Things to Do on Sanibel Island
Shell-covered beaches, a wildlife refuge, bike paths and Gulf sunsets on two barrier islands off Fort Myers.
See things to do »The Best of Sanibel and Captiva
Most of the things to do on Sanibel Island are slow and outdoors: walking the beach bent over in what locals call the Sanibel stoop, looking for shells; cycling the island's shared-use paths; watching roseate spoonbills feed in the mangroves of a national wildlife refuge; and gathering on a west-facing beach for sunset. Sanibel is a 12-mile barrier island in the Gulf, reached by a three-mile causeway from Fort Myers, and its smaller neighbor Captiva sits just across Blind Pass to the north.
The islands have stayed low-key by design. Sanibel has no traffic lights and no chain restaurants beyond a handful grandfathered in, building heights are limited, and more than half of the island is protected as conservation land, much of it in the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Captiva is even quieter, with one main road, a small village of restaurants and shops, and South Seas Island Resort at its northern tip.
Hurricane Ian hit the islands hard in September 2022, and Helene and Milton followed in 2024. Recovery has been long, but the beaches, the refuge, the bike paths, the shell museum and most of the best-loved restaurants are open again, from the Bubble Room on Captiva to the Mucky Duck's sunset deck. Some businesses did not return, and some rebuilt in new places, so every listing in this guide has been checked as operating.
This guide splits the area into four parts: Sanibel's beaches and the best places for shelling; the Ding Darling refuge and nature outings that suit families; Captiva and the out islands reached only by boat; and Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach on the mainland, where most visitors land. Each has our notes on what to see and live, bookable tours. Separate pages cover island restaurants and the annual events worth planning around.
Winter and spring are high season, when the weather is dry and mild and the causeway backs up on weekends; summer is hot, humid and quiet, and hurricane season runs from June through November. For help with hotels, flights and island rentals, ask our travel specialists for a free quote.
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Top-Rated Things to Do in Sanibel and Captiva
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best of Sanibel Island may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Where to Eat on Sanibel and Captiva
Captiva's Bubble Room and Mucky Duck are back, Doc Ford's is serving Yucatan shrimp by the marina, and Periwinkle Way is lined with breakfast spots, pizza and gelato. Our guide to the best Sanibel Island restaurants lists only places checked as open.
Sanibel and Captiva dining guide »
Festivals and Events on the Islands
The Shell Festival and the Shrimp Festival fill early March, spring training brings big-league baseball to Fort Myers, and the islands light paths with luminaries each December.
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Sanibel and Captiva — FAQ
What are the best things to do on Sanibel Island?
Shell at Bowman's Beach or Blind Pass, drive or cycle Wildlife Drive in the Ding Darling refuge, visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, kayak the mangroves at Tarpon Bay, watch sunset on Captiva, and take a boat to Cabbage Key or Cayo Costa.
Is Sanibel open after the hurricanes?
Yes. The causeway, beaches, refuge, bike paths and most restaurants and hotels have reopened, though some businesses closed for good and a few beach facilities are still being rebuilt. Check individual places before you go.
Do you need a car on Sanibel?
It helps, since there is no public bus on the islands, but many visitors park once and get around by bicycle on the island's shared-use paths. Beach parking is paid and fills up early in season.
Is Captiva or Sanibel better?
Sanibel has more beaches, restaurants, shops and nature areas. Captiva is smaller and quieter, with the best sunsets and a walkable village. Most visitors stay on one and spend a day on the other.
When is the best time to visit Sanibel?
December through April for dry, mild weather, and March for the Shell Festival. Shelling is often best in winter after a cold front or storm. Late spring and fall are quieter and less expensive.