Sanibel Island Itinerary: Best Things to do in Sanibel
Nestled off the Gulf Coast of Florida, Sanibel Island is a slice of paradise known for its unspoiled beaches, world-class shelling, and natural beauty.
It’s one of the barrier islands off of the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida. It’s a great place for beach-lovers and anyone who wants to soak in island life.
In this 3-day Sanibel travel guide, we’ll guide you through the best spots to make the most of your time on the island. Even though the itinerary is for 3 days, you’ll find it helpful whether you’re visiting for a short vacation or long-term stay.
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How Many Days Should You Stay in Sanibel?
Sanibel is a popular spot for vacationers of all kinds – families, honeymooners, snowbirds – pretty much whoever you are. It’s a great spot to enjoy each other’s company and be together – more about being and less about doing.
As far as things to do, you can see a lot of the island in a few days. So other than the fact that you’ll probably never be ready to leave, you won’t miss out on the sights if you come for a short stay.
Since Sanibel is more about slowing down, I’d say that most people consider one week to be ideal. If you have plenty of time, I’d say come for a week and take it slow. But it’s still worth visiting if you only have a few days. And I promise you, you’ll fall in love with Sanibel no matter how long or short your visit is.
A Note about Hurricane Ian
Please note that Hurricane Ian did a lot of damage in Sanibel Island, both physically and emotionally. If you’ve visited Sanibel before and are coming back again, more than likely you’ll still find that it feels like a special place. You’ll probably also grieve a little bit for all the changes the island has experienced.
If you’re new to Sanibel and have never visited before, it’s up to you whether it’s worth visiting. Some of the buildings look like there was never a hurricane while others make it look like it was yesterday.
There is plenty open and plenty to do but amongst it are also reminders of what used to be. Even if you’ve never been before, you’ll see damaged buildings and closed businesses. But the miles of sandy beaches are as beautiful and as inviting as ever!
The recovery efforts after Hurricane Ian are very much ongoing. The community is resilient and working hard to recover, and your support as a visitor is greatly appreciated during this time.
Day 1: Enjoy the Beach
Before moving to Florida, I couldn’t get to the beach fast enough when I visited on vacation. There is a good chance that if you are visiting Sanibel, you’re a beach person, too. So the first day, we’ll be spending it in the absolutely best way possible. And that’s by taking it slow and enjoying the whole reason you came – the beach!
Coffee
My absolute favorite coffee on the island is The Sanibel Sprout. It was a relatively new company when Ian hit in 2022 and it destroyed their building. They got creative and opened a food truck.
They are still working on rebuilding their storefront but the vibes of the food truck are perfect for a tropical paradise. They have good food options such as bowls, smoothies, and a coconut BLT.
I also love their specialty coffees which change depending on the season.
Morning: Start with Sunrise Shelling
Sanibel Island is famous for its incredible shelling opportunities and it’s actually known as one of the best shelling destinations in the world. Begin your first morning with a beach walk along Bowman’s Beach or Lighthouse Beach. Both are absolutely beautiful beaches.
Pro tip: Get there early. The tide brings in fresh shells with each new day and no one else has picked through them yet so the best treasures are often found at sunrise. Do not take any living creatures (if sand dollars are brown and has little spines, they are more than likely alive).
When you’re ready to settle down for your beach day, grab your beach chair, umbrella, and towels and get comfy. Don’t forget snacks, water, and sunscreen.
If you take your beach day all the way into the evening, you might want to check out Tarpon Bay Beach. It’s the perfect place for beautiful views of the sunset.
Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park
This is a popular spot in Sanibel because it’s the location of the historic lighthouse. There used to be some historic buildings here, too, and they were sadly washed away in Hurricane Ian.
The lighthouse was injured, too, but they have worked hard to restore her and she looks great. She’s still there and serves as a beacon of hope to many who have loved Sanibel Island for years.
This spot has been under restoration on and off for a couple of years now. At the time of this writing, the Lighthouse Beach is reopened but the lighthouse area is still closed. The parking lot is also still closed.
This is an old picture of the lighthouse and you can see one of the historic buildings around it which isn’t there anymore. Thanks to some amazing restoration, the lighthouse looks pretty much the same today:
Enjoy Your Accommodations
If you are staying somewhere with a pool, you might want to spend some time there. The Sanibel Island Beach Resort is a popular place to stay and has other amenities such as a pool bar, bikes you can use, and an on site bar/restaurant.
Dinner: Doc Fords
One of the most popular restaurants in Sanibel is Doc Fords. Its main draw is the gorgeous waterfront location serving tropical-inspired cuisine. Their rum cocktails are also popular for good reason!
The restaurant is named after the book series “Doc Ford” by Randy Wayne White. In the series, Doc Ford is a fictional marine biologist and Randy Wayne White was a fishing guide on Sanibel Island before he became an author.
Day 2: Nature Trail and Wildlife
One of my favorite things about Anna Maria Island is that there are miles of bike trails. Today, we’ll take advantage of that around the island and all the way to one of the most popular spots on the island, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Breakfast: Lighthouse Cafe
The Lighthouse Cafe claims to have the world’s best breakfast and it’s well loved by both locals and tourists.
It has a cozy, laid back beachy vibe. They serve fluffy pancakes, omelets (including a seafood omelet), muffins and biscuits, and all of your other breakfast favorites. They are also open for lunch for some good sandwiches, burgers, salads, and key lime pie.
Morning: Biking Around the Island
Sanibel Island is known for its miles of bike paths. A morning bike ride is a great way to start the day and a fun way to explore the island.
I recommend renting bikes and exploring the island at your own pace. Bikes are available for rent at Billy’s Rentals or Finnimore’s Cycle Shop.
Another fun way to get around the island is by renting a golf cart.
Mid-Morning: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
After your morning biking session, head over to J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, one of the island’s must-see attractions.
Do note that they are closed on Fridays so you might need to move this around if this day happens to be a Friday for you.
The refuge has a four mile nature trail that you can walk, drive, or join their tram to explore. You may see wildlife including alligators, various species of birds, manatees, and more. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is 6,400-acres!
Mid-Morning: Visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is a fun stop just down the road from the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. You can learn about Sanibel’s shelling history, different kinds of shells, and see some of the different marine life. There are touch tanks that the kids will love, too.
Lunch: Cheeburger Cheeburger
Cheeburger Cheeburger is such a fun restaurant on the island. It’s decorated like a vintage diner and serves everything you’d expect from a diner. You’ll find good burgers, french fries, and shakes.
Late Afternoon: Explore the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village
Dive into the island’s history by visiting the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, where you can explore restored historical buildings and artifacts that tell the story of early island life.
You’ll learn about Sanibel’s history and how it became the island as we know it today. Guided tours are available.
Day 3: A Day of Adventure and Relaxation
I always like the last day of my vacation to be a mix of adventure and relaxation. So that’s what I put here!
Morning: Kayaking at Tarpon Bay
Kick off your final day with an active adventure at Tarpon Bay Explorers. You can rent kayaks and explore the serene mangrove ecosystem. If you’ve never kayaked among the mangroves, you’re in for a very special and unique experience. If you’re lucky, you might spot some wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, and various bird species.
Farmer’s Market
If you happen to be in Sanibel on a Sunday, definitely check out their weekly farmer’s market.
Afternoon: Visit Captiva Island
If you haven’t already, take a short drive or bike ride to Captiva Island. It’s Sanibel’s neighboring island and Sanibel offers easy access for exploring. The beautiful islands of Sanibel & Captiva are often referred to as one in the same, though they are different.
Captiva has some cute shops and galleries that you’ll enjoy. And of course, Captiva also has some incredible beaches.
The Bubble Room Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Captiva. It’s a tradition many visitors but sadly, it suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Ian. Boop’s is an ice cream parlor and cafe that currently sells the beloved Bubble Room cakes if you want to get your Bubble Room fix.
Evening: Beach or Sunset Cruise
To end the day, have a quiet evening on the beach watching the sun go down.
Or for a change of scenery, book a tour with one of the island’s many boat operators to watch the sunset from the water. You’ll likely spot dolphins and other marine life, too.
Dinner: MudBugs Cajun Kitchen
I first saw MudBugs when we were driving off the island in the evening. It caught my eye because in the dark of night, it was all lit up and looked like such a fun place. Mudbugs is a 2-story restaurant covered with multicolored lights throughout. It’s funky and vibrant.
They specialize in food that is authentic to New Orleans such as oysters, po’boy sandwiches, jambalaya, and more. Of course, there is live music in the evenings and a happy hour from 3pm-6pm. It’s also family-friendly.
Final Tips for Your Sanibel Island Itinerary:
- Best Time to Visit: While Sanibel is beautiful year-round, the winter months (November to April) offer pleasant weather and less humidity.
- Hurricane Season is June to November (typically mid-August to mid-October is the most active part of the season). While I wouldn’t totally avoid the area during hurricane season, I’d highly recommend travel insurance
- Airport: The closest airport to Sanibel Island is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Florida. It’s approximately a 40-minute drive from the airport to Sanibel Island.
- Transportation: Rent a bike or car for easier navigation around the island.
- What to Pack: Don’t forget sunscreen, bug spray, and a good pair of walking shoes for exploring.
Sanibel is a laid-back island best explored at your own pace. It’s one of the best places I can imagine to truly let go and just be.
While you can see many of the sites by spending just three days in Sanibel, it’s really more about letting go and living on island time. So feel free to adjust the itinerary to whatever you’re feeling for the day. If you miss something, you can always come back!
