If you are looking to enjoy a relaxing vacation, Sanibel Island will not disappoint. Located in Southwest Florida, Sanibel Island attracts visitors year after year because of the beautiful beaches and the abundance of wildlife. However, once many travelers step onto the island, they become enamored with the seemingly endless options for shopping. Whether you need a little retail therapy or just want a taste of tropical themed finds unique to the island, Sanibel Island has it.
Shopping on Sanibel Island is an unforgettable experience thanks to numerous unique island shops. From tiny mom and pop boutiques to colorful souvenir stores, there’s something to find for every shopper.
Our comprehensive Sanibel Shopping Guide below gives you a preview of what to expect and shops on the island that you can’t miss.
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As mentioned, there are a lot of different types of shops in Sanibel, and firstly, we will take a look at the different island boutiques here. A lot of people comment on how amazing the boutique stores are here, as you can find lots of different independent stores that you are not able to find anywhere else in the world.
This is one of the most popular locations on Sanibel Island. Here you will find a shopping mall where there is something for everyone. From the whimsical to the elegant, every door is going to invite you into an exciting and new shopping experience. You will find jewelry, toys, unique collections, designer labels, and much more. There are also plenty of places to stop and grab a bite to eat. After all, we all know how shopping can work up an appetite!
This is a great area for unwinding and relaxing as well, so if you want to enjoy a day out, it’s worth penciling Tahitian Gardens in. There are some really great places here for all tastes. If you are looking for women’s fashions, C. Turtles is a popular shop. In fact, there are a lot of celebrities who shop here, and when you go into the store you can see photos of celebs wearing their latest fashions.
Another great place in Sanibel is Periwinkle Place. This is located just down the street from Tahitian Gardens. It is a lush paradise of boutique shops that are ideal for relaxing, as you can enjoy the day strolling along this beautiful part of Sanibel Island. One of the highlights here is the original Chico’s, which opened in 1983. Chico’s is a store that sells women’s apparel and clothing, as well as accessories and jewelry. Clothes are available in sizes 0 to 20. If you do visit this part of Sanibel, take a trip to Classic Collections. This is a shop that has plenty of home decor and jewelry, which really captures the island feel here.
If you are someone who likes to take souvenirs back with you from your travels, you won’t be short of options at Sanibel Island. In fact, one place where you will be able to find all of your souvenirs is on Tarpon Bay Road at Suncatchers’ Dream. This shop has a diverse and exciting range of gifts available and you can also benefit from a gift wrap service at no extra charge.
Other local and visitor favorite souvenir shops include:
We have all been there; you arrive at your holiday destination only to discover that you have left something at home. Sound familiar? You don’t need to worry, though, as there are plenty of places where you will be able to pick up anything you have forgotten. Bailey’s General Store is a good place for this sort of thing. A lot of people get their groceries here. There is a great selection of daily fresh goods, as well as cold and hot takeout. The shelves are stocked with tasty food, so you can fill up your pantry and fridge at your vacation rental. You will also be able to pick up your daily newspaper and all of your hardware needs are covered as well. There is even fishing tackle and bait here too!
If you have left your book at home and you have nothing to get lost in while you are on the beach, fear not, as you can take a trip to Gene’s Bookstore. This is an amazing place to browse and buy. There is a great selection of books, including non-fiction and fiction on many different topics and also children’s books too.
We have already introduced you to a number of exciting shops in Sanibel, yet there is more to come! Take a trip to the B Unique Boutique if you are looking to add some stylish pieces to your wardrobe. Here, you will find a great range of bags, scarves, jewelry, and garments, all of which have been curated by the wonderful Miss Sandra. Miss Sandra not only has impeccable taste but she is a caring and warm personality who makes the shopping experience at her store a true delight.
The Sporty Seahorse is another place that is definitely worth a mention. Here you are going to find a varied selection of goods. This includes both women’s and men’s sport clothing, beach clothes, footwear, beach decor, and much more. You will find some great metal craft birds, including pelicans, great blue herons, egrets, flamingos, and much more. There are also some excellent coffee mugs, dishes, glassware, and home decor items. You will be spoiled for choice.
Another area that we recommend is The Village Shops. This is a charming part of Sanibel Island. You have the opportunity to shop and be pampered while here. The area is home to the most popular hair salon on the island, so you can always start the day off with a bit of pampering. Then, why not check out the array of stunning, upscale boutiques? These exclusive boutiques are filled with one-off pieces of clothing that you will not be able to find anywhere else. If you consider yourself a bit of a trendsetter, you definitely need to make time to stroll through the Village Shops.
Not only does this shopping center have the delightful olde Florida charm but it is actually a pet-friendly shopping center as well. This plaza has become a favorite amongst both tourists and locals.
There are many great boutiques here including:
If you are looking to purchase resort wear, there are a number of good spots for this. Of course, the obvious place to start is with Sanibel Resort Wear. The shop is open seven days a week and was established in 1980. It is a family run business, which can be found at Tahitian Gardens. You will find the famous Sanibel perfume here, as well as sterling silver jewelry, sandals, hats, swimwear, and women’s clothing. The items available here come from a number of different brands, including Sun & Sand, Focus, Clara Sun Woo, Comfy, Escapada, and Tribal.
Despite the name, Fresh Produce does not sell food. It is a clothing store! From vibrant tunics and stylish dresses to carefree skirts and casual tops; Fresh Produce creates feel-good clothes that you can wear on a daily basis. If you want to add some color and personality to your wardrobe, you cannot go wrong here. The store is known for comfortable and easy-to-wear pieces that are flattering on all sizes and shapes.
Island Pursuit is another store that we recommend. It can be found on Periwinkle Way. It is a store that enables you to live an endless summer. What could be better? The first Island Pursuit store was founded by Michael Valentino in 1983. Today, you will find nautical-inspired and timeless looks for women and men from coast to coast. Buying items from stores like this makes you feel like you are always on your own island pursuit.
When it comes to shopping in Sanibel for fishing gear and such like, most people would recommend taking a trip to Whitney's Bait and Tackle. This has been voted the best fishing equipment store and fishing charter in Sanibel since 2013. You will find a great selection of apparel, tackle, and bait for all kinds of fishing. The staff here are really knowledgeable and friendly. If you don’t know what to look for or you cannot find something, they will always be more than happy to help you.
If you are looking for some Island Treasures to pick up before you leave Sanibel, there are lots of great spots, so we will end this guide by going over those.
Wilford & Lee, which is at Tahitian Gardens, is a good spot for purchasing some beautiful coastal decor, which can add color and character to your home while also being a constant reminder of island life. Whether you are looking for a tropical lamp or another type of statement piece, you’ll have plenty to find here. If you visit other parts of Southwest Florida, you may come across one of their other 4 locations throughout the area.
On Island is another great place for island treasures, designed to help tourists bring the island feel home with them. You will find comfy hoodies, performance wear, fishing shirts, quality t-shirts, and hats for children, men, and women. You are also going to find travel hammocks, pillows, drinkware, beach towels, and much more. If you want to enjoy a beachy shopping experience, you can’t go wrong here.
The last place that we recommend for island treasures that you will not find anywhere else is Watson MacRae Gallery. This has gained a reputation as one of Southwest Florida’s most premiere art galleries. It offers unique, contemporary, and premium quality fine crafts and arts. A new exhibit is displayed each month ensuring that repeat visitors will be wowed each time they visit. There are 30 regionally and nationally acclaimed artists represented, each with a unique vision. This results in a varied assortment of different paintings and art works with an underlying energy of spirit. If you want to find something truly unique to take home with you from your trip, this is the place to get it!
After a long day of shopping on Sanibel Island, you’ll likely want to relax and unwind. This is where Royal Shell Vacation Rentals comes in. We have an extensive portfolio of world-class vacation rentals on Sanibel Island. With over 25 years of providing these rentals to visitors of Sanibel Island, there’s no better choice.
We make sure that your vacation rental experience is absolutely perfect. From booking your property to saying goodbye to the island, you’ll experience a stress-free, easy process. Whether you’re getting a Sanibel Island vacation home rental for your whole family or a small condo, we can help you.
Contact us today and let our vacation rental specialists find the perfect property for you.
Note: Sanibel Island has a 7-day to 30-day minimum stay requirement which varies by property.
