Sanibel Island is an adorable breather from the normal beach towns around Florida. Once you pass over the bridge, there are no stop lights. There are no chain restaurants. You are surrounded by mom and pop adorable shops, authentic restaurants, and incredible beaches. Here’s how we spent three days in the beautiful Sanibel.
Where to Stay
- Camping- We were lucky enough to share a camper with some great friends right on the island itself. This allowed us to bike ride most of the weekend which was an extra bonus. There is a bike path that runs most of the 12-mile island, so we rode to bars, restaurants, and the beach! Learn more about camping in Florida here.
- Rentals – there are plenty of rentals throughout the island. We saw multiple vacation houses and Airbnb’s available. Our tip – find something walkable or bikeable to the main strip. This will allow you a true Sanibel experience!
- Hotels – there are no chain hotels on the island itself (adding to the authentic vibe) but there are a handful of resort-style local hotels that offer a unique experience. Right over the bridge are plenty of chain-options but you’ll have to get in your car to get to the island.
Where to Eat
- Breakfast: Our one breakfast outing was the Island Cow. You could tell this is a local gem on the island. The specials were packed with flavor, the service was spot on, and the atmosphere was unique and relaxed. According to their website. “Our menu is the result of years of culinary travel, two parts Southwest Florida, one-part Southern Comfort food, we throw in a cup of Sanibel add a dash of the Caribbean and the result is ALL delicious”. Indeed!
- Lunch/Dinner:
- Grandma Dot’s – our friends loved this spot and we understood why right away! Grab a seat outside and enjoy the boats coming into the harbor. And don’t forget to save room for the key-lime pie, it’s delicious.
- Mud Bugs – easily our favorite of the weekend. This New Orleans Cajun style menu was fresh, tasty, and full of flavor. We shared the shrimp etouffee and the brussels sprout kabobs because the portions are huge! Definitely save room for the beignets, obviously.
- Green Flash – this spot offered some incredible views even if the décor was a bit old-school. Don’t let it fool you though, the food was out of this world. Fresh caught fish with great sauces and toppings. You can’t go wrong!
- Honorable mention: Doc Ford’s – we have one near us in St. Pete and really like it!
- Drinks
- Mucky Duck – time your visit here to roughly 4pm and you will happily have a seat enjoying a great view of the water with very few people around. There are a few bars both inside and outside to grab a drink, but it will fill up quickly due to the great location and friendly staff. And of course, play a friendly game of Tiki Toss (hook and ring)!
- Tipsy Turtle – for a friendly beer and a good game of cornhole, this was a spot recommended to us by our camp neighbors. You can tell there have been many fun stories that happened here!
Things to do in Sanibel
- Bike Ride! You can rent bikes at Billy’s Rentals – right across from Mud Bugs – or bring your own from home. The island is set up for bikers including a large path that runs through the whole island. Don’t forget a lock!
- Shelling at the beach – Sanibel is known as some of the best shelling beaches in the world. Generally, the smaller shells are found near the lighthouse end of the island and the larger shells are found near Captiva island.
- Tip: Wake up early! A lot of people come for the shells so by mid-morning a lot of the shells will be gone.
- Take a day boat trip – we took a half day trip to Cabbage Island on Captiva Cruises. The fun staff made the hour-trip easy and enjoyable. They even have a bar on board! Keep an eye on the side of the boat, there are plenty of dolphins chasing us down.
We can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed Sanibel. When we got home and told others about our trip, those who had visited before also only had great things to say. If you’re headed to Florida for a trip or a Floridian looking for something different, check out this authentic island and all it has to offer. On the other coast? Check out our 3 days in St. Augustine!
Cheers to Chasing Our Compass!
