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10 must do activities on Sanibel Island (Pt. 1)

Adam Hartig • Jul 12, 2021

It’s no secret that Sanibel and Captiva Island on Florida’s west coast are two of the best spots in the United States — if not the world — to hunt for seashells.

However, we found tons of things to do on Sanibel Island beyond walking the laid back beaches.


There are no buildings taller than a palm tree on these natural islands, so it’s easy to miss the plethora of fun snuggled in between the tropical forests – but don’t worry, we got you. In addition to our experiences on the island, we enlisted the help of veteran vacationers to put together this amazing list of everything you need to know for a spectacular vacation.


For the First Timer to Sanibel Island


1. J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge

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.


There are several ways to explore the refuge. By foot or bike would be my preference, but you can also drive, or take a 90-minute tram tour with Tarpon Bay Explorers. If you drive, download the refuge app prior to your visit so you can play Wildlife Drive trivia along the way.


2. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

This museum was closed when we visited, so we missed it, however, we did participate in a beach walk at the Island Inn that was lead by a scientist from the Bailey Matthews Shell Museum, and it was great.

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only museum in the U.S. that is dedicated solely to shells and mollusks. Your kids will love touching the live mollusks in the touch pools or participating in a scavenger hunt around the museum that will win them a prize! Make sure to see the Giant Pacific Octopus.


3. Sanibel Island Lighthouse

Although you can’t go up into the Sanibel Island Lighthouse, it’s still a destination worth visiting. On the grounds you’ll find a fishing pier and beach access where you can find great shelling. There is a large parking lot and restroom facilities here too, so bring a picnic and spend the afternoon.


4. Billy’s Bike Shop

There are 22 miles of paved bike paths on Sanibel Island, so renting a bike is a perfect way to get around, plus most of the things to do on Sanibel Island are accessible by bike.

During our trip we stayed at the Island Inn on Sanibel and could rent bikes on-site. If you don’t have bikes included in your rental, Billy’s Bike Shop is the place to go, according to our sources.


5. CROW

Also called the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, this is a teaching hospital, as well as an education center. Kids will love the hands-on veterinarian play area, complete with pint-sized lab coats.

Interested in veterinary medicine? Book the Wildlife Walk, a behind-the-scenes tour of the hospital. We saw an operation on a bird’s leg, plus triage on a group of newly arrived animals ranging from a tiny rabbit to a huge raptor. So cool.

Benefits of Using a Car Service

By Adam Hartig • 12 Jul, 2021
When it comes to business travel, most people find it an exciting opportunity to travel to new places. That is, until you pick up your suitcase from the carousel, walk outside to the pickup line and find yourself playing the waiting game. You're either fighting to get a taxi or standing in line to rent a car from the various companies who promise that it will be ready upon your arrival.....but, it turns out it’s been a busy day and they have run out of cars. They quickly tell you not to worry as they will have more cars back in a couple of hours. Really? Now you find yourself behind schedule or even late to a meeting. You’re probably wondering what the solution is to this problem. To be stress free, hire a car service.

10 must do activities on Sanibel Island (Pt. 2)

By Adam Hartig • 12 Jul, 2021
6. Beaches You will totally understand the ‘Sanibel Stoop’ after hitting any of the marvelous beaches . Every beach has amazing shelling, but Blind Pass Beach is known as a premier spot. If you want to make a day of it, Bowman Beach has picnic facilities that include grills.  7. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers This location is not in Sanibel, but it’s worth the short drive to Fort Myers. In addition to touring the Edison & Ford Winter Estate homes, there is a traditional museum, as well as The Smithsonian Spark Lab, with super cool hands-on STEM activities for kids (and adult kids). Tour the 20 acres of gardens, then pick up something for yourself. Be sure to leave time to visit Edison’s lab. 8. Tarpon Bay Outfitters Tarpon Bay is one of the top ten places in the nation to paddle, according to Canoe and Kayak Magazine. Rent a kayak through Tarpon Bay Explorers and head out on your own, or go on a guided tour through the tangled red mangrove forest. Either way, you’ll have a front row seat to one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. Bonus — Tarpon Bay Explorers let you keep your kayak and explore on your own after any tour. 9. Captiva Cruises In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. Sadly, our sunset cruise aboard a double hull catamaran was canceled due to weather, but the sheer number of people who mentioned Captiva Cruises when we were planning our trip gives me confidence that had we gone, it would’ve been great! Captiva Cruises has quite a few different excursions to choose from — like the Useppa Island Cruise, the seasonal Boca Grande Cruise, or the Cabbage Key Cruise, to name a few. It’s a great way to get out and explore the surrounding area. 10. Charter Fishing The west coast of Florida is known for it’s fishing. Whether you’re a pro or just looking to go out for a day of fun, Whitney’s Bait & Tackle is the place to go. They offer several different adventures to fit your interests and your budget. If you’d rather go it alone, Whitney will dish on the best fishing spots around if you’re nice. And here’s an extra tip: Want to learn how to fly fish? Or maybe just filet the fish you’ve caught? Whitney’s offers free lessons!
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