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. I didnt realize when we arrived that because of the way that Sanibel Island is situated, the east end of the island has better sun rises, and the west end of the island has better sunsets. )If this sound like a trip to Sanibel Island with kids is in your future, here are my best tips for planning the perfect escape! 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! While you can't exactly access the light,the site itself features agreat shelling beach, a fishing pier, and a nature trail. Address: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. Battlegroundz has a 20,000-square-foot . When they are ready, they follow the moonlight and head back to the Gulf of Mexico. It's such a fun way to have even more fun at the beach with kids. 4. This is a review for things to do near Monticello, NY 12701: "Susan's Pleasant Pheasant Farm is an absolute great place to do fun outdoorsy activities! Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. It's officially called Jerry's Tropical Galleria and it's filled with parrots and other gorgeous birds making it a fun place for them to pick up a souvenir. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. With time spent on the beach looking for shells, we barely had time to get out and see what the rest of the island had to offer! Everyone on the island gets to help protect sea turtles. This was my daughters favorite part of the trip! More shops and restaurants and better choice of hotels and resorts. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. We've found lots of fun ways to spend our days on the island and I'm sure we'll continue to do that as the kids grow older. However, the island is spread out depending on where you stay. In the courtyard are large enclosures with a variety of different parrots. Kids will find themselves immersed for hours in this natural treasure huntwithout a care given to the backbreaking stance known as the"Sanibel stoop." 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We only took a handful home with us as I didnt want to break them in our luggage. Make sure to go during low tide because that's when a lot of the birds, including brown and white pelicans, ibis, cormorants and spoonbills, flock to the refuge to feed on fish stuck in the shallow water. Ive only been to the western side of Florida once and it was for a baseball game. Sanibel Island with kids really is a lovely vacation! As I am a big craft beer aficionado, I had to hit up Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille. The Visitor and Education Centre offers free admission and is open every day except holidays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm year-round. Sanibel Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers. They dont seem startled one bit! Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. Just wondering. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the reptiles that live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it. Here are a few that seem to welcome and appreciate kids. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge. It's a great activity for kids and families. Having a sub-tropical climate, visitors and residents enjoy the outdoors and sunshine all year long. I know it sounds strange, but if you ask my daughter, this was one of her favorite places on Sanibel island for kids. The island is relatively compact and very bike friendly and many people get around by bike! Home to all kinds of Floridian wildlife (have your little ones try to spot the mangrove crabs scuttling around among the branches), the mangroves are best experienced by a guided kayak tour through the mangrove tunnels, where the trees naturally form a closed canopy to create a tunnel over the waterway. Stuff your face at Island Cow. This is a fantastic place for viewing Florida manatees. 5. Although I had never been before, I knew I wanted to take Miss M and Z Man. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! Leave the kids with your husband and get a massage at the Tween Waters Inn. Some of my favorite memories as a kid are from Sanibel Island and I think these are all such great activities to do with kids! As always, opinions and fun times are always mine and those of my kids. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. I definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island. 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. Here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel Island family vacation to make planning your Florida beach vacation a little easier. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Joeys Custard is located at 2467 Periwinkle Way. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. It takes justone visittoSanibel Islandbefore youll start planning yournext trip back. I offer tools, guides and resources to help you through all of the steps of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations. Captiva Island: Felt more off the beaten path and exclusive. It has an authentic, old Florida vibe. It was a day of ribbons and confetti cannons, hugs and back-slapping as two more island business emerged from . Travel and World Peace: How Traveling the World has Changed My Perspective. There's a safe designated bike path to pedal the length and width of the island, and you can even beat the traffic when it slows to a crawl during season. Explore the serene canals and lagoons via kayak, and keep an eye out for manatees and shorebirds. 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 Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. Why not try a different one each night? Looking for things to do in Sanibel Island with kids? Its the only way to get a seat at the race table! Visiting London with kids is an absolute joy. KathrynAnywhere is a participant in the Booking.com affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees upon guests booking reservations at the accommodations listed. Indulge in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub, or a deep tissue massage at the spa. My goal with Running in a Skirt is to help YOU live a happier, healthier life! We stayed at the Island Inn, the very first hotel on the island. Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. Just look at these birds we found. Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. 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! The tour takes you across the flat waters of local estuaries and waterways and offers beginner instruction for those new to the sport. Just make sure not to keep any live ones! Dont forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. We ate THE best burgers at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island Inn, and we ate out once or twice for dinner. I am not going to post about EVERYTHING to do on Sanibel Island for kids. This is for sure at least worth a stop for ice cream (or a place to leave the kids and hubby so you can go in and grocery shop BY YOURSELF!). The Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for their guests. I had not heard of it until earlier this year. 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. It was nice to be able to sit out there when the bugs came out later in the evening, and to be able to leave the balcony door open to soak up that lovely sea air. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. 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. Should you ever find yourself on Sanibel or Captiva Islands with kids, here are some things you must do. Just make sure there is nothing living inside of the shell. If you're ready to explore South Plainfield, sign up for one of the top tours & day trips on offer, and have a friendly guide show you some of the most popular sights. We had a ton of fun just playing in the water. I have to include this. Shelling is one of the best things to do on Sanibel Island, so plan to spend lots of time at the beach! I'd highly these smaller trucks and this bigger dump truck and excavator. And why wouldnt they do that? Kids can easily split a kids meal, especially if they fill up on the bottomless muffins that come first. Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. We had a fun morning riding out to see the Sanibel lighthouse. Ever been to Captiva or Sanibel? Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. After a low tide or storm are best along with the months of January, February, and March. Sanibel Carts 32 Gear Rentals By michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun!! 1.Rent A Convertable There's no better way to explore this tropical location with the roof down and the wind in your face. Go shelling. Its amazing! 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. Sanibel isn't the only barrier island along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by boat. 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. These include the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, dolphin and wildlife cruises, and more. Additionally, after undergoing several renovations to the main halls and exhibits in 2018 and 2019, the Shell Museum will fully reopen on July 5, 2019, with tons of new features. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. Watch the sunset on the beach. Do you want amazing sunsets or sunrises? You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Sanibel is a pristine island with beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and tropical lush gardens. Here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of paths. Is relatively compact and very bike friendly and many people get around bike! Rentals by michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun! happier, healthier life is open day! And offers beginner instruction for those new to the western side of Florida, 30! Get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life get around by bike out depending on where you.! Beach with kids, here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel with! To keep any live ones a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get out and see?... 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