Sanibel Island vacation rentals

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Popular amenities for Sanibel Island vacation rentals

Other great vacation rentals in Sanibel Island

Guest favorite

Home in Captiva

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 101 reviews

Steps To Private Beach Captiva Retreat Golfcart

Feb 14 – 21

ﺩ.ﺇ2,251 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Matlacha

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 142 reviews

The Secret Island Retreat HeatedPool/4b/open water

Jul 13 – 20

ﺩ.ﺇ1,887 per night
Superhost

Vacation home in Bonita Springs

4.79 out of 5 average rating, 107 reviews

Amazing home w canal views, a mile from the beach!

Mar 30 – Apr 6

ﺩ.ﺇ468 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Saint James City

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 174 reviews

Relaxing Waterfront Retreat: 1400 sq ft Home

Jun 14 – 21

ﺩ.ﺇ530 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Fort Myers Beach

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 120 reviews

Coastal Oasis of Fort Myers Beach

Jan 13 – 20

ﺩ.ﺇ3,550 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Cape Coral

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 196 reviews

Dolphin beach house 2

Dec 3 – 10

ﺩ.ﺇ2,369 per night
Guest favorite

Apartment in Fort Myers Beach

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 146 reviews

Casa Bella B - 1 Bed/1 Bath - Steps To The Beach

Aug 7 – 14

ﺩ.ﺇ702 per night
Guest favorite

Apartment in Cape Coral

4.86 out of 5 average rating, 140 reviews

The Cape (1) /Gulf access.

Sep 5 – 12

ﺩ.ﺇ356 per night

Sanibel Island villa rentals

Guest favorite

Villa in Fort Myers

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 288 reviews

Private pyramid home to relax and explore-7021

Oct 17 – 24

ﺩ.ﺇ584 per night
Superhost

Villa in Naples

4.83 out of 5 average rating, 163 reviews

In Town Naples Zen Retreat

Jul 4 – 11

ﺩ.ﺇ566 per night
Guest favorite

Villa in Cape Coral

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 25 reviews

BRAND NEW Luxury Villa w/Heated and Chilled Pool

Jun 6 – 13

ﺩ.ﺇ1,273 per night
Guest favorite

Villa in Cape Coral

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 9 reviews

*Belle's Tropic Spot* Yacht Club Beach Villa

Aug 6 – 13

ﺩ.ﺇ613 per night
Guest favorite

Villa in Cape Coral

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 49 reviews

LAST Minute! NEW Villa-Heated Saltwater Pool & Spa

Sep 4 – 11

ﺩ.ﺇ795 per night
Guest favorite

Villa in Cape Coral

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 52 reviews

NEW LUX Family Oasis, Tranquil, Pool on Canal!

Aug 21 – 28

ﺩ.ﺇ1,359 per night
Guest favorite

Villa in Naples

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 47 reviews

Las Casitas in Naples #3

Nov 18 – 25

ﺩ.ﺇ511 per night
Guest favorite

Villa in Rotonda West

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 39 reviews

Secluded Paradise,Heated Pool,Beaches and Golf n.

Nov 2 – 9

ﺩ.ﺇ722 per night

Sanibel Island condo rentals

Superhost

Condo in Naples

4.87 out of 5 average rating, 115 reviews

Top Floor, A+ Location, Club Membership Included!

Sep 8 – 15

ﺩ.ﺇ398 per night
Guest favorite

Condo in Cape Coral

4.88 out of 5 average rating, 161 reviews

Lovely Gulf Access/Kayak, Beach, Tiki Bar & Grill.

Mar 16 – 23

ﺩ.ﺇ569 per night
Guest favorite

Condo in Englewood

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 106 reviews

Walk to beach~Sleeps 6 (B2)

May 25 – Jun 1

ﺩ.ﺇ642 per night
Guest favorite

Condo in Naples

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 283 reviews

Lely Greenlinks Golf Resort Luxury Condo

Jul 12 – 19

ﺩ.ﺇ592 per night
Guest favorite

Condo in Englewood

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 116 reviews

Gulf Side Condo Englewood Florida

Aug 31 – Sep 7

ﺩ.ﺇ716 per night
Guest favorite

Condo in Cape Coral

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 111 reviews

Penthouse Suite in the heart of SW Cape Coral, FL

Aug 22 – 29

ﺩ.ﺇ605 per night
Guest favorite

Condo in Marco Island

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 126 reviews

Amazing New Seaside Condo-5 fl View -Best Building

Jul 19 – 26

ﺩ.ﺇ815 per night
Guest favorite

Condo in Naples

4.91 out of 5 average rating, 146 reviews

Park Shore Resort Modern Top Floor 2 Bed 2 Bath

Jul 25 – Aug 1

ﺩ.ﺇ699 per night

Your guide to Sanibel Island

All About Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island sits around three hours west of Miami and just over three hours south of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The subtropical island’s pristine, palm-fringed shores are separated from the mainland by a three-mile causeway. Visitors come ashore for windsurfing on causeway beaches, dolphin-spotting off the coast, and fishing for redfish and snook. Shelling is a major pastime on Sanibel Island, with Bowman’s Beach boasting swathes of whelk and cockle shells and an annual festival dedicated to this popular activity. There’s even a museum specializing in mollusks and shells — the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only one of its kind in the country.

Birdwatchers return to the inland wetlands year after year to spot the vibrant pink feathers of the roseate spoonbill, while the crystal clear waters just offshore are home to plenty of grouper and snapper, and sailboats are available to charter from the island’s multiple marinas. More than 10 man-made reefs within a 30-minute drive also attract snorkelers and divers. Away from the water, tennis courts and golf courses offer more ways to soak up the Florida sun.


The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Sanibel Island

Sanibel is a subtropical island, so the standard four seasons don’t apply. Conditions in southwestern Florida can be broken down into two seasons — the rainy season from mid-May through mid-October and the dry season. Nevertheless, you can still expect plenty of sunshine during the rainy season, and more than a few afternoon showers during the dry season. Any time of year, you’ll be met with balmy, Gulf of Mexico sunshine, warm ocean water, and even warmer air. October and November are the best months to head to a villa in Sanibel Island in search of shells on the island’s beaches, when tides around Florida are at their lowest. Every March, the annual Sanibel Shell Fair & Show showcases local art made with shells found on the surrounding beaches.


Top things to do in Sanibel Island

Periwinkle Way

Running from Lighthouse Beach Park in the east through a warren of waterways to Tarpon Bay Road around a third of the way across the island, Periwinkle Way is Sanibel’s main thoroughfare. Bikes and beach cruisers are available if you’re looking to cruise along, and you can loop around to Dunlop Road to peruse the farmers’ market, take in a performance at BIG ARTS Sanibel, and get a taste of pioneer life at Sanibel Historical Museum and Village.

Hunting for shells on Bowman’s Beach

Hunting for shells is one of the favorite pastimes for Sanibel Island beachcombers, and Bowman’s Beach is the shell hunter’s paradise. Free and open to the public, its soft sands are studded with conch, clam, and other treasures. The island’s curved coastline scoops up shells from the Gulf, drawing in visitors from far and wide to adopt the “Sanibel stoop” and collect their bounty.

Hopping over to Captiva Island

Sanibel Island’s sister, Captiva, is right next door via a small bridge crossing Blind Pass, and many visitors hop between the two. Just five miles long, Captiva Island is home to powder-soft sands, pelicans, and pastel-hued beachfront buildings. Kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing are major draws, alongside vast sunsets that you can admire from coastal bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How is the weather in Sanibel Island?

    Sanibel Island experiences a tropical climate with hot, humid summers, average temperatures around 90°F (32°C), and mild winters with averages around 70°F (21°C). Rain is common in the summer months.

  • What are some of the best things to do in Sanibel Island?

    Visitors often enjoy exploring the J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge, shelling along the coastline, biking the island's intricate trail system, or visiting the historic Sanibel Lighthouse.

  • What is the best time of year to visit Sanibel Island?

    The most popular time to visit Sanibel Island is during the winter and spring months, especially February to April. Locally revered events include the annual Sanibel Shell Festival in March and the 'Ding' Darling Days birding festival in October.

  • What are the best places to stay in Sanibel Island?

    The most popular areas to stay on Sanibel Island include the neighborhoods near the Sanibel Causeway for easy access to the mainland, the eastern side near the historic Sanibel Lighthouse, or the northern part of the island close to Captiva Island.

  • What are the best places to visit in Sanibel Island?

    Popular places to visit on Sanibel Island often include the 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the Sanibel Lighthouse, the Shell Museum, and the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village.

  • What are some hiking trails in Sanibel Island?

    Sanibel Island has several hiking trails such as the Indigo Trail and Shell Mound Trail in the 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge, or the trails in Sanibel Island's Conservation Foundation's nature centers.

  • What are some family activities to do in Sanibel Island?

    Families frequently suggest exploring the Sanibel Sea School, taking part in educational activities at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, enjoying a picnic at Bowman's Beach, or spotting wildlife at the 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

  • What are some of the best day trip ideas in Sanibel Island?

    Day trip ideas might include a nature excursion to the 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a visit to Captiva Island, or a boat tour to discover surrounding islands.

Destinations to explore

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