Sanibel Island is famous for the abundance of seashells found on its beaches. But among dog owners, it's even more famous for something else you'll find on its beaches. Dogs! That's right. Each and every one of the beaches on Sanibel Island is pet friendly.
And it doesn't stop there either. You'll find pet friendly establishments all over the island. In fact, your dog will probably even be welcomed to the island with a dog biscuit if the toll booth operator spots him in the car on your way through.
If you've come to practice the Sanibel Stoop (that's local for shell collecting), you'll want to head straight from the toll booth to one of the island's many beaches. Just continue onto Sanibel-Captiva Road and turn left on Periwinkle Way to reach Lighthouse Beach or continue going straight to reach Bowman's Beach, Algiers Beach, and the rest of the island's many beaches.
Of course, there is more to Sanibel than the beach. You can enjoy a 4.5-mile scenic nature and wildlife tour by car in the J. N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge; take a 2.5-mile walking tour of Old Town, or go fishing off the Lighthouse Fishing Pier. No worries if you don't catch anything. There are tons of great restaurants in Sanibel and Captiva that cook up some of the tastiest fresh seafood dishes in the state. And, as you'd probably expect, many of them have outdoor tables where the pooch can join you.
Leashed dogs are allowed on all Sanibel beaches, but Bowman's Beach is definitely our favorite. It's a bit of a hike from the parking lot to the beach, but totally worth it. The sandy beach stretches for miles, and is literally covered with shells. Plus, it's somewhat remote location makes for less of a crowd. That means you won't have to fight for all of the good shells. Just remember to bring a bucket - you're going to need it!
To get to Bowman's Beach, take Sanibel-Captiva Road west toward the tip of Sanibel Island, and turn south on Bowman's Beach Road. You'll see a sign for the beach just past the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. From there, it's about a quarter of a mile further to the parking area.
There is a $2/hour parking fee until 7pm, but beach access is free otherwise. Picnic tables, barbecue grills, and restrooms are available, and there's an outdoor shower for cleaning off sandy paws. For more information, call the Sanibel Island Parks & Recreation
Office at 239-472-6477.
