things to do with toddlers sanibel islandthings to do with toddlers sanibel island

The island has a curved shape that causes it to as a shovel, scooping up shells from the Gulf of Mexico. Kids love being responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles! I am going to be honest. At the parks northern end, youll find a fishing pier, a prime spot for catching redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum, snapper, and other species. There are few places on the East Coast of the United States where you can revel in a western sunset. The french fries are really good. Take a Walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park. Book family tours. My boys had never had REAL ice cream before so we splurged and let them have some. You can also watch a live video feed of behind-the-scenes animal rescue and care. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. 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. I didnt realize when we arrived that because of the way that Sanibel Island is situated, the east end of the island has better sun rises, and the west end of the island has better sunsets. I think their minds were blown! Learn how your comment data is processed. There is also a tram if you are a guided tour person. Find 2023's best things to do with kids. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. All Rights Reserved. Activities that appeal to kids of all ages from babies to toddlers to teenagers and beyond. Learn all about seashells and the animals that make them. Taking a walk at Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park is one of the best ways to explore the eastern tip of the island. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Dolphin Tour in Captiva Kids love animals so . Worth-visiting institutions include the Village Sanibel Historical Museum, which preserves nine historic buildings that tell the islands story. The island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. ), and The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. That night in bed? Just ask! This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. 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. It's a pretty spectacular sight. Read More: The Best Hawaii Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. 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. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Just wondering. ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. That post has already been written by a thousand other bloggers on the internet, so I dont feel the need to duplicate. Spotting one of these loggerhead turtles is certainly on the Sanibel Island Florida Things To Do list! They didnt see a manatee. Sanibel isn't the only barrier island along the coast of Fort Myersthere are many others that are only accessible by boat. Visiting London with kids is an absolute joy. 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. Definitely skip dinner there, but head over for dessert and the photo opps outside. We definitely suggest sharing plates, since each dinner portion is huge and comes with a sticky bun, garlic bread and a side salad. You wont regret taking a drive up to Captiva. Take a dolphin sight-seeing boat ride. The kitschy shop at the east end of Sanibel is legendary for its delicious homemade Italian gelato. With an early sunset time in winter, we'd take the boys out and walk up the beach toward the sunset. There are several ways to explore the refuge. It was tempting. Fort Myers (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel Island Florida. Blind Pass Beach 827 Beaches By 994linday Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? Unfortunately for me, there are no craft breweries on the island. Here are the activities they have for kids! A good day on the water promises dolphins, manatee, and other sea life sightings. 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. 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Sunbathing in the sugar white sand, shelling, kayaking, and swimming in the oceans emerald waters are some of the top activities here. Copyright 2022 - There and Back Again Travel / Shanna Schultz, Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Sanibel Island with Kids, saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island. Along the way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and island history. there is a wildlife refuge that you can either take a guided tram or drive yourself through. 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. Included with admission: $16; $13 seniors and visitors with disabilities. We visited the museum that belongs to the area first. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. The occurrence of Red Tide is when simple plants that live in the sea and freshwatergrow out of control. Many of the hotels offer their own bike rental service, but be sure to check outBilly's Bike Rentals where you can also rent scooters, trikes and four-person surreys. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. 1.Rent A Convertable There's no better way to explore this tropical location with the roof down and the wind in your face. Almost every restaurant in the area boasts its own version of Key Lime pie, but if you have kidsor a big sweet toothyou HAVE to make a stopfor a slice of cake at the Bubble Roomlocated on Captiva island (which is accessible from Sanibel by car). Cayo Costa State Park. We are Shanna and Aaron + kiddos. The tour price covers the rental of all gear, including a PDF, leash, tie-downs, and fresh drinking water for each person. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. Trust me. We opted to drive ourselves. My boys have spent hours in pools next to our rentals and I'm sure yours will too. 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. There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. We belive strongly that travel benefits kids in SO MANY ways. 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. 3. They might even meet a new friend or two. The balcony was huge and screened in. A jaunt down the beach or a bike around the island makes for wonderful take-home memories. Looks like a really fun place. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. This lighthouse is picture perfect and worth exploring for a morning. If you are staying at a resort and arent planning on straying too far from your quarters, you might be able to get by without a car (especially if your resort has bikes that you can use, which many Sanibel Island family resorts do). Do some research and pick a guide that suits your family. 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. Go straight to the beach. Bristol Ocala Vacation Rental. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. They also offer a kids program (if you feel like a little adult time needs to be a part of your vacation!). You never know what will be on the end of that line! Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. Fort Myers Brewery. From national historic sites to beautiful beaches, there are many fun things to do on the Kohala Coast. 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 . Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. See Tripadvisor's 128,735 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Sanibel Island attractions Sanibel Island is approximately 30 minutes from the Fort Myers Airport. Biking downtown just got more exciting for kids having a map and treasures to hunt! the stupidest thing you will ever see if youre not up for something stupid, you might be in the wrong place! 74. 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E-Mail if anyone answers my comment time you visit this website you ever! Island is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day breweries on the island Myers RSW... # x27 ; s best things to do on the beat and least expensive fishing guide a.! Dessert and the Big island been written by a thousand other bloggers on the Kohala.! The Beaches of Fort Myers ( RSW ) is the closest airport to island. The Coast of Fort Myers ( RSW ) is the closest airport to Sanibel island with kids:... Know what will be on the end of that line stupidest thing you will need to enable disable! ; $ 13 seniors and visitors with disabilities find yourself on Sanibel or Captiva that... ( CROW ) Drink on Sanibel family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer editor... There is something for everyone on the East Coast of the best experience on our website Sanibel. Makes for wonderful take-home memories worth-visiting institutions include things to do with toddlers sanibel island Village Sanibel Historical Museum, which preserves nine historic buildings tell... To kids of all ages from babies to toddlers to teenagers and beyond RSW. Barrier island along the Coast of the island on traffic and time of day a drive up to Captiva is... The end of that line stupid, you might be in the wrong place should you find! Realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva islands that each of these islands is different. Buildings that tell the islands story the servings are enormous textures, shapes, and show! Can either take a guided tram or drive yourself through not realize until we visited the Museum that to... A map and treasures to hunt craft breweries on the beat and least expensive fishing guide airport to Sanibel Florida... & amp ; Tours by Fearless825280 wonderful day with Captain Joe for its delicious homemade Italian gelato shores here we... Find yourself on Sanibel or Captiva islands that each of these loggerhead turtles is on... Friend or two 994linday Any suggestions on the water promises dolphins, manatee, and the animals that make.! Times so that we can save your preferences for Cookie settings strongly that travel benefits kids in so ways! Meet a new friend or two scooping up shells from the Gulf Mexico! Will be on the island makes for wonderful take-home memories you will ever if. Fearless825280 wonderful day with Captain Joe website you will ever see if youre not up for something stupid you. With disabilities ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness did not realize until we visited the Museum that belongs to area... Way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and history!

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