Sanibel Island has several public beaches for visitors to enjoy. Photo Courtesy of Kyle Sweet, Sanctuary Golf Club Superintendent.
Alison Hagerup Beach Park: Located at the end of Captiva Drive, this beach is a great spot for enjoying the sunset. There is a small parking lot and you can find watersport rentals nearby.
Blind Pass also Known as Turner Beach: This beach is located on both sides of Blind Pass on both Captiva Island and Sanibel Island. This beach attracts shellers, fishermen, surfers and has beautiful sunsets. The currents can be swift and parking is limited.
Bowman's Beach: Located on Bowman's Beach Road off of Sanibel-Captiva Road, this beach is secluded and attracts shellers, bird watchers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Be aware that from the parking lot there is a hike through the estuary to reach the beach. Many years ago, Bowman's Beach was known as the nude beach on Sanibel. Be aware that there are NO clothing-optional beaches on Sanibel or Captiva Islands.
Causeway Beach Park: Located on both sides of Causeway Road, these beaches are a popular gathering place for picnics, windsurfers, jet skiers, fishermen, and swimmers. The sunsets are beautiful and parking is abundant. There are facilities, picnic tables, and no parking fees.
Gulfside City Park: Located on Algiers Lane off of Casa Ybel Road, this beach offers picnic tables, a nature trail, and facilities. Loggerhead turtles frequent this beach and their nests can be seen staked off by volunteers. Respect these nests by not entering the areas that have been marked by the Turtle Patrol.
Lighthouse Beach: Located at the east end of Periwinkle Way, this popular beach is home to Sanibel's Historic Lighthouse which is still operating. This beach is popular with shellers, boaters, families, and fishermen. Lighthouse beach offers nature trails, facilities, a fishing pier, and two parking areas.
Tarpon Bay Beach: Located at the south end of Tarpon Bay Road at West Gulf Drive, this beach has parking for recreational vehicles. There is a short hike to the beach from the parking lot.
Fun Fact: While there are no nude beaches on Sanibel, long-time island residents will tell you that nude sunbathers use to gather on the beach west of Bowman's Beach. One islander and talented local artist was known to take a shotgun loaded with salt pellets down to the beach and threaten to shoot the nudists. I have on one occasion been shocked to find several nudists gathered on North Captiva Island north of Charlie Pass. It was interesting trying to explain what was going on to my young children who were on the boat with us. Now we look back and laugh about the day we had 20 plus naked adults singing "In the Jungle" to our group of unsuspecting boaters…. and no, we didn't stay for an encore.