Fun Things to Do in Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva Island | Must do visitor guides (2023)

FAQs

Is it better to stay on Sanibel or Captiva? ›

Overall, the options you'll find on Captiva are a little more upscale than Sanibel, but both are very laid back islands without much major development. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where you'll find more of the condo units.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands are two small islands off the coast of Florida that are popular because of their low-key, quiet, beach settings. The pristine white beaches, coupled with the lush tropical environment, bring out a level of relaxation that cannot be found anywhere else.

The direct drive from Fort Myers to Sanibel is 19.3 mi (31 km), and should have a drive time of 38 mins in normal traffic.

The downtown, while charming, shuts down early, and overall, things are quiet. Many people who visit Captiva have come for this exact vibe - aka, they choose to do nothing at all.

The cheapest time to visit Sanibel Island is during the shoulder season, i.e., September-October. The weather is cooler, more temperate, and there's less rainfall.

Multiple celebrities call Captiva home, ranging from actors to musicians and business executives. Celebrities like TV newsman Ted Koppel, and “America's Dad” Tom Hanks, are among a few well-known faces who are celebrity neighbors on Captiva Island.

The best way to get around Sanibel Island is by bike. The island is bike friendly and has plenty of paths to help you get around. Cars are also an option, though parking is limited and expensive in most cases. If you'd rather not rent a car or a bike, there are a few taxi companies that can take you around.

From December-April, Sanibel has the best weather the entire year with cooler days and less rain, when compared to the summer months. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive time of year to visit. But with a little pre-planning, you can save on flights and accommodation.

Anytime is a great time to visit Captiva Island, especially for those in need of some R&R. Peak season runs from December to April. Mid-February through April (Spring Break) is the height of peak season.

Why is Sanibel Island so popular? ›

Sanibel is one of the unique barrier islands of the world, having an east-west orientation when most islands are north-south. Hence, the island is gifted with great sandy beaches and an abundance of shells, winning awards for being the best shelling beach and one of the best beaches in Florida.

For passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles, the charge to get over the bridge, which is the sole roadway access to both Sanibel and Captiva islands, is $6 for vehicles with transponders or $9 without one.

You want to get on the island before 10am and off before 3 in the afternoon. From personal experience and other reviews I've read, the time of year doesn't matter that much, except of course during the winter months/holidays...

Walking is by far the most popular way to get around Captiva Island. Parking is limited on Captiva Island, so it's not uncommon for rental cars to be used only for getting to and from the airport. The route you choose to walk depends on your plans. Your options are: Captiva Drive or the beach.

No type of island shopping is more fun than “Sanibel Island Shopping and Captiva Island shopping.” Sanibel Island and Captiva Island and the surrounding area offer dozens upon dozens of delightfully unique shopping stores and galleries – you're sure to go home with that one-of-a-kind island find.

While restaurants and stores sell alcohol here year-round, you can only drink on Captiva Island's beaches in the summer and fall. Alcoholic drinks are prohibited on Captiva beaches from November through May, according to information from The Islands od Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.

Sanibel is a lot of things, but pretentious is not one of them. Recommended dress code is “nice island casual” which includes nice shorts, slacks, and sundresses. Maybe leave the beach flip flops behind if you're going to Cielo, The Mad Hatter, or Sweet Melissa's.

Bring along swimsuits (of course), cover-ups, sundresses, shorts and tops, flip flops and a nice pair of sandals for evenings out. If you plan on boating, it can get chilly, so pack multi-functional layering pieces, as well. Lightweight pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt can also help prevent sunburn and bug bites.

How much does it cost to go over the bridge to Sanibel Island? ›

Sanibel Causeway Toll – $9+ Charge For Vacation Goers

The basic toll for most passenger vehicles on the Sanibel Causeway is still $6. But as of Oct. 1, 2021, vehicles crossing the causeway without an eligible transponder will be charged an additional $3 administrative fee.

About 3 miles to the east, Bowman's Beach (pictured) is one of Sanibel's more secluded spots, with no hotels and a bridge from the parking lot leading to an often unpeopled stretch of sand and a shelling bonanza. A surprisingly underrated spot is located right off the busy road that enters Sanibel.

Although January, February and March are some of the best months to go shelling on Sanibel and Captiva, Stefanie Wolf, a marine biologist at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, said that because of the high winds the islands have been experiencing this spring, now is an opportune time to go shelling.

Does Captiva Island Have Alligators? A Florida vacation is not complete without seeing an alligator. While there is plenty of wildlife on North Captiva Island, the chances of you seeing one are slim. These reptiles prefer freshwater and rarely go out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Brian Rist sees the irony in buying the most expensive home ever sold on Sanibel Island, and it didn't even have the brand of storm shutters he invented. The $11.7 million West Gulf Drive home, built in 1998, fared relatively well from the damage wrought by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28.

Sanibel Island is now open to anyone who wants to visit.

The most important thing to keep in mind is the golden rule of shell collecting: If it's alive, leave it! Living shells are not allowed in your shell collection. The State of Florida has outlawed the collecting of live shells on the island.

All Sanibel beaches and nearshore waters to one-half mile from shore are protected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Rule 46-26. This rule prohibits the harvest and possession of live shellfish. Sand dollars, sea stars (starfish), and sea urchins are also protected.

Unfortunately, water quality in the Sanibel River has been affected by a number of past and present-day factors, and because of this, water quality in the Sanibel River is considered “impaired” by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as a result of elevated nutrient concentrations (i.e. nitrogen and ...

The fighting conch is one of the most common shells on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and you can recognize it by looking out for the brilliant orange color. Also lookout for the lightning whelk, which can grow up to 16 inches long and lays its eggs in papery egg case streamers that you might also see onshore.

Where is the clearest water on Sanibel Island? ›

Sanibel Island

While there are many beaches to choose from, we think Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel Island is the best of the bunch.

Compared to other popular tourist locations in Florida, Sanibel doesn't get extremely crowded, even during the busy season. However, if you're still concerned about vacationing during peak season, you can choose to come during the off-season.

Ferry service is direct to North Captiva Island Club Dock and the ride is approximately 20 minutes. Watch for Dolphins and other local wildlife. Enjoy open-air ferry boat accommodations.

In order to access Captiva Island by car, you must drive over the Sanibel Causeway which connects Punta Rassa, (mainland Florida), with Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island's bridge toll is $6 for cars and $2 for motorcycles. For larger vehicles, there is a $3 per axle fee.

Do You Need a Car on Captiva Island? The answer is yes and no. If that's confusing, let us outline the modes of transportation for you b below: You need a car to get to Captiva Island via the mainland and Sanibel Island by driving over the Sanibel Causeway, through Sanibel Island, and over the Blind Pass Bridge.

Sanibel contains over 2,200 acres of freshwater wetlands that provide habitat for a sizable population of alligators. Since many of the residential neighborhoods on the Island contain lakes or interface with conservation lands containing wetlands, interaction between humans and alligators is likely.

The rarest shell is the Junonia, also known as the Scaphella junonia. The great news is you can find it here on Sanibel Island. They are hard to find though. They are typically found a foot beneath the sand, closer to dunes.

Sanibel Island is known as a shelling destination thanks to its world famous shell beaches. Many nature lovers also visit due to the large amount of wildlife refuge found on the island, including the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge.

The trolley stops at over 40 major hotels and landmarks all over Sanibel Island and is the ideal way to explore without the need for a car. Free trolley picks ups are offered for all tours. A ride on the trolley is a great way to start your Adventure in Paradise!

For many first-time visitors, the experience of driving over the Blind Pass bridge from Sanibel to Captiva is like driving from one fantasy to another. The first Blind Pass bridge was built in 1918. Before then a county ferry crossed the pass in 1911.

Is parking free on Sanibel Island? ›

Is free parking available on Sanibel Island or Captiva Island? Unfortunately, there are no free parking lots on the island. One way to get around this is by biking around the island and taking advantage of the bike racks at the public parking lots.

Enjoy a Moonlit Stroll on a Sanibel Island Beach

With so much to do on Sanibel Island, it can be easy to forget that sometimes the simplest evening activities are some of the most enjoyable, such as taking a moonlit stroll on one of its beaches.

Turner Beach is the best shelling beach on Sanibel and the Captiva islands. Its relatively low number of visitors and rare variety of seashells make it a haven for all shellers. Whether you are starting your collection or adding to your current one, make the trip past all the other astounding beaches.

If you're looking for fun things to do on vacation, then you'll find that there is plenty to do on these two islands. There are almost 40 miles of beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, so you can enjoy the sun, sand and shells while taking in the beautiful views. You can also explore the island by bike or kayak.

The entire causeway is 3 miles (5 km) long from end to end, and currently has a $6 toll in effect for island-bound vehicles only. The bridges are not individually named, and are simply referred to as bridges A, B, and C.

Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks/shoes when enjoying the beach at dawn and dusk. No-see-ums are at their worst when the sun is down, especially if there is no breeze. The chemical DEET, in a concentration of at least 30 percent helps.

While touring the island you can expect to see exotic wildlife, historical buildings, dine at delicious restaurants and enjoy spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. The Captiva Island Inn also offers free rides to local restaurants on our S CAR Go trolley.

While restaurants and stores sell alcohol here year-round, you can only drink on Captiva Island's beaches in the summer and fall. Alcoholic drinks are prohibited on Captiva beaches from November through May, according to information from The Islands od Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.

Does Captiva Island Have Alligators? A Florida vacation is not complete without seeing an alligator. While there is plenty of wildlife on North Captiva Island, the chances of you seeing one are slim. These reptiles prefer freshwater and rarely go out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Unless there are specific water boil notifications for your neighborhood (or other public advisories or notifications), drinking water from the tap is considered safe due to strict federal and regional guidelines and regulations.

Can you drink the water in Captiva? ›

A: Yes. However, it is chlorinated well water. We suggest bottled water for drinking, and tap water for cooking and bathing. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND YOU WILL BE STAYING ON A BARRIER ISLAND.

— People driving on Sanibel Island between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. should expect to be stopped by police patrols to verify residency or resort guest status. All persons leaving the island after 9 p.m. should expect to be stopped by police at the causeway checkpoint.

You want to get on the island before 10am and off before 3 in the afternoon. From personal experience and other reviews I've read, the time of year doesn't matter that much, except of course during the winter months/holidays...

Captiva Island is located next to sister island Sanibel Island in beautiful Lee county, Florida. Known for the beautiful clear waters, white sandy beaches and quiet ambiance, Captiva is the perfect year-round tropical getaway.