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. It's a far cry from Disney, BUT I think this type of vacation can be just as lovely for kids of all ages. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. 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. As I am a big craft beer aficionado, I had to hit up Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille. Why not try a different one each night? "The kids had fun but when we arrived they only gave me 15mins to set up before the party began." more. 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. There was a mild red tide when we visited. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Taking a walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park is one of the best ways to explore the eastern tip of the island. We booked the guide out of Fort Meyers. Kids stop in local businesses on the hunt for prizes. Summer Waves Water Park. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. Book family tours. It takes justone visittoSanibel Islandbefore youll start planning yournext trip back. 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. 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! 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! A 90-minute excursion on the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises(located on neighboring Captiva Island) will guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. These months offer the best weather, with comfortable temperatures and less rain, making it a joy to explore the island. From national historic sites to beautiful beaches, there are many fun things to do on the Kohala Coast. ), and The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. With older kids, you can also bike the entire path, which I think would be a lovely way to see it. The lighthouse dates back to 1884. Sanibel Island is located off the coast of southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers. Looking for things to do in Sanibel Island with kids? Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. The refuge also offers tram rides hosted by a naturalist, so kids can learn more about what they're seeing. It takes up some real estate in the car, but the hours of fun you'll get out of it are worth it. Unique Experiences and Travel Inspiration. A trip to Sanibel Island with kids is perfect if you are a family who wants to send some quality time together in a laid back, relaxed atmosphere. Bring goggles for kids to get a good look at the sandy ocean bottom. The whole family has endless opportunities for fun. Kids love being responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles! Celebrate Women's History Month and commemorate pioneering figures in science, technology, arts & design, and mathematics. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our {31 fun activities in South Plainfield fun activities in South Plainfield } are also worth a look. Find Places To Stay In Sanibel Island, Florida. 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. Here are a few things to think about when narrowing down the best Sanibel Island family resorts for your vacation. 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. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. Aside from endless miles of gorgeous beaches, Sanibel Island is a lush sanctuary filled with spectacular natural features, including wilderness refuges, tropical gardens, and various wildlife species. Dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, this center offers various educational experiences. 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. Love Boat Ice Cream is at 1700 Periwinkle Way in the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store. I am not going to post about EVERYTHING to do on Sanibel Island for kids. Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. These are excellent suggestions! 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. Relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic, go on a bike ride, or take a hike on one of the trails found . This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Visit the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce's . The kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades Day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat. I have to include this. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge. Go straight to the beach. Sanibel Island is known for shelling and is one of the best places in the world to shell. Heads up, you'll want to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. This was a "giant clapper" in our world for the week. Definitely can do an adult only trip there too! I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. Just make sure there is nothing living inside of the shell. Sanibel Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers. As always, opinions and fun times are always mine and those of my kids. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! Mom and Dad can also pick up a Starbucks Coffee from the grocery store. Its amazing! 74. Budding marine biologists will love the acclaimedSanibel Sea School, offering daily and weekly programs that teach kids about marine conservation. Tip: Many guides will clean the fish for you so you can enjoy your catch for dinner. 9. Times Square and the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. Make sure toget there earlyand plan on having dinner. We ate breakfast in the room. And while you won't find theme parks or children's museums to keep your kids entertained, instead, give them the opportunity to spot dolphins, hold small sea creatures, and kayak through the mangroves. As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. But heed the warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is not advisable for swimming. 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). And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. You might want to bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on the beach. While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. This is a review for fun things to do near Landfield Ave, Monticello, NY 12701: "Amazing place: gorgeous view, extremely pleasant people and lots of fun. The twins and I also spotted this unique bird on the beach. During the summertime, you'll get those hotter temperatures, as the lows only get down into the 70s during this time of year. Sanibel is known as the Shelling Capital of the World, and it's not hard to see why. I had not heard of it until earlier this year. of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. Ha I would not have done it at their age. Ive only been to the western side of Florida once and it was for a baseball game. Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. So if there aren't traditional kids attractions what ARE the things to do with kids in Sanibel Island? By: Jodi/Updated on: February 15, 2023/3 Comments. You wont regret taking a drive up to Captiva. These cottages are on the western end of the island, so you are guaranteed some beautiful sunsets right from your front porch! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Hi, Friends! This property offers a spacious family-style living room, Cable TV, free Wi-Fi, a washer/dryer . 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!). I found in my time there that Sanibel Island is like a magical place with tropical overgrown brush, no street lights and rumours of manatee sighting abound. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. Activities that appeal to kids of all ages from babies to toddlers to teenagers and beyond. Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? Each day the view was completely different and it made a wonderful activity with the entire family. Having a car made getting to Fort Myers quick and easy as well. We stayed at the Sanibel Inn and absolutely LOVED it. Along the way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and island history. They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. 8. 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. I tried to find the information on our guide, but I no longer have it. Sanibel Island has enough beautiful beaches to keep you busy for days. Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. While it may be difficult to spotloggerhead turtles,you can usually see their tracks, especially in the early morning on the beaches, so keep your eyes open when you are taking that morning walk or out shelling, and youll probably encounter some of the tiny turtle tracks heading back to the Gulf. We love traveling with kids and will incorporate some of the ideas. We definitely suggest sharing plates, since each dinner portion is huge and comes with a sticky bun, garlic bread and a side salad. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. Make sure to go during low tide because that's when a lot of the birds, including brown and white pelicans, ibis, cormorants and spoonbills, flock to the refuge to feed on fish stuck in the shallow water. If you're looking for untouched beaches, hop a ferry to Cayo Costa State Park with its nine miles of pristine sand, pine forests, oak-palmhammocks,and mangrove swamps. We really loved the fact that they walk right out onto a perfect stretch of pristine beach that we had nearly all to ourselves. For more shopping fun, check out the shops in Times Square at the nearby Fort Myers Beach Pier. 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. Many of the area's islands are lined with red mangroves, which are fascinating trees that are easy to spot bytheir tangled root systems that make them look like they're standing on stilts above the water. I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. Everyone on the island gets to help protect sea turtles. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. Sanibel Island is best experienced by bike. As I mentioned above, many resorts loan out bikes to their guests. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. If budget were a consideration, I would happily advocate for cheaper accommodation (even if it was away from the beach) on Sanibel before staying at a moderate resort on the beach in Fort Myers. It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. Red Tide is a name given to an algae that are harmful to fish and humans. These include the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, dolphin and wildlife cruises, and more. 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. Visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum to get a more in depth understanding of the areas shells, and book a guided beach walk where a seasoned naturalist will teach you how to find the best shells. Book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and make a stop at Cabbage Key. 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. 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. We are Shanna and Aaron + kiddos. I've heard you can even spot manatees there. 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). There is so much to explore right outside your hotel, both on the beach and in the water. Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . 2. 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. 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