When planning a trip to southwest Florida, finding the best places to watch the sunset on Sanibel Island should be a top task on your list. It is one of the most scenic places you can visit and the sunsets on the island are truly spectacular. The best part is that you can explore each and every one of these magical places and have a different sun set every day of your stay.
The best places to watch the sunset on Sanibel Island are:
Each of these places offers a unique atmosphere and reason for watching the sunset there.
Our guide below examines each of these spots and tells you what you’ll find when viewing the sunset. You’re guaranteed to find the perfect spot to watch the sunset on Sanibel Island.
There’s absolutely nothing like watching the sunset on a beach. If you want to experience a truly breath-taking sunset that you will never forget, you’ll be sure to find a stunning beach on Sanibel Island where you can relax and wait for the sun to dip below the horizon. There’s an unusual loveliness to the beaches on Sanibel Island. It doesn’t hurt that the island is also gifted with an abundance of shells and has won awards for having some of the best beaches in Florida. Sanibel Island has been ranked as one of the top ten places to escape the snow in the U.S. So, even if you’re here for the sunsets, there’s so much more to stay for.
Bland Pass Beach is right at the tip of Sanibel Island and connects to Bowman’s Beach. There are signs which warn against swimming at Blind Pass Beach due to strong currents. So, while it is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the sunset, taking a dip in the water is discouraged.
You can find amenities at Blind Pass Beach, including:
Be sure to get there early for a parking spot so you can enjoy the best of this beautifully clean beach.
Bowman’s Beach is pristine and quiet – there are no hotels or beachfront cottages. Here you can find:
This is an incredible beach to watch a sunset – you can park and walk over a bridge to a secluded white, sandy beach.
Also known as Algiers Beach to the locals due to a steamboat of the same name once pulling up there. The amenities include:
This beach is a fabulous spot for picnics, so if you would like to bring delicacies to enjoy while watching the sunset, you will have found a perfect spot in which to do so.
A Sanibel Island sunset can provide a beautiful backdrop to a meal at a waterfront restaurant. Whether you’re enjoying it with family or a loved one, you will have an unforgettable experience in one of these tempting waterfront restaurants.
This is a delightful restaurant that’s also considered one of the best romantic restaurants on Sanibel Island. It boasts an award-winning menu blending Floridian, Asian and European flavors to suit even the most discriminating of palates. Here, you can enjoy delicacies such as:
Is your mouth watering yet? And imagine sampling the menu above, all with the Sanibel Island sunset in the background.
For a more laid-back, but equally world-class quality, try Normandie. Their exceptional menu will provide you with tempting offerings such as:
Normandie knows how to treat their produce well to get the best flavors and they also enjoy some of the best sunset views on the island so you can relax with a chilled glass of wine and watch the sunset.
If you can catch the Sanibel sunset from a boat, then you will have an unforgettable magical experience on your vacation. Take a dolphin tour to truly experience how close by nature is, just a stone’s throw from the beach. You can expect to see a huge variety of aquatic wildlife, including Sea Turtles, Osprey, Manatees and Bald Eagles. If you want to see both dolphins and a sunset while on the water, then there are specially designed trips that can accommodate you.
Easily one of the best places to visit on the island and also one of the quickest to get to if you're just stopping by the island. Make sure you arrive early to get a good parking spot – even with so many available, this popular island destination fills up quickly, especially at peak times. Just make sure you’ve got your bugspray with you to avoid the no-see-ums in the dusk.
Spanning the San Carlos bay, the Sanibel Causeway connects the Sanibel Island with the Florida mainland in Punta Russa. There are beautiful views whenever you cross the causeway, and it has places to stop on either side so you can pause to admire the view and take in the Sanibel sunset.
Royal Shell perfectly blends local knowledge and outstanding customer service to offer you the best Sanibel Island vacation rental experience on the market. With over 25 years of experience, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re getting the best recommendations and options for where to stay on Sanibel Island. Whether you are looking for a cottage rental on Sanibel Island or a luxurious, secluded villa, we have properties to suit every taste and budget.
Check our availability today or give us a call at (855) 842-8316. Our vacation rental experts are ready to help you plan the perfect Sanibel Island vacation.
Note: Sanibel Island has a 7-day to 30-day minimum stay requirement which varies by property.
