Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. While the view is great on any of the two islands' west-facing beaches, watching the sun dip below the horizon while cruising on the water somehow makes the experience even more breathtaking. Captiva Island is a wonderful day trip from Sanibel Island. ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. There are several ways to explore the refuge. Celebrate Women's History Month and commemorate pioneering figures in science, technology, arts & design, and mathematics. While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. Kids Activities. Look up and see if you can observe some ospreys or pelicans. Address: 845 E Gulf Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. Food shopping on the islands is ridiculously expensive and youll kick yourself if you end up having to buy a weeks worth of food there. 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. Just make sure not to keep any live ones! 74. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Next time we go, I might choose a simpler place, or an Airbnb with a kitchen where we can cook, because the resort was lovely, but Sanibel has some really great things that we want to get out and see! Visit Cayo Costa Beach. Here, visit the otherworldly Captiva Beach, famous for its snow-white sand and shallow crystal-clear waters. Several outfitters like Billy's Rentals, Finnimore's Cycle Shop, and Tarpon Bay Explorers rent bikes, tandems, pull-behind child trailers, and even canopied surreys. We didnt eat out that much while we were here. The ferry terminal is located on neighboring Captiva Island and accessed via a short drive over the bridge. So if there aren't traditional kids attractions what ARE the things to do with kids in Sanibel Island? See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. This is the first lighthouse north of the Keys. If we had to drive over and visit just for the day, it would not have been at all the same experience. Sanibel isn't the only barrier island along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by boat. Unsure of the treasure found on Sanibel Island? Looks like it was a fun trip! All ages. You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. If you can't tell an angel wing from a glassy bubble, a visit to the Bailey-MatthewsNational Shell Museum will set you straight. It is located nearby Blind Pass Bridge, which connects the two islands. The beach here was beautiful white sand, and the water was a bright shade of beautiful blue. Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. Its perfectly legal and encouraged to head down to the beach with a bucket and scoop up as many beauties as you can. There are shells all year long. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. 5. Love Boat Ice Cream is at 1700 Periwinkle Way in the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store. Loosen your belt because several stalls sell freshly made dishes you can eat on the go. Leave the kids with your husband and get a massage at the Tween Waters Inn. Winters the weather can be hit or miss, and the months between December-February are busier with snowbirds escaping winter. If you are staying at a resort and arent planning on straying too far from your quarters, you might be able to get by without a car (especially if your resort has bikes that you can use, which many Sanibel Island family resorts do). Dont miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers. If you are looking for soft sand, this will not be your place because the whole beach is LITERALLY made out of sea shells. Find a Dunkin Donuts and you will be good. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. Find 2023's best things to do with kids. We saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island whilst viewing one of the most spectacular sunsets that we have ever seen. Eating out in Sanibel with kids? Sanibel is a pristine island with beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and tropical lush gardens. 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. Make sure to pack mesh shell bagsfor each member of the family to carry along the beaches. 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. We booked the guide out of Fort Meyers. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. We opted to drive ourselves. If your kids are particularly sensitive to teasing, maybe wait until they go to bed and come back for the adults-only late night race, which has even raunchier jokes. 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Sanibel Island isworld-renownedfor its abundance of seashells. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Fun Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. Hotels tended towards being cheaper on Sanibel. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. We love traveling with kids and will incorporate some of the ideas. 7 Reasons to Visit Harrisonburg Virginia! Do you want amazing sunsets or sunrises? The boys learned some of the real names of the shells and also made up some of their own. If there is, put it back. But heed the warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is not advisable for swimming. My three-year-olds have been flying them for over a year. Parking at Blind Pass Beach costs $5 per hour and the beach is free to explore. There arent really any great public transportation on Sanibel Island, so unless you are planning to take an Uber to and from the airport (expensive given the distance) you will need a car to get around. It takes up some real estate in the car, but the hours of fun you'll get out of it are worth it. What are your favorite spots? The kids were told that if they waited and were quiet, theres a good chance they could spot a manatee somewhere in the wildlife refuge. During the summertime, you'll get those hotter temperatures, as the lows only get down into the 70s during this time of year. Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. Compare native and invasive species of reptiles; hang out with a red-tailed hawk; play hide and seek with a bashful opossum. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. The homes are amazing to look at, the water even better. We stayed at the Sanibel Inn and absolutely LOVED it. Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. We only took a handful home with us as I didnt want to break them in our luggage. Bring goggles for kids to get a good look at the sandy ocean bottom. 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. Things to Do in Sanibel with Kids Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Map Traveler favorites All things to do 1 place sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 2022 1. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. Dont forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. 6. Sunbathing in the sugar white sand, shelling, kayaking, and swimming in the oceans emerald waters are some of the top activities here. Because of its distance from the airport, there are no public transportation methods to get here. Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. Hello, my name is Shanna, and I am a detail obsessed travel addict on a mission to make planning your own family trips fun and easy! Florida is traditionally a state that screams family travel. Private tour guidesare also available to take your family around the islands in search of dolphins and manatees while sharing all kinds of tales about the islands' rich history. It feels special because it is. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. there is a wildlife refuge that you can either take a guided tram or drive yourself through. Watch the sunset on the beach. My boys had never had REAL ice cream before so we splurged and let them have some. One of the most famous is the Wildlife and Education Boardwalk, which provides excellent views of freshwater areas inhabited by alligators and nesting birds. What's a beach trip without ice cream? You never know what will be on the end of that line! Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Nature comes in a spectacular variety in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Sign up in advance because space is limited to24 students per day. Resorts felt more high end and had price tags to match. See these marine mammals leaping and frolicking in the waters of Pine Island Sound. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. Its the only way to get a seat at the race table! Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. Joeys Custard is located at 2467 Periwinkle Way. We had a ton of fun just playing in the water. Dairy-Free (All recipes on CKC are gluten-free). And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. Copyright 2023, Create Kids Club. You might spot a dolphin or two from there. Your email address will not be published. It takes justone visittoSanibel Islandbefore youll start planning yournext trip back. Conditions are often mild and allow you to experience many of the island's activities no matter when you visit. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. The kids waited for 5 minutes and wanted to go. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. Party & Event Planning. You can drive through the preserve at your own pace and get out to spot wildlife. If youre planning avacation to Sanibel Islandand wondering what activities are offered on this island close to Floridas coast, check out these10 kid-friendly attractionsthis special island has to offer. I had not heard of it until earlier this year. Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Sanibel has so much wildlife that spotting cool animals and birds is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. They were a lot cheaper than similar resorts on Sanibel. With all we had to do, we had plenty to keep us occupied for our three night visit. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge On this part of Sanibel you'll find a protected piece of nature with quite an impressive wildlife! The french fries are really good. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Dolphin Tour in Captiva Kids love animals so . It's a cool way for them to understand what's beneath the ocean that they spent the week playing in. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. Battlegroundz has a 20,000-square-foot . Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. Once we left the beach area, we stopped coughing. Every single coastal state in the U.S. has reported red tide and the cause is primarily pollution chemicals in the water. 10. That way, you'll have room left over for a slice (or two!) Throughout the year, the temperatures on Sanibel Island can range anywhere from the mid-50s to the low 90s. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. Book family tours. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. I looked carefully at the hotels and resorts just across the bay in nearby Fort Myers. Kids can find out more about the shells and mollusks they found on the beach and see a collection of aquariums with over 50 species of marine life. Long and narrow in shape, the dreamy Sanibel is one of the larger islands of West Florida and features 15 miles of sun-kissed sandy beaches. Sanibel Island just has a different vibe. 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!. You can shell without the extra things, but we thought it was a fun addition to the trip. Just look at these birds we found. It's a far cry from Disney, BUT I think this type of vacation can be just as lovely for kids of all ages. I personally would not have felt sage cycling after sunset, so driving was a better evening option for us. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. On our first trip to Sanibel with took the twins to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. I will also add that Red Coach buses are a great way to get around with kids. A quick drive from Fort Myers, Florida will take you to a tropical island getaway with so much family-friendly fun to explore. I would absolutely stay there again. On a regular day, the a.m. low tide will be better than the p.m. because if youre the first one out in the morning, youll be able to find the shells that have freshly washed ashore.Tip: My family has always gone to Sanibel Island in June and the beaches have always been filled with shells. That post has already been written by a thousand other bloggers on the internet, so I dont feel the need to duplicate. 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. I love Sanibel!! Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. Corrie P./CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. At the Crow Clinic Animal Rehab, kids can interact with animal ambassadors for a remarkable learning experience. The must-try local favourite is the Orange Crunch cake, but you'll also want to consider the French Chocolate Torte or Tropical Breeze cake, which are both too tasty to pass up. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. Here you can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and nature. Captiva Island: Felt more off the beaten path and exclusive. No arguments there! Pick from one of many competitive games at Battlegroundz in Lincoln including dodgeball, laser tag, paintball, archery tag, airsoft, darts and cornhole. This is what I know about the best time to visit Sanibel Island. Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. 6. Trust me. If you like a bit of history in your travels, then be sure to pay a visit to the lighthouse on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. The island's east-west orientation situates it perfectly to catch over 250 types of shells out of the Gulf of Mexico tides. Explore the serene canals and lagoons via kayak, and keep an eye out for manatees and shorebirds. Convinced to travel to Sanibel Island and check out the cool things to do in there? We came back with so many amazing shells (a whole suitcase full of them in fact). Dr. Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop Plainview. It also taught the boys a bit about wind and weather because they only knew they could fly the kites on windy days. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. This was a "giant clapper" in our world for the week. We ate breakfast in the room. Most folks rent a car, but there are shuttles available to take you here (depending on where you are staying and what you plan on doing, you may not need a car once you get to the island). More shops and restaurants and better choice of hotels and resorts. Here is my short list of family friendly restaurants on Sanibel Island. Required fields are marked *. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. I think their minds were blown! Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. The Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for their guests. Make sure to bike to the east end of the island to see the Sanibel Lighthouse, and if you get hungry for some ice cream while you there, Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream is right there for you on the way back. Smaller dead fish washed up and we had mild coughs when spending extended periods of time on the beach and shore area. Visit the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce's . That night in bed? So will you. Sanibel Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers. 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. Sanibel Island is as much about world-class as it is about beaches. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. Connecting the Florida mainland to Sanibel Island, this majestic roadway rises 70 feet over beautiful San Carlos Bay and offers show-stopping views over the aquamarine waters. Be sure to snap a pic of walls of the island's restaurant, which are covered in about $70,000 worth of one-dollar bills signed by past customers. 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. By foot or bike would be my preference, but you can also drive, or take a 90-minute tram tour with Tarpon Bay Explorers. No matter the time of year, Sanibel sees some brilliant sunsets. Definitely worth a half-day trip adventure. Indulge in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub, or a deep tissue massage at the spa. These encounters trump a trip to Disneyworld any day. Sanibel Island (and the neighbouring Captiva Island) is loaded with fun, family-friendly things to do proving it's worth broadening your vacay horizons beyond Orlando. This wildlife refuge is a great place to check out the local flora and fauna. Buy groceries before you come over. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops, and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. We collected shells every day we were there and it never got old for the boys. Question, why have they never had real ice cream before? Stop by Flan World Corp for a life-changing coconut flan, Aux Dlices Bakery for authentic French pastries, and the Doughnut Station for the fluffiest doughnuts. We've taken the twins twice and both times they loved running out on the boardwalk and spotting animals. With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Fort Myers & Sanibel Island with kids. If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. Not so much. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. The gator viewing wasnt plentiful, there were a few eyes popping up here and there, but it certainly was exciting to try to see them! Baby sea turtles hatch late at night when the moon is bright. The options are endless but here are a few of the activities my kids enjoyed the most on our recent trip. Both were phenomenal. When travelling with my kids, I have to know where the good ice cream places are! Our next stop was rumoured to be the place to see the manatee. This was my daughters favorite part of the trip! Too badwill have to make another trip . The Best Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids, Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. Most of the pools in the area are heated, making them great for use even in the winter. Red Tide is a name given to an algae that are harmful to fish and humans. The Best, Most Unique Places to Stay In Hawaii on a Budget, Universal Studios for Kids What We Learned on our First Visit, Essential Travel Gear 10 Seemingly Random Things that I Wont Travel Without, The Ultimate Guide to Eating Cheaply in Paris, How We Spent 3 Days in Amsterdam with Kids. Although I had never been before, I knew I wanted to take Miss M and Z Man. This article was originally published on Oct. 14, 2014, The Cutest Grandpa Ever Took Peppa Pigs Family On Vacation With Him, United Airlines Launches A Free Family Seating Program That Actually Makes Sense. Grab A Map & Participate In A Treasure Hunt By Bike Stop in at the Sanibel Chamber Commerce and ask for the treasure hunt map. 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