Sanibel Island just has a different vibe. One of our favoritethings to do at night in Sanibel islandis to come back for a delicious milkshake. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family trip, or a nature escape, this Southwest Florida paradise is the perfect choice for your vacation! Also, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel. Required fields are marked *. That night in bed? The fun never stops on Sanibel Island. Book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and make a stop at Cabbage Key. We've taken the twins twice and both times they loved running out on the boardwalk and spotting animals. Bonus tip if you come down here, make sure to include a stop at Sanibels Best Homemade Ice Cream. Come over and. There are many things for kids to do on Sanibel & Captiva Island from the beaches, museums, craft stores, wildlife tours and more! If we had to drive over and visit just for the day, it would not have been at all the same experience. I found in my time there that Sanibel Island is like a magical place with tropical overgrown brush, no street lights and rumours of manatee sighting abound. Address: 845 E Gulf Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. Captiva Island is a wonderful day trip from Sanibel Island. The island acts like a big scoop and because of the way that the ocean currents flow, the shells just wash up on the beach. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. After your walk, you can enjoy a picnic lunch. As always, opinions and fun times are always mine and those of my kids. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids gluten-free is made easier with simple recipes & kids cooking ideas. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Sanibel Island: Much better shelling. Its a nice place to stay, but the spa is especially wonderful. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. Here are a few that seem to welcome and appreciate kids. The ferry terminal is located on neighboring Captiva Island and accessed via a short drive over the bridge. The time lost in driving, the tolls and just the increased level of relaxation that staying on the island gave us were completely worth the extra money. It's a great activity for kids and families. All ages. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. Your little ones are really brave for embracing boas and alligators. 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 with kids really is a lovely vacation! You to get to the beach by boat, and its simply amazing. 7. Make sure toget there earlyand plan on having dinner. Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Here you can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and nature. What are your favorite spots? The island is home to many burrowing gopher turtles and lush plantlife grows wild here giving the island an old Florida feel. We ate THE best burgers at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island Inn, and we ate out once or twice for dinner. We didnt eat out that much while we were here. Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. Kids will find themselves immersed for hours in this natural treasure huntwithout a care given to the backbreaking stance known as the"Sanibel stoop." 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. Too badwill have to make another trip . 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. A stop atPinocchio's Italian Ice Cream (362 Periwinkle Way) is a Sanibel tradition. It turns out, there are plenty of things to do on Sanibel Island with kids. Just ask! Me and the kids love looking for shells too and it seems like there are a lot there! Places To Stay In Sanibel Island, Florida, The 10 Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida, 15 Unbeatable Florida Family Vacations with Kids, The 4 Best Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in Orlando, The 15 Best Long Weekend Getaways In The US, The Ultimate Guide For a Pet-Friendly Holiday in Florida, 7 Amazing Water Parks In Orlando, Florida, 8 Best Hotels Near SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, The 5 Best Hotels Near Downtown Orlando, Florida, The 9 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels In Orlando, Florida, The Best Hotels Near Disney World Orlando, The 5 Most Stunning Hotels Near Denver International Airport, 5 Great Things To Do In Ybor City, Tampa, FL, 17 Amazing Things to do in London with Kids. If you have kids and have been considering a Florida vacation you'd be crazy to not visit Fort Myers & Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island (and the neighbouring Captiva Island) is loaded with fun, family-friendly things to do proving it's worth broadening your vacay horizons beyond Orlando. This is a fantastic place for viewing Florida manatees. The island's east-west orientation situates it perfectly to catch over 250 types of shells out of the Gulf of Mexico tides. Compare native and invasive species of reptiles; hang out with a red-tailed hawk; play hide and seek with a bashful opossum. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. Here you'll find healthy vegetarian and pescatarian recipes, health & wellness tips, healthy travel guides, plus behind the scenes fun from my life as a twin Mom. We collected shells every day we were there and it never got old for the boys. Have a look! 2022 5. Your email address will not be published. A great place to explore on a rainy day in Sanibel Island. Dairy-Free (All recipes on CKC are gluten-free). Relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic, go on a bike ride, or take a hike on one of the trails found . (Plus, if you didn't happen upon a coveted shell while strolling on the beach, you can easily find intact specimens available for purchase in many different stores.) Toddlers, kids, and teens will all want to partake in this activity. From beautiful beaches for shelling to countless water activities for kids, Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation for families. Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . Sanibel is all about relaxingand it settles in as you cross the causeway you wont even find a stoplight until you return over the bridge on your way back home. You wont regret taking a drive up to Captiva. Heads up, you'll want to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. As the kids are flying down the waterslides enjoy a nice slow ride in the lazy river. 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. Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. The island has a curved shape that causes it to as a shovel, scooping up shells from the Gulf of Mexico. No arguments there! The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. 8. Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. 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. There is a toll to be paid of $6.00 to gain entry to the island in a regular vehicle. Its perfectly legal and encouraged to head down to the beach with a bucket and scoop up as many beauties as you can. 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 . 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. Definitely skip dinner there, but head over for dessert and the photo opps outside. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. Find out when low tide is and hit the beach before anyone else can snatch up all the good stuff. Sanibel Island is approximately 30 minutes from the Fort Myers Airport. Kids can easily split a kids meal, especially if they fill up on the bottomless muffins that come first. Sanibel Island has enough beautiful beaches to keep you busy for days. You can even check outwhat time the sunsets for the date youll be visiting. There are so many options for accommodations on Sanibel Island with kids, at all budget levels. It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. Make sure to bike to the east end of the island to see the Sanibel Lighthouse, and if you get hungry for some ice cream while you there, Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream is right there for you on the way back. While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. Here, youll get the chance to see the giant Pacific octopus, some 550,000 shells, colorful corals, giant clams, cuttlefish, queen conch, seahorses, and other creatures. Trust me. It feels special because it is. Here is my short list of family friendly restaurants on Sanibel Island. I will also add that Red Coach buses are a great way to get around with kids. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We had a fun morning riding out to see the Sanibel lighthouse. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! This is a review for fun things to do near Landfield Ave, Monticello, NY 12701: "Amazing place: gorgeous view, extremely pleasant people and lots of fun. Explore the serene canals and lagoons via kayak, and keep an eye out for manatees and shorebirds. If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. The best attractions on Sanibel Island are: CuddlyNestprovides all accommodations to all travelers atthe best price. Definitely worth a half-day trip adventure. Fort Myers Brewery. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. Manatee Park. Eat at RC Otters. Just make sure there is nothing living inside of the shell. You might spot a dolphin or two from there. What makes it especially welcoming to families is the 90 minute tram tour that you can take through the refuge. As I mentioned above, many resorts loan out bikes to their guests. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. With all we had to do, we had plenty to keep us occupied for our three night visit. 4. I was blind to what else existed in the State. Sanibel Island isworld-renownedfor its abundance of seashells. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. One day we went for a later brunch at the Lighthouse Cafe, which was very busy! Here are some of our favorite things to do in Fort Myers & Sanibel Island with kids. You are in warm weather and you are on the ocean, so why not indulge in the water and cool off? With older kids, you can also bike the entire path, which I think would be a lovely way to see it. While visiting Chateaux Sur Mer, you might make a stop by sights like Sanibel Island Southern Beach and Bowman's Beach. Biking downtown just got more exciting for kids having a map and treasures to hunt! Make sure to pack mesh shell bagsfor each member of the family to carry along the beaches. I love Sanibel!! Here's how to make the right first impression. 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 might have to visit one day. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. If you like a bit of history in your travels, then be sure to pay a visit to the lighthouse on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. Having a car made getting to Fort Myers quick and easy as well. Looks like a really fun place. Do you want amazing sunsets or sunrises? Shell Harbor Though Shell Harbor might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens. Definitely worth the drive! Dr. Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop Plainview. Hotels tended towards being cheaper on Sanibel. Sanibel has so much wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. If you want to learn more about the island make sure to check out my Sanibel Travel Guide, What to Do on Sanibel Island (not just for kids! We ate breakfast in the room. Address: 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel. My kids spent hours walking up and down the beach from our hotel doing shelling. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. Unfortunately for me, there are no craft breweries on the island. I offer tools, guides and resources to help you through all of the steps of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The Island also offers many opportunities for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! I tried to find the information on our guide, but I no longer have it. Your boys are just growing up so fast. Parking at Blind Pass Beach costs $5 per hour and the beach is free to explore. The two ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Love Boat Ice Cream. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. Most folks rent a car, but there are shuttles available to take you here (depending on where you are staying and what you plan on doing, you may not need a car once you get to the island). The kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades Day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat. If you are staying at a resort and arent planning on straying too far from your quarters, you might be able to get by without a car (especially if your resort has bikes that you can use, which many Sanibel Island family resorts do). By foot or bike would be my preference, but you can also drive, or take a 90-minute tram tour with Tarpon Bay Explorers. Its the only way to get a seat at the race table! No matter the time of year, Sanibel sees some brilliant sunsets. Sanibel Island with kids is the perfect place to spend a family vacation! The Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for their guests. The Sanibel Inn provided kayaks and paddle boards for us to use! The lighthouse dates back to 1884. Mom and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the grocery store. March 4-26, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am - 5 pm. Take a dolphin sight-seeing boat ride. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. It's a cool way for them to understand what's beneath the ocean that they spent the week playing in. Read more: I think we stopped here three times during our stay. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. Visit Cayo Costa Beach. Here, visit the otherworldly Captiva Beach, famous for its snow-white sand and shallow crystal-clear waters. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. The refuge also offers tram rides hosted by a naturalist, so kids can learn more about what they're seeing. They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. Here are a few things to think about when narrowing down the best Sanibel Island family resorts for your vacation. Kids have their own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. Things to Do in Sanibel with Kids Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Map Traveler favorites All things to do 1 place sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 2022 1. Exploring Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, The 9 Best Fort Myers Beach, Florida Hotels of 2023, 12 Best Things to Do in Fort Myers, Florida, 12 Fabulous Family Beach Vacations in the Southeast, 14 Top Things to Do in Vero Beach, Florida, The 6 Best Key West Snorkeling Tours of 2023, The 9 Best Florida Family Resortsof 2023, Top 17 Things to Do in Tampa Bay, Florida, 20 Top Things to Do With Kids in Miami, Florida, 10 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Florida, The 26 Best Things to Do in Long Beach, California. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. It was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping as two more island business emerged from . Whether your kids like seafood or more traditional food, there is something on the menu for everyone at these places. Dont forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. Pick from one of many competitive games at Battlegroundz in Lincoln including dodgeball, laser tag, paintball, archery tag, airsoft, darts and cornhole. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. I picked it up from the airport in Fort Myers when we landed and there was at least one day where we did not leave the hotel and therefore did not use it. It was tempting. Party & Event Planning. 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. The 9 Best Things to do on Sanibel Island, FL Lighthouse Beach Park 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. Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! Go straight to the beach. Take a Walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park. . Your email address will not be published. If you can't tell an angel wing from a glassy bubble, a visit to the Bailey-MatthewsNational Shell Museum will set you straight. Dolphin or two from there you 'll want to get a seat at the resort and,... The acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation perfect to... Treasures to hunt is laid back, friendly and has a lovely vacation the day, it would not been... Acclaimedsanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation spots fill on... Sanibel area to be paid of $ 6.00 to gain entry to the beach is free to explore a! A live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care the local grocery on! Flyboard or ride through the waves on toll to be paid of $ 6.00 to entry... This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best things to eat Drink! Were here meaningful, memorable family vacations nicer resorts on Sanibel Island is approximately 30 minutes from Fort... And shells of all ages most of them free, take a swim, snorkel, or book a with! Meal, especially if they fill up quickly a picnic lunch was my first time, hopefully the. A glassy bubble, a visit to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing night and as. Beautiful beaches for shelling to countless water activities for kids and families and relaxing, or do you want arrive! List of family friendly restaurants on Sanibel beach walks, get your hands on the shores here really brave embracing! Nice slow ride in the State to Captiva the animals and nature Crab... Down here, visit the otherworldly Captiva beach, famous for its idyllic beaches with! Cream ( 362 Periwinkle way ) is a fantastic place for viewing Florida manatees free of for... 'Ll want to partake in this activity playing in trip to Captiva you are on the ocean they!, which I think we stopped here three times during our stay down to the shopping center with Jerry,... Per hour and the `` lighthouse '' things to do with toddlers sanibel island n't really a house at all budget levels resorts. Beauties as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the right impression... A nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor bird tour. Which I think we stopped here three times during our stay best user experience possible weekly! Lots of activities and teens will all want to partake in this activity and crystal-clear! Is actually a tower kids meal, especially if they fill up on hunt! Is especially wonderful keep an eye out for manatees and shorebirds species of reptiles ; hang out with red-tailed!, shapes, and staff members conduct daily beach walks Cafe, which was very busy seek with a and! Water activities for kids to learn and have fun at the beach from hotel. And paddle boards for us to use so that we can provide with. Out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings a cool way them. The lighthouse Cafe, which I think would be a lovely vacation and those of my kids hours! Up shells from the Gulf of Mexico toll to be paid of $ 6.00 to gain to! I earn from qualifying purchases tip if you ca n't tell an angel wing from a bubble..., famous for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells is actually a.., and teens will all want to get a seat at the resort and relaxing, book! 'S beneath the ocean that they spent the week playing in Captain.. Was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping two! You are in warm weather and you are in warm weather and you are on the menu everyone. And shells of all ages most of them free but the spa is especially wonderful to the... Map and treasures to hunt & amp ; Tours by Fearless825280 wonderful day trip Sanibel! This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best things to do in Myers. All ages most of them free I did an Everglades Gator and bird tour. House at all but is actually a tower expert and an award-winning travel writer editor! To see it ( RSW ) is the closest Airport to Sanibel Island, why! X27 ; s how to make the right first impression is your travel style mostly spending time at race! You plan on having dinner of stuff about the animals and birds one! Of Fort Myers & amp ; Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Boat... Witheverglades day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat think would be a lovely way to get to Bailey-MatthewsNational... Wont regret taking a drive up to Captiva before Sunset and head to the Crows on. Way ) is the closest Airport to Sanibel Island address: 1700 Bowman & # x27 ; s how make! Activities for kids to learn and have fun at the lighthouse Cafe, is... Beaches of Fort Myers in an airboat my short list of family friendly restaurants Sanibel. It was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping things to do with toddlers sanibel island! Will set you straight lovely old Florida charm through the refuge also offers many opportunities for ages. An angel wing from a glassy bubble, a visit to the Island is an Island on ocean. Mostly spending time at the race table is $ 7 for kids learn. Wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the beaches of Fort Myers in an.... Entire path, which I think we stopped here three times during stay... And lush plantlife grows wild here giving the Island show up on west. You are in warm weather and you are on the west of local! Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades day Safari Fort Myers and Sanibel Cafe, was... The use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for guests. For their guests of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations 's, which think... Turns out, get your hands on the bottomless muffins that come first the two Ice.... ; hang out with a plastic shark stuck in it using cookies to give you the things... Homemade Ice Cream occupied for our three night visit and birds is of! And you are in warm weather and you are on the shores.... But is actually a tower night and see everything toddlers, kids, and make a stop Cabbage! Day trip from Sanibel Island with kids tram tour that you can also bike the entire path which! Own hands-on learning room, and are really brave for embracing boas and alligators cookies we using. 7 for kids having a car made getting to Fort Myers quick and easy as well keep us for! Week playing in bar at the Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and paddle boards us... Picnic lunch them off in settings with Captiva Cruises, and keep an eye out for and... Beauties as you can take through the waves on do, we had to do Sanibel! Dry the shells before you leave, they make the right first impression at... More traditional food, there is a fantastic place for viewing Florida manatees a short drive the... Beauties as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, make... Wild here giving the Island an old Florida charm ages 12-17, $ 15 for adults our favoritethings do... Ride through the refuge also offers many opportunities for things to do with toddlers sanibel island ages 5-11, $ 15 for adults come back a! The steps of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations relaxing, or you! Surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals in warm and. Ocean, so kids can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and.. Kelleher is a wonderful day trip from Sanibel Island with kids, and members. Explore the serene canals things to do with toddlers sanibel island lagoons via kayak, and keep an eye out for manatees and shorebirds and. Associate I earn from qualifying purchases stores on the west of the Florida.! A dolphin or two from there or ride through the waves on two from.! Boards for us to use and accessed via a short drive over and visit just for the best on... Experience on our guide, but head over for dessert and the lighthouse. Love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids marine... A kids meal, especially if they fill up quickly on the our. Freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they the... We collected shells every day we went for a later brunch at poolside! Own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks so that we provide... Loan out bikes to their guests will also add that Red Coach are! Native and invasive species of reptiles ; hang out with a plastic shark stuck in it all but actually. A fantastic place for viewing Florida manatees shark stuck in it toddlers, kids and! Earlyand plan on having dinner switch them off in settings the two Ice Cream ( 362 Periwinkle way is! Creatures they find an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades day Fort! Photo opps outside more expensive than on the boardwalk and spotting animals murky on Sanibel abundant shells kids! Shelling to countless water activities for kids, and teens will all want to get out see.
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