Sanibel Island features many great things for everyone including the whole family! Head to the beach and relax or take advantage of the many great water sports in the area. There are a variety of activities to enjoy as you head to one of the premier vacation destinations in the United States! Here are six things to do on a daytrip to Sanibel Beach, Florida.

Shelling
Sanibel Island is incredibly unique in that it has an east-west orientation, rather than a north-south orientation so it’s a premier destination for collecting shells. Sitting in the wonderful Gulf of Mexico, Sanibel Island has terrific sandy beaches which collect the best shells in the gulf. People come from all over to walk the beaches and collect these treasures.

Relax at the Beach
The beaches at Sanibel Island are perfect for relaxing and a chance to enjoy the weather. Bring the dog but know that your pets must be leashed. There are several different beaches you can go to on Sanibel Island where you can lay by the ocean or head in for a swim. Causeway beaches are great for swimming and relaxing. Head to Gulfside City Park to grill out and have a BBQ on the beach.

Water Sports
The Gulf of Mexico is perfect for water sports and a chance to enjoy fun on the water! Take a waverunner out on the water or rent a kayak for a half or whole day. You can also rent a canoe for a unique look at the area. How about taking part in parasailing? The Gulf of Mexico tends to have warmer waters so it makes for the perfect area to try parasailing!

Fishing
Some of the best fishing in the United States is in the Gulf of Mexico, not far from Sanibel Island. There is shallow water that makes for perfect fishing, with clear waters that are filled with reefs and shipwrecks which attract great fishing. Fish commonly caught in the area include Tarpon, Redfish, Snapper, Shark, Tripletail, Snook, Grunts and Grouper. Head further out in the offshore fishing for a chance to catch other fish. There are also fishing charters that make it a great activity when you are on vacation. If you want to stay on land, there is great fishing off piers and off the beaches like near the Lighthouse end of Sanibel Island.

Bird Watching
Sanibel Island has some of the best bird watching in the world, with visitors coming from all over to see the great species that inhabit the area. The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is popular for watching tall wading birds. Head out in the early morning when the tide is low to see the birds in their habitat.

Biking
Get to know Sanibel Island by taking a bicycle around the island on one of the many trails. This is a great way to become familiar with the area and the wildlife that populate it. There are 25 miles of paved bike paths to guide you around Sanibel.

Interested in enjoying the great things Sanibel Island beach has to offer? Let Sun Palace Vacations help you find the perfect place to stay in Fort Myers so you can enjoy a daytrip to Sanibel Island.

Photo Credit: Anne Swoboda / Sanibel’s Coastline / Flickr