Hi,
We will be visiting family in Bonita Springs in early August and are planning a day trip to Sanibel Island. We'd like to bike &/or kayak or canoe; see Wild Life Refuge and the lighthouse. Any recommendations on were to rent equipment? Where to have lunch? Should we plan on a whole day? Any other suggestions of things to do. There will be 2 adults and a teenage boy. Thanks.

I forgot to ask...We will be in Bonita Springs from a Fri- Mon. Which day would be best to visit Sanibel Island? (FL)

Probably best to do it midweek, although as long as it's not the weekend, it should be fine. There are lots of bike rental places along the main road. If I only had one day, I would rent a canoe and explore Ding Darling Refuge. You go with a ranger who will explain about the ecology. Really interesting. Then you can drive around to look at the birds. It's nice to do some research on the types of birds beforehand so you know what you're seeing. Enjoy.

It's funny, I'm also planning a day trip to Sanibel and staying in Bonita Springs. Just so you know, the Ding Darling Refuge is closed Friday, so try to avoid that day. I guess I would go on a Monday to avoid the weekend crowds. Unfortunately, we planned the trip before we knew about the preserve being closed on Fridays, so we are going on a Friday...still, there are many other things to do there (shelling, biking, etc) that I don't think we'll be bored. Have fun in Sanibel!


PS Have you been to Bonita Springs before? If so, could you share a bit of what it has to offer? It would be much appreciated.

Hi Andrea,
Sorry, I have not been to Bonita before. My parents just moved there this past fall. I bet someone reading these message boards has though. Maybe they will respond. I did learn that it is about a 45-75 minute drive from Bonita to Sanibel depending on traffic. These are the directions I received: Fastest way is to go north on US41, left on Gladiolus, left on Summerlin, follow signs to Sanibel.
We're going to try to go on a Monday. Hope you have a fun trip.

The people are right, avoid the weekend. Another place to visit is the shell museum. Sounds boring, but it is world class. Even if it is raining, you can get a tour of Din Darling on a covered trolley. In any case go. The place is ideal

August traffic shouldn't be too bad. Our busy time is now. I would go early to avoid the weekend beach traffic. I'll second most everything on the forum today plus world class shelling especially near Captiva Island. As far as Bonita Springs, well its one of the fastest growing areas of the state about midway between Ft. Myers & Naples. Development is rapidly running up the coast from Naples. Not much there except an old Florida wildlife zoo park on old US41. "The Everglades Wondergardens" & beautiful beaches & water. 3 days such a short time, enjoy

There is also wonderful canoing or kayaking at Estero, right next to Bonita Springs. There is a place right on US 41 at the Estero River that rents the boats and you go back into some pretty tropical and secluded water. And Bonita now has two of the entire area's nicer restaurants: Roy's and South Bay Bistro, both in a shopping center at Bonita Bay of US 41.