If you want a really relaxing time on the beach and a few days away form Orlando head to Sanibel and Captive Islands. Here you can enjoy 5 miles of unspoiled beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, 50 types of fish, 230 types of birds and over 200 types of shells. You may have heard of the Sanibel Stoop this is named after the thousands of people who walk along Sanibel’s beaches with stooped shoulders looking for the most beautiful shells.
Sanibel is a barrier island and is unique as it has an east-west orientation when most islands are north-south this is the reason there is an abundance of many types of shells.
There are many beaches you can visit:
Causeway Beaches are great for swimming, fishing, windsurfing and picnicking. You can park your car at the side of the water and parking is free here. Restrooms are also available.
Lighthouse Beach & Fishing Pier is the site of the historic functioning lighthouse. You will find this on the eastern tip of Sanibel; turn left on Periwinkle Way from Causeway Road. This is where you will find the t-dock-fishing pier and a boardwalk nature trail which goes through native wetlands.
At Gulfside City Park there are picnic tables and pines that give you shade. It is situated mid-island on Algiers Lane off Casa Ybel Rd.
There is easy parking at Tarpon Bay Beach and it is not far from the beach. This is located at the south end of Tarpon Bay Rd. at West Gulf Drive. Mid Island
If you want have some peace go to Bowman' s Beach there are no hotels here and you can park and walk over a bridge to secluded white beach. There is an outdoor shower and it is the only beach with barbecue grills. Bowmans is located off Sanibel-Captiva Rd.
In Captiva Turner Beach (Blind Pass) is situated on both the Sanibel and Captiva side of the Blind Pass Bridge and is very popular with shellers and fishermen. Beware though as swimming is not encouraged because of the swift currents and there are not any restrooms here.
If you want to watch the sunsets go to Captiva Beach which is at the end of Captiva Drive but again there are not any restrooms here.
You really will enjoy all the beaches but please observe the few rules they have in place.
Pets on Sanibel Island must be on a lead, Captiva beaches do not allow pets. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited November through May I must admit I thought it would be a complete ban rather than a partial one. You are not allowed to have open fires or to collect live shells.