If you’re thinking about taking an island vacation, why not take one that’s a bit closer to home? Right off the cost of Florida, Sanibel Island is a great place for a family vacation or a romantic trip for two. The island is crowned with gorgeous white sand beaches, but lying out by the surf isn’t the only thing to do. If you’re wondering how you could take a more active role in your vacation, here are a few things you can do on this island.

For one thing, the island is definitely a haven for nature lovers of all sorts. You can always, of course, take walks on the beach. There are also some great bike trails through the island that can bring you within close proximity of some of the area’s wildlife. Plus, you can take specialized bird watching tours to check out many of the feathered friends of Sanibel Island.

Fantastic fun things to do await you on Sanibel Island!

It you really love the water, you don’t have to leave it for your entire vacation. Why not fish off one of the beaches or a charter boat? You could also go snorkeling or take some scuba diving classes. Those who really need to get their heart rates going can try water sports of all kinds on rented equipment that’s easily accessible on the island.

When you’re ready to get out of the sun for a bit and enjoy some evening activities, why not see a movie or visit one of the island’s museums? There are also art exhibits galore, and you can even visit one of the area’s antique shops to bring back a unique souvenir from your trip. You’ll find all this and more on Sanibel Island, so if you want a beach vacation where you don’t just lie by the water all day, it’s definitely a good option.

Finding a bike rental on Sanibel Island or Captiva Island is one of the best ways to start off an adventure. There are 22 miles of trails set aside exclusively for the use of bicycles on Sanibel Island. One will find Sanibel bike rentals available at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and from several vendors in the commercial districts. Of all the ways to explore this island, the silent, healthy experience provided by taking a bike off the beaten path is one of the favorites among visitors. A bike can deliver tourists to places where cars simply cannot travel.

Sanibel bike trails ribbon through the island and pass by all manner of sites. To explore the residential areas of the island, the Rabbit Road Trail is one of the best choices. This Sanibel bike trail is smooth and well-groomed and suitable for road bike travel. Along this trail, bicyclists will be traveling alongside a canal. The canal is a popular watering place for rabbits and it is from these furry residents that the trail takes its name. Not all of the residents of this trail of are the furry and cute variety, however. Expect to see a few reptilian snouts poking out of the canal waters near Sanibel bike trails.

Experience the beauty of Sanibel and Captiva by Bike!

Sanibel bike rentals and paths can be a bit more adventurous than the residential touring presented by the Rabbit Road Trail. The Wildlife Drive takes bicyclists down a road which is challenging and rugged, paved with dirt and shells. The road necessitates that one seek out a mountain bike from any of the Sanibel bike rentals providers. A very fit biker may be up to the challenge on a road bike but the narrow tires and lacking suspension would likely make it difficult to enjoy the beauty of this route. This route takes adventurers to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The Sanibel bike route is 4 miles in total.

One can use the Sanibel bike trails to explore the history of Sanibel. Sanibel bike trails such as the Middle Gulf Cemetery Route venture where cars cannot and will deliver guests to one of the island’s most important historical sites. The pioneer cemetery is along this route and holds the graves of many of the island’s first residents. This route is among the Sanibel bike paths that can be enjoyable on a mountain or a street bike. Sanibel bike rentals can easily be found for both models of bike.