Best Outdoor Activities in Sanibel Island

"A beautiful beach with stunning white sands, Gulfside City Park offers both grassy and sandy areas for visitors to spend some time and listen to the waves. This beach, despite being located on a highly popular touristic island, never gets too crowded, so it's a nice spot to visit if you're looking for a little peace and quiet. Restrooms and showers can be found here, and there are also picnic areas and even grills open for public use, so it's a super spot to visit on a sunny weekend or special occasion."

"Located on the island's south coast, Gulfside City Park (mysanibel.com) spans 27.5 acres on the Gulf of Mexico shoreline and provides public beach access. Bring a picnic lunch to the park for a mid-day meal at one of the on-site picnic tables at Gulfside Park. Outside showers are available to rinse off after a day in the sand, and bike racks are open for those who choose to pedal to the beach."

"At Gulfside City Park, you’ll find a long stretch of white sand that stretches to the shoreline. This makes it one of the best beaches on Sanibel Island for families!. Found on Algiers Lane off of Casa Ybel Road, Gulfside City Park also goes by Algiers Beach."

"There’s no shortage of beautiful beaches on Sanibel Island, but if you’re looking for one that is less crowded but with some amenities, Bowman’s Beach is the best option. This stretch of soft, white sand is great for children and a popular option for anyone seeking unique shells. Other popular activities include swimming, windsurfing, and sailing, and on-site amenities include picnic areas with BBQ grills, bathrooms with showers, and a playground."

"Known as the most popular beach in Sanibel Island, Bowman’s Beach beckons beach lovers who enjoy white sand and lots of shells. This picturesque spot has experienced less development than other beaches and has several amenities. Guests find picnic tables, grills, restrooms and bike racks."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Peter & Michelle S used under CC BY 2.0. What a beautiful day for a beach trip!. Beaches are best when the weather is hot and sunny, so be sure to check the weather before packing up the beach items and heading out."

"It's not uncommon to spot individuals or little groups of people combing the sands in search of their next great find, and there are lots of pretty little shells just waiting to be discovered, with new ones being washed up each day. As you might expect, the currents here are quite choppy, so it's not the best place for swimming, but sunbathing and fishing can be enjoyed on Blind Pass Beach. Fun day trip ideas close to me, things to do this weekend, small towns, best weekend getaways: Ohio, From San Francisco, From NYC, Texas, Florida"

"If you like spending time on the beach, grabbing lunch on a patio under the palms, and then wandering back to your beach chair, the beautiful stretch of beach at Blind Pass is the place for you. You might barely notice the small cluster of buildings at Blind Pass as you drive along, except the beach houses and retail are painted in colorful hues, making it hard to miss this little area. Be sure to pull off before you hit the bridge to Captiva Island."

"If you’re looking for a quiet beach hardly anyone goes to, Tarpon Bay Beach is a small mid-island beach off a remote access road with easy parking. Park at the Trost Parking Lot for public beach parking (located at 205 Tarpon Bay Road) and take the short hike to the beach. It’s scenic and quiet — and depending on the time of day and year, you’ll practically have the whole beach to yourself."

"For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and it’s one of the better populated beaches in the area. The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach."

"When you’re looking for a true escape, you need a beach that’s free of crowds, tourists, and small children. Tarpon Bay Beach, one of the best Sanibel Island beaches, will be your perfect escape!. That serenity does come at a small price."

"Bunche Beach is located on the stunning San Carlos Bay, and it is one of the best beaches in Fort Myers. You can enjoy all of the usual beach activities there, including swimming, suntanning, and shelling. Quite a few starfish and crabs have made their home at Bunch Beach and let’s talk about shelling."

"We’re starting off the list with one of the coolest beaches in southwest Florida. And since it’s not technically on Fort Myers Beach, it’s probably the best Fort Myers sunset you will find!. We had to add it to our list because of its unique location in San Carlos between Ft."

"Address: 451 Connecticut St, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Fast forward in time will bring you to the Edison & Ford Winter Estate. This well-preserved home of the great inventor Thomas Edison and automobile builder Henry Ford is a step back into the beginning of the last century. More than a winter getaway, the estate in Fort Myers also housed a massive laboratory and extensive garden."

"After driving to Ft. Myers Beach after work we checked into our hotel and had dinner on site at Bongos."

"Like the Cypress Slough Preserve, the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve in Cape Coral has a wonderful boardwalk through the Florida wetlands with plenty of photo ops. Plus, this preserve is attached to the Veterans Memorial Park, which features many impressive war monuments. The Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve is open between 8 AM till dusk on most days."

"Measuring over 100 acres, the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a fantastic way to get children interested in ecology. After watching a show at the 87-seat planetarium, go on a hiking trail, visit live animals, and check out the butterfly room. Typically, Calusa is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 AM – 4 PM and on Sundays from 11 AM – 4 PM."

"This beautiful 3500 acre wetland park is home to a plethora of amazing creatures including turtles, otters, alligators, birds, and more. At Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, you can walk along a boardwalk to get a close look at the wetlands or visit the interpretive center to learn more about the flora and fauna that live there. It is a great place to visit before heading to the Everglades if you want to develop a decent base of knowledge about what you will be seeing."

"Measuring roughly 3,500 acres, the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has a fantastic 1.2-mile boardwalk through the Florida wetlands. Nature lovers will really enjoy taking a few selfies at this preserve’s many lookout points. This preserve is usually open between dawn and dusk every day, but always check the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve’s website for info on closures."

"Here, you can fuel your shopping experience with breakfast at an award-winning café before treating yourself—and your four-legged companion—to trendy fashion, gifts, and fine art. This pet-friendly shopping center is a favorite of locals and guests alike, so be sure to stop by and see why!. For the gift-giver: Suncatcher’s Dream"

"Olde Sanibel Shoppes is a pet-friendly shopping center with Florida charm!. Anchored by an award-winning café with outside dining, this plaza is a favorite of locals as well as guests. Olde Sanibel Shoppes hums with happy shoppers whether you have two feet or four!"

"Town Center is conveniently located right on the bike path and on the way to Captiva Island. Stop by Subway for a sandwich or enjoy some delicious chicken with all the fixings at The Pecking Order. Take a break from biking and enjoy your meal in the beautiful outdoor seating area or pack a picnic for your trip to Captiva Island."