Things to Do on Sanibel and Captiva Island

Island Beaches

Sanibel Island Beaches | Captiva Island Beaches

The Moke & Cabana Club

There's no better way than driving around our beautiful islands than in a fully electric Moke. Mokes are like street-legal golf carts, but with their open top design, 1960s era vintage styling, and fun vibrant colors, you’ll be cruising around the islands in style! They offer free delivery and pick-up right to your door.

 

No waves? No problem! The Moke & Cabana Club also rents out Electric Surfboards, known as Jetboards, that allow you to effortlessly glide over the water as if you were surfing, no waves required! With 3 different difficulty settings, the boards are great for first timers or experienced riders.

 

Pair your Surfboard or Moke with their vintage beach Cabana & Umbrella packages to stay cool and shaded when on our world class beaches. As a Breakaway Guest, you get $100 in booking credits to use on their site. 

Adventures in Paradise, Inc.

14341 Port Comfort Road | Port Sanibel Marina | Fort Myers, FL 33908  

Backwater Fishing Trips, Sealife Encounters, Morning, Afternoon & Sunset Dolphin Cruises, Shelling & Lunch Excursions, Island Trolley Tours, Wedding Cruises, and more! Complimentary Trolley to & from your hotel/condo in Sanibel. We also offer private charters and activities whether your group is large or small; Island Trolley Tours, Wedding Cruises, and more! We are sure that we can tailor fun

Captiva Cruises

McCarthy’s Marina and South Seas Island Resort, Captiva, FL 33924   For over 30 years Captiva Cruises has been providing shelling cruises, island hopping, dolphin watches & dazzling sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico. Come explore the beautiful islands of Cabbage Key, Useppa & Boca Grande for lunch or Cayo Costa State Park for shelling, Dolphin Adventures, Sunset Serenades, Sailing Cruises & Private Charters. Captiva Cruises is sure to be the highlight of your trip!  

Tarpon Bay Explorers

900 Tarpon Bay Road at ”Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel, FL 33957  

Within ”Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge:Rentals of kayak, canoe, canoe with motor, family pontoon boat, bicycle and fishing equipment. Guided Tours:Kayak, Sunset Paddle, Sea Life & Nature Cruise, Breakfast & Evening Cruises, Fishing Charters. Unique Nature Gift Shop. NEW- STANDUP PADDLEBOARDS now available for rentals and eco-tours.

Sanibel Custom Charters

Sanibel Island Fishing Guide, Sanibel, FL 33957   Sanibel resident Captain Brandt Symes is a full time, professional guide offering private inshore FISHING CHARTERS, SHELLING TRIPS, LUNCH CRUISES, SIGHTSEEING and ECO-TOURS. From novice to die-hard angler, we fish the shallow waters of Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Island Sound for Redfish, Snook, Tarpon, Sea-Trout, Shark, etc. We genuinely enjoy taking families fishing! LGBT friendly. Up to 6 people.

Billy’s Rentals

1470 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957   A variety of rental equipment including bicycles, surrey bikes, jogging strollers, beach chairs and umbrellas, beach wheelchairs and wheelchair bicycles. We have the biggest inventory and the friendliest service. Delivery service available.

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road
(239) 395-2233
(888) 679-6450

Named for two pioneer island families, The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum showcases why Sanibel has earned its reputation as one of the world’s top shelling destinations. The most comprehensive museum in the nation devoted exclusively to shells, it features exhibits illustrating shells from geographical, historical, scientific and artistic perspectives. Open daily (except major holidays) from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Closed on Thanksgiving. Noon to 4 on Christmas Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter. Museum members and children 4 & under are admitted free, children 5-11 are $7, youth 12-17 are $9, adults 18 and older are $15, Active Military are Free. AAA, AARP, Senior (60+), and student discounts available. Group rates and tour information available.

BIG ARTS

Barrier Island Group for the Arts
900 Dunlop Road
(239) 395-0900

BIG ARTS celebrates this season with an extraordinary line-up of performances and educational programs. Whether your interest is in dance, the visual arts, classical, jazz or popular music, children’s summer camp, lectures, award-winning film or theater, or in attending a class or workshop — BIG ARTS has something for everyone!

Chapel by the Sea

11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva
(239) 472-1646

Originally built in 1901 as a schoolhouse that doubled as a church on Sundays, this charming chapel now serves as a seaside meditation site, an interdenominational church (November through April) and popular wedding spot. Trimmed in lattice fencing, the cemetery next door guards the graves of many early settlers who came to Captiva in the late 19th century to homestead and farm.

C.R.O.W.

Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife
3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road
(239) 472-3644

Dedicated to restoring the health of Florida island’s wildlife, this well-respected facility for injured and orphaned birds and animals treats more than 3,000 patients each year.

J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

One Wildlife Drive (off Sanibel-Captiva Road)
(239) 472-1100

This 6,300-acre Florida wildlife refuge, named for Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and pioneer environmentalist Jay Norwood Darling, is – at latest count — home to 238 species of birds, more than 50 types of reptiles, and 32 different kinds of mammals. The refuge features wonderful bird watching spots, bike and walking paths, winding canoe trails and a four-mile scenic drive, all of which are lush with seagrape, wax and salt myrtles, red mangrove, cabbage and sabal palms, and other native plants. A booklet available from the refuge Education Center highlights points of interest, including an observation tower where naturalists will obtain the best view of flora and fauna.

The drive is open Saturday through Thursday from 7:30am to a half-hour before sunset. Closed Friday. Low tide, when birds feed, is the ideal time to visit. The Education Center is open daily. Hours are 9:00am to 5:00 pm from November through April, and 9:00am to 4:00pm May through October. Fees are $5 per car, or $1 per cyclist or pedestrian; ages 15 and younger bike and walk free. Interpretative tram tours of the sanctuary are scheduled through Tarpon Bay Explorers.

Reservations Required. Call 239-472-8900.

Old Town Sanibel

Old Town encircles the east end of the island near the Sanibel Lighthouse. Historically, it was the center of much of the island’s activity; today, it is a place to stroll quaint village shops, inns and restaurants. The Sanibel Historical Society has produced a walking and biking tour to “yesteryear” that is approximately 2 ½ miles long. You can pick up a map at the Chamber Visitor Center or at the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road at Mile Marker 1
(239) 472-2329

The Conservation Foundation’s Nature Center encompasses 260 of the over 1,800 total acres owned and managed as a preserve for Florida wildlife, and offers a unique insight into the island’s ecosystems. Visitors can walk 4 ½ miles of trails, climb an observation tower, and experience a butterfly exhibit. Inside the Nature Center, a marine-life touch tank, an alligator jawbone, a mangrove diorama, and other exhibits showcase island habitat. The foundation also operates a nature shop, bookstore and native plant nursery, and conducts estuarine research. Guided trail tours, shoreline discovery walks and many other programs are available. Price is $3 for adults; members and children 17 and under are admitted free. Additional charges may apply to other programs. Hours of operation vary with the season: October through May, weekdays, 8:30am to 4:00pm; June through September, weekdays, 8:30am to 3:00pm; and Saturdays from 10:00am to 3:00pm, December through April.

Sanibel Historical Museum and Village

950 Dunlop Road
(239) 472-4648

This collection of late 19th– and early 20th-century buildings brings early Sanibel back to life in a beautifully serene setting. Dedicated to the pioneer families of Sanibel and Captiva, the Village includes “Uncle” Clarence Rutland’s home, Bailey’s General Store, “Morning Glories” (a Sears/Roebuck catalog home), Miss Charlotta’s Tea Room, the 1926 Post Office, the Burnap Cottage, and the latest addition – the island’s original schoolhouse — transplanted in late 2004 from its former Periwinkle Way location where it served as a theater for years. All of the buildings are furnished with items from the early 1900s. A handicapped-accessible boardwalk and shell paths take visitors past a pioneer garden, antique Model T truck, and a replica of a packinghouse with farm equipment. The Village relates the history of the islands beginning with the days of the Calusa Indians up to the mid-1900s.

The Historical Village and Museum is open November through mid-August, Wednesday through Saturday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, although summer hours may vary. Closed mid-August through October.

Donations of $5 per adult are welcomed. School children and younger are free.

Sanibel Lighthouse (Point Ybel Light)

Perhaps the most photographed structure on Sanibel, the Sanibel Lighthouse was first lit in August 1884. In 1972, the U.S. Coast Guard announced it would extinguish the light, but then abandoned the plan when faced with public outcry. The Florida Coast Guard continues to maintain the lighthouse, which is not open to visitors, but the City of Sanibel now manages the surrounding property, including the keeper’s quarters, fishing pier and beach access.

Whitney's Bait & Tackle

1554 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel | 239-579-0399 | whitneysbaitandtackle.com

If you're a passionate fisherman or a complete novice, Sanibel and Captiva Islands are a great place to enjoy some time on the water and Whitney's Bait & Tackle has everything you need to get outfitted. Whether you need bait or you're looking for the complete setup, look no further than Whitney's! 

Sanibel Community Church

1740 Periwinkle Way Sanibel | 239-472-2684 | sanibelchurch.com

Sanibel Community Church welcomes you to their weekly gathering on Sunday mornings at 10am. If you're looking for a place to worship during your vacation, Sanibel Community Church is a great non-denominational option. 

Reel Kind

750 Palm Point Dr Slip # 3 & 4, Goodland | 239-249-9878 | www.reelkind.com

Reel Kind offers incredible shelling and fishing tours based out of Goodland, Florida. Often voted among the best in Southwest Florida, Reel Kind strives to give authentic experience combined with friendly service. Whether you want a guided fishing experience or to find some very unique shells, Reel Kind is among one of the best choices!