Travel Florida 8 Best Things To Do In Sanibel Island, Florida A little adventure—plus the promise of doing nothing at all—draws us to this famous Florida isle. By Coastal Living Coastal Living Published quarterly, Coastal Living reaches consumers who love life on the coast. Whether they are living right on the water or are dreaming of their next beach escape, these passionate consumers want the coastal lifestyle in their home, travel, and every other aspect of their lives. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 12, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email The very act of arriving on Sanibel Island, off Florida's southern Gulf coast, feels like a beautiful escape. The only way to get on the isle, 20 miles southwest of Fort Myers, is to drive across a three-mile causeway that is surrounded by a sparkling bay. The view from all sides is an expanse of water and blue sky—until the causeway narrows and you're gradually funneled onto a two-lane country road. The speed limit goes down, the guardrails disappear, and the water makes way for pines and palm trees that stand tall enough to create a canopy shielding you from the rest of the world. Ordinances ban high-rises, stoplights, and national chain restaurants (though three exceptions, among them a very retro-looking Dairy Queen, were grandfathered in years ago). In September 2022, Hurricane Ian struck the area as a Category 4 storm and caused mass destruction across Sanibel and Captiva islands. While businesses and hotels are still working to repair and reopen, the area is beginning to accept visitors with the hopes of making a full comeback as soon as possible. Sanibel Island is a beloved vacation spot for many Southerners, and we will continue to be there to show support. Here are our favorite ways to spend time on the beautiful Sanibel Island. 01 of 08 Where To Stay David Hillegas Home rentals are a great way to make the most of your trip with friends and family. Recommendations include Periwinkle Cottages, Seaside Inn, and Castaway Cottages. Arguably the island's most luxurious property, Casa Ybel Resort provides an historic, beachfront experience along the Gulf of Mexico. Each of the 114 luxurious bedroom suites includes a huge kitchen and screened balcony or lanai. Disclaimer: With the island still recovering from Hurricane Ian's destruction, availability at hotels, inns, and cottage collections might be affected until further notice. 02 of 08 Where To Eat David Hillegas Traders Café and Store is a Sanibel must-visit since 1998. Linger after dinner to find a token to bring home from the gift shop. Grab the best Gulf pink shrimp at Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, a local institution founded by author Randy Wayne White. For dessert, an ice cream cone at Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream or a creamy custard at Joey's Custard is the ticket. The sprinkle-studded Shipwreck is a favorite for kids, while the Green Flash (key lime pie-flavored) is the tastiest homage to Florida. 03 of 08 Where To Drink David Hillegas Tucked along Periwinkle Way is one of Sanibel's best happy hour hot spots. Cip's Place is named after Jimmy Cipriani, a beloved local and former owner of the property who inspired the current proprietors to create a place where you're reminded of "the good old days of Sanibel." Here, the patrons are heavier on longtime residents and lighter on tourists.Coconuts Poolside Bar and Grill, the watering hole at Casa Ybel Resort, is the place to go for relaxing after a day of fun in the sun. Order the Frozen Alligator (pictured here)—a frosty cocktail made from coconut rum, Midori melon liqueur, piña colada mix, and vanilla ice cream. 04 of 08 What To Do: Cruise the Bike Trails David Hillegas Covering 25 miles of family-friendly neighborhoods, Sanibel's bike trails are the best means for exploring the island. Rent a bike at Billy's Bike Shop or Finnimore's Bike and Beach Rentals. 05 of 08 What To Do: Hunt for Shells David Hillegas Sanibel is widely known as "the shell capital of the world." The shelling is superior here because unlike other islands, which generally run from north to south, Sanibel lies east to west—it reaches like a finger beckoning into the Gulf, and scoops up shells that have made the voyage from the Caribbean and even farther south. There's even a term for the way these determined people sift through the sand, hunched over on a mission: the Sanibel Stoop. Head to any beach for treasured finds, but Bowman's Beach and Lighthouse Beach are local favorites. 06 of 08 What To Do: Play Outside David Hillegas Besides shells, Sanibel's other claim to fame is the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, known simply as Ding Darling. It's the most popular attraction on the island; with 700,000 guests a year, it's also the busiest of the over-500 wildlife refuges in the United States. During prime nesting season, May through October, fleets of locals walk the beaches at dawn, cordoning off turtle nests and looking for tracks. 07 of 08 What To Do: Watch the Sunset David Hillegas The half hour or so just prior to sunset is unquestionably the most magical: The beach slowly begins to fill up again as spectators set up shop on beach chairs and blankets and wait for the show to begin. The mix of colors that appears on the horizon is mindblowing—it's as if an artist blended drops of paint in colors of peach, dusty rose, coral, and salmon, and then brushed them across the sky. The goal for any sunset watcher is to spot the elusive Green Flash, which appears when the sun turns bright green at the absolute split second it slips below the horizon; the phenomenon occurs only on cloudless evenings. On an island like Sanibel, there's no bad seat to enjoy, and it is not to be missed. 08 of 08 What To Do: Explore a Quiet Beach David Hillegas On Sanibel, it all comes back to the beach. There's no such thing as a sub-par stretch, but if looking for a secluded swath of sand, head toward the end of West Gulf Drive to "Beach Access #6." In a place that already feels like a private hideaway, this beautiful, isolated beach seals the deal. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit