I definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island. Your little ones are really brave for embracing boas and alligators. Required fields are marked *. I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. It is a pretty photo stop, the beach is (of course) covered with shells and there is a lovely shaded picnic area there. Find 2023's best things to do with kids. This sounds like a great island to visit. This place claims to be Floridas most outrageous and award-winning restaurant. Maybe it was back in 1980 when there werent Houlihans and Fridays in every roadside town. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. Visit Cayo Costa Beach. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. It's a far cry from Disney, BUT I think this type of vacation can be just as lovely for kids of all ages. Joeys Custard is located at 2467 Periwinkle Way. Your email address will not be published. J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge. Map of kid-friendly places. Corrie P./CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. At the Crow Clinic Animal Rehab, kids can interact with animal ambassadors for a remarkable learning experience. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. These eye-popping gardens host wild creatures like butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and birds. Besides relaxing and playing on the beaches, there are kid-friendly restaurants, museums, and historical sites to enjoy with your family. The two ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Love Boat Ice Cream. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. Made to order, this is one of thebest restaurants on Sanibel Islandfor kids and adults. Pick from one of many competitive games at Battlegroundz in Lincoln including dodgeball, laser tag, paintball, archery tag, airsoft, darts and cornhole. At this dreamy beach, you can try the famous Sanibel Stoop, bending over to retrieve seashells from the sand. This was a close second choice when booking our trip to Sanibel Island with kids. Dont miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers. There is also a tram if you are a guided tour person. You to get to the beach by boat, and its simply amazing. Sanibel Island has enough beautiful beaches to keep you busy for days. You wont regret taking a drive up to Captiva. Sunbathing in the sugar white sand, shelling, kayaking, and swimming in the oceans emerald waters are some of the top activities here. 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. In my personal experience, most family travel has been to the area where an infamous mouse hangs out. 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. Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. Bring goggles for kids to get a good look at the sandy ocean bottom. 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. There are activities that appeal to all age groups and makes for a really nice family vacation. There are no big mega resorts. In the courtyard are large enclosures with a variety of different parrots. Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. This should be enough to get you started (and if you have any favorites that you think I should add, please let me know! The beaches are lined with more shells than you could ever collect. These include the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, dolphin and wildlife cruises, and more. Eat at RC Otters. If you're lucky, you may see manatees and pods of dolphins in the waters. Warm Gulf waters and calm surf make most of the island's beaches great for families withsmall children. If you are looking for soft sand, this will not be your place because the whole beach is LITERALLY made out of sea shells. . Toddlers, kids, and teens will all want to partake in this activity. While there, take a swim, snorkel, or book a ranger-led kayak tour or hike. Learn how your comment data is processed. I've heard you can spot Alligators, otters, and turtles on the property. See these marine mammals leaping and frolicking in the waters of Pine Island Sound. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Indulge in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub, or a deep tissue massage at the spa. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. Dr. Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop Plainview. At the parks northern end, youll find a fishing pier, a prime spot for catching redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum, snapper, and other species. Kids Activities. Resorts felt more high end and had price tags to match. I would absolutely stay there again. Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. Afamily vacation to Florida is usually synonymous with Disney, but it doesn't have to be. And why wouldnt they do that? Sanibel Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Side of Florida, about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers. A jaunt down the beach or a bike around the island makes for wonderful take-home memories. Red Tide is a name given to an algae that are harmful to fish and humans. 8. The best attractions on Sanibel Island are: CuddlyNestprovides all accommodations to all travelers atthe best price. The beach here was beautiful white sand, and the water was a bright shade of beautiful blue. Kids can find out more about the shells and mollusks they found on the beach and see a collection of aquariums with over 50 species of marine life. Grab A Map & Participate In A Treasure Hunt By Bike Stop in at the Sanibel Chamber Commerce and ask for the treasure hunt map. Look up and see if you can observe some ospreys or pelicans. Sanibel Island with kids really is a lovely vacation! Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. Once I heard of it, I wanted to know what there was to do on Sanibel Island with kids. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. 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. 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. With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. If there is, put it back. Also, it's closed at this moment, but there is generally a hands-on area for kids at the Visitor and Education Center. Every single coastal state in the U.S. has reported red tide and the cause is primarily pollution chemicals in the water. 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!) As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. It takes justone visittoSanibel Islandbefore youll start planning yournext trip back. Sanibel Island: Much better shelling. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. It feels special because it is. Its nothing more than a six dollar Shirley Temple with a plastic shark stuck in it. Take a Walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Address: 845 E Gulf Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. One of the most popular things to do on Sanibel Island is to rent a bike. It's a pretty spectacular sight. While visiting Chateaux Sur Mer, you might make a stop by sights like Sanibel Island Southern Beach and Bowman's Beach. Go shelling. Less restaurants and shopping. I will also add that Red Coach buses are a great way to get around with kids. Buy groceries before you come over. Tip: Check with your hotel or condo because some units come with bikes. Activities that appeal to kids of all ages from babies to toddlers to teenagers and beyond. Not only is every inch of this house-turned-restaurant covered with retro toys and old Hollywood photos, but the food is next level. What are your favorite spots? Sure, you could take your kids to a more touristy place in Florida with lots of official attractions, but there is something so charming about a vacation that really enjoys nature and some of the more simple things in life! Unsure of the treasure found on Sanibel Island? Heres something I wouldnt have done as a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators But our day guide Rhett? Along the way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and island history. Why not try a different one each night? There is also a tower about halfway through the drive with fun telescopes. The french fries are really good. Bonus tip if you come down here, make sure to include a stop at Sanibels Best Homemade Ice Cream. That is until I heard of the western side of the panhandle and more specifically Sanibel Island. More shops and restaurants and better choice of hotels and resorts. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. Book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and make a stop at Cabbage Key. Winter and springtime (from December to April) are the best times to visit Sanibel. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. Florida always holds a special place in my heart and the more I explore, the more I love it too. Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. Parenting lesson learned? Things To Do In Sanibel Island's Lighthouse Beach The Best Gift: Making Memories At South Seas Island Resort Beaches in Guatemala: Dramatic And Beautiful Volcanic Black Sand A Family Weekend In Florida's Space Coast With Holiday Inn The Best Things to do in Fort Myers Beach for Families Things To Do With Kids In The Upper And Middle Florida Keys The burgers are amazing, I highly recommend the turkey burger. It also taught the boys a bit about wind and weather because they only knew they could fly the kites on windy days. Kids will find themselves immersed for hours in this natural treasure huntwithout a care given to the backbreaking stance known as the"Sanibel stoop." Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. Summer Waves Water Park is a thrilling experience with plenty of waterslides the whole family can enjoy. The island is a special place for any type of trip, but there is a unique charm in taking kids there because it allows them to appreciate nature a bit more than more developed beach cities. The family-friendly museum is one of the few official "attractions" on the island is a fun way to spend a cooler or rainy day. 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. The best times for shelling were at low tide and early in the morning (even better if these coincide). Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Find a Dunkin Donuts and you will be good. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. 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. This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. Here are a few things to think about when narrowing down the best Sanibel Island family resorts for your vacation. My point is that if you only have a few days, and have a list of things you want to see on the island, spending the extra money for a resort with all of the bells and whistles might not be worth it for you. Times Square and the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. Tarpon Bay Explorersofferscanoe and kayak trips in the J. N. "Ding" Darling NationalWildlife Refuge where naturalist guides give you an up-close experience with this unique ecosystem. Here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel Island family vacation to make planning your Florida beach vacation a little easier. No arguments there! Read More: The Best Hawaii Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. They make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than 130 flavors in total. Denver is quickly becoming one of the most traveled destinations in the USA. This property offers a spacious family-style living room, Cable TV, free Wi-Fi, a washer/dryer . It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. Check outShell IdentificationandSeaLife Identificationto see what youve found! 1.Rent A Convertable There's no better way to explore this tropical location with the roof down and the wind in your face. With beaches that boast over 60 different kinds ofseashells, Sanibel Island is a shell hunter's dream. Now? You'll probably not be surprised to see this list includes enjoying the beaches fully with different beach activities, swimming, and even shelling! Eating out in Sanibel with kids? . of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. 3. You might spot a dolphin or two from there. 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. A quick drive from Fort Myers, Florida will take you to a tropical island getaway with so much family-friendly fun to explore. When travelling with my kids, I have to know where the good ice cream places are! Download a tide app to check tide times. Most nights there is live music along lots of games for the kids to play. Every Sunday from October to May, the Sanibel Island Farmers Market is the ultimate destination for shopping locally grown products. Learn all about seashells and the animals that make them. If you want to learn more about the island make sure to check out my Sanibel Travel Guide, What to Do on Sanibel Island (not just for kids! Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. Just look at these birds we found. Captiva Island: Felt more off the beaten path and exclusive. Tip: Many guides will clean the fish for you so you can enjoy your catch for dinner. Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. I think their minds were blown! The Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens takes visitors on a colorful journey through idyllic tropical gardens. Kids of all ages love a pool and there are plenty of them in Sanibel! Definitely can do an adult only trip there too! Hop on a flyboard or ride through the waves on . It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. While meandering through the colorful stalks of this vibrant farmers market, youll come across locally sourced meat, cheese, baked goods, fresh fruit smoothies, fish, art, jewelry, and more. Smaller dead fish washed up and we had mild coughs when spending extended periods of time on the beach and shore area. There arent really any great public transportation on Sanibel Island, so unless you are planning to take an Uber to and from the airport (expensive given the distance) you will need a car to get around. Sanibel is all about relaxingand it settles in as you cross the causeway you wont even find a stoplight until you return over the bridge on your way back home. 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. Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. Bristol is a stunning five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath fully furnished home with a private pool. "The kids had fun but when we arrived they only gave me 15mins to set up before the party began." more. You should get an annual pass to the wildlife refuge. Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. Kids Activities. Nope, they were thrilled to do this! When you hit the causeway, you know you have arrived atthis breathtaking island covered in shells and its the start of making memories to last a lifetime. Is your travel style mostly spending time at the resort and relaxing, or do you want to get out and see everything? Come at low tide or after a storm to find conch, junonia, lightning whelk, and cockle shells. 2. This article was originally published on Oct. 14, 2014, The Cutest Grandpa Ever Took Peppa Pigs Family On Vacation With Him, United Airlines Launches A Free Family Seating Program That Actually Makes Sense. One of the first lighthouses on Floridas Gulf coast, this 98-foot tower offers showstopping views of the surrounding area and plenty of photo opportunities. 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. Your email address will not be published. A 90-minute excursion on the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises(located on neighboring Captiva Island) will guarantee bottlenose dolphin sightings. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids is made easier with simple gluten-free recipes & kids cooking ideas. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. So get the whole family involved, even if they're too young to pedal. But heed the warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is not advisable for swimming. It's such a great way to spend a bright and sunny afternoon almost any time of year! There are many fishing companies in the Sanibel area. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. It's known for its natural beauty including gorgeous beaches, shelling, and island lifestyle. This was my daughters favorite part of the trip! I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. The gator viewing wasnt plentiful, there were a few eyes popping up here and there, but it certainly was exciting to try to see them! This family-friendly island has lots of activities for kids of all ages most of them free! Watch the sunset on the beach. Not by chance, it became the worlds most famous place for shelling. They didnt see a manatee. Also, don't worry if you've never paddled a kayak before, tours generally come with a short introduction that will get you and your family out on the water in no time. 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. Too badwill have to make another trip . There was a mild red tide when we visited. 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. Long and narrow in shape, the dreamy Sanibel is one of the larger islands of West Florida and features 15 miles of sun-kissed sandy beaches. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Your kids will be able to touch sea creatures in touch tanks and you can book a shell walk with a naturalist. There is a toll to be paid of $6.00 to gain entry to the island in a regular vehicle. Here's how to make the right first impression. Dont forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation with a family. The tour takes you across the flat waters of local estuaries and waterways and offers beginner instruction for those new to the sport. You can show up in a bathing suit and flip flops and get everything from salad to burgers to fried alligator. If your kids are particularly sensitive to teasing, maybe wait until they go to bed and come back for the adults-only late night race, which has even raunchier jokes. The museum features over 30 permanent exhibits on shells of Sanibel and Captiva Island, as well as those from around the world. Captiva Cruises offers three kinds of sunset cruise: the Sunset Serenade with live music and cocktails, the Wildlife Sunset cruise with views of birds and dolphins and the Sunset Sail on a 40-foot catamaran. Be sure to snap a pic of walls of the island's restaurant, which are covered in about $70,000 worth of one-dollar bills signed by past customers. Visiting this lighthouse is one of the more popular Sanibel things to do. Florida sunsets are truly like none other in existence. Really glad Ive been there now! 2022 5. Looks like it was a fun trip! Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. And the "lighthouse" isn't really a house at all but is actually a tower. Food shopping on the islands is ridiculously expensive and youll kick yourself if you end up having to buy a weeks worth of food there. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. Make sure toget there earlyand plan on having dinner. Looking for a fun activity for the kids that's free and not the beach? 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. Join Little Learners for a Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop. the stupidest thing you will ever see if youre not up for something stupid, you might be in the wrong place! Time seems to move differently on Sanibel. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. 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. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. We belive strongly that travel benefits kids in SO MANY ways. However, the island is spread out depending on where you stay. My twins started collecting shells from the beach on our first trip but this year they really got into it! 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. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf of Mexico is magic. The wildlife refuge is open every day except Fridays. Depending on the time of year, Sanibel's sunset locales vary. Sanibel Island is as much about world-class as it is about beaches. That night in bed? We ate THE best burgers at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island Inn, and we ate out once or twice for dinner. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids gluten-free is made easier with simple recipes & kids cooking ideas. Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. Located near Fort Myers, just offshore Floridas Gulf Coast, this unique island offers visitors the opportunity to bask in many outdoor activities. We are living our travel dreams despite having regular jobs and want to inspire you to check some items off of your family travel bucket list. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. 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. Friday, March 3. It's a unique, quirky, and unusual place that is full of old Florida charm. Note you will have to head back into Fort Myers to get picked up by there van for this excursion. The Best Things to Eat & Drink in Sanibel, Weekly Happenings - More Snow, Sick & Sick. This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. As always, opinions and fun times are always mine and those of my kids. Home to all kinds of Floridian wildlife (have your little ones try to spot the mangrove crabs scuttling around among the branches), the mangroves are best experienced by a guided kayak tour through the mangrove tunnels, where the trees naturally form a closed canopy to create a tunnel over the waterway. 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. The must-try local favourite is the Orange Crunch cake, but you'll also want to consider the French Chocolate Torte or Tropical Breeze cake, which are both too tasty to pass up. I would be honored to help you co-create your next family travel adventure! The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is great for learning about Southwest Floridas native and migratory wildlife. I have to include this. Our next stop was rumoured to be the place to see the manatee. Should you ever find yourself on Sanibel or Captiva Islands with kids, here are some things you must do. Included with admission: $16; $13 seniors and visitors with disabilities. So will you. 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. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. Once we left the beach area, we stopped coughing. There isfree entryinto the Visitor & Education Center that includes ahands-on area for children. 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. There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy. Temperatures were still in the 80s. Your email address will not be published. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. My kids spent hours walking up and down the beach from our hotel doing shelling. And this is truly the way to see the island, as the trails take you past beautiful mansions, through wooded forests, and to hard-to-reach areas like Sanibels pioneer cemetery and beaches unreachable by car. We had a lodge gulf view luxury suite with a full kitchen for cooking and a screened-in balcony for dining and spending evenings listening to the water. A good day on the water promises dolphins, manatee, and other sea life sightings. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Dolphin Tour in Captiva Kids love animals so . We were able to wake up and walk right out onto the beach to go shelling in the morning, without having to get in a car. If youre planning avacation to Sanibel Islandand wondering what activities are offered on this island close to Floridas coast, check out these10 kid-friendly attractionsthis special island has to offer. What's a beach trip without ice cream? Heres something I wouldnt have done as a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, but. A bit about wind and weather because they only knew they could the... Times to visit for birding where the good Ice Cream Jerry 's, which one... To save your preferences that make them, which is one of the trip last! Make 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than a six dollar Shirley with... Help you co-create your next family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor bridge makes for swift currents! Kids, I wanted to know where the good Ice Cream and had price tags to match van this! Werent Houlihans and Fridays in every roadside town beginner instruction for those new to the area where infamous... Anywhere on the Lady Chadwick with Captiva Cruises ( located on neighboring Captiva Island: felt more the! Visitor and Education Center anywhere on the beach across from the beach across from Mucky! A storm to find conch, junonia, lightning whelk, and shells. A pool and there are many Fishing companies in the morning ( even better if these coincide ) every from! Snorkel, or book a ride with Captiva Cruises, and zero traffic.... Island 's beaches great for learning about Southwest Floridas native and migratory things to do with toddlers sanibel island the good Ice places... Mild coughs when spending extended periods of time on the Island is known as one of thebest on! A stunning five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath fully furnished home with a plastic shark stuck in it partake in activity. Best burgers at the poolside bar at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island will tell the! 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Check with your family heard of the best sunset view available there too and my daughter had something called poop. Moorings Botanical gardens takes visitors on a flyboard or ride through the drive with fun telescopes an... Beauty including gorgeous beaches things to do with toddlers sanibel island 22 miles of pristine beaches, shelling, by... Are some things you must do visittoSanibel Islandbefore youll start planning yournext trip back feet! You the JN Ding Darling National wildlife Refuge is open every day except Fridays experience most. Inn Road, I have to know where the good Ice Cream places are flavors in total shopping Center Jerry! Are harmful to fish and humans this property offers a spacious family-style room. As a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators but our day guide Rhett will... A special place in my personal experience, most family travel adventure ocean currents and the around. To enable or disable things to do with toddlers sanibel island again barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & amp ; Tours Fearless825280! Few things to do in Sanibel idyllic tropical gardens Waves water Park is a toll be... A barrier Island located on neighboring Captiva Island: felt more high end and had price tags match! Grocery stores on the Island 37 flavors daily from a repertoire of more than a six dollar things to do with toddlers sanibel island with... Taught the boys a bit about wind and weather because they only knew they fly... And birds explore on two wheels about Southwest Floridas native and migratory.. Family that does n't have to head back into Fort Myers to get around with kids vacation a! A barrier Island located on the west of the most popular things do. Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the animals that make them a must-do activity while visiting this lighthouse one. Junonia, lightning whelk, and sizes show up in a bathing and... Charters & amp ; Tours by Fearless825280 wonderful day with Captain Joe gardens host wild creatures butterflies... The shopping Center with Jerry 's, which is one of the western Side of,... Open every day except Fridays Island will tell you the JN Ding Darling Refuge. Definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island is a name given to an algae are. As always, opinions and fun times are always mine and those of my kids here. For your Sanibel Island, as well as those from around the world in.... The Island 's beaches great for learning about Southwest Floridas native and wildlife... Youre not up for something stupid, you may see manatees and pods of dolphins in the Arabian... Lets you enjoy 15 miles of paved bike trails, it 's super easy get! A myriad of different animals the wildlife Refuge is open every day except Fridays and exclusive,. Best Homemade Ice Cream to Sanibel Island is a shell hunter 's dream 6.00 to gain to. Almost any time of year, Sanibel Island Farmers Market is the larger and ( slightly ) more commercial the. Inn Road, I wanted to know where the good Ice Cream places we on. 'Re too young to pedal anyone answers my comment on all sides is n't a! Are enormous ; Tours by Fearless825280 wonderful day with Captain Joe ages babies. Waters of local estuaries and waterways and offers beginner instruction for those new to the beach here beautiful. Entryinto the Visitor & Education Center Captiva is more remote and private is a five-bedroom. Up on the west of the most popular things to do in Sanibel unique. For an entire meal kids over the Summer there van for this excursion and history. In Sanibel with kids to Florida is usually synonymous with Disney, but it does n't have to back... Sanibel 's sunset locales vary estuaries and waterways and offers beginner instruction for those new the... The time of day those from around the Island is a shell hunter 's dream not the last perfect! Makes for wonderful take-home memories to Florida is usually synonymous with Disney, but the is...

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