Places to stay in sanibel island on the beach

Sanibel Island is a true vacation paradise in Southwest Florida. The long beaches, beautiful nature and laid-back lifestyle are certainly appreciated features. But where to stay on Sanibel Island for the best experience?

You find Sanibel Island lodging in the areas East End, Mid Island and Far West. In addition on the nearby Captiva Island and in Fort Myers there are more hotels near Sanibel Island.

This travel site can exist thanks to compensation from advertising and affiliate links. Find out more here.

Find places to stay on Sanibel Island

• East End – Sanibel hotels in the east
• Mid Island – A central base
• Far West – The quiet part
• Captiva – An island away
• Fort Myers – Mainland location

East End – Stay on Sanibel Island near the lighthouse

East End is the first area on the island that you get to when you travel by car from the mainland. It’s the option for where to stay on Sanibel Island that gives you the best possible access to mainland Florida.

From Blind Pass Bridge in the island’s west to Sanibel Causeway in the east it’s 11 slow miles (18 km) to drive. So it’s definitely more convenient to stay at Sanibel Island hotels further east on the island if you plan to take mainland day trips.

Additionally Lighthouse Beach Park on the eastern tip of Sanibel is one of the most popular sights on the island. The picturesque park with a lighthouse, pier and beach is a beautiful place to be near.

The Sanibel Island hotels in East End also offer the most beautiful sunrises on the island. A morning walk at Sanibel Lighthouse, with the sun rising in front of you, is the perfect way to begin a day on Sanibel Island.

In short, East End is the best place to stay on Sanibel Island if you want the ultimate mainland access. On top of that the Sanibel Island hotels in the area also have Lighthouse Beach Park near and offer the best island sunrises.

• Pick East End for: Sanibel hotels at the lighthouse.

Recommended Sanibel Island hotels in East End

Tarpon Tale Inn – Picture-perfect Sanibel Island lodging

In the East End area Tarpon Tale Inn sits just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Lighthouse Beach Park. At the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse your stay on Sanibel Island truly is picture perfect.

Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. The peaceful inn on Sanibel Island is like a home away from home.

Colony Inn – Stay just off the Sanibel beach

When you stay at Colony Inn, you’re wonderfully based for relaxing beach days. From the Sanibel hotel it’s just 2 or 3 minutes by foot to the beach.

It’s also appreciated that Colony Inn has kept its Old Florida style. In such a peaceful setting, far away from the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to recharge your batteries.

Mid Island – Sanibel Island hotels in central location

Mid Island is the second Sanibel area that you get to when you come from the mainland. The Sanibel Island hotels in the Mid Island area give you a central base for exploring the island.

The Sanibel Mid Island area is the heart of the island. Along Periwinkle Way in the Mid Island area you find many of the island’s restaurants and stores. That’s where most visitors go to have a bite or a refreshing drink.

If you stay at Sanibel Island hotels at Middle Gulf Drive or the eastern part of West Gulf Drive, you have easy access to Sanibel’s main strip. So then you effortlessly can get to the island’s hub of activity from your Sanibel hotel.

Although it’s called West Gulf Drive, the address still gives you central Sanibel Island access. A large portion of Sanibel Island remains west of West Gulf Drive.

With a location further west you have the famous J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge closer, compared to if you stay at Sanibel Island hotels nearer the lighthouse. The wildlife refuge is a unique Florida attraction and a Sanibel highlight.

In conclusion, Mid Island is the best place to stay on Sanibel Island if you prefer to be centrally located. At Sanibel Island hotels in the area you have a convenient base with easy access to the island’s main drag.

• Pick Mid Island for: Central Sanibel Island hotels.

Favorite location. Mid Island is the option for where to stay on Sanibel Island that gives you both solitude and maximum convenience. From Sanibel hotels in the Mid Island area you effortlessly get wherever you want to go on the island.

Recommended Sanibel Island hotels Mid Island

Island Inn – A superb beachfront Sanibel Island hotel

The combination of convenience and serenity makes Island Inn one of the best places to stay on Sanibel Island. It’s a beachfront Sanibel Island hotel that really embraces what vacation is all about.

At the delightful Island Inn you can hear the crashing waves and spot exotic birds. And with many of the island’s restaurants just a short ride away your whole stay at the Sanibel Island hotel is a true pleasure.

Shalimar Cottages and Motel – Location, location, location

Shalimar Cottages and Motel is positioned to make your Sanibel Island stay as comfortable as possible. Although it’s not a fancy hotel on Sanibel Island, its location has it all.

Steps from the beach and with just over a mile to restaurants on Periwinkle Way you location wise can’t beat Shalimar Cottages and Motel. It’s one of the beachfront places to stay Sanibel Island that offers the very best access to everything the island has to offer.

Anchor Inn and Cottages – Great value on Sanibel Island

Anchor Inn and Cottages on Sanibel Island offers a convenient Mid Island location. From the Sanibel lodging you even have walking distance to restaurants and shops.

In addition with its tranquil atmosphere Anchor Inn and Cottages is like a Mid Island oasis. It’s not a beachfront Sanibel Island hotel, but it is a great option for where to stay in Sanibel Island on a budget.

Far West – Stay on Sanibel near Captiva Island

The Far West of Sanibel Island is the very western part that’s closest to Captiva Island. It’s the option for where to stay on Sanibel Island that is located furthest away from the mainland.

In the Far West it’s really quiet and the area is often referred to as the peaceful part of Sanibel Island. Many island visitors never get to the Far West end of Sanibel.

Most hotels and resorts on Sanibel Island are located in the East End and Mid End areas. And it’s longer from Sanibel Island lodging in the Far West area to most restaurants on the island.

But in the Far West you have easy access to the island’s celebrated wildlife refuge J.N. “Ding” Darling. Another Far West highlight is Bowman’s Beach that offers stunning sunsets.

All in all, the Far West is a great option for where to stay on Sanibel Island if you don’t mind to be further away from the island’s main strip. It’s the most quiet Sanibel Island area, but maybe that’s exactly what you’re looking for.

• Pick Far West for: The most quiet Sanibel stay.

Captiva Island – Lodging near Sanibel on the sister island

Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, but the northern neighbor Captiva is an alternative for where to stay near Sanibel Island that’s known to be even quieter. Above all Captiva Island is a great destination if you want to get away from it all.

A big reason to that Captiva is so quiet is that it doesn’t have its own mainland connection. The bridge across the narrow Blind Pass that connects the beautiful Florida islands Sanibel and Captiva is the only way to reach the island by car.

Captiva Island is also much smaller than Sanibel Island. From some Captiva spots you even can see both the Mexican Gulf and the sound side.

But the small sister island just like Sanibel offers great amenities. On Sanibel’s northern neighbor you find superb Captiva Island beachfront resorts and some nice restaurants. Still the selection on Captiva is not as big as it is on Sanibel.

In short, hotels near Sanibel Island on Captiva are located even further away from the mainland pace. Captiva is a great choice if you like the idea of a downsized Sanibel with fewer visitors and things to do.

• Pick Captiva for: Exploring the well-hidden next island.

Recommended hotels on Captiva

South Seas Island Resort – A beachfront resort near Sanibel Island

The entire northern tip of Captiva is owned by South Seas Resort. The beachfront resort offers a truly unique location with landscaped grounds, a golf course and much more.

So if you search for a resort far away from it all, you don’t need to look further. For solitude South Seas Island Resort is an unparalleled place to stay near Sanibel Island.

Fort Myers – Hotels near Sanibel Island on a budget

Sanibel Island is a popular destination, and the high demand tends to make the Sanibel lodging rates steep. Therefore it’s not easy to stay on Sanibel island on a budget.

However, an alternative for where to stay near Sanibel Island on a budget is to look across the bridge.

Directly on the other side of the Sanibel Causeway you find several Fort Myers hotels. These Sanibel Causeway hotels are not on the beach, which means cheaper lodging rates.

Still the mainland Sanibel Causeway hotels are located less than 20 minutes from Sanibel Island. So from the hotels at the Sanibel Causeway it’s easy to take Sanibel Island day trips.

Slightly further away Downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach offer even more places to stay near Sanibel Island.

To sum up, Fort Myers is an alternative for where to stay near Sanibel Island on a budget. In little time you can get from the hotels near Sanibel Island in Fort Myers to the stunning Florida island.

• Pick Fort Myers for: Sanibel Island on a budget.

Budget location. Fort Myers is the perfect option for where to stay near Sanibel Island on a budget. Across the Sanibel Causeway the hotel rates are significantly cheaper than on Sanibel Island.

What to do when you stay on Sanibel Island

From beautiful beaches to incredible wildlife a Sanibel Island stay has all you need for a good time. The best things to do on Sanibel Island are not complicated, but that just makes them more appreciated.

Hang out on the beaches

Above all Sanibel Island is famous for its untouched beaches. Lighthouse Beach is usually a bit more crowded, but the further west you go on the island the more secluded the beaches feel.

Bowman’s Beach occupies the quiet western shoreline of Sanibel. Just a stone’s throw from Bowman’s Beach you find the neighboring Captiva Island.

There are several Sanibel Island resorts and hotels right on the beach. However, no matter where you stay on Sanibel Island you’re always close to the beach.

Admire Lighthouse Beach Park

The most iconic structure on Sanibel Island is its lighthouse. Since the 1800s the lighthouse proudly stands on the eastern tip of the island.

At the lighthouse, not far from some of the best Sanibel hotels in the East End area, you also on top of a beach find a small pier to enjoy. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or two from the Sanibel pier.

In the beautiful setting by the lighthouse it’s easy to have a good time. When you visit, it’s certainly not hard to see why Lighthouse Beach Park is such a popular spot for some fun in the sun.

Try some world-class shelling

As you visit Sanibel Island, the abundance of pretty shells is remarkable. For its great shelling conditions the island even is called the “Shelling capital of the World”.

Every day the island scoops up new spectacular shells from the Gulf of Mexico. The beaches on Sanibel Island are true hotspots for shellers.

Although you find wonderful shells all over the Florida oasis, the best place to stay on Sanibel Island for shelling is further west on the island. The further west you go, the less competition about the shells there is.

Explore the unique J.N. “Ding” Darling

No stay on Sanibel Island is complete without a visit to J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The impressiv refuge covers a large portion of the island’s northern coast.

Across the island from the luxury Sanibel Island beachfront hotels, the refuge is a timeless experience like no other.

Home to more than 200 bird species you never know what you’re about to see next. The refuge is truly a natural treasure on Sanibel Island.

Sanibel Island lodging on a budget

Sanibel Island with its beautiful beaches and impressive nature is as sought-after as ever. But if you know when to go it’s still possible to find more inexpensive Sanibel Island hotels and resorts.

Although it’s hard to visit Sanibel Island on a budget, there are more budget-friendly months to visit. You can save a lot on your Sanibel lodging if you travel outside the busiest time period of the year.

On Sanibel Island the peak season lasts from December to March. During these months it’s extra tough to find inexpensive Sanibel Island lodging. When the rest of America is freezing, the Sanibel Island hotel rates hit the roof.

Therefore if you visit Sanibel Island on a budget, you should try to avoid December, January, February and March. At other times of the year you find both cheaper Sanibel Island hotels and a less crowded island to enjoy.

Search for hotels on Sanibel Island, FL

Use the booking tool below to find the best places to stay on Sanibel Island. Browse the map for options in various areas, or click on the search button to get all Sanibel hotels listed.

Booking.com

Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay on Sanibel Island, FL.

Where should I stay when visiting Sanibel Island?

East End and Mid Island are the most popular Sanibel areas with many great Sanibel Island hotels. The Far West is further from the mainland and the island’s main strip but also a good option for where to stay on Sanibel Island if you look for seclusion.

Where to stay on Sanibel Island for shelling?

You find a beautiful environment for shelling on all Sanibel beaches. But the further west you go on Sanibel, the more uncrowded the beaches tend to be. Therefore the best places to stay on Sanibel Island for shelling are further west on the island.

Which are the best places to stay on Sanibel Island for couples?

In the untouched setting you can’t go very wrong when you look for the best places to stay on Sanibel Island for couples. However, Island Inn is constantly rated as one of the most romantic hotels on Sanibel Island.

Which are the best places to stay on Sanibel Island for families?

Sanibel Island is the definition of a tranquil destination, which makes it the perfect place for a memorable family vacation. The best places to stay on Sanibel Island for families include Tarpon Tale Inn and Colony Inn.

Is it better to stay on Sanibel or Captiva?

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are superb places to unwind. Both islands offer incredibly peaceful environments to enjoy. But further from the mainland the smaller Captiva Island gets fewer visitors and offers less things to do.

Is Sanibel Island or Fort Myers Beach better?

Sanibel Island is a Florida destination that’s famous for its relaxing setting. At Sanibel Island hotels you’re surrounded by nature. Fort Myers Beach is a livelier place with restaurants, bars and shops right at the beach.

Which is nicer Sanibel or Marco Island?

Sanibel Island is much more untouched than Marco Island. On Sanibel Island no buildings are permitted to be taller than the tallest palm tree. In contrast, you find several towering resorts on Marco Island. Which is nicer between Sanibel and Marco Island depends on the vibe you’re after.

Which part of Sanibel Island is the best?

What is the best month to visit Sanibel Island?

Is Captiva or Sanibel better?

Which has better beaches Sanibel or Captiva?