Everyone comes to Sanibel for the beach. The shelling. The sunsets. And they should — the beaches here are some of the best in the country.
But most visitors leave the island without discovering half of what makes Sanibel special. Beyond the sand and surf, this 12-mile barrier island has championship golf inside a wildlife preserve, world-class tennis on clay courts, a pickleball scene that draws players from across the country, a national wildlife refuge that covers a third of the island, 25 miles of bike paths, and dining experiences that go far beyond the typical beach bar.
If you are planning a trip to Sanibel — or you already live here and want to get more out of the island — here is everything worth doing when you are not on the beach.
Golf Through an Audubon Wildlife Preserve
This is the activity that surprises most first-time visitors.
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club is an 18-hole championship course designed by 10-time PGA Tour winner Marc McCumber. It sits inside an Audubon-sanctioned wildlife preserve, which means your round of golf doubles as a nature experience. Water comes into play on 17 of the 18 holes. Osprey dive into the lakes. Great blue herons stand on the greens. Alligators sun themselves near the cart paths. And on a quiet morning, you might spot a bobcat crossing between the tree lines.
The course plays 5,606 yards at a par 70 with a slope rating of 129. It is not a resort layout — it rewards shot-making and course management. But it is open to the public, and non-members can book tee times up to five days in advance.
The club also has a 3-time PGA Tour winner, Nolan Henke, on the teaching staff. Private lessons, clinics, and a full practice facility with the Aqua Driving Range are available daily.
If you play golf and you are on Sanibel, this is a round you do not want to miss. There is nothing else like it in Florida.
Book a tee time: (239) 472-3355 | sanibeldunesresort.com
Pickleball
Pickleball has exploded on Sanibel. The island’s demographics — active, social, competitive — are a perfect match for the fastest-growing sport in the country.
The Dunes has four dedicated pickleball courts, which is the largest dedicated pickleball facility on the island. Daily clinics cover fundamentals and strategy for all levels. Drop-in sessions let you show up and get matched with other players. Private lessons are available for players who want focused instruction. And the Tennis Concierge will pair you with a partner or group at your skill level if you are visiting alone.
The Sanibel Recreation Center also offers courts and pick-up play for visitors who purchase a daily or weekly membership.
Whether you have been playing for years or have never picked up a paddle, pickleball is one of the most social, accessible activities on the island — and a great way to meet people.
Reserve a court at The Dunes: (239) 472-3355, option 2 | sanibeldunesresort.com/tennis
Tennis on Har-Tru Clay Courts
Sanibel has some of the best tennis facilities in Southwest Florida, and if you have never played on Har-Tru clay courts, you are in for a treat.
The Dunes has six Har-Tru courts, recently resurfaced, with daily adult clinics at 8am, private and semi-private lessons, and league play. The surface is softer than hard courts, easier on the joints, and plays cooler in the Florida heat — which matters when you are playing outdoors in the summer. The Blackwood Tennis Academy runs a satellite program at The Dunes, offering high-level instruction for players of all abilities.
Sundial Beach Resort also offers tennis with six HydroGrid clay courts and a pro shop on-site, primarily for resort guests.
Tennis at The Dunes: (239) 472-3355, option 2
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
If you only do one thing on Sanibel besides the beach, this should be it.
Ding Darling covers more than 6,400 acres — roughly one-third of the island — and is one of the most important wildlife refuges in the United States. Wildlife Drive is a four-mile loop that takes you through mangroves, mudflats, and waterways teeming with birds, reptiles, and marine life. Roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, white pelicans, ospreys, and dozens of other species are commonly spotted.
The best time to visit is at low tide, when wading birds congregate in the shallow flats to feed. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photography and the most active wildlife.
The refuge also has several hiking trails, a kayak launch at Tarpon Bay, and the Education Center with exhibits on the island’s ecology. Wildlife Drive is open every day except Friday.
Admission: $5 per vehicle for Wildlife Drive.
Biking the Island
Sanibel has more than 25 miles of paved shared-use paths, and biking is one of the best ways to experience the island at a pace that lets you actually see it.
The paths connect most of the major destinations on the island — from the lighthouse at the east end to Bowman’s Beach and beyond. You can ride to Ding Darling, stop at the Shell Museum, loop through residential neighborhoods with canopy trees and wildlife, and end up at a cafe on Periwinkle Way without ever riding on a busy road.
Several rental shops on the island offer bikes by the hour, day, or week. Billy’s Bikes and Finnimore’s Cycle Shop are two of the most popular. Electric bikes are also available if you want to cover more ground with less effort.
A morning bike ride followed by lunch is one of the best half-day activities on Sanibel for couples and families.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium
Sanibel is one of the top shelling destinations in the world, and the Shell Museum takes that fascination deeper than any beach walk can.
The museum features the Great Hall of Shells, live touch tanks, a living gallery with aquariums, and rotating exhibitions. Keeper Chats run daily and are worth timing your visit around. The giant Pacific octopus exhibit, added in 2026, has been a standout for visitors of all ages.
This is one of the best air-conditioned activities on the island for a hot afternoon — educational, interactive, and genuinely interesting even if you have no prior interest in shells.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
The calm waters around Sanibel and Captiva are ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. You can paddle through mangrove tunnels, spot manatees and dolphins, and explore parts of the island that are only accessible by water.
Tarpon Bay Explorers, located inside Ding Darling, offers guided kayak tours, rentals, and sunset paddles. Several other outfitters on the island provide rentals and guided experiences for all skill levels.
A sunset kayak through the mangroves is one of the most memorable experiences you can have on Sanibel — and one that most visitors never think to book.
Lunch, Happy Hour, and Clubhouse Dining
After a morning of golf, tennis, or pickleball, the clubhouse at The Dunes is one of the best lunch spots on the island — and one that most visitors do not know about because it sits off the main road.
Lunch is served daily from 11am to 3pm. The menu includes the signature steak sandwich with caramelized onions and gorgonzola fondue (which has been called the best sandwich on Sanibel), coconut shrimp, crab cakes, red grouper, and a burger that competes with anything on Periwinkle Way.
Happy hour runs daily from 3 to 6pm with cocktails, appetizers, and sunset views over the 18th fairway. The patio overlooks the golf course, the lakes, and the palm tree-lined horizon — and at sunset, it is one of the most beautiful dining views on the island.
The clubhouse is open to the public. You do not need to be a member or a golfer to eat here.
Lunch and happy hour: (239) 472-3355
Periwinkle Way Shopping and Galleries
Periwinkle Way is the main street through Sanibel and the center of the island’s shopping and dining scene. It is not a strip mall — it is a collection of small, locally owned shops, art galleries, boutiques, and cafes tucked into tropical landscaping.
Highlights include Tower Gallery for fine art, Sanibel Art and Frame for local artists, MacIntosh Books for a well-curated independent bookstore, and She Sells Sea Shells for — well, exactly what you would expect. The Periwinkle Place shopping center and Tahitian Gardens both have clusters of shops worth browsing.
This is a low-key afternoon activity that pairs well with lunch on the island.
CROW — Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife
CROW rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured and orphaned wildlife from across Southwest Florida. Their visitor education center on Sanibel offers daily presentations, a look at current patients, and educational exhibits on the region’s wildlife.
It is a short visit — about an hour — but it is one of the most meaningful things you can do on the island, especially with kids. The stories behind the animals they are treating are fascinating, and the work CROW does is critical to the island’s ecosystem.
Swimming, Pool, and Sundeck
If you want a pool day without the beach crowds, The Dunes offers a swimming pool and sundeck that is available to members and summer members. The pool area is quiet, well-maintained, and surrounded by tropical landscaping — a much more relaxed alternative to the public beach access points.
Summer memberships at The Dunes start at $999 for a single and $1,299 for a family, and include unlimited pool and sundeck access along with golf, tennis, pickleball, dining discounts, and more. For visitors staying on the island for a week or longer, the membership often pays for itself through activities alone.
Summer membership info: (239) 472-3355 | sanibeldunesresort.com/membership
The Sanibel Lighthouse
The Sanibel Lighthouse, built in 1884, sits at the eastern tip of the island near Lighthouse Beach. You cannot go inside the lighthouse itself, but the grounds, the fishing pier, and the beach are worth the visit — especially at sunrise.
The area around the lighthouse is also one of the better shelling spots on the island, particularly after a storm or strong tide.
How to Build the Perfect Day on Sanibel
Here is what a great non-beach day on Sanibel looks like:
7:00am — Tee off at The Dunes. Play 18 holes through the wildlife preserve before the heat sets in.
10:30am — Finish your round. Cool down at the clubhouse bar.
11:00am — Bike ride along the shared-use path from Sand Castle Road toward Ding Darling.
12:00pm — Lunch at the Dunes clubhouse. Steak sandwich, coconut shrimp, and an iced tea on the patio.
1:30pm — Visit the Shell Museum. Spend an hour in the air conditioning exploring the exhibits.
3:00pm — Happy hour at The Dunes. Cocktails and appetizers on the patio as the sun starts to drop.
5:00pm — Sunset at the lighthouse or from the Dunes patio.
That is a full day of activities — golf, biking, culture, dining, and a sunset — without setting foot on the beach.
The Details
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club 949 Sand Castle Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-3355 Open to the public — golf, tennis, pickleball, dining
Book a tee time | Reserve a court | View summer membership
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club is located at 949 Sand Castle Road on Sanibel Island. The club features an 18-hole championship golf course inside an Audubon wildlife preserve, six Har-Tru tennis courts, four dedicated pickleball courts, a swimming pool and sundeck, and a full-service clubhouse with lunch and happy hour daily. Summer memberships are available from May 1 through September 30 starting at $999. Follow us on Instagram for events, course conditions, and island updates.