikes, which was important to us. The bike trails on Sanibel are so nice. ..."

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2025

Beach View + 1-2 Min walk to Beach + Huge TVs & Fully Remodeled
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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