Top Rated Parks to Visit in Sanibel Island

"This 32-acre park houses a lighthouse that dates to 1884 and some of the best Sanibel Island beaches. Lighthouse Beach Park offers plenty of space to spread out and walk and look for shells in Sanibel Island. Other activities include picnicking, pier fishing, sailing and windsurfing."

"Set on the island’s eastern edge, the Sanibel Lighthouse operated between 1884 and 1972. Today, it’s one of the top and most popular attractions on Sanibel Island. Standing at 112 feet, this lighthouse is a sight to behold."

"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."

"These beaches are your first impression of Sanibel Island and it’s not a bad one, if we do say so ourselves. The view from the causeway is amazing in its own right, but the Causeway Beaches are always teeming with happy beachgoers, parasailers, kiteboarders and boaters. It’s impossible not to feel relaxed as you drive by."

"Water lovers will appreciate kayak opportunities, and professional beach loungers will enjoy the sprawling picnic area, fishing spots, and sunbathing. There’s also plenty for water sports enthusiasts, including windsurfing and kiteboarding. Getting here can be a little challenging."

"Since Lovers Key State Park is a state park, its lands get a little bit more care and protection than other beaches. For that reason and the unique amenities here, Lovers Key State Park is one of the best beaches in Fort Myers Beach. It’s open 365 days a year, and therefore the perfect fix for even the most spontaneous beach day!"

"​Day Four: Lovers Key State Park, Love Boat Ice Cream, Pool, and Fine Folk Pizza There are so many outdoor and water activities in Ft. Myers so on this day we tried our hand at canoeing at Lovers Key State Park. We were able to rent a canoe for half the day for $48 (they only charged us the 1-2 person rate due to the kids ages)."

"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."

"Spanning 50 acres and operated by Lee County, Bowman's Beach is popular for its remote location on the west end of Sanibel away from hotels and other activities. Shells are frequently found on the white sandy beaches at the park, and ambitious visitors can traverse several miles of sand in one day. Barbecue grills and picnic tables are available at Bowman's Beach, and fishing is permitted from the shore with a proper license from the state."

"You’ll find it on the west end of Sanibel, nearly on the way to Captiva. This beach has a good-sized parking lot, but you will have to walk a bit to get to the beach. This is also the only Sanibel beach with barbeque grills, so keep this in mind if you’re planning to grill out."

"Bowman’s Beach may be the most beautiful sight in the region. This acclaimed beach is open from dawn to dusk all year round. While it lacks many conveniences, it makes up for it with gorgeous open beaches great for walking and enjoying some water sports."

"If you’ve gotten enough sun and want a shadier place for a walk, this free park offers a glimpse of what this area look like before development. Trails totaling 1.25 miles extend to the bay through hardwood forest and mangrove swamp."

"Not only is it a free attraction, but this untouched 60-acre sanctuary is home to one of the best beach spots in Fort Myers."

"One of the most popular places to fish in the area is Fort Myers Beach Pier. Parasailing allows you to watch all the action of anglers fishing from this pier in the Gulf of Mexico. Look closely, and you may see fishermen hauling in Spanish mackerel, cobia, pompano, redfish, bluefish and mangrove snappers."

"The fishing pier at Fort Myers Beach is well-known as one of the most amazing places to watch the a Ft."

"Waterside Shops is your home for luxury shopping in the area, making it a perfect addition to Lely beach vacations. Popular brands like Anthropologie, Brooks Brothers, and Saks Fifth Avenue make up the extensive collection of shops carefully cultivated to bring you a great experience. In addition to clothing, you can find jewelry, electronics, and dining."

"Tucked in behind the Barnes & Noble and the Artis-Naples complex off Rte. 41 in central Naples, the Waterside Shops Naples is barely viewable from the road. It’s always one place we bring family and friends when they visit because the shopping here is excellent and the setting is lovely."

"Burburry, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Hermes: Yes, that sound you are hearing is cha-ching. Expect to find the most luxe brands in a setting of pure architectural magnificence. It wasn't built on the waterfront, but its many water features earn the shopping center its name."

"If there one place where Naples truly lives up to its Italian name, it’s in the Neapolitan-styled Village on Venetian Bay, a real gem in Naples. Designed and developed to look like the canals of Venice, the waterfront homes and condos here bear a good resemblance, and it’s fun to walk around. The Village itself has shops and restaurants on both sides of Park Shore, where you can park in either lot and walk between the two through the underground tunnel or at the crosswalk."

"The Village Shops on Venetian Bay is a premier waterfront shopping district. This high-end district offers more than forty boutiques and stores and many other restaurants serving a wide array of cuisines from all over the world."

"The Speckled Egg is located nearby McGregor Café but spews a unique menu. The Speckled Egg has a walk-up counter where you can place your order."

"If you are a coffee addict, Coffee Bar at Bailey's General Store has been meeting the needs of everyone on Sanibel Island for over a century. Apart from the 37 varieties of coffee and smoothie beverages like an iced caramel latte or a tasty berry smoothie, they have an extensive takeaway counter of hot foods for breakfast as well. But our favorite reason to go to Baileys for a Sanibel island breakfast?"