First-timers Guide To Sanibel Island - Yodertoterblog

Sanibel & Captiva Travel Guide

Sanibel Island is the perfect destination for a family beach vacation! However, before visiting Sanibel Island for the first time, I couldn’t find much information telling me what to expect during our first stay on the island. Being budget travelers, I wanted to know where the best grocery stores were, how much the bridge tolls cost, and more.

Without further ado, here is your guide to a first-time trip to Sanibel Island.

How to get to Sanibel Island

The closest major airport to Sanibel Island is RSW- Southwest International Airport, which is 25 miles or 40 minutes away. We used this airport on a past trip to Fort Myers while using our Southwest Airlines Companion Pass.

If you’re willing to fly a budget airline, Allegiant offers service to Punta Gorda Airport, which is 50 miles from Sanibel.

Check prices on flights.

Can you drive to Sanibel Island? Yes!

Approaching Sanibel, you will need to cross a toll bridge. It is $6 per vehicle, plus a $3 service fee.  This cost is round-trip and is billed by your license plate if you don’t have the Florida Sunpass. The Sanibel Causeway Bridge is 3 miles long and has recently been reconstructed after Hurricane Ian.

Rental cars can be obtained from both airports. Check rates with Kayak.

Where to buy groceries while staying on Sanibel Island

We like to save money on travel whenever possible, so planning to cook in our vacation rental played a big part in budgeting for this trip. The most inexpensive places to stock up on groceries are off of the island (but you’ll have to factor in the fee to leave the island and return).  The closest to the bridge is Publix, then ALDI, then Walmart. I chose ALDI to do most of our shopping, as their prices were very competitive with what I’m used to paying at home.

Sanibel Island has two grocery stores. Jerry’s Market is a full-service grocery store with a deli and coffee shop. The setting itself is worth a visit, as the outdoor garden has a seating area and cages with parrots! If you’re looking for great steaks or fresh items, this is a great place to shop, but the prices are considerably higher than the other stores.

Bailey’s General Store is currently rebuilding after the hurricane. Hopefully, they are back in operation soon!

Sanibel Island public beaches

Sanibel & Captiva Island has 6 public beaches.  We have been to four of them and they all offer outside showers, restrooms, and parking. Parking costs $5/hour.  The parking meters are done by QR code and credit card.

Bowman’s Beach was once voted one of the best beaches in the world by U. S. News Travel. It’s easy to see why this powdery sand and crystal clear water is so popular! It is quite a walk from the parking to the beach, so if you have a wagon or beach-friendly stroller, it’s best to bring it along. If you have young children, there is a playground for kids aged 2-7 that’s in the shade away from the beach.

There are bathrooms and changing rooms, but on our last visit (June 2025), the mosquitoes were ruthless in the bathroom. Make sure you have some bug spray in your beach bag!

We found Turner Pass, just over the bridge on Captiva Island, to be a great place to capture the sunset.

More family-friendly beaches of Southwest Florida

There are also two causeway beaches which are located just off the bridges on the way to the island. They do not charge for parking. We had a picnic at Causeway B and it was an ideal place to have lunch! (Shell-themed picnic blanket on Amazon). We noticed that this is also a popular place to watch the sunset.

Kid-friendly resort Sanibel Island

We have stayed at two condo resorts on Sanibel Island. The first is Loggerhead Cay, which is a condo development on the south end of Sanibel Island, near the bridge. The 2-bedroom condo offered a full kitchen, a screened-in patio, and a washer and dryer. Loggerhead Cay had direct beach access and a large swimming pool. – 433 Loggerhead Cay.

The second place we stayed in was the Blind Pass condos. This condo resort more secluded and only 2 stories tall. They were greatly impacted by Hurricane Ian, so the condos are just reopening. The units are located at the western end of Sanibel Island, next to Bowman’s Beach. The units are a further drive from most of the restaurants and shopping, but it is closer to Captiva Island. Blind Pass A102

What is the Sanibel Stoop?

Sanibel is known for its “Sanibel stoop,” because most visitors walk the beaches with their heads down and eyes fixed on the seashells. We had a fun time looking for seashells throughout the island. I didn’t find one beach to be better than another, as the shells are prevalent everywhere! We found the most in the evening (near sunset) when it was also low tide.

Wading in shallow water allowed us to see the ocean floor and find some of the best! By shuffling your feet, you’ll easily find live sand dollars. We enjoyed looking at them with our children and then putting them back. Don’t forget – there is a $500 fine for live shelling!

More tips for Sanibel & Captiva

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY FULL GUIDE OF THINGS TO DO ON SANIBEL.

Make sure you visit the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge. The Visitor Center offers interactive displays that are engaging for kids and adults. The driving tour is worth the $10/car entry fee as you’ll spot numerous kinds of wildlife! You can read more about Southwest Florida wildlife adventures HERE.

If you or your children have sensitive feet, you may want to purchase some Crocs or water shoes before visiting. The shell-filled beaches can be hard on your feet!

Have some time to explore Fort Myers? Here is my family guide to visiting Fort Myers.

I hope these tips help you have a fantastic trip to Sanibel Island! It is the perfect place to create lasting family memories!

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