Sanibel Island Beaches and Captiva Island Beaches
Where are Sanibel Island Beaches and Captiva Island Beaches?
Sanibel Island Beaches are some of the most unique barrier islands of the world, having an east-west orientation when most islands are north-south. Hence, the island is gifted with great sandy beaches and an abundance of shells, winning awards for being the best shelling beach and one of the best beaches in Florida. USA Today has ranked shelling on Sanibel Island is ranked 7th for Best Florida Attractions and Sanibel Island as One of the Ten Top Places to Escape the Snow.
- Click here to see more awards Sanibel Island Beaches and Captiva Island beaches the beaches have received.
- Check out the Sanibel Shelling Center for information on the Sanibel Island beaches and seashells.
Basic restrooms are located at all public beach accesses. Some have picnic tables and showers, all have free handicap parking. Parking at Sanibel Island public beaches costs $5.00 an hour, and Captiva Island public beaches costs $5.00 an hour, Cash and credit cards are accepted. Paid parking tickets are not interchangeable between Sanibel and Captiva.
The Sanibel Island beaches are a great place to relax by enjoying shelling, fishing or bird watching. The Sanibel Island beaches can also be a romantic place to hold your wedding or another special event with a beautiful landscape. Visit the marinas to see the many boats that are docked there. Find a hotel or resort on either Captiva or Sanibel Island so you can spend time enjoying the sun on these well-known beaches.
Causeway Beaches
Great for swimming, fishing, windsurfing and picnicking. Pull your vehicle right to waters edge. There is no fee when you park on the causeway beach. Located along both sides of the road. Restrooms are available.
- Free parking
- Dogs allowed on leash only
- Restrooms
- Picnic tables
Causeway Ordinances PROHIBIT the following:
- Launching of motorized vessels
- Alcoholic beverages
- Open fires
Sanibel Island Beaches
Lighthouse Beach & Fishing Pier, Sanibel Island
This is the site of our historic functioning lighthouse. Located on the eastern tip of Sanibel, wrapping around to the bay side. This is where the t-dock-fishing pier is and a boardwalk nature trail winding through native wetlands. Turn left on Periwinkle Way from Causeway Road.
- Restrooms and outdoor shower
- Free handicap parking – 4 parking spaces
- Fishing Pier, Lighthouse, Boardwalk and Nature Trails o RV Parking – 2 spaces
- Bike rack – no fee for bikes
- 24 Hour paid parking
Gulfside City Park, Sanibel Island
Picnic tables and seclusion welcome you, located mid-island on Algiers Lane off Casa Ybel Rd. Mid Island.
- Restrooms and outdoor shower
- Free handicap parking – 3 handicap spaces
- Picnic tables and BBQ Grills
- Bike rack – no fee for bikes
Tarpon Beach, Sanibel Island
Easy parking for recreational vehicles, and a short hike from the parking lot to the beach. Located at the south end of Tarpon Bay Rd. at West Gulf Drive. Mid Island
- Restrooms and outdoor shower at beach entrance
- Bike parking at beach entrance – no fee for bikes
- Oversized (20 foot and over) vehicle parking – several
- Free handicap parking – 3 handicap spaces at beach entrance
Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island
Pristine and quiet, you won’t find any hotels here. Park and walk over a bridge to secluded white beach. There is an outdoor shower located at this beach. This is the only beach with barbecue grills. Located off Sanibel-Captiva Rd., turn left on Bowman’s Beach Rd. Up Island
- Restrooms, changing rooms and outdoor shower
- Oversized (20 foot and over) vehicle parking – several free handicap parking – 7 spaces
- Picnic tables and Barbecue grills
- Public telephone at restrooms
- Nature and fitness trails
- Canoe and kayak launching
Blind Pass Beach, Sanibel Island
Located on both the Sanibel and Captiva side of the Blind Pass Bridge, this beach is popular with shellers and fishermen. Signs warn against swimming because of the swift currents. Located on Sanibel-Captiva Rd. at Blind Pass Bridge. No restrooms on the Sanibel side.
- Parking on both sides of Blind Pass bridge
- NO restrooms on Sanibel side
- Restrooms and outdoor shower on Captiva side
- Free handicap parking – 1 space on Captiva and 1 space on Sanibel
Captiva Island Beaches
Turner Beach at Blind Pass, Captiva Island
Located on both the Sanibel and Captiva side of the Blind Pass Bridge, this beach is popular with shellers and fishermen. Signs warn against swimming because of the swift currents. Located on Sanibel-Captiva Rd. at Blind Pass Bridge. No restrooms on the Sanibel side.
- Parking on both sides of Blind Pass bridge
- NO restrooms on Sanibel side
- Restrooms and outdoor shower on Captiva side
- Free handicap parking – 1 space on Captiva and 1 space on Sanibel
Captiva Beach, Captiva Island
Captiva Island has been nominated for the Best Restored Beach in three different categories. A great place to watch the sunset. There are no permanent restroom facilities here and parking is very limited. There are several Port-o-Lets located at the end of Captiva Dr.
- Alison Hagerup Beach – Captiva North End (Lee County)
- 2 handicapped parking spots
- Parking rates are currently $15 for 1 hour, $25 for 2, or $40 for all day
- No more cash parking, ParkMobile Contactless Mobile Parking
- Portable Restrooms
- Open sunrise to sunset