The island offers several bicycle rental shops, either in the hotels or in the towns. The bike trails on Sanibel Island are pretty famous for the wildlife and vegetation that can be seen. The island keeps the bicycle trails very well maintained, so there is no problem at all with taking some of the younger kids along for the ride. One of the most popular destinations is Sanibel Island’s historic lighthouse, which is an easy bike ride along the trails of the island. Keep an eye out for the alligators that like to sun themselves just a few yards off the bike trails!

If those alligators excite you, then you might want to check out the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to hundreds of plant and animal species. This is a guided tour that covers about one-third of Sanibel Island. You will be able to see hundreds of different species of birds, as well as many other endangered and threatened animals.

When the busy day is done, you don’t want to miss the sunset from the beaches of Sanibel Island. As the sun drops below the horizon, the result is an amazing burst of color that paints the skies and reflects in the waves of the ocean.

If you’re an active family that loves the outdoors, there’s no doubt that you’ll spend a lot of your time at the beach. With the sugar sands and placid waves, you can be sure that your family is safe and secure, which means that you can either relax or join in the fun! The soft, white sand is perfect for building sandcastles and other sculptures. The location of the island also means that there are always hundreds of shells to be found, which can keep children of all ages occupied for hours.

There are also several biking trails that crisscross the island, and they’re all well maintained. The whole family can feel the rush of wind in their hair as they ride along the paths and sidewalks, checking out the Florida wildlife and tropical vegetation. If you’re lucky (or unlucky, as the case may be), you might even see an alligator or two. You can rent the bicycles from your hotel in most cases, or there are several bike rental shops located throughout the island.

One of the most popular activities, though, is the dolphin-watching trip. There are several chartered boat excursions each day that depart from the hotels and resorts. Not only will you see the friendly dolphins, but you will also probably see some other water creatures and make friends with the seagulls. You can pack a lunch and make a day of it!

Sanibel Island also sponsors the annual Sanibel Music Festival, which brings world renownd musicians to Sanibel in the month of March. These are classical musicians that present the very best of string quartets, piano concertos, operettas, and full orchestral concerts. The festival serves many purposes, but the greatest one is to bring the love and knowledge of music to the visitors and residents of the island.

If you are just looking for a great night out with your friends, you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for in the bars and clubs that dot the islands of Sanibel and Captiva. You and your friends can enjoy and evening with a nice brew, a game of pool, and an embarrassing round of karaoke before watching the latest sports event on one of the television screens.

You will love living on the islands! There is always something fun nearby, even if you are just not in the mood for another lazy day on the beach. Take a look at the city’s special events calendar, and start getting involved in all that Sanibel and Captiva have to offer.