There’s lots to do on Sanibel, without a doubt. If you’re a Sanibel resident, or have been visiting ever since you were a kid, you’ve likely already experienced a few of the popular attractions that make Sanibel’s TripAdvisor list.
But what about those lesser-known Sanibel golden nuggets that you might not have heard about? I hope this list of 9 Bucket List Sanibel Activities will present new, undiscovered memories for you and your family!
Sanibel Bucket List
1.) Shop the Sanibel Farmers Market – If you haven’t checked out the local market during the Fall/Winter months… what are you waiting for? The Sanibel Farmers Market at City Hall is the place to be on Sunday mornings during season, and your home for fresh produce, seafood and local goods.
2.) Bike or Walk to Dinner – It sounds simple, but for those of us who live on island or aren’t exactly “walking-distance” to Periwinkle Way, we automatically jump in the car when heading out. Plan ahead and prep the bikes for a nice stroll to dinner. It’s a great change of pace, and we have 25-miles of paved shared-use paths for a reason!
3.) Cheers the Sunset with Dinner on the Causeway – You’ve probably watched the sunset from the beach, but have you ventured out to the Causeway Islands to have a nice dinner picnic while watching the sun go down? It’s a relaxing way to end any ol’ week day.
4.) Kayak the back Bay – Whether you rent gear from Tarpon Bay Explorers or have it yourself, get out there and experience Sanibel’s nature up close and personal. Our family loves kayaking the Commodore Creek trail, spotting manatees and all sorts of birds along the way.
5.) Lap the Island – Maybe you’ve lapped the island by bike, but have you been around the entire island by boat? Seeing Sanibel from the water is a special experience of its own! Take a lap and see how many Gulf-front condos you can name.
6.) Become a Member – There are a number of clubs and organizations on island, but have you checked out the Sanibel Recreation Center and the Sanibel Library? The Rec has an awesome pool, plus tons kids activities. The Library is filled with local knowledge and art work.
7.) Find that Junonia! – Give your shelling a purpose, and don’t give up pursuit of that rare Junonia shell! Make it your Sanibel mission to have your picture featured in the newspaper holding up your prized possession.
8.) Attend Sanibel Hometown Events – There are too many to name, and maybe you’ve been to a handful, but make it your goal to experience a new Sanibel event every year. There are numerous holiday parades, evening events at Bailey Homestead, performances at BIG ARTS – Strauss Theater, art fairs and shell festivals throughout the year.
9.) Get a Guide – Think you know it all? I bet you’d be surprised at how much you learn with a guided tour of some of your favorite Sanibel sites, such as, Ding Darling, the Shell Museum, Sanibel Historic Village, and even the Sanibel Lighthouse. There’s lots of great stories and histories to share about our island!
While this list certainly isn’t all inclusive… I hope there’s something that you haven’t yet experienced on Sanibel. I’d love to hear your own suggestions! – What else should be on the Sanibel Bucket List??
