It is laid back, friendly and has a lovely old Florida charm. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. As a bonus for families, the captain usually invites kids to steer the boat and take a photo with him in his captain's cap. That is until I heard of the western side of the panhandle and more specifically Sanibel Island. Kayaking through a mangrove swamp is a must-do activity while visiting this Florida island. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. Paddle throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and then keep your kayak for free for the remainder of the day. There are a lot of super kid-friendly restaurants on the island but there are some that specifically ask you not to bring tots online, so check ahead of time! Both were phenomenal. Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? Sanibel Carts 32 Gear Rentals By michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun!! One of the most popular things to do on Sanibel Island is to rent a bike. Tip: Many guides will clean the fish for you so you can enjoy your catch for dinner. I definitely enjoyed having a rental car while we were on Sanibel Island. 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. It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. Leave the kids with your husband and get a massage at the Tween Waters Inn. 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. Head to Matzaluna for some variety. Sanibel and Captiva have some different shells, so be sure to hit beaches on both islands. From national historic sites to beautiful beaches, there are many fun things to do on the Kohala Coast. Hotels tended towards being cheaper on Sanibel. Just look at these birds we found. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Types of Attractions Boat Tours & Water Sports Nature & Parks Sights & Landmarks Museums Winter and springtime (from December to April) are the best times to visit Sanibel. Bikes, kayaks, tennis and paddle boards are all at your disposal. Photo: Theresa Baldwin, Courtesy of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. It is true that growing up, a lot of time was spent in these magical and fairytale kingdoms. Party & Event Planning. Dont leave the park without checking out the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. 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. A good day on the water promises dolphins, manatee, and other sea life sightings. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. Manatee Park. As I mentioned above, many resorts loan out bikes to their guests. While the water is not clear, they will be able to find starfish, conch, and sand dollars. Bonus: Shelling is freeas long as you clean and dry the shells before you leave, they make the perfect souvenirs. As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. If you are looking for soft sand, this will not be your place because the whole beach is LITERALLY made out of sea shells. When the red tide is high, dead fish wash up on shore, some shellfish is unsafe to eat and humans, especially those with asthma, have trouble breathing. The shelling is the best and the kids love climbing all over the driftwood and making their way through the forest. Sanibel Island isworld-renownedfor its abundance of seashells. Friday, March 3. Admission is $7 for kids ages 5-11, $9 for ages 12-17, $15 for adults. We visited in November, and it was just the right time for us. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. Also, check out the show-stopping Captiva Pass, which is the strait that separates North Captiva Island from La Costa Island. Sanibel Island with kids is the perfect place to spend a family vacation! This sounds like a great place for a family vacation and so many activities! Definitely can do an adult only trip there too! I would also be remiss to not mention Red Tide. Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! Here are the Top Things to Do with Kids on Sanibel Island, Florida. Now? 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. Looking for something fun to do in Sanibel with kids? Whether you choose to be boating, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing or fishing from one of the favorite spots, play a round of golf on the challenging scenic courses, there are over 70 of them, the perfect place to tee off and test your mettle on the green . My boys have spent hours in pools next to our rentals and I'm sure yours will too. Reach out to me using this form and lets start brainstorming and planning your next amazing escapebecause to me it is more than just a vacation. Red Tide is a name given to an algae that are harmful to fish and humans. )If this sound like a trip to Sanibel Island with kids is in your future, here are my best tips for planning the perfect escape! Exploring Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, The 9 Best Fort Myers Beach, Florida Hotels of 2023, 12 Best Things to Do in Fort Myers, Florida, 12 Fabulous Family Beach Vacations in the Southeast, 14 Top Things to Do in Vero Beach, Florida, The 6 Best Key West Snorkeling Tours of 2023, The 9 Best Florida Family Resortsof 2023, Top 17 Things to Do in Tampa Bay, Florida, 20 Top Things to Do With Kids in Miami, Florida, 10 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Florida, The 26 Best Things to Do in Long Beach, California. I think we stopped here three times during our stay. Sanibel Island Rentals: Billy's Bike : 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620 Finnimore's Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577 3. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. I've heard you can even spot manatees there. Temperatures were still in the 80s. Back in 1996, the City of Sanibel passed an ordinance that prevented big chain businesses from opening up shop on the island. We might have to visit one day. Dr. Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop Plainview. The kids waited for 5 minutes and wanted to go. 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. It's a great activity for kids and families. If the ocean is a little to rough for your likes, be sure to be booked at a hotel with a pool for guests to use because you will want it! This is Tampa's Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. 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. From beautiful beaches for shelling to countless water activities for kids, Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation for families. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Not so much. Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. Since little ones don't just sit around having a few kites to fly is a great way to pass the day. Join Little Learners for a Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop. Find out when low tide is and hit the beach before anyone else can snatch up all the good stuff. It's a far cry from Disney, BUT I think this type of vacation can be just as lovely for kids of all ages. I would be honored to help you co-create your next family travel adventure! We were also able to take advantage of a free daily tour of the beach with a naturalist guide during which we learned some really neat tidbits about the beach and its creatures. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. It connects by bridge to Captiva Island. These cottages are on the western end of the island, so you are guaranteed some beautiful sunsets right from your front porch! Each day the view was completely different and it made a wonderful activity with the entire family. Sprinkled in youll find family travel inspiration. Its amazing! Private tour guidesare also available to take your family around the islands in search of dolphins and manatees while sharing all kinds of tales about the islands' rich history. Our room was clean and spacious, and had a little kitchenette (some of the units in this resort have full kitchens, if this is a need for you). It also taught the boys a bit about wind and weather because they only knew they could fly the kites on windy days. While visiting Chateaux Sur Mer, you might make a stop by sights like Sanibel Island Southern Beach and Bowman's Beach. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. The Island also offers many opportunities for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. Sign up for Scary Mommy's daily newsletter for more stories from the trenches. Sign up in advance because space is limited to24 students per day. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. Kids love being responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles! 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. Make sure toget there earlyand plan on having dinner. 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!) Lounge on a Fort Myers Beach. Travel and World Peace: How Traveling the World has Changed My Perspective. If youre lucky, youll also be able to spot friendly dolphins frolicking around the water. While you can't exactly access the light,the site itself features agreat shelling beach, a fishing pier, and a nature trail. ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. 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. Your boys are just growing up so fast. And Lord knows youll need an hour of relaxation being away with your family. Kids will enjoy learning about the history of the lighthouse and no trip to the island is complete without a selfie in front of it. Sanibel Island takes shelling very seriously! 8. You can drive through the preserve at your own pace and get out to spot wildlife. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. Stop in at theSanibel Chamber Commerceand ask for the treasure hunt map. Sanibel Island with kids is lovely! Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. Here are 12 must-do activities for your Sanibel Island family vacation to make planning your Florida beach vacation a little easier. Summer Waves Water Park. Although I had never been before, I knew I wanted to take Miss M and Z Man. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. There are no big mega resorts. Here you'll find healthy vegetarian and pescatarian recipes, health & wellness tips, healthy travel guides, plus behind the scenes fun from my life as a twin Mom. Sanibel Island: Much better shelling. Sanibel isn't the only barrier island along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by boat. Joe is a great teacher, and storyteller. I was blind to what else existed in the State. I am a travel agent and family travel expert who is PASSIONATE about planning amazing adventures for families. I'm Julie Wunder Emmy award-winning former WLOS meteorologist. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. They were pretty excited to start filling their bags when we got there. Indulge in the Signature Arabian Rose treatment, an all-over body scrub, or a deep tissue massage at the spa. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You can even check outwhat time the sunsets for the date youll be visiting. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. Their learning lab is a great place for children to engage in hands-on play with displays, games, a tank with indigenous mollusks, and continuously-playing children's videos. Each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating subjects like fiddler crabs, wading birds, and sea turtles. Take a dolphin sight-seeing boat ride. Here you can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and nature. The beach here was beautiful white sand, and the water was a bright shade of beautiful blue. 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!). From national historic Landmark District depending on traffic and time of day i i! 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