When travelers find themselves longing to enjoy a getaway destination that’s filled with sand, sun, shells, and surf, they’ll find everything they’re looking for and more on Sanibel Island. This laid-back and inviting vacation destination has long been loved by travelers looking for a picture-perfect place to unwind and relax by the water. While Sanibel Island, offers up pristine stretches of shoreline to enjoy and explore, it’s also a place where you can pair your leisurely fun with on-the-water adventures of all kinds. Customizing your getaway to Sanibel Island is a breeze once you realize how many amazing restaurants and entertainment stops are right at your fingertip as well! No matter what your travel style might be or what your perfect itinerary entails, Sanibel Island is a destination that’s sure to bring you back year after year. If you’re fortunate enough to have three days to spare, consider this Sanibel travel guide your starting point to creating amazing memories that are sure to last a lifetime.
Enjoy a One-of-a-Kind Destination With Our Sanibel Travel Guide
Sanibel Island is an amazing place for travelers to set their sights thanks to its year-round amazing weather. While many islands host a north-south orientation, Sanibel Island runs east to west making it a unique barrier island on the map. While its beautiful beaches are always a highlight of a getaway in this direction, it’s impossible to miss the array of shells that find their way to the shoreline here too. In fact, Sanibel Island has earned a reputation as one of Florida’s finest shelling locations with good reason! With a bucket in hand, you can spend time shelling here year-round, making the most of the sub-tropical climate that’s waiting to greet you.
Travelers who head this way between October and May are in for a treat. This is the optimal time of year to enjoy a Sanibel Island stay without the humidity and temperatures topping out midday around 70. This is also a great option if you want to avoid hurricane season which runs from June through November annually.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with a winter getaway to Sanibel Island when you’re looking forward to escaping the snow and cold. The winter season here runs from December through February, but even then, the highs linger in the 70s and only drop to around 60 in the evening hours.
Getting to and Around Sanibel Island
When you’re planning your three-day stay on Sanibel Island, you’re going to have plenty of options when it comes to getting here and getting around upon arrival. Visitors can choose to either fly or drive in depending on their point of origin.
If you choose to fly, the closest airport is Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, which is just 28 miles from Sanibel Island. The airport serves a variety of major airlines and has car rental options on-site for making the drive in once you land. There are other regional airports in the area worth considering if you don’t mind driving further including Punta Gorda Airport, Naples Municipal Airport, and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
>Day 1
Once you arrive on Sanibel Island and get settled into your luxurious and inviting vacation rental, day one of your stay begins at scenic Bowman’s Beach Park. It’s hard to count a Sanibel Island stay complete without some quality time set aside each day of your stay to bask in the sun on the beach. Bowman’s Beach Park is located at 1700 Bowman’s Beach Road and is one of the most popular destinations for shelling in the area. It’s a place where you can dig your toes into soft sand, comb for seashells, and enjoy quality time with your traveling crew. You can soak up the gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico from this beach park daily and you’re free to utilize the on-site amenities including picnic pavilions, charcoal grills, and restrooms as well. Parking here is $5 an hour if you arrive by vehicle, and the beach is dog friendly as long as your canine companion remains leashed.
Next up is a stop at Tower Gallery, which is found at 751 Tarpon Bay Road. After your time at the beach, Tower Gallery is a great place to enjoy some artistic inspiration. This cottage-turned-gallery was originally built in 1915, and today provides guests with a fully-restored destination to enjoy photography, paintings, jewelry, and more on display—all of which were crafted by a cooperative of over 20 local artists. You can visit Tower Gallery Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm and you’ll want to keep your eye on the event calendar because depending on the day you drop by, there’s a good chance you’ll be right on time for one of the many events, sales, or auctions this gallery hosts throughout the year. If you find something you love and you don’t want to risk damaging it on the way home, they offer free shipping from the gallery within the U.S. upon request.
The last stop on day one is the Botanical Gardens at Sanibel Moorings. Integrated into a condo complex, this botanical garden is a great place to see an inviting collection of colorful tropical plants, flowers, and trees in one convenient destination. In total, the garden sprawls across 6 acres of terrain, and there are 90-minute walking tours offered upon request when you’re looking to travel alongside a guide who can point out butterflies, birds, and wildlife like turtles that inhabit the garden along the way. You can find the gardens at 845 E Gulf Drive and private tours will need to be organized in advance.
This evening, treat yourself to a delicious dinner at Gramma Dot’s Seaside Saloon. Located at 634 N Yachtsman Drive, Gramma Dot’s Seaside Saloon is a delightful dockside eatery where you can enjoy everything from burgers and salads to ribeye, filet mignon, lobster tail and more!
Day 2
The second day of your Sanibel Island getaway takes you to Lighthouse Beach Park after a robust breakfast in your vacation rental. Situated on the eastern end of Sanibel Island, Lighthouse Beach Park is a perfect place to picnic, walk the nature trails or enjoy a swim followed up by on-site showers. A highlight of a visit to this beach park is visiting the historic lighthouse it’s named after. The structure is over 100 years old and a testament to the area’s nautical culture as well as a wonderful photo backdrop to commemorate your visit. Parking is available here at $5 an hour if you bring a vehicle. The park is open daily and can be found at 110 Periwinkle Way.
Next, it’s time to indulge your historical interests at the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village. Found at 950 Dunlop Road, this museum and village is open Tuesday through Thursday seasonally from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. It’s a great place to learn about Sanibel’s past and see what it would have been like for settlers here in the 1800s. There are nine historic buildings on-site that have been restored to their original state including a post office, general store, and cottages. There are guided tours available upon request and a heritage trail that takes you through all the historical sites across the island comprehensively.
Once you’ve had your fill of historic fun, make your way to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge at 1 Wildlife Drive for some quality time in nature. This stop is a must for wildlife lovers or landscape photographers alike. The refuge encompasses a large portion of the northern side of the island and provides a vital habitat for migrating birds each year. There’s a Visitor Center on-site complete with exhibits to check out and the buildings are open Saturday through Thursday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. There’s also a wildlife drive you can take through the refuge that’s open from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm and is $10 per vehicle.
Day 3
The last day of your Sanibel Island stay takes you to Tarpon Bay Road Beach Park at 205 Tarpon Bay Road for some well-deserved time under the sun. This beach frames the Gulf waters and the sand is as appealing as time on the waves. This is a great place to enjoy a fresh-air breakfast with family and friends before building sandcastles or starting a game of beach volleyball if you’d like. When you’re ready to cool off and enjoy some time exploring, the best way to do that here is to partner up with the team over at Tarpon Bay Explorers. Headquartered at 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Tarpon Bay Explorers offers kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals as well as guided excursions for an insightful afternoon on the waves. They’ve been serving the greater Sanibel area for over 20 years and continue to be a fan-favorite outfitter when it comes to local nature tours. They’re open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm with the last rentals signed out at 3:00 pm.
After a day of adventure on the sand and sea, it’s time to enjoy a delicious dinner in good company at MudBugs Cajun Kitchen. Head over to 1473 Periwinkle Way to get into a Mardi Gras mood no matter when you drop by! This eatery serves up bold and delicious Cajun dishes and has the friendly and fun service to match. Whether you go with the fresh oysters, Cajun alfredo, or the gator tail, your tastebuds are in for a treat. If you spent any time fishing on the water at Tarpon Bay Road Beach Park earlier in the day, the team here is happy to help you cook up that fresh-caught fare upon request as well.
Book Your Scenic Getaway to Sanibel Island Today
No matter when you make your way to Sanibel Island, how long you have to spare in the name of vacation fun, or how many fellow travelers you arrive alongside, booking your accommodations through the property professionals at Tropical Escape Sanibel is the place to start. Having luxurious, comfortable, convenient, and stylish vacation rentals in place upon arrival can make all the difference in your stay. Our team is here to handle all of the details that matter most so that when you arrive, the only thing left to do is to focus on the fun and adventure ahead. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting property options available and how we can help you elevate your stay in style.
