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SANIBEL ISLAND VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA |
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Outdoor Recreation in Sanibel Island |
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| You can engage in a plethora of outdoor activities while visiting Sanibel Island. While biking, be sure to wear a helmet and follow one way rules. Fishing opportunities are endless but all Florida State fishing laws apply. |
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• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Fishing
• Water Sports
• Tennis
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| Biking |
25 miles of paved bike paths are maintained that lead to almost wherever you want to go on the island. Bikes are not allowed on the beach. You can organize some great bike trips for the entire family to various points of interest.
The Wildlife Drive is a rough 4-mile route around J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Adults over the age of 16 must pay $1 to enter the drive. Take an easy 1½ miles of Dixie Beach Road which will take you to the San Carlos Bay through Periwinkle Way.
Bailey Road-Dunes Circle is a 2½ mile bike loop passing through the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club. Look for an add-on biking route from the entrance of the club that will take you to Bay Road.
You can enjoy the company of small gray marsh rabbits early morning on the Rabbit Road Trail. Between West Gulf Drive and Sanibel-Captiva road you can also spot herons and alligators. Sanibel’s cemetery is not accessible by car. The Middle Gulf Cemetery Route continues to the beach at Gulfside Park. |
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| Bird Watching |
Wildlife Drive scores not just for biking but for bird watching opportunities as well. Snowy egrets, great egrets, reddish egrets, herons, white ibis, and roseate spoonbills can be easily sighted. Plan your bird watching trip here during low tide hours as this is when you will find the maximum number of birds feeding.
Other places to sight birds are the interior wetlands, the Center Tract at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, the Bailey Tract, and Sanibel Gardens Preserve. The beach is also a good place to sight gulls and other birds. Sanibel prohibits hand-feeding any birds. |
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| Fishing |
Sanibel Island offers first-rate offshore, inshore, pier, beach, and wade fishing opportunities. Varied species can be caught all through the year.The Gulf of Mexico has several artificial reefs and wrecks that are home to black grouper and red grouper. Shark, tarpon, cobia, and barracuda are some other offshore species. Snook, redfish, sea trout, and tarpon can be caught inshore or back bay.
Fresh and salt water fly fishing can be enjoyed at Sanibel Island. Species that can be caught include permit, ladyfish and snappers. Snook, sea trout, whiting, sheepshead, flounder, mackerel, and pompano can be caught on the causeway beaches, Bowman’s Beach, the beaches near the lighthouse, and the beaches off West Gulf Drive.
Pier fishing will see a catch that will include redfish, snook, sheepshead, black drum, and snapper amongst other species. Species that can be caught all year are snook, redfish, sea trout, Spanish mackerel, snappers, and grouper. Summer and spring give anglers an opportunity to catch tarpon, pompano, cobia, and permit. During fall and spring king mackerel, tripletail, and black drum take bait. Sheepshead can be caught in winter and spring.
Tarpon Bay in J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is popular for salt water fishing. Sheepshead, snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout are the commonly caught fish.
Fishing licenses need to be purchased by most residents and visitors for salt-water and fresh-water fishing. The Bait Box on Periwinkle Way, Bailey’s Center, Tarpon Bay Recreation and all the marinas sell licenses. Children under 16 and adults over 65 need not buy a license. Many fishing guides and charters are available for your convenience. |
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| Water Sports |
Many scuba diving and snorkeling sites make for great under water adventure. Popular ones include the Edison Reef, the Belton Johnson Reef, and the Peagus/Charlie’s Reef.
Kayaking and canoeing facilities are available at the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Canoe Adventures and Tarpon Bay Explorers ply guided kayak and canoe tours. |
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| tennis |
| You can polish your service skills at the Beachview Golf and Tennis Club and the Dunes Golf and Tennis club. |
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