We visited in November, and it was just the right time for us. One of the main reasons I love coming here so much is for the shells. After 9:00 p.m on Sanibel, itsturtle time. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. Things To Do In Sanibel Island's Lighthouse Beach The Best Gift: Making Memories At South Seas Island Resort Beaches in Guatemala: Dramatic And Beautiful Volcanic Black Sand A Family Weekend In Florida's Space Coast With Holiday Inn The Best Things to do in Fort Myers Beach for Families Things To Do With Kids In The Upper And Middle Florida Keys We stayed at the Island Inn, the very first hotel on the island. With older kids, you can also bike the entire path, which I think would be a lovely way to see it. This lighthouse is picture perfect and worth exploring for a morning. Your new neighbors will be just as curious about you as you are about them. Dairy-Free (All recipes on CKC are gluten-free). This article was originally published on Oct. 14, 2014, The Cutest Grandpa Ever Took Peppa Pigs Family On Vacation With Him, United Airlines Launches A Free Family Seating Program That Actually Makes Sense. Home Travel Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. It takes up some real estate in the car, but the hours of fun you'll get out of it are worth it. Visiting this lighthouse is one of the more popular Sanibel things to do. Definitely worth a half-day trip adventure. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. Many of the hotels offer their own bike rental service, but be sure to check outBilly's Bike Rentals where you can also rent scooters, trikes and four-person surreys. We also recommended Algiers Beach (aka Gulfside City Park Beach), one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in Sanibel. Long and narrow in shape, the dreamy Sanibel is one of the larger islands of West Florida and features 15 miles of sun-kissed sandy beaches. 1.Rent A Convertable There's no better way to explore this tropical location with the roof down and the wind in your face. There are activities that appeal to all age groups and makes for a really nice family vacation. There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy. #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. Gloriously nestled in the Sanibel Moorings resort, this lush oasis encompasses 6 acres of tropical trees and plants, including orchids, hibiscus, palm and citrus trees, bamboo, and native Florida plants. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. It is a pretty photo stop, the beach is (of course) covered with shells and there is a lovely shaded picnic area there. For the 4 nights we were there, we stood on the beach of the hotel and observed and gave thanks that was our view. Sanibel island is one of the most bike friendly places that we have ever been. Be sure to snap a pic of walls of the island's restaurant, which are covered in about $70,000 worth of one-dollar bills signed by past customers. We came back with so many amazing shells (a whole suitcase full of them in fact). This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. If you have kids and have been considering a Florida vacation you'd be crazy to not visit Fort Myers & Sanibel Island. Address: 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel. 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. They didnt see a manatee. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. 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. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. Make sure to go during low tide because that's when a lot of the birds, including brown and white pelicans, ibis, cormorants and spoonbills, flock to the refuge to feed on fish stuck in the shallow water. I've tried to keep treats healthier at home too while they were super young, but always had the intentions of loosening that up a bit as they get older. Made to order, this is one of thebest restaurants on Sanibel Islandfor kids and adults. I tried to find the information on our guide, but I no longer have it. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. A 90-minute excursion on the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises(located on neighboring Captiva Island) will guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings. In fact, almost half of the entire island is dedicated to the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which you can drive, bike or walk through to spot some of the region's many different creatures among the estuaries. Love Boat Ice Cream is at 1700 Periwinkle Way in the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store. While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. Located at Point Ybel, at the eastern tip of Sanibel Island, Lighthouse Park Beach & Fishing Pier is a stunning 45-acre park where visitors can experience nature at its finest. The ferry terminal is located on neighboring Captiva Island and accessed via a short drive over the bridge. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Joeys Custard is located at 2467 Periwinkle Way. Parking at Blind Pass Beach costs $5 per hour and the beach is free to explore. There are few places on the East Coast of the United States where you can revel in a western sunset. While meandering through the colorful stalks of this vibrant farmers market, youll come across locally sourced meat, cheese, baked goods, fresh fruit smoothies, fish, art, jewelry, and more. Nature comes in a spectacular variety in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel 1. A jaunt down the beach or a bike around the island makes for wonderful take-home memories. Kids will find themselves immersed for hours in this natural treasure huntwithout a care given to the backbreaking stance known as the"Sanibel stoop." The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the reptiles that live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it. CROWs Visitor Education Center features a collection of interactive exhibits and videos, while the guided Wildlife Walk through the hospital allows you to observe veterinarians treating sick and injured wildlife. Whether you choose to be boating, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing or fishing from one of the favorite spots, play a round of golf on the challenging scenic courses, there are over 70 of them, the perfect place to tee off and test your mettle on the green . Summers in Florida are HOT. Kids can easily split a kids meal, especially if they fill up on the bottomless muffins that come first. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. Along the way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and island history. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can drive through the preserve at your own pace and get out to spot wildlife. The beach was lovely, and the locals that we talked to told us that we had come before the winter sun-seeking crowds. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. Unfortunately for me, there are no craft breweries on the island. Sanibel Island is located off the coast of southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers. Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Get there early, as parking spaces fill up. 8. We were also able to take advantage of a free daily tour of the beach with a naturalist guide during which we learned some really neat tidbits about the beach and its creatures. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! Stop in at theSanibel Chamber Commerceand ask for the treasure hunt map. Many of the area's islands are lined with red mangroves, which are fascinating trees that are easy to spot bytheir tangled root systems that make them look like they're standing on stilts above the water. You can also rent them. Sanibel Island with kids is lovely! Because of this, the island is home to a ton of locally-owned boutiques where you can buy bathing suits, sun hats or souvenirs to take home. After your walk, you can enjoy a picnic lunch. 2. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. They loved running and collecting new shells. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. We've found lots of fun ways to spend our days on the island and I'm sure we'll continue to do that as the kids grow older. 9. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. And while you won't find theme parks or children's museums to keep your kids entertained, instead, give them the opportunity to spot dolphins, hold small sea creatures, and kayak through the mangroves. Flying kites is another way to enjoy the beach with kids! Ha I would not have done it at their age. Indulge in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub, or a deep tissue massage at the spa. Sunbathing in the sugar white sand, shelling, kayaking, and swimming in the oceans emerald waters are some of the top activities here. There are activities and family friendly places to visit for families of any size and children of any age. Captiva Cruises offers three kinds of sunset cruise: the Sunset Serenade with live music and cocktails, the Wildlife Sunset cruise with views of birds and dolphins and the Sunset Sail on a 40-foot catamaran. Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. Friday, March 3. Having a sub-tropical climate, visitors and residents enjoy the outdoors and sunshine all year long. Real estate in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub or! And zero traffic lights and worth exploring for a morning shapes, and sizes up! The Key Lime Ice Cream is at 1700 Periwinkle way in the ding is... Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop the reptiles that in... # 1 in Sanibel done it at their age Temple with a plastic shark stuck it! 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