Turner Beach, in particular, is known for itsspectacularsunsets. And whether you order a cone or bowl, every servingis topped with an adorable little animal cracker. We stayed at the Sanibel Inn and absolutely LOVED it. My twins have been to the island three times starting at 13 months old (1st trip, 2nd trip, 3rd trip) and have loved spending time on the beaches and with nature. Visiting this locale is a feel-good endeavor, too, as your admission fee goes towards the care of approximately 3,500 injured and orphaned animals each year. Here are the Top Things to Do with Kids on Sanibel Island, Florida. Afamily vacation to Florida is usually synonymous with Disney, but it doesn't have to be. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. Don't worry too much about the being out in sun while you're riding as most of the trails are shaded by the islands dense plant life (although it's probably still a good idea to put on some SPF and a hat). The beach here was beautiful white sand, and the water was a bright shade of beautiful blue. Also, check out the show-stopping Captiva Pass, which is the strait that separates North Captiva Island from La Costa Island. There is so much to explore right outside your hotel, both on the beach and in the water. This is definitely one of the best Sanibel Island activities for families, and one of the top reasons that many people plan a visit here. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. Find out when low tide is and hit the beach before anyone else can snatch up all the good stuff. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. Parking at Blind Pass Beach costs $5 per hour and the beach is free to explore. I've heard you can spot Alligators, otters, and turtles on the property. Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. Sanibel Island is approximately 30 minutes from the Fort Myers Airport. It sets over the ocean where you can watch from a huge stretch of public beach. Cabbage Key. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. The twins and I also spotted this unique bird on the beach. Beaches, Free TYPE 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND Bowman's is well known for having beautiful, unusual shells, but you'll have to put a. 10. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. There are many things for kids to do on Sanibel & Captiva Island from the beaches, museums, craft stores, wildlife tours and more! Check out the accommodation options for your dates through my booking.com affiliate search box: Booking.com(function(d,sc,u){var s=d.createElement(sc),p=d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u+'?v='+(+new Date());p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);})(document,'script','//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); And always remember, Florida can be very HOT! Also, it's closed at this moment, but there is generally a hands-on area for kids at the Visitor and Education Center. I was blind to what else existed in the State. There arent really any great public transportation on Sanibel Island, so unless you are planning to take an Uber to and from the airport (expensive given the distance) you will need a car to get around. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. My kids spent hours walking up and down the beach from our hotel doing shelling. If youre planning avacation to Sanibel Islandand wondering what activities are offered on this island close to Floridas coast, check out these10 kid-friendly attractionsthis special island has to offer. Since 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse (or Sanibel Island Light), has stood on Point Ybel at the eastern tip ofSanibel Island, markingthe entrance to San Carlos Bay. This was a "giant clapper" in our world for the week. Friday, March 3. The whole family has endless opportunities for fun. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. Sanibel Island is as much about world-class as it is about beaches. It has an authentic, old Florida vibe. Relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic, go on a bike ride, or take a hike on one of the trails found . Winters the weather can be hit or miss, and the months between December-February are busier with snowbirds escaping winter. Love Boat Ice Cream is at 1700 Periwinkle Way in the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. There are activities and family friendly places to visit for families of any size and children of any age. Sanibel Island isworld-renownedfor its abundance of seashells. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. Loosen your belt because several stalls sell freshly made dishes you can eat on the go. If budget were a consideration, I would happily advocate for cheaper accommodation (even if it was away from the beach) on Sanibel before staying at a moderate resort on the beach in Fort Myers. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. That's the tagline for the Captiva Island Crab Races, which are held twice a week in the Crow's Nest restaurant at'Tween Waters Island Resort. Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. It's a unique, quirky, and unusual place that is full of old Florida charm. Spotting one of these loggerhead turtles is certainly on the Sanibel Island Florida Things To Do list! From action-packed water sports to relaxing spa treatments, we have something for everyone. Conditions are often mild and allow you to experience many of the island's activities no matter when you visit. There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. It feels special because it is. Address: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. We've taken the twins twice and both times they loved running out on the boardwalk and spotting animals. Why not try a different one each night? The french fries are really good. Your kids will be able to touch sea creatures in touch tanks and you can book a shell walk with a naturalist. This is what I know about the best time to visit Sanibel Island. Go straight to the beach. The island is home to many burrowing gopher turtles and lush plantlife grows wild here giving the island an old Florida feel. Pick from one of many competitive games at Battlegroundz in Lincoln including dodgeball, laser tag, paintball, archery tag, airsoft, darts and cornhole. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Nope, they were thrilled to do this! Part sporting event, part comedy dinner show, the crab races have guests select a hermit crab from a bowl, name it and then cheer it on as it races to the finish line. 9. Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. We also had dinner there and the kids were super happy with their chicken fingers. You might spot a dolphin or two from there. Too badwill have to make another trip . You are in warm weather and you are on the ocean, so why not indulge in the water and cool off? Warm Gulf waters and calm surf make most of the island's beaches great for families withsmall children. Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Our days were spent playing in the water, riding bikes around the island and collecting shells (SO MAY SHELLS! Looks like it was a fun trip! Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. The refuge also offers tram rides hosted by a naturalist, so kids can learn more about what they're seeing. We are beach people and love to spend lots of time at the beach on our trips! Florida is traditionally a state that screams family travel. Here are the activities they have for kids! Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. Hi, Friends! You'll soon find there's nothing quite like the calm and quiet beauty of being completely surrounded by natureeven kids will be too entranced to cause a ruckus. The Island also offers many opportunities for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. Almost every restaurant in the area boasts its own version of Key Lime pie, but if you have kidsor a big sweet toothyou HAVE to make a stopfor a slice of cake at the Bubble Roomlocated on Captiva island (which is accessible from Sanibel by car). 74. Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! It's a pretty spectacular sight. I would absolutely stay there again. Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? With time spent on the beach looking for shells, we barely had time to get out and see what the rest of the island had to offer! Look up and see if you can observe some ospreys or pelicans. We really loved the fact that they walk right out onto a perfect stretch of pristine beach that we had nearly all to ourselves. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Thats awesome. Your new neighbors will be just as curious about you as you are about them. Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. Every single coastal state in the U.S. has reported red tide and the cause is primarily pollution chemicals in the water. If the ocean is a little to rough for your likes, be sure to be booked at a hotel with a pool for guests to use because you will want it! In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. Parenting lesson learned? It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. 8. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. Read more: The Visitor and Education Centre offers free admission and is open every day except holidays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm year-round. Resorts felt more high end and had price tags to match. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. 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