You can drive to the beautiful Sanibel Island by using the Sanibel Island Causeway, which connects the island with the Florida mainland. The causeway incorporates 3 bridges and stretches across the water for 3 miles. The causeway has 4 traffic lanes and also incorporates a dedicated cyclist lane. For motorists heading westbound to the island, a $6 toll is payable, plus a further $3 admin charge if you don’t have an eligible transponder. On average, 8,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day, and during peak holidays, queues can form, and delays can occur.
Sanibel Island is a barrier island just off Florida’s west coast. It lies to the southwest of the nearby cities of Cape Coral and Fort Myers and is part of the same metropolitan area. The island measures 12 miles in length and 3 miles in width at its widest point. In total, the island covers just over 17 square miles.
Sanibel Islands’ location close to the city of Fort Myers and the I-75 ensures that there’s good accessibility to the area and plenty of different ways to reach the island.
Car – There’s only one route onto and off the island, the 3-mile-long Sanibel Island Causeway. The causeway runs from Punta Rassa on the mainland to the northeastern shore of Sanibel Island, close to Bailey’s Beach Park. If you’re traveling to the island using the I-75, turn off at Exit 131 onto Daniel Parkway. Follow the road before taking a left onto Summerlin Road, which runs all the way down to the causeway.
Boat – There are no scheduled ferries or boat services to Sanibel Island. When the Sanibel Island Causeway was built in 1963, it removed the need for the daily ferry service that used to run. All access to the island now is via the causeway.
Air – There is no airport on Sanibel Island. However, Fort Myers airport is just 40 minutes away by road. The airport services arrivals from all major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United. These airlines connect the airport with destinations in the U.S. and Canada. There are also many flights to Europe.
On arrival at the airport, you can hire a vehicle or take an Uber or Lyft to Sanibel Island. Traveling to the island by taxi is between $40 to $50. Some hotels do offer free airport transfers as part of their package. However, there’s no standard airport shuttle service to the island.
It’s both easy and convenient to drive on Sanibel Island. You’ll need to cross from the mainland using the Sanibel Island Causeway and pay the $6 toll charge. Once on the island, several roads span the width of the island and connect Sanibel Island with the neighboring Captiva Island. These roads include Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Captiva Road, and Captiva Drive. It isn’t possible to drive all the way to North Captiva Island as there’s no bridge connection to this island.
The big draw on Sanibel Island is of course the spectacular white powder sand beaches and the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This draws people from far and wide to this little slice of heaven in southern Florida. Both Blind Pass Beach and Bowman’s Beach are well-known and among the very best beaches on the island. However, beyond the beach, there’s plenty more to see and do to add some variety to your visit.
Sanibel Island Lighthouse – Also known as Point Ybel Light, this lighthouse was constructed all the way back in 1884. A somewhat unconventional design, the lighthouse is an open tower with a light at the summit, some 98 feet above the ground. It’s located on the eastern tip of the island in the Lighthouse Beach Park, which is a popular destination with its fine beach and amenities.
Shell Museum – Sanibel Island is famous for the quantity and diversity of the shells that can be found on its beaches. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum celebrates this diversity with a well-presented series of exhibitions detailing everything you need to know about shells and mollusks. This one-of-a-kind museum is home to some exceptional specimens which will enthrall young and old alike. Shelling (collecting sea shells) is a popular pastime on the island, and Turner Beach is the best place to go.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge – This protected habitat is a pristine area and bird haven. Within the park’s boundaries are a museum, many walking or cycling trails, and a road for visitors to access by car. It’s well worth taking a guided tour to gain expert knowledge on the birds and the habitat you’re seeing.
Sanibel Historical Museum and Village – Set across 7 historical buildings, this fascinating museum provides a colorful insight into the island’s history. The museum includes film, exhibits, and photographs, which work beautifully together to give a great picture of the past. One of the few complaints about the museum is its limited opening hours, so check in advance to ensure it’s open.
Sanibel Islands’ climate is much like the rest of southern Florida. It’s characterized by year-round warm weather, which can sometimes become oppressively hot during the height of summer. The summer months also see the highest rainfall, making it a particularly sticky and humid time of the year to visit. Therefore, visiting Sanibel Island during the autumn, winter, and spring seasons is recommended. This period covers October through to April. You’ll find warm weather, less rainfall, and lower humidity during this time. Note that January to April is the peak season, resulting in more visitors and higher prices. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit in the months before Christmas.
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