Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Sanibel Island

We've collected top 10 mentioned free attractions in Sanibel Island from other articles such as Sanibel Real Estate Guide, Tripadvisor's Top Things to Do, Family Vacation Critic.

Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Sanibel Island

Lighthouse Beach Park
Lighthouse Beach Park
4.6 (4025 ratings)4 (82 ratings)
A scenic 32-acre park & lighthouse at the island tip with a fishing pier, picnic area & showers.
110 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
ParkNature & ParksBeachPublic beach
Mentioned by iTripVacations
6 Sanibel Island Beaches Where Stress Melts Away and Kids Can Play
"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."
Gulfside City Park Beach (Algiers)
Gulfside City Park Beach (Algiers)
4.6 (717 ratings)4.5 (239 ratings)
Public beach offering picnic areas & BBQ grills, plus bike racks, outdoor showers & restrooms.
2001 Algiers Ln, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
Public beachOutdoor ActivitiesBeachPark
Mentioned by VacationIdea
7 Best Sanibel Island Beaches
"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."
Mentioned by Travel Tips - USA Today
Parks in Sanibel Island, Florida
"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."
Mentioned by Florida Trippers
7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands
"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."
Sanibel Moorings Resort
Sanibel Moorings Resort
4.5 (257 ratings)4.5 (236 ratings)
Airy condos in a casual beachfront retreat featuring boat rentals, tennis courts & 2 outdoor pools.
845 E Gulf Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
Condominium complexNature & ParksCondominium rental agencyExtended stay hotelGardens
Mentioned by planetware.com
7 Top-Rated Resorts on Sanibel Island, FL | PlanetWare
"Located on the eastern end of the island near Sanibel Lighthouse, the Sanibel Moorings Resort is a quiet getaway boasting a private beach with complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas for guests' use. Nature-lovers will appreciate the guided beach walks and shelling lectures conducted weekly by a marine biologist, as well as tours of the property's six-acre tropical botanical garden, which includes a butterfly garden. Resort amenities include two heated pools plus a kids' area with a separate pool, two tennis courts, a fitness center and business center, self-serve laundry, library, and resort-wide Wi-Fi."
Mentioned by Family Vacation Critic
10 Best Sanibel Island Resorts for Families 2019
"Located right near the Sanibel Lighthouse and spread across six lush acres on the island’s east end, this large condo-style resort with a private beach and two heated pools is one of the best hotels on Sanibel Island. Choose from one-, two- or three-bedroom condos, all of which have full kitchens and screened-in first or second-story patios for relaxing outside sans mosquitoes. There’s a marina if you happen to have your own boat in tow."
Mentioned by Port Sanibel Marina
6 Best Places to Take Pictures on Sanibel Island
"Whether you’re a guest or not, head over to the Sanibel Moorings Resort to check out their open-to-the-public six-acres of tropical botanical gardens, which are located near the Sanibel Lighthouse. The gardens include a hibiscus collection and a butterfly garden."
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
4.5 (435 ratings)4.5 (5591 ratings)
A park on the Gulf with over 230 species of birds plus trails, fishing, tours & family activities.
1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
Wildlife refugeNature & ParksConservation departmentNature & Wildlife Areas
Sanibel Lighthouse
Sanibel Lighthouse
4.7 (1433 ratings)4 (2399 ratings)
The grounds are open to the public to view the exterior of this historic beachfront beacon up close.
112 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
LighthouseSights & Landmarks
Mentioned by Fort Myers 5 days itinerary
5 Days in Fort Myers & Sanibel Island
"We love renting bikes and seeing cities through riding around so when we found out there was a bike path to Sanibel Lighthouse and Beach we knew that would be the way for us to get there. We drove over to Sanibel Island and rented bikes from Billy’s Rental. Billy’s rents a wide range of bikes including those with baby seats, single-speed, trailer attachments for kids and even the weehoo that we rented and used to have Jordyn ride with me. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen."
Mentioned by TripHobo
Cultural Attractions in Sanibel
"Towering above a lush, green wildlife refuge, the Sanibel Island Lighthouse is the first sight you’ll see when you’ve reached the island. Built 120 years ago, it’s a symbol of Sanibel Island and is surrounded by greenery, as well as a shell filled beach. History, nature and old architecture come together to give visitors a multi-faceted treat."
Mentioned by Port Sanibel Marina
6 Best Places to Take Pictures on Sanibel Island
"You can’t make a trip to Sanibel Island without visiting the Sanibel Fishing Pier and the Sanibel Lighthouse. At the fishing pier, you’ll get great shots of local fishermen reeling in their catches. While you’re there do some local fishing yourself and get tips from the locals."
Hirdie-Girdie Gallery
Hirdie-Girdie Gallery
4.5 (15 ratings)4.5 (22 ratings)
2490 Library Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
Art gallerySights & LandmarksPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mentioned by floridassanibelisland.com
Museums Sanibel Island Florida, Childrens Museums, Lighthouses and Museums, Art Musuems, Shell Museum, Historical Museum on and around Sanibel Island, Florida
"Hirdie Girdie Gallery is a local artists' cooperative with a variety of styles and media including watercolor, oil, pastel and acrylic paintings, colored pencil and fiber, photography, Raku, pottery, basketry, sculptures, fused glass, turned wood, fiber and jewelry. All of the artwork displayed has been created by the members of their cooperative and our guest artists. You will always find a friendly and knowledgeable artist at the gallery."
Mentioned by Sanibel Vacations
Sanibel Island Art Galleries
"Hirdie-Girdie Gallery, located just minutes from our premier Sanibel Florida rentals, is another fantastic Sanibel art gallery. For over 20 years, Hirdie-Girdie has been supplying visitors and locals with visual stimulation and inspiration. Visit their website to learn more about the vast variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional offerings, as well as information on specific features artists."
Lynn Hall Beach Park
Lynn Hall Beach Park
4.6 (1524 ratings)4 (29 ratings)
Small beach park with a fishing pier, restrooms, showers & parking, plus picnic & grill facilities.
950 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA
Memorial parkNature & ParksPublic beachParks
Port Sanibel Marina
Port Sanibel Marina
4.5 (195 ratings)4.5 (129 ratings)
14341 Port Comfort Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, USA
MarinaNature & ParksBoat rental serviceBoat storage facilityCanoe & kayak rental serviceFishing charterMarine supply storeOuterwear storeRestaurant
Mentioned by Port Sanibel Marina
8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit
"When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, don’t forget to make a boating reservation too!. Port Sanibel Marina offers marina reservations and fishing charters for you to enjoy after a great time visiting all the beaches we mentioned above!. Make your Florida boat rental reservation today and call us today at (239) 437-1660 to make some boating memories today."
Mentioned by Port Sanibel Marina
7 Must Stops for Fresh Seafood on Sanibel Island
"Is your mouth watering now for all the fresh seafood Sanibel Island has to offer?. Before eating, remember to schedule some time to rent a boat or schedule a fishing charter to catch some fresh seafood of your own. Port Sanibel Marina offers dry storage and wet slip options for your own boats too."
Mentioned by Port Sanibel Marina
6 Best Places to Take Pictures on Sanibel Island
"Royal Shell Port Sanibel Marina is a beautiful "Old Florida" style marina offering boat rentals, boat storage, kayak, paddle boards and canoe excursions in the Fort Myers, Florida area. Categorized by: Things To Do Around Sanibel"
Crescent Beach Family Park
Crescent Beach Family Park
4.7 (186 ratings)4 (15 ratings)
2.25-acre gulf beach with a bridge view, a landscaped picnic area & sand-volleyball courts.
1100 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA
ParkNature & ParksBeach
Mentioned by Naples Florida Travel Guide
The 7 Best Beaches in Fort Myers Florida (Plus 5 More Nearby
"Crescent Beach Family Park is actually a little sliver of Fort Myers Beach just south of the Fort Myers fishing pier. But this this section of shoreline is distinguished from the remaining seven miles, because it’s typically where many families hang out – as the name of the park implies. It’s one of the public beaches Fort Myers has that are super family-friendly."
Mentioned by Naples Florida Travel Guide
9 Divine Places to Catch Sunset at Fort Myers Beach
"One of the most under-the-radar places to watch the sunset in Ft Myers Beach is Crescent Beach Family Park. This little slice of land is often overlooked for the larger beaches in the area, including Fort Myers Beach and Bowditch Point Park. That said, Crescent Beach Family Park is still worth a visit."
The Beach Bar
The Beach Bar
4.5 (416 ratings)5 (2 ratings)
1668 I Street, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA
BarNature & ParksLive music barBeaches

Best Takeout Food Restaurants in Sanibel Island

Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse
4.4 (1814 ratings)
Boisterous Australian-themed chain serving steaks, seafood & other hearty steakhouse fare.
12995 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907, USA
Steak houseAmerican restaurantAustralian restaurantBarBar & grillGluten-free restaurantTakeout RestaurantRestaurant
Subway
Subway
2.8 (70 ratings)
Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.
2272 First St Unit #101, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
Sandwich shopCatererFast food restaurantTakeout RestaurantRestaurant
Chicago Calzone
Chicago Calzone
4.3 (174 ratings)
2215 Winkler Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
Pizza restaurantItalian restaurantPizza deliveryPizza Takeout

Best Gelato in Sanibel Island

Royal Scoop - FMB
Royal Scoop - FMB
4.8 (412 ratings)
2307 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, USA
Ice cream shop
Mentioned by Where I've Been
Awesome Places to Eat in Fort Myers Beach
"Enjoying ice cream as it melts onto your hand is a beach vacation rite of passage. Royal Scoop has been delivering happiness to their customers since 1979. The service alone at Royal Scoop is enough reason to visit this favorite, but their ice cream is delicious as well."
Sonic Drive-In
Sonic Drive-In
4 (1501 ratings)
Fast-food burger & fries joint with an old-school feel, including retro drive-in service.
555 Pine Island Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33903, USA
Fast food restaurantChicken restaurantHamburger restaurantIce cream shopRestaurant
Culver's
Culver's
4.3 (1457 ratings)
Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.
9340 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33966, USA
American restaurantDessert restaurantFast food restaurantHamburger restaurantIce cream shopRestaurantSandwich shop

Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Sanibel Island

Happiness Healthy Cafe
Happiness Healthy Cafe
4.5 (35 ratings)
Bright counter-serve featuring Indian curry mains & tandoori chicken & chana marsala "naanwiches."
3332 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
Indian restaurantHealth food restaurantRestaurantVegan restaurantVegetarian restaurant
True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen
4.6 (898 ratings)
Relaxed, eco-chic chain serving health-conscious fare, including vegan options, plus cocktails.
5375 Tamiami Trail N Ste 15, Naples, FL 34108, USA
Health food restaurantAmerican restaurantGluten-free restaurantMediterranean restaurantNew American restaurantOrganic restaurantVegan restaurantVegetarian restaurant
Taco Bell
Taco Bell
3.8 (753 ratings)
Fast-food chain serving Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, quesadillas & nachos.
3431 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901, USA
Fast food restaurantBreakfast restaurantBurrito restaurantLunch restaurantTakeout RestaurantMexican restaurantRestaurantTaco restaurantTex-Mex restaurantVegetarian restaurant

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Sanibel Island

Gorgeous Renovated 1st Floor Condo with bikes, 2 Rollaway's & Oversized Lanai - Blind Pass F106
House
$25 /night
View deal
Sundial D305- Beautiful Gulf view condo! condo
Condo
$194 /night
View deal
4.3 (481 reviews)
Kona Kai
Hotel
$159 /night
View deal
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