I've heard you can even spot manatees there. Just make sure not to keep any live ones! Captiva Island is a wonderful day trip from Sanibel Island. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. Pick from one of many competitive games at Battlegroundz in Lincoln including dodgeball, laser tag, paintball, archery tag, airsoft, darts and cornhole. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. This wildlife refuge is a great place to check out the local flora and fauna. My twins have been to the island three times starting at 13 months old (1st trip, 2nd trip, 3rd trip) and have loved spending time on the beaches and with nature. Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. 3. Grab A Map & Participate In A Treasure Hunt By Bike Stop in at the Sanibel Chamber Commerce and ask for the treasure hunt map. Also, it's closed at this moment, but there is generally a hands-on area for kids at the Visitor and Education Center. 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. Trust me. ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. You'll soon find there's nothing quite like the calm and quiet beauty of being completely surrounded by natureeven kids will be too entranced to cause a ruckus. 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Also, check out the show-stopping Captiva Pass, which is the strait that separates North Captiva Island from La Costa Island. Because of this, the island is home to a ton of locally-owned boutiques where you can buy bathing suits, sun hats or souvenirs to take home. I will also add that Red Coach buses are a great way to get around with kids. In fact, almost half of the entire island is dedicated to the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which you can drive, bike or walk through to spot some of the region's many different creatures among the estuaries. Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. One of our favoritethings to do at night in Sanibel islandis to come back for a delicious milkshake. We are Shanna and Aaron + kiddos. This sounds like a great place for a family vacation and so many activities! 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. And why wouldnt they do that? We spend a ton of time on North Captiva and always make trips over to Sanibel truly a beautiful spot. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the reptiles that live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. The island's east-west orientation situates it perfectly to catch over 250 types of shells out of the Gulf of Mexico tides. Here are a few that seem to welcome and appreciate kids. The Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens takes visitors on a colorful journey through idyllic tropical gardens. There are a great deal of things to do on Sanibel Island when traveling with a family. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. It's such a fun way to have even more fun at the beach with kids. 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. No arguments there! 2. But heed the warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is not advisable for swimming. One of the main reasons I love coming here so much is for the shells. I offer tools, guides and resources to help you through all of the steps of planning meaningful, memorable family vacations. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. These encounters trump a trip to Disneyworld any day. Sanibel and Captiva have some different shells, so be sure to hit beaches on both islands. Sanibel Stars & Stripes 43 Boat Tours By 797brendank Friendly staff, great experience, had multiple dolphins chasing and jumping behind the boat for majority of the the r. 39. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. Just make sure there is nothing living inside of the shell. There are a lot of super kid-friendly restaurants on the island but there are some that specifically ask you not to bring tots online, so check ahead of time! Address: 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel. We were also able to take advantage of a free daily tour of the beach with a naturalist guide during which we learned some really neat tidbits about the beach and its creatures. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. You might want to bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on the beach. Definitely can do an adult only trip there too! The beaches on this barrier island are covered in beautiful shells of different shapes, sizes and colours, so make sure to set aside a day at the beach where you and the kids can swim in the gulf, lounge in the sun and rifle through all the shells to find the perfect specimen. Sanibel Island is best experienced by bike. Make sure toget there earlyand plan on having dinner. Check out the nearby learning centre at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife(CROW) where kids can watch as animals are nursed back to health at the animal hospital and perform their own pretend rehabilitations on stuffed versions of their favourite critters. We definitely suggest sharing plates, since each dinner portion is huge and comes with a sticky bun, garlic bread and a side salad. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! We had a fun morning riding out to see the Sanibel lighthouse. At the parks northern end, youll find a fishing pier, a prime spot for catching redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum, snapper, and other species. 6. Because of its distance from the airport, there are no public transportation methods to get here. 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. It is true that growing up, a lot of time was spent in these magical and fairytale kingdoms. We stayed at the Sanibel Inn and absolutely LOVED it. Heads up, you'll want to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. If you are looking for soft sand, this will not be your place because the whole beach is LITERALLY made out of sea shells. Too badwill have to make another trip . TripHobo Things to do with Family & kids in Sanibel; timesoftheislands.com Top 16 Spots To Take The Kids Around Sanibel & Captiva Islands | Times of the Islands Magazine; Family Destinations Guide 17 Best Things to Do in Sanibel Island, FL (for 2022) iTripVacations 6 Sanibel Island Beaches Where Stress Melts Away and Kids Can . My boys had never had REAL ice cream before so we splurged and let them have some. This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. Smaller dead fish washed up and we had mild coughs when spending extended periods of time on the beach and shore area. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops, and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. It sets over the ocean where you can watch from a huge stretch of public beach. 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. We belive strongly that travel benefits kids in SO MANY ways. Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . Tip for Canadians Tim Hortons coffee is served at Joeys Custard! This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. Hi, Friends! They were pretty excited to start filling their bags when we got there. CROWs Visitor Education Center features a collection of interactive exhibits and videos, while the guided Wildlife Walk through the hospital allows you to observe veterinarians treating sick and injured wildlife. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! Top 10 things to do on Sanibel Island with kids J.N. (Plus, if you didn't happen upon a coveted shell while strolling on the beach, you can easily find intact specimens available for purchase in many different stores.) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Compare native and invasive species of reptiles; hang out with a red-tailed hawk; play hide and seek with a bashful opossum. Since 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse (or Sanibel Island Light), has stood on Point Ybel at the eastern tip ofSanibel Island, markingthe entrance to San Carlos Bay. While visiting Chateaux Sur Mer, you might make a stop by sights like Sanibel Island Southern Beach and Bowman's Beach. The kitschy shop at the east end of Sanibel is legendary for its delicious homemade Italian gelato. Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. It takes up some real estate in the car, but the hours of fun you'll get out of it are worth it. Map of kid-friendly places. 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. Winters the weather can be hit or miss, and the months between December-February are busier with snowbirds escaping winter. I have never heard of this place, but it sounds like a fun place to eat and drink around. "The kids had fun but when we arrived they only gave me 15mins to set up before the party began." more. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. The whole family has endless opportunities for fun. We upgraded our regular beach toys to fun trucks that our boys love. The bedroom had a king-size bed which was amazingly spacious to sleep in with the kids since we currently share a double bed at home. Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. This should be enough to get you started (and if you have any favorites that you think I should add, please let me know! And Lord knows youll need an hour of relaxation being away with your family. There are bike lanes literally EVERYWHERE. Sanibel Carts 32 Gear Rentals By michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun!! Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? Sign up in advance because space is limited to24 students per day. Tip: Check with your hotel or condo because some units come with bikes. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. My goal with Running in a Skirt is to help YOU live a happier, healthier life! The Sanibel Island Lighthouse is on the east end of the island and has a lovely fishing pier, nature trail, and beaches with great shelling. Take a dolphin sight-seeing boat ride. ), and The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. After a low tide or storm are best along with the months of January, February, and March. If you are staying on the east end of the island, this makes for a lovely bike ride (and you can stop for THE BEST key lime ice cream at Sanibels Best Homemade Ice Cream afterwards!). Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. 5. Looking for things to do in Sanibel Island with kids? I am a travel agent and family travel expert who is PASSIONATE about planning amazing adventures for families. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Fort Myers & Sanibel Island with kids. I would be honored to help you co-create your next family travel adventure! Parking at Blind Pass Beach costs $5 per hour and the beach is free to explore. Book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and make a stop at Cabbage Key. There are several ways to explore the refuge. Also, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel. Come at low tide or after a storm to find conch, junonia, lightning whelk, and cockle shells. You can drive through the preserve at your own pace and get out to spot wildlife. 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. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Your email address will not be published. Best Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids. 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. As the kids are flying down the waterslides enjoy a nice slow ride in the lazy river. Do some research and pick a guide that suits your family. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. I looked carefully at the hotels and resorts just across the bay in nearby Fort Myers. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. The shelling is the best and the kids love climbing all over the driftwood and making their way through the forest. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? So if there aren't traditional kids attractions what ARE the things to do with kids in Sanibel Island? Note you will have to head back into Fort Myers to get picked up by there van for this excursion. Part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the USA, this staggering park protects an array of threatened species, aside from providing habitat for fascinating migratory birds. Heres something I wouldnt have done as a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators But our day guide Rhett? You to get to the beach by boat, and its simply amazing. 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! Copyright 2022 - There and Back Again Travel / Shanna Schultz, Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Sanibel Island with Kids, saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island. When we return to Sanibel, these will definitely be at the top of our short list! Find Places To Stay In Sanibel Island, Florida. Reach out to me using this form and lets start brainstorming and planning your next amazing escapebecause to me it is more than just a vacation. Why not try a different one each night? Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. Florida sunsets are truly like none other in existence. 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. The beach was not sandy, it was made of crushed shells. 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. The ferry terminal is located on neighboring Captiva Island and accessed via a short drive over the bridge. As a visitor, that attitude is somewhat concerning to me and in the future, Id like to see some efforts in place and real discussion about red tide and the time of year when its low and high, and how to prevent it from happening. Sanibel Island takes shelling very seriously! Kids have their own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks. They offer a wide variety of accommodations choices as well as a beautiful kid friendly pool with a water slide. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. Each time, we had to walk around and see the parrots (the naughty one on the end kept throwing his toys out of the cage and pouting as passersby to pick them upshe thought it was hilarious!) 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. All ages. Sanibel Island with kids is lovely! I am so glad that I chose to stay on Sanibel proper for our trip to Sanibel Island with kids, because it would have been a whole different trip if we hadnt been right here. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. These include the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, dolphin and wildlife cruises, and more. Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. Whether you choose to be boating, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing or fishing from one of the favorite spots, play a round of golf on the challenging scenic courses, there are over 70 of them, the perfect place to tee off and test your mettle on the green . 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. I am not going to post about EVERYTHING to do on Sanibel Island for kids. This is the first lighthouse north of the Keys. Crab racing is fun for both kids and adults. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. We had just never gone out to a regular ice cream shop with them! The balcony was huge and screened in. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. You should get an annual pass to the wildlife refuge. The Visitor and Education Centre offers free admission and is open every day except holidays from 9:00 am-4:00 pm year-round. Taking a walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park is one of the best ways to explore the eastern tip of the island. The Sanibel Inn offered the use of paddleboards, kayaks and bikes free of charge for their guests. Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. I've tried to keep treats healthier at home too while they were super young, but always had the intentions of loosening that up a bit as they get older. It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. My family loves Sanibel and I'm sure yours will too. While the water is not clear, they will be able to find starfish, conch, and sand dollars. The same currents that bring all of the shells and wash them up on the shore also stir up the shallow bottom, making the water less than clear. Friday, March 3. A 90-minute excursion on the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises(located on neighboring Captiva Island) will guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings. Part sporting event, part comedy dinner show, the crab races have guests select a hermit crab from a bowl, name it and then cheer it on as it races to the finish line. Having a car made getting to Fort Myers quick and easy as well. Bring goggles for kids to get a good look at the sandy ocean bottom. Nature comes in a spectacular variety in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Here you'll find healthy vegetarian and pescatarian recipes, health & wellness tips, healthy travel guides, plus behind the scenes fun from my life as a twin Mom. This year before we left we talked to them about the different types of shells they could find and even got them a shelling Sand Dipper Jr and sea shell collecting bag. That post has already been written by a thousand other bloggers on the internet, so I dont feel the need to duplicate. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. 9. Summers in Florida are HOT. Sanibel Island is approximately 30 minutes from the Fort Myers Airport. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. Visiting this locale is a feel-good endeavor, too, as your admission fee goes towards the care of approximately 3,500 injured and orphaned animals each year. Looks like a really fun place. They make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors in total. Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. 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!). #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. Edison & Ford Winter Estates. 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. We visited in November, and it was just the right time for us. There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. The tour price covers the rental of all gear, including a PDF, leash, tie-downs, and fresh drinking water for each person. 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. From national historic sites to beautiful beaches, there are many fun things to do on the Kohala Coast. Your boys are just growing up so fast. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Sanibel Island isworld-renownedfor its abundance of seashells. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our {31 fun activities in South Plainfield fun activities in South Plainfield } are also worth a look. 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). Temperatures were still in the 80s. As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. 9. Find a Dunkin Donuts and you will be good. Some bucket-list experiences here are sunbathing, kayaking, bird watching, and exploring idyllic parks like the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Check out the accommodation options for your dates through my booking.com affiliate search box: Booking.com(function(d,sc,u){var s=d.createElement(sc),p=d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u+'?v='+(+new Date());p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);})(document,'script','//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); And always remember, Florida can be very HOT! Here is my short list of family friendly restaurants on Sanibel Island. For the 4 nights we were there, we stood on the beach of the hotel and observed and gave thanks that was our view.

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