Best Beaches of Sanibel Island & Captiva Island, Florida
- Where are the Beaches on Sanibel and Captiva?
- Causeway Beaches, Sanibel Island
- Lighthouse Beach & Fishing Pier, Sanibel Island
- Gulfside City Park, Sanibel Island
- Tarpon Bay Beach, Sanibel Island
- Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island
- Turner Beach, Captiva Island
- Captiva Beach, Captiva Island
- Beach Information - Parking, Facilities and Rules
- 2013 Tide Chart
Where are the Beaches on Sanibel and Captiva?
Sanibel is one of the 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. Check out the Sanibel Shelling Center for information on the islands beaches and seashells.
There are a few rules that keep our beaches pristine. Pets on Sanibel Island must be leashed, and should be cleaned up after. Captiva beaches do not allow pets.* Alcoholic beverages are prohibited November through May. No open fires and no collecting of live shells please. Click Here to see the 5 reasons to leash your dog.
Basic restrooms are located at all public beach accesses. Some have picnic tables and showers, all have free handicap parking. Parking at Sanibel Island and Captiva Island public beaches costs $2.00 an hour, Cash and credit cards are accepted. Paid parking tickets are not interchangeable between Sanibel and Captiva.
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
Lighthouse Beach & Fishing Pier 
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 
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 Bay Beach 
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
• Turner Beach (Captiva) – Blind Pass (Sanibel)
- Alison Hagerup Beach – Captiva North End (Lee County)
• Causeway Beaches (Lee County) o Free Parking
- Boat Ramp Parking
- Car & Trailer Parking (paid parking and “C” sticker only)
- Restrooms
- Picnic tables and BBQ Grill
- Handicap parking
Bowman’s Beach 
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 o Free handicap parking – 7 spaces
- Picnic tables and Barbecue grills
- Pubic telephone at restrooms
- Nature and fitness trails
- Canoe and kayak launching
Captiva Island Beaches
Turner Beach (Blind Pass) 
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 
A great place to watch the sunset. There are no restroom facilities here and parking is very limited. Located at the end of Captiva Dr.
* – with lawful exceptions under the “Americans with Disabilities Act”
