They even have a special app that you can download and identify any shells that you find (you dont have to visit the museum to use the app!). Thats awesome. Less busy. A good day on the water promises dolphins, manatee, and other sea life sightings. Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. You'll probably not be surprised to see this list includes enjoying the beaches fully with different beach activities, swimming, and even shelling! Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. We had just never gone out to a regular ice cream shop with them! It is located in Lee County and the easiest way to get there from Toronto is to fly to Fort Myers, rent a car and go. 2022 5. Cabbage Key. I love Sanibel!! Here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel Island family vacation to make planning your Florida beach vacation a little easier. Its perfectly legal and encouraged to head down to the beach with a bucket and scoop up as many beauties as you can. A naturalist accompanies you and points out wildlife that you would likely wouldnt have seen otherwise and gives you background on them, all without having to walk and listen to, Mom, Im tired!. Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . It was my first time, hopefully not the last. Sanibel is a beautiful and well-protected Gulf Coast barrier island. They also offer a kids program (if you feel like a little adult time needs to be a part of your vacation!). 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 . We definitely suggest sharing plates, since each dinner portion is huge and comes with a sticky bun, garlic bread and a side salad. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. Edison & Ford Winter Estates. Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. Anyone who has visited Sanibel Island will tell you the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is tops on a Sanibel Island things-to-do list. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. As bills fall off the walls, they get added to a big end-of-the-year donation, so make sure to bring a bill or two for your kids to sign and hang up themselves (don't worry about the marker and tape, just ask the server). 10. This is one of the best things to do on Sanibel with kids. Read more: Looking for a fun activity for the kids that's free and not the beach? Since the island is only 12 miles long, its not a far distance to get to any of these places from wherever you are staying. It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. 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. Sure, you could take your kids to a more touristy place in Florida with lots of official attractions, but there is something so charming about a vacation that really enjoys nature and some of the more simple things in life! Always make sure to bring plenty of water in your backpack or day bag, wear sunscreen, please wear hats, apply bug spray, and wear comfortable walking shoes when doing day trips or walking about. A great time. Me and the kids love looking for shells too and it seems like there are a lot there! Since little ones don't just sit around having a few kites to fly is a great way to pass the day. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. My twins have been to the island three times starting at 13 months old (1st trip, 2nd trip, 3rd trip) and have loved spending time on the beaches and with nature. These are excellent suggestions! You might want to bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on the beach. 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. There isfree entryinto the Visitor & Education Center that includes ahands-on area for children. Some bucket-list experiences here are sunbathing, kayaking, bird watching, and exploring idyllic parks like the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Captiva Island: Felt more off the beaten path and exclusive. Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. Its amazing! That night in bed? No arguments there! 2. I'm Julie Wunder Emmy award-winning former WLOS meteorologist. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops,and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. We booked the guide out of Fort Meyers. One day we went for a later brunch at the Lighthouse Cafe, which was very busy! Find Places To Stay In Sanibel Island, Florida. ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. Stuff your face at Island Cow. There is so much to explore right outside your hotel, both on the beach and in the water. Reach out to me using this form and lets start brainstorming and planning your next amazing escapebecause to me it is more than just a vacation. 8. Sanibel and Captiva have some different shells, so be sure to hit beaches on both islands. Throughout the year, the temperatures on Sanibel Island can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the low 90s. It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. The two ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Love Boat Ice Cream. 9. Along the way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and island history. The beach was lovely, and the locals that we talked to told us that we had come before the winter sun-seeking crowds. The kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades Day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Do some research and pick a guide that suits your family. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. What I am going to tell you is some insights what we did while visiting Sanibel, and what is on our shortlist for next time: This is the number one reason that many folks make the trip to Sanibel, and for good reason. Sanibel Island with kids is the perfect place to spend a family vacation! We ate breakfast in the room. (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.) Part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the USA, this staggering park protects an array of threatened species, aside from providing habitat for fascinating migratory birds. If you have kids and have been considering a Florida vacation you'd be crazy to not visit Fort Myers & Sanibel Island. Flying kites is another way to enjoy the beach with kids! Sanibel has so much wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. Almost every restaurant in the area boasts its own version of Key Lime pie, but if you have kidsor a big sweet toothyou HAVE to make a stopfor a slice of cake at the Bubble Roomlocated on Captiva island (which is accessible from Sanibel by car). Stop in at theSanibel Chamber Commerceand ask for the treasure hunt map. Read More: The Best Hawaii Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Tarpon Bay Explorersofferscanoe and kayak trips in the J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge where naturalist guides give you an up-close experience with this unique ecosystem. Indulge in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub, or a deep tissue massage at the spa. Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. If you aren't familiar with Sanibel Island, Florida it's a small island off the coast of West Florida near Fort Myers. Turner Beach, in particular, is known for itsspectacularsunsets. Go shelling. We had a lodge gulf view luxury suite with a full kitchen for cooking and a screened-in balcony for dining and spending evenings listening to the water. Blind Pass Beach 827 Beaches By 994linday Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. Come over and. Smaller dead fish washed up and we had mild coughs when spending extended periods of time on the beach and shore area. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. We got these super easy-to-use kid-friendly Octopus Kites and they have been great. Dr. Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop Plainview. TripHobo Things to do with Family & kids in Sanibel; timesoftheislands.com Top 16 Spots To Take The Kids Around Sanibel & Captiva Islands | Times of the Islands Magazine; Family Destinations Guide 17 Best Things to Do in Sanibel Island, FL (for 2022) iTripVacations 6 Sanibel Island Beaches Where Stress Melts Away and Kids Can . Their learning lab is a great place for children to engage in hands-on play with displays, games, a tank with indigenous mollusks, and continuously-playing children's videos. I am so glad that I chose to stay on Sanibel proper for our trip to Sanibel Island with kids, because it would have been a whole different trip if we hadnt been right here. Convinced to travel to Sanibel Island and check out the cool things to do in there? It has an authentic, old Florida vibe. 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 Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops, and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. Tip for Canadians Tim Hortons coffee is served at Joeys Custard! Also, it's closed at this moment, but there is generally a hands-on area for kids at the Visitor and Education Center. When the red tide is high, dead fish wash up on shore, some shellfish is unsafe to eat and humans, especially those with asthma, have trouble breathing. You should get an annual pass to the wildlife refuge. They might even meet a new friend or two. I am going to be honest. Its always a good sign when a place is packed on a weekday. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. If we had to drive over and visit just for the day, it would not have been at all the same experience. Sprinkled in youll find family travel inspiration. They have plenty of cute shops to pick from for the kiddos. There are a great deal of things to do on Sanibel Island when traveling with a family. Make sure to pack mesh shell bagsfor each member of the family to carry along the beaches. Summer Waves Water Park. We've even spotted lots of dolphins just along the coast. #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. As a visitor, that attitude is somewhat concerning to me and in the future, Id like to see some efforts in place and real discussion about red tide and the time of year when its low and high, and how to prevent it from happening. Wonderful day with Captain Joe beach offering spectacular views of the Florida.... 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