Sanibel’s Bowman’s Beach is the northernmost beach, nearest to Captiva, and has been named among the top ten beaches in the world by U.S. News Travel. Bowman’s is pristine and quiet offering miles of sandy beach and is a renowned destination for shelling and birding. One tip for finding the best shells is to step waist-deep in the water and dig your feet into the sand until you feel the shells with your toes. The “Sanibel Stoop” is the term residents use to describe the profile many take when shelling. The location and unique shape of Sanibel (it runs north south and then curves west to east) make it an ideal collection point for rare shells.
The City of Sanibel maintains Bowman’s Beach in its natural state. In addition to being one of the best beaches, Sanibel Island has earned numerous accolades for practicing eco-tourism. Amenities at Bowman’s Beach include public parking, canoe and kayak launch, hiking and walking trails, fishing, public restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic pavilions, grills and a playground.