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Beautiful sunsets are as big a part of Sanibel Island as the sand and surf for visitors and tourists. Seeing a Sanibel Island sunset is a calming and peaceful experience that never gets old. Follow our map and tips to for the best spots to view a Sanibel sunset.
Blind Pass Beach
Known as a great beach with fantastic shelling opportunities, watching a Sanibel Island sunset at Blind Pass, where Captiva and Sanibel islands meet, is a great place to watch a sunset. Do some shelling while you’re there too. Here’s how to become a Sanibel shelling expert.
Parking tip: Get there before dusk with some wine and do some shelling beforehand because the parking lot is small and fills up early.
Schedule a sunset charter at Port Sanibel Marina to see a Sanibel Island sunset.
Gulfside City Park
Gulfside City Park is a great public park with beach access and picnic areas and a shower area too.
Bonus tip for early risers: Gulfside City Park also has great eastern views of the Fort Myers Beach skyline, making it a perfect spot to look to the east and see a beautiful pink sunrise emerge from the Fort Myers Beach skyline.
Sanibel Causeway
Take a walk over the beautiful Sanibel Causeway and stop at the top to see a Sanibel Island sunset. The causeway is also a great place for a summer drive. Look closely in the distance and you can see the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in the background.
Sanibel Lighthouse
Speaking of the Sanibel Island Lighthouse, it’s also a great spot to catch a Sanibel Island sunset. Enjoy Lighthouse Beach while you wait for the sun to drop into the Gulf of Mexico.
Sanibel Island sunsets are always enjoyable on Bowman’s Beach.
Enjoy a stroll over to Bowman’s Beach, which has a large swath of sand large enough for everyone to enjoy a great sunset. If you’re driving by car, make sure you have cash or credit cards to pay for the $2 per hour parking fee.
Sanibel Fishing Pier
Is fishing your idea of a perfect vacation? Grab your poles and bait in the late afternoon and enjoy fishing on the Sanibel Lighthouse Beach and Fishing Pier while you wait to say farewell to the sun for the evening on the fishing pier.
Waterfront Restaurants
If you’re looking to eat and drink at a quaint beachfront restaurant while watching a sunset, many claim The Mucky Duck on Captiva Island near Sanibel Island is a great no-frills relaxing spot to catch a sunset on the deck. You can also sit at the outdoor bar enjoying a cocktail. It has plenty of outside beachfront to enjoy your sunset.
There are several other waterfront restaurants to enjoy a good meal and a sunset, including The Lighthouse Restaurant. Here’s a local waterfront restaurant recommendation list to help get you started.
Sanibel Island Sunset Green Flash
Most likely to be seen in the winter months, the green flash is a phenomenon where the sun can be seen changing color briefly to a flash of green for just a second or two as it sets over the Gulf on a clear winter night. If you’re extremely fortunate, you might see this during a summer Sanibel Island sunset on a night with clear skies, lower humidity and no cloud cover.
Check out this YouTube video of a Green Flash experience taken courtesy of a guest at The Castaways Beach and Bay Cottages on Sanibel Island to see a Green Flash experience.
Rent a Boat
The best place to watch a great Sanibel Island sunset is from a boat while you enjoy outdoor water activities and good times with friends. Rent a boat or schedule a sunset charter at Port Sanibel Marina. Our charter captains can tell you where to go to see great sunsets on the water or take you on a private sunset charter. If you need a place to stay, rent a fully furnished condo at Royal Shell Vacation Rentals. Give us a call at (239) 437-1660 to plan your trip and water sports activities today!
