South Florida is not only known for beautiful beaches, but also for its world-class shopping opportunities. A popular place for bargain hunters is Sanibel Outlets. Thousands of positive reviews speak for themselves: This shopping complex near Fort Myers is one of the best outlets Southwest Florida has to offer. Guests who expect an anonymous concrete block are in for a surprise: At Sanibel Outlets, rows of beautifully designed shops stretch under lush palm trees – the perfect backdrop to purchase beachwear or souvenirs for your loved ones at home. Unlike many malls in the Sunshine State, Sanibel Outlets is rarely overcrowded and offers a pleasantly relaxed shopping experience. Free parking and WiFi are part of the customer service, as well as the exciting playground for young shoppers.

Sanibel Outlets Offers – Essential for Bargain Hunters!

Today, the name “outlet” is no guarantee for outlet prices anymore. Fortunately, this shopping paradise is an exception to the rule. At Sanibel Outlets, you can still strike amazing bargains. The stores offer discounts of up to 70%, in addition to weekly specials as well as summer and winter sales. If you want to stay up to date on deals and offers, you should join the VIP Club on the official website www.sanibeloutlets.com. And if you really want to save money, get the free Coupon Book at the Mall Office and enjoy additional discounts of 10–20%.

Sanibel Outlets – Location, Directions, Parking and Hours

Vacationers in Cape Coral are quite lucky: They can reach Sanibel Outlets in just 15 minutes via the Cape Coral Bridge. For guests based in Fort Myers, the ride is even shorter. Sanibel Outlets is also a perfect stopover if you want to go shopping on your way to the scenic islands of Sanibel and Captiva. The outlet is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm. On Sundays, it opens at 10 am and closes at 6 pm.

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Overview of travel times from other cities

• Cape Coral – 0,25 hours
• Captiva Island – 0,5 hours
• Daytona Beach – 4 hours
• Fisher Island – 3 hours
• Fort Lauderdale – 2 hours
• Key West – 5 hours
• Miami – 2,5 hours
• Naples – 0,75 hours
• Palm Beach – 3 hours
• Pine Island – 0,5 hours
• Sanibel Island – 0,25 hours
• Venice – 1,25 hours

Sanibel Outlets FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

In the south of Sanibel Island lies a beach that amazes visitors with its crystal-clear water, white sand and unspoiled surroundings. Here, you can go walking, swimming and sunbathing to your heart’s content. What is more, Sanibel’s Lighthouse Beach is also a perfect place for shelling, surfing and fishing.

LIGHTHOUSE BEACH IN A NUTSHELL

The first thing that catches the eye at Lighthouse Beach Park is the Lighthouse from the 19^th century. You may not be allowed to climb it, but the historical building offers an interesting photo op against the backdrop of the turquoise ocean.

Arriving at the beach, you are greeted by fine sand and lush palm trees. The level of cleanliness can only be described as excellent, and the water is warm enough to swim from March to December. Thanks to moderate currents and a shallow drop off, even small children can safely play in the water. At the northern section of the beach, the waves are stronger, making this part a haven for wind surfers and sailors.

Lighthouse Beach is also an ideal place for nature lovers. Not only seagulls and pelicans hunt for fish here. Dolphins can be spotted off the coast, while starfish are often found in the shallows. Turtles that feed on the dune grass are another common sight.

By the way: Do not be confused if you meet beach-goers armed with buckets and shovels. Sanibel Island is known for its many seashells, and Lighthouse Beach is no exception. The best shells can be collected in the morning, before most visitors hit the beach.

No trip to Lighthouse Beach would be complete without the Sanibel Fishing Pier, where you can catch redfish, sheepshead and snappers. A fishing license can easily be obtained at Walmart, and bait is available at the Bait Box Shop 2 miles away. Of course, the pier is also perfect for a walk, with wooden roofs providing some shade. Info panels tell you all about Sanibel’s bird life. In addition, the pier offers beautiful views of the Sanibel Causeway. The sunsets here are legendary.

AMENITIES, DIRECTIONS AND PARKING AT LIGHTHOUSE BEACH

At Lighthouse Beach, clean toilets and showers are available. Restaurant, however, are non existent, so you should pack some snacks. An umbrella is also a good idea as natural shade is only found at the section around the Lighthouse. The beach is located in a nature preserve, so dogs have to walk on the leash.

Coming by car, you will reach the Beach Park via Periwinkle Way, a road that you follow up to the Lighthouse. There, parking spots are available for 5 USD per hour. Unfortunately, there are no free alternatives for motorists. However, Sanibel Island is small enough, so you can easily get to the beach by bicycle.

Scenic nature, warm water and colorful seashells galore – Bowman’s Beach in the west of Sanibel is a top destination if you want to soak up the sun in a relaxed atmosphere.

WHAT MAKES BOWMAN’S BEACH SO SPECIAL?

The most striking feature of Bowman’s Beach is its secluded location. Unlike at Lighthouse Beach, you will not find any hotels or vacation homes. This already becomes apparent on the path to the beach, where info panels shed light on the regional flora and fauna. Bowman’s Beach stretches behind unspoiled natural dunes. Here, fine sand, clear water and excellent cleanliness await you. And the best thing is: Most visitors frequent the area closest to the entrance. Therefore, if you walk a bit, you will always find a quiet spot, even on the weekend.

With all this natural beauty, it comes as no surprise that Bowman’s Beach is teeming with wildlife: Pelicans hunt for fish off the shore, little rabbits feed on the dune grass, and in the water you can see stingrays and dolphins. If you are lucky, you might even spot Florida’s manatees in the river behind the beach.

Shelling is a popular pastime at Bowman’s Beach. The colorful seashells are washed ashore in abundance, especially after storms. Tip: The best shells are found in waist-deep water. However, remember to wear sandals, so you do not cut your feet.

Thanks to the clean water and warm temperatures all year round, swimming is no problem here. The beach has a shallow drop off, so it is perfectly suited for families with small children. Those who bring their canoe or kayak can explore a river that is teeming with fish. And of course, no day at the beach would be perfect without enjoying the amazing sunset.

Despite its natural flair, Bowman’s Beach features some amenities for visitors: e.g. toilets, showers, water dispensers, change rooms, vending machines, a playground, picnic tables and barbecue areas. However, you have to bring your own food, as there are no restaurants at the beach. You should also pack some insect repellent if you want to relax near the dunes. Natural shade is in short supply, so it pays to bring an umbrella. Dogs are welcome at the beach, as long as they walk on the leash.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING SPOTS

Bowman’s Beach is the most secluded beach on Sanibel Island. To get here, follow the Sanibel Captiva Road and make a left turn to Bowman’s Beach Road after the fire department.

On-site parking costs 5 USD per hour from 7 am to 7 pm, but is free at all other times. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the beach. Please note: On the weekend and holidays, even Bowman’s Beach sees its fair share of visitors. Therefore, you should arrive early to get a parking spot.

Sanibel Island Information & Travel Tipps – learn what makes Sanibel Island the ideal place for your next vacation.

Best Sights and Attractions

Rest and Relaxation far from mass tourism – this is the main selling point of Sanibel, an island in Lee County. Here, regulations dictate that no building can be taller than a palm tree, so big hotels are non-existent. For a long time, Sanibel Island could only be reached by boat – a fact that added to its exclusive atmosphere. Still today, the island does not feature big restaurant chains or even traffic lights. Instead, traffic is regulated the classy way: by policemen with white cotton gloves.

Sanibel Island attracts visitors with its scenic beaches, and thanks to pleasant temperatures and warm water, you can swim here all year round. Alternatively, take a stroll on the beach and fill your pockets with colorful sea shells. Nowadays, Sanibel Island can be reached comfortably via the Sanibel Causeway. The car ride from Cape Coral only takes 30 minutes. Of course, you can always just rent a boat and dock at the extensive Sanibel Marina. The island itself only measures 12 miles in length and can easily be explored by bicycle.

If you have not already collected enough ocean treasures on the beach, you can visit “She Sells Sea Shells“. This aptly named little shop offers beautiful jewelry made from shells, as well as Sand Dollars, little crustaceans that resemble coins. More shells and fossils are displayed at the Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum. Here, you can also see necklaces created by Sanibel’s native inhabitants. For a journey to the old days of Sanibel, visit the History Museum with its exhibits from the 1920s or take a stroll through the historic city center. Sanibel has always been a favorite place for artists who want to capture South Florida’s natural beauty. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the BIG ARTS gallery, which also serves as a venue for theater shows and concerts.

Beautiful Beaches

The beaches of Sanibel Island are not only known for their fine sand. Nowhere else in the USA will you find more sea shells than here. Most popular with vacationers is Bowman’s Beach. This coastal spot attracts sun worshippers, shell collectors and wind surfers alike, without being overly crowded.

Located further to the north is Blind Pass Beach, a perfect spot for fishing and watching dolphins off the coast. Do you like romantic walks? Then, Sanibel’s lighthouse is ideal for you. This historic building has helped captains navigate the island’s waters since 1884. Nearby, at beautiful Lighthouse Beach, you can watch pelicans hunting for fish. In the evening locals and visitors alike gather at Sanibel’s beaches to watch the sunset. If you are lucky, you might even see the “Green Flash” – a phenomenon that occurs shortly before the sun sets on the horizon. For more scenic beaches, visit Captiva Island: Sanibel’s neighboring island is just as beautiful, but even more quiet and secluded.

Nature lovers will feel right at home at the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. This preserve makes up almost a third of Sanibel Island and is home to animals like herons, pelicans, alligators and Florida’s famous manatees. From May to October thousands of sea turtles are hatching on the beaches. Visitors have the choice to hike on trails through the mangroves or explore the park by car or bicycle. In addition, the refuge features rich fishing grounds teeming with trout, snook and redfish

Accommodation and Restaurants

Sanibel Island does not house any big hotels. But this does not mean that the island is lacking accommodation options. A popular place for vacationers is the Island Inn, a 3-star hotel directly at the beach. Here, guests will find spacious rooms and a restaurant with live music. Located slightly to the east is the Casa Ybel Resort with 114 luxurious rooms. Some of them come with their own balcony and spectacular ocean views. The resort also features a cocktail bar right next to the pool. Scenic nature and a casual, relaxed atmosphere await guests at the Kona Kai Motel. In additional, Sanibel Island has no shortage of vacation houses for rent.

For hungry visitors Sanibel offers a wide variety of local and international dining options: from steak restaurants and vegetarian choices to Chinese food and Italian pizza. Looking for excellent seafood and Latin specialties? Then have a seat at Doc Ford´s Rum Bar & Grille. There is hardly a better place for dessert than Pinochio´s Original Italian Icea Cream. Their Sanibel Krunch ice cream with nuts and roasted coconut flakes is particularly popular. Another highly rated restaurant is Trader´s Café and Store. Here, guests enjoy fish specialties and shrimp cocktails in elegant surroundings.

Climate and Weather

The weather on Sanibel Island is moderately warm, with average temperatures of 23.3 degrees Celsius. However, there is a high chance of precipitation the whole year round – even during December, the driest month. Main season lasts from November to April, but vacationers can still enjoy plenty of sunshine during the summer months.