There are a great deal of things to do on Sanibel Island when traveling with a family. Activities that appeal to kids of all ages from babies to toddlers to teenagers and beyond. Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation with a family. There are activities and family friendly places to visit for families of any size and children of any age.

Seasonal Events; Check out our seasons and celebrations blogs posts to see what is going on while you are visiting the Island Inn. Some of the best events to bring your family to on Sanibel Island are the Annual Shell Festival, Ding Darling Days, the Fourth of July Celebration, Easter, the Island Hopper Songwriters Festival, the Luminary Festival, Christmas, the holiday season, and many more! 

Swimming; The Island Inn has a heated and cooled pool that’s perfect for families and young children who want to take a break from the salt and sand of the sea. Bring your beach ball, floaties and diving toys and post up.  No matter if it’s July 4th or December 25th, the pool is kept at a perfect 86 degrees thanks to geothermal technology!

Island Tours; There are a variety of tours to take part in on Sanibel Island. From the land to the water you can see the best of Sanibel Island, guided by local experts who know it best. There are Land Tours to show you and your family historic buildings, museums, lighthouses and more. There is even a segway tour option to see the Island.

Boat Tours; There are Gulf and Bay Tours and Wildlife & Estuary Tours that offer a place to meet all of Sanibel Island’s world famous flora and fauna. Providing your family a firsthand experience with Sanibel Island wildlife such as dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, bald eagles and thousands of other wonderful plant and animal species that call Sanibel Island home.There are a variety of tours available to suit the individual needs and interests of your family. 

Museums; Sanibel Island is as rich in history as it is in beaches. We have historical sites such as the Sanibel Historic Museum & Village, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and just over the bridge is the, IMAG History and Science Center, Thomas Edison & Henry Ford Winter Estates, Sidney and Berne Davis Arts Center and the Florida Gulf Coast University Art Gallery. These museums offer a change of pace from the beach and water as well as a great escape from the occasional summer showers.

Shelling; Sanibel Island is known for their lush shelling brought to them by the Island’s unique shape and orientation. Sanibel is one of the only Barrier Islands in the United States whose shores face South. Almost all Barrier Islands run parallel to the mainland , while Sanibel Island juts out in a perpendicular manner. As the currents run up the slopes and sandbars off Sanibel’s shoreline, they slow, turn and drop their colorful shells. The Island Inn’s beach if coated in shells that are waiting to be picked up and marveled at.  In fact, it is said that the Matthews Family chose the Island Inn’s exact location all the way back in 1895 because it is situated on Sanibel Island’s most Southern Point and therefore “catching” the most and best shells available on Sanibel Island. 

Bike Paths; Sanibel Island is designated as a bike friendly community with, having more bike paths then they do paved roads! Rental bikes are available at the Island Inn. Our bike rental services offer child trailers, child tandems and baby seats for your littlest little ones. Check our recommendations for bicycle safety and tips of how to safely use the bike paths.

Guided beach tour; An exclusive amenity for Island Inn guests is our complimentary guided beach tour with a local and knowledgeable Certified Marine Naturalist from the Bailey – Matthews National Shell Museum. This is a great way for kids to learn more about the shells they see all over the beach along with all the wildlife your family will experience while visiting Sanibel Island. 

We recently had a family visit the Island Inn who documented their stay and all the activities they did on Sanibel Island. Check out our blog post with video about their stay.

As you can see, your family will have more than enough options when it comes to family-friendly activities on Sanibel Island.  Now, all you have to do is find time in between the beach and the pool to take advantage of them!