Hmm where do I begin? I guess I’ll begin with saying that this post is being published after Hurricane Ian and during my spring break where not a whole ton is open. I do hope to create a guide 2.0 accompanied with a video later this year possibly spring of next year.
This guide won’t talk about history and even though I’m somewhat of a history buff I don’t think it’s necessary for this post. So, like the video, I’ll go in that order!
Beaches
To come to Sanibel and Captiva is to come to Paradise. Part of this Paradise is made up from the beaches. There are many but here are some of the most common:
No Name Beach by Sanibel Moorings
This is the beach my family has gone to for years. It’s by Sanibel Moorings, SeaWind I and II, Sanibel Inn and basically the entire East Gulf Drive.
This spot is very popular with everyone who rents/lives there so come early to stake your claim!! I’m talking 6:30-7 in the morning. It gets packed near 9. From Sanibel Moorings to the lighthouse it’s about a mile. There are lots of shellers, walkers, and runners about. Speaking of shelling, I need to teach you some Sanibel slang before we go on: the Sanibel Stoop. Bella, what’s that? Well, it’s when you see a shell, bend over, pick the shell up slightly, inspect it, then pick it fully up/stand up. You’ll see lot’s of those in the wild-especially early morning.
Lighthouse Beach
So we walked the mile from Sanibel Moorings to the lighthouse-we are now at the Lighthouse Beach! Very popular with tourists (for the historic value) and shellers, you’ll be sure to find lots of shells here. If you’re looking for the Junonia-wait! Bella, what’s a Junonia? The Junonia is the rarest shell on the island. So rare, if you find it, you get your picture taken in the newspaper. Anywho, if you’re looking for the Junonia, this would be the area you’re more likely to find it than any other area.
Before Ian, there were historic homes you could look at but they’re gone now. The walking path in the area was destroyed but is currently being rebuilt. When I was there (literally a week ago) the lighthouse was under construction as well. Unfortunately, you can’t climb it otherwise I so would have.
With this beach, you have to pay to park. It’s about $4-6 but if you don’t want to pay, that’s ok, you can just pay the $150 fine later I guess.
Bowman’s Beach
The only time I’ve been to this beach was actually just this past week. This is one of the most popular, if not the most popular beach of Sanibel. You can shell, swim, walk, run, whatever at this beach. It’s extremely popular.
The one thing I will say about this beach that is a negative is that it’s about a .15-.20 walk to the beach from parking. I walked past many individuals where some were muttering under their breath about the walk and one older couple asked for directions because they were lost lol. That just tells you it’s somewhat of a walk there. But it’s well worth it.
Also, there are restrooms and a cleaning station (to get sand off things) here! But just like the Lighthouse Beach you have to pay to park as well ($4-6).
North Captiva Beach
My grandmother and I decided to go shelling and were originally going to go to Cayo Costa State Park but since it was closed to commercial boaters at the time we decided to head to North Captiva Beach through Captiva Cruises to go shelling.
The beach was beautiful and it was practically an island. You can only get there by boat or small plane. There was somewhat of a variety of shells but a lot of them were either the same type of shells or crushed shells. To find the best versions of these shells or rarer ones, go a little ways into the ocean. Speaking of going places, I would go the width of the beach as well and not just the length. My grandmother and I found a split that led to the other side of the island. In that little area we found many King Conch shells with residents in them so we could not take them unfortunately lol. That area was peaceful and there were a couple crabs scurrying about.
On Captiva Cruises we were out for a total of 3 hours: 30 minutes out, 2 hours of shelling, and 30 minutes back. I would recommend going with them for a shelling trip. Also, if you want a new beach to go to, I’d recommend North Captiva.
Tips for the Beach Section
- Get there early to stake your claim-the beaches get packed around 9
- The water obviously warms up near summertime and when I was there early March and it was freezing (no one was in it)
- There is a fee for Lighthouse and Bowman’s Beach-$4-6. If you don’t want to pay it, no problem, you can just pay the $150 fine later
J.N. Ding Darling
A pride of Sanibel, this wildlife preservation covers 1/3 of the island and is home to over 245 species of birds and many species of animals. One of the most popular birds (and one you’ll see in the photos on the property) is the Pink Spoonbill. I didn’t see any on my ride through but they are popular here and there. What my grandmother and I did see were White Pelicans. Lots of them.
You can walk, bike, run, and drive through the 4 mile path through the preservation. To drive is $10 and if you aren’t in a car it’s around $1
Before or after you go along the path-I’d recommend before because you’ll end on Sanibel Captiva Road-there’s a free exhibit you can look around that gives you the history of Ding Darling (a cartoonist and environmentalist) as well as a history of other environmentalists. You can also learn about animals and birds. Inside is also a gift shop.
Shopping
One of the many things you’re going to want to do on Sanibel and Captiva is shop. There are loads of plaza’s on Sanibel but here are the most popular:
Jerry’s Plaza
One of the most popular plaza’s for shopping is Jerry’s Plaza. Before Ian, there were parrots and a neat store that had everything you could want (and I hope it re-opens (just found out it was called Sanibel Surf Shop)) as well as Love Boat Ice Cream. Currently (as of March 2024), the store’s that are open are Jerry’s Groceries (inside is Coquina Cafe (basically Starbucks)), Sanibel Spirits to get your liquor of course, H2O Outfitters which has neat clothes and outfits, and right next to H2O is Footloose which is a shoe store. More stores are slated to re-open soon!
Periwinkle Place (AKA Blue Giraffe Plaza)
A few select stores are open at this plaza: Chico’s, Tiki Jim’s, Beach Daisy, Sanibel Flip Flops, and one or two more. In this plaza, I usually go to Tiki Jim’s, window shop at Congress Jewelers, and shop at Lily Pulitzer.
Tiki Jim’s has t-shirts, Lily Pulitzer has very nice and colorful clothes, and Congress Jewelers, of course, sells jewelry. Lily Pulitzer is in the process of re-opening! Beach Daisy is a very expensive store as I did like a neat looking sweater but it cost $200 and I was like “nope” lol.
Tahitian Gardens (AKA Cheeburger Cheeburger Plaza)
This small but plentiful plaza has something for everyone. There’s Sanibel Sole (a shoe store), Pandora’s Box (art, jewelry, decor), and Cheeburger Cheeburger (a 50’s themed restaurant) just to name a few. Adventure’s in Paradise is the most popular store on the island as it is not just a very nice store but a store that carries Tommy Bahama (one of the best beach clothing brands). I’ve bought about 5 outfits here.
Some Standalone Stores
Some standalone restaurants include Mango Bay (carries the retailer Surf Style and barely has any just Sanibel apparel), EmOcean (carries tourist-y stuff and has a lot of Sanibel apparel, stickers, and Pura Vida bracelets), MacIntosh Books (Gene’s Books I and II are closed), and She Sells Sea Shells (self-explanatory).
Around the Island
Just to keep this post short and not take up too much of your time, I’m going to rapid fire some extra business I may not have mentioned first:
For bait and/or a fishing license go to Whitney’s Bait and Tackle!
If you want to get a mani/pedi or a haircut go to Sea Oats!
If you are a religious person there are many churches: St. Michaels (Episcopal), St. Isabel’s (Catholic), Sanibel Community Church, and Sanibel Congregational!
For those who want to, for shits and giggles, drive down and looks at mansions and homes they can’t afford go to Captiva or if you want to look at humongous yachts go to Gramma Dots!
Around the island, though, are a lot of condos to rent and homes. By Lindgren Road there is an intersection only manned by a crossing guard. There are no traffic lights allowed on the island. Just to let you know, you could be sitting at that intersection for 15-20 minutes before you get to move.
There are roads that just wind and it’s just foliage but mostly when you drive around the island you’ll see many businesses, plaza’s, restaurants, and condo’s.
Sanibel Historical Village
A true hidden gem, in fact, it is such a hidden gem that not only did I not know about it but neither did my grandfather who’s lived here for years and also is a history buff.
The village in total has around 9-10 buildings with some still under refurbishment. The village is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10-4.
So, the first thing my grandfather and I did was walk into the main building AKA Rutland Home. This building also serves as a gift shop. We were then led to a room where, as an introductory, we watched a 15 minute video going over the historical homes. After the video, a docent led the way. The docent was very passionate about his job…as he repeated EVERYTHING that was watched in the video lol.
The buildings we went into were the Caretaker’s Cottage, Post Office, Old Bailey’s General Store, and Morning Glories (a Sears Catalogue Home). We also were given the history of the Sanibel School for White Children which was interesting. The entire tour ended up being about 45 minutes (with just seeing those buildings…there are more).
Sanibel Art Gallery and Library
Right by the Historical Village is the art gallery which has become the new Community House. It holds gala’s, art shows, big events, etc. I decided to get info because this is, well, the ultimate guide. The art gallery, in short, if you come on any given day, has a gift shop and a gallery open for everyone. I mean, would I come here on any given day on vacation, no, but if you’re artsy this would be a place I’d recommend. We were lucky enough to see a local artist putting their sculpture together outside.
If you’re also an avid book reader I’d recommend the library. It ended up being bigger than I thought and has many books to choose from as well as many photos from during and after Ian.
Restaurants
To give an intro, when you come to Sanibel and Captiva, you’re going to want to know where you want to stay, where you want to eat, where you want to shop, and where you want to play. Because I’m a foodie, going to restaurants is one of my favorite things on top of exploring. So, here are some restaurants that might suit your fancy!
Timbers
With its nautical theme and vast array of seafood options, I have always thought Timbers to be my favorite restaurant on the island. Everything, even after Ian, has been consistent with its service, food, and experience. I have always had a wonderful time with my family here.
Timbers is mainly known for their oysters as they are an oyster bar. They also have a raw bar and a drink bar. Before Ian, this usually packed restaurant’s wait time was 20-30 minutes.
In my many years of coming here here’s what I recommend: the bread (next paragraph), Oysters Rockefeller (baked oysters with spinach and cheese), the Oyster Flight (changes almost every day with new oysters), the Seafood Paella (wasn’t on the menu when I came in March 2024), the Peach Mango Mocktail, Crunchy Shrimp, the Sesame Crusted Tuna, Blue Crab Bisque (super creamy with big chunks of crab), and their Chocolate Cake (super moist and delicious).
The bread has to have its own separate section. I have 5 pieces or more every time I come here. It is the most delicious bread a restaurant has to offer! Chef’s kiss!
There’s only one thing I don’t recommend and that’s the Peel N Eat Steamed Shrimp. I couldn’t get all the poop out haha.
Mudbugs
A newer restaurant (within the last 7 years) that is usually packed and jamming loud music, this restaurant is here if you want a New Orleans experience. Once you walk in, colorful lights illuminate the restaurant and decor of Mardi Gras on brick walls take you from a calm night on Sanibel Island to a Mardi Gras party.
I’ve been there at least 5 times and I’ve gotten something different almost every time so here’s what I recommend: Swamp Pasta (for adventurous eaters: gator tail, crawfish tails, and frog legs in alfredo sauce), Hot Lobster Roll (just straight lobster chunks), and the Crawfish Etouffee. The best part of Mudbugs is when you can act like you’re in Cafe du Monde and get Beignets and Coffee. The beignets come in a half dozen or dozen option with 3 sauces: chocolate, caramel, and raspberry. If you love Dunkin Donuts jelly filled donut…dunk that sucker into the raspberry jam…you won’t be sorry!
RC Otters
We are going to transport to Captiva for a few minutes. RC Otters is a family-oriented restaurant right by the Bubble Room and Captiva Cruises. This restaurant doesn’t stand out to me except for the fact it’s colorful.
When I was there I got the crabcakes and they were delicious. I love crabcakes when other items like vegetables and mayonnaise aren’t mixed in so this was perfect! There also was live music. Is this a restaurant I’d go to again? Only if I had to.
Boops by the Bubble Room
We’ll touch on the soon-to-be-opening restaurant further down the article but right now we’ll talk about their cafe and gift shop. They are across the street from one another but the building right by RC Otters is the gift shop. This holds merch (some with super soft fabric), dirty phrased socks, vintage candy, toys, etc. They also have some Bubble Room relics inside as well.
Next is the cafe. This was made after Ian to still give out their famous cakes! Not only does this cafe sell cakes but they also sell coffee and sandwiches as well as other desserts.
Their cakes include:
- Orange Crunch
- Red Velvet
- White Christmas
- Jamaican Rum
- Tropical Breeze
- Very Moist Chocolate
- French Chocolate Torte
My personal favorites are the French Chocolate Torte and Red Velvet. I also got a cappuccino and, honestly, it was one of the best I’ve ever had.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille
A popular, casual sports bar Doc Ford’s boasts its rum assortment as well as the fact its named after Randy Wayne White’s popular book character Doc Ford. Almost every novel is on display at the entrance. They also sell merch.
This restaurant has been a staple in our families restaurants to go to on top of Gramma Dot’s, Timber’s, and Bubble Room.
I haven’t really had a bad dish here and rarely on any Sanibel restaurant do I ever. The Beach Bread is a wonderful appetizer. I also recommend the Paella, the Banana Leaf Snapper (if they have it), and of course the rum (can’t personally say I’ve had because I’m *cough cough* underage but because rum is in the name I’m of course going to recommend it).
However, and I hope this becomes a permanent menu item someday, their special I had for dinner was an orgasm in my mouth and took over the reigning supreme of the best thing Bella’s ever had: the Million Dollar Mermaid Salad from the Bubble Room. The Special was squid ink pasta, scallops, creamy chili sauce, mushrooms, corn, and asparagus topped with cheese. Every bite was absolutely delicious. This special was indeed special.
Before Ian, the wait time was usually 30-45 minutes.
Tutti Pazzi’s
A newer restaurant that took over Matzaluna’s and has reviews from both ends of the spectrum and never in the middle I decided I’d try my best to get here to try it out and get here I did.
Compared to Matza’s, this was more formal and unfortunately, you can’t color on the tables 🙁
We waited about 20 minutes as this place was (and usually is) busy. There was live music playing. We were seated in a booth right by the bar and already saw that this was some people’s home away from home haha.
Our server was okay, not the greatest and if you want bread you have to ask for it. I got the Prosciutto Pizza and it was dry and nothing really came together so I wouldn’t really recommend. I also got a cappuccino and since it’s a traditional Italian restaurant it’s not a cappuccino you’d get a Starbucks but nevertheless it was good. My grandmother didn’t like her Spaghetti in Marinara Sauce but from what I’ve heard from multiple people the meat sauce is much better. My grandfather did like his Lasagna. I would vote this average near the negative spectrum.
Bimini Bait Shack
If you’re looking for a restaurant off the island I’d recommend the Bimini Bait Shack just by the causeway. I’ve only been there once and I was impressed. The decor was amazing. There was sort’ve a Gilligan’s Island theme going on. There’s a stage on top of the bar and speaking of the bar there’s an aquarium under the bar counter! A tip bucket is by the bar where you can crank it up to the stage and I thought that was fun.
I got the Oysters with the Giggle Water Mocktail (strawberry and passionfruit juice with water). Honestly it didn’t make me giggle it made me sad because it wasn’t tasty. The oysters just tasted like oysters so nothing too special. I did have a half of my grandmother’s club sandwich and that was delicious!
The Shack (and other ice cream places)
One of the many ice cream places on the island is The Shack. It is a family owned ice cream place that is very popular among tourists and locals. This is a small building but has seating outside. The Shack has an extensive menu but is know for their ‘Shack-it’ which is reminiscent a little of the DQ Blizzard. Basically it’s an ice cream flavor mixed with a topping. I got their coffee toffee crunch and that was superb.
Another ice cream place on the island is Pinocchio’s. It was originally where the Magic Bus is now (next paragraph). I haven’t been there in years so I can’t recommend anything but to let you know the location it is located in the Blue Giraffe Plaza.
A new ice cream shop on the block is the Magic Bus. It’s 70’s hippie theme with a photo op of a Volkswagen Bus brings a new and fun flair to the island. They have milkshakes (topped with candy), merch, and many ice cream flavors to choose from. I personally love the dark chocolate raspberry. If you want a fun experience, this is the shop to go to!
Gramma Dots
One of the best restaurants on Sanibel, this Seaside Saloon is very busy during both lunch and dinnertime. The average wait time before Ian was 30-45 minutes. While you’re waiting though you can sit outside and look at the yachts!
While the interior has changed a bit, the ambience of good ol’ G-Dot’s hasn’t changed. Over the years of coming here, here’s what I recommend:
- Blue Crab Sandwich
- The Coconut Shrimp (A MUST GET)
- The Chocolate Cake (fudge-y, moist, and scrumptious)
You honestly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu but those are my top 3!
Informational Section
Ahhh, we’ve reached the most boring part but it’s a need. In this section we’ll be talking about money, extra restaurants and businesses I didn’t mention, as well as hotels.
Money
Sanibel and Captiva are one of the most expensive places to vacation in the US. I’m just going to give it to you cut and dry:
- Expect to pay at least $2000-5000 (excluding travel) for a week on either of these islands with Captiva being the most expensive
- For Hotels expect to pay $200-500 a night
- These costs all depend on where you stay, what you do, where you eat, etc.
That’s really all I have to say on the matter.
Extra Restaurants (Sanibel)
- Cheeburger Cheeburger (a 50’s themed restaurant known for their 1 lb. burger food challenge)
- Cielo’s
- Cip’s Place
- Island Cow (very good restaurant and in the process of rebuilding)
- Lazy Flamingo (currently in the form of a food truck)
- Lighthouse Cafe (mainly for breakfast)
- Over Easy Cafe (mainly for breakfast)
- Rosalita’s Cantina
- Trader’s (they now make you pay for bread…what a shame)
Extra Restaurants (Captiva)
- Bubble Room (best restaurant hands down-slated to open late August)
SIDE NOTE: Get the bubble bread and sticky buns (oh so good!!). The Flaming Socra Cheese is the best appetizer and their Million Dollar Mermaid Salad is the #1 entree…just sayin’. Of course, save room for dessert
- Green Flash (average)
- Mucky Duck (known for watching the Captiva sunset)
- Old Captiva House (never been but I heard it’s wonderful)
Extra Businesses (Both Sanibel and Captiva)
- Hirdie Girdie Art Gallery
- Jerry’s Grocery (has a Starbucks in it)
- Jungle Drums
- Mobil Gas Station
- Whitney’s Bait and Tackle
- Lot’s of realtors and law firms
Extra Places to Stay
To note, I’m very fortunate to have grandparents who own a condo so I’ve never been at any of these resorts/hotels but here are the one’s I’ve heard the best about:
- Driftwood Inn
- Casa Ybel (has an overlook of a pond where you can sometimes see alligators and turtles)
- Island Inn
- Periwinkle Park and Campground
- Sanibel Moorings
- Sundial (has a restaurant that’s like a Hibachi Japan inside (very good btw))
- Tween Waters
- Royal Shell
- VIP Vacation Rentals
Extra Information (thank you Sanibel Chamber of Commerce)
- There are no traffic lights (just crossing guards)
- Watch out for bikers (they think they own the roads)
- No chains allowed (just a DQ, Subway, and Starbucks before this was enacted)
- 15 miles of beaches and 25 miles of bike paths (info from Sanibel Chamber of Commerce)
- Average temperatures are mid-70’s to high 80’s
- Clubs: Kiwanis and Rotary, Golf and Tennis, Boating and Fishing, Art League, Classic Car
- For more information go to the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce
Closing
This guide was intended for the average vacationer…not the resident. I hope you found this guide informational and I hope you find these islands a slice of paradise. This guide will constantly be updated from each visit. Thank you for reading
xoxo Bella
