Explore the Island
Start Exploring Sanibel
Tap a pin to see restaurants, beaches, and attractions across the island. Use the filters to focus on what you're looking for.
Live Conditions
Right Now on Sanibel
Real-time weather, tides, and beach conditions
Current Weather
Today's Top Beach
Checking today's conditions...
First Timer?
Know Before You Go
Quick tips every visitor should know
No traffic lights on the island — just stop signs and patience.
The $6 causeway toll is fully automated. SunPass, Toll-by-Plate, or any compatible transponder — no cash booths.
Live shelling is illegal. If a shell has a living creature inside, leave it on the beach.
Sanibel is a dark sky community — limited street lights. Drive carefully after sunset.
Rent bikes. 25+ miles of shared-use paths make biking the best way to get around.
Bug spray is essential at sunset, especially near mangroves. No-see-ums are real.
No chain restaurants on Sanibel — it's all local, and that's the point.
Download ParkMobile before you arrive. Beach parking is $5/hour, all pay-by-app.
No Uber or Lyft on the island. Bring your car or rent bikes.
Where to Eat
Featured Restaurants
One pick from each cuisine — there are 21 restaurants on the island
Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille
Home of the Island Mojito. Doc Ford's flagship Sanibel location features two dining rooms and an outdoor patio. Inspired by the novels of Randy Wayne White, known for Yucatan shrimp and craft cocktails.
Daily 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
BRGR Kitchen & Bar
Gourmet burgers, craft cocktails, and bar bites at the Sanibel Island Beach Resort. Open-air dining with a lively atmosphere on Middle Gulf Drive.
Daily 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
Lighthouse Cafe
Home of the World's Best Breakfast. A Sanibel Island institution serving breakfast and lunch daily, plus dinner. Sweet and savory dishes, fresh seafood, and a warm island atmosphere near the lighthouse.
Daily 7:00 AM–2:00 PM, 4:00–9:00 PM
Dante's Italian Kitchen
Artisan coal-fired pizzas and classic Italian dishes crafted with top-notch ingredients. Charming atmosphere with a curated selection of beers and wines. A newer addition to Sanibel's dining scene.
Daily 8:00–11:00 AM, 4:00–9:00 PM
Don't Miss
Must-Do Experiences
Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge
Drive, bike, or kayak through 6,500 acres of mangroves and see 245+ bird species.
Read Guide →Sanibel Farmers Market
Every Sunday 9 AM - 1 PM (Oct - May) at City Hall. Fresh produce, local honey, and food.
See Events →Go Shelling
Sanibel is the Shelling Capital of the World. Low tide + early morning = the best finds.
Shelling Guide →Sunset at Blind Pass
Watch the sun drop into the Gulf between Sanibel and Captiva. Arrive 30 minutes early.
View Beaches →