Kayaking On Sanibel & Captiva Island
Kayaking on Sanibel & Captiva is some of the best around and there are many options to rent kayaks and many great spots to launch them! Adventure on the waters by going kayak fishing and exploring the abundance of wildlife and nature.
Sanibel Kayaking Rental Companies
Paddle Board Sanibel
Visit Paddle Board Sanibel Website
Paddleboard Sanibel rent Kayaks, Paddle Boards, and bikes. Kayaks start at $30 for 3 hours and the rates are more reasonable the longer the rental is with the most economical option being to rent for a week at $125.
Finnimore’s
Finnimore’s rents bikes, paddleboards, and beach equipment but also Kayaks! Their rates start at $30 for 3 hours, $45 for a day, and go up in increments to $135 for a week.
Sunny Island Adventures
Sunny’s rents bikes, paddleboards, boats, golf carts, and Kayaks! The Kayaks are rented on a first-come, first-served basis and you can not reserve them online ahead of your trip.
Tarpon Bay Explorers
Visit Tarpon Bay Explorers Website
Tarpon Bay Explorers rents Kayaks on a first-come, first-served basis! What is unique about renting from Tarpon Bay Explorers is they have a great launching pad that leads into their awesome Commodore Creek Trail where you will paddle through the mangrove trees surrounded by the most incredible wildlife. Rates start at $30 for 2 hours.
Adventure Tours & Rentals at ‘Tween Waters Inn
Adventure Tours & Rentals rent Kayaks out of ‘Tween Waters Inn. They offer a ‘Tween Waters Kayak Tour and a Buck Key Mangrove Kayak Tour and rates start at $40 for 2 1/2 hours.
Castaways Beach & Bay Cottages
Castaways is a good spot to rent Kayaks for fishing because it is near Blind Pass which is one of the best places to fish! The rates start at $30 for 2.5 hours.
Ocean Tribe Paddlers
Ocean Tribe Paddlers, part of the Sanibel Sea School, is a group who promotes exploring the ocean via Kayak & Paddle Board! They organize great group trips out to all sorts of cool places such as Picnic Island and have limited rental boards available. Membership starts at $50 a year for adults and currently, the trips are members-only however, check the website for updates as pre-pandemic, trips were also open to non-members.
Best Places To Launch For Sanibel Kayaking
You can launch your Kayak from any of the public beaches, though Bowman’s Beach does have a specified Kayak launch point. Please note, that parking at all the beaches is $5 an hour. There are a few other good spots to launch for your Sanibel kayaking adventures:
Tarpon Bay Explorers
This is a Great Kayak launch and rental, with access to breathtaking nature trails and the J.N. “Ding Darling” Wildlife Refuge, an awesome place for Sanibel kayaking! Don’t overlook this starting point as strictly a rental, bring your own Kayak and set off for the Sanibel kayaking adventure nearby!
J.N. “Ding Darling” Wildlife Refuge
You can also launch your Kayak directly from J.N. “Ding Darling” Wildlife Refuge and explore Wildlife Drive. This Kayaking Trail is perfect for any avid birder or wildlife enthusiast!
You can Kayak mostly on the right side of the trail next to the mangroves while the left side is filled with birds along the sand bar! Note you can not rent kayaks in the park, the nearest rental option would be Tarpon Bay Explorers or bring your own.
Castaways Beach & Bay Cottages Marina
There is a $25 fee for parking and launching your Kayak here however, it does allow the best access to Blind Pass where you can do some of the best Sanibel kayaking fishing. The docks that line Blind Pass are often stocked full of fish as they are significantly deeper and there is a current!
This launch point also puts you in a great spot to explore Buck Key, a preserved Island next to Captiva. The backwaters of this area are truly breathtaking and pristine, there are often not too many people kayaking here and it is much more secluded.
The wildlife is stand out along the Buck Key trail where you’ll find birds including bald eagles, schools of fish, dolphins, and sometimes sting rays!
The marina closes at 5 pm daily.
Andy Rosse Lane Kayak Launch
This public kayak launch is located at Andy Rosse Ln Park nearby Captiva Cruises. There is no parking available so it is best to bike or be dropped off at the Launch site.
From here you’ll be able to explore the open waters of the Captiva’s coastline and enjoy a paddle around at your own pace!
Launch from the Causeway
A popular place to launch is just over the bridge at the Sanibel Island causeway.
From here you’ll be able to take a paddle over to Picnic Island, a small Island off the coast of the Causeway known for its beaches and boat hangouts. Picnic Island is a great place to hang out for the day or even spend the night, as you are allowed to camp on the Island!
You can take it easy and hang out paddling around the causeway for some relaxed Sanibel kayaking. Look around for some wildlife, and watch out for fishermen and people participating in other water sports!
The Great Calusa Blueway
This massive collection of trails is 190 miles of Kayak and Canoe trails that cover all of the greater Sanibel and Fort Myers waters. There are 3 main sections to the trails and the level of difficulty ranges from novice to experienced.
A few of the points mentioned above will give you access to Phase 2 of the Sanibel Kayaking section! Here is a full list of access points through Sanibel & Captiva.
Barnacle Phils– Access point located on North Captiva with food, marina, and supplies.
Adventure Sea Kayaks– Access point at ‘Tween Waters Inn, offers rentals and guided tours.
Turner Beach At Blind Pass– Access point located on the beach with great shelling and swimming.
J.N. “Ding Darling” National Wildlife Refuge– Access point with Kayak launch and many other activities.
Tarpon Bay Explorers– Access point with Kayak rentals nearest to Ding Darling.
Sanibel Boat Ramp– Boat ramp on the east side of the causeway with launch area.
Sanibel Fishing Pier and Lighthouse– located at the tip of the Island with a launch site and paid parking.
Sanibel Causeway Island Park– Launching and parking are available along the Causeway beaches.
Punta Rassa Boat Ramp– Located before the Sanibel Bridge with a boat ramp, kayak launch, and paid parking.
Local Tips For Sanibel Island Kayaking
There are plenty of things to keep in mind when Kayaking on Sanibel Island from beginners to experts. Always keep these tips fresh in your memory!
- Remember that life vests are required to be on board for all passengers by law, anyone under the age of six must be wearing their vest at all times!
- Remain a safe distance from any marine or wildlife! You are entering the homes of many species, be respectful and keep a safe distance.
- Plan out your trip! It is important to make a plan and be prepared, as first-time Kayakers in the area make sure you get familiar with trails before heading out.
- It is important to check the tides before embarking on a Kayaking trip. Especially with South Florida’s temperamental weather patterns tides can change at a moment’s notice!
- Just as the tides are often changing so are the winds. Check wind patterns the day of your desired Kayaking trip!
- Avoid paddling alone, unless you are an experienced solo kayaker it is best to have someone with you at all times. Additionally try to have someone on land who knows your route and plan for emergency purposes, especially when traveling solo.
- Remain calm! If you are to fall out of your Kayak or flip, most waterways are about 4 feet deep. Stay calm, stand up, and resume your ride!
- Bring a flashlight, just in case. If you plan to set out very early or in the evening time, make sure you have a flashlight for dusk and dawn. We don’t recommend kayaking at night but in this case, definitely have high beam flashlights with you.
Wildlife Of Sanibel Island Kayaking Trails
Dolphins– While Kayaking in the waters around Sanibel & Captiva Island, almost anywhere you might come across some Dolphins! Especially on parts of the Calusa Blueway.
Bald Eagles– The best place to see a Bald Eagle while kayaking is Buck Key! There are many Eagles nesting in the trees, as you paddle past on the waters keep your eyes peeled on the trees.
Shore Birds– It is almost a guarantee that you’ll see Shore Birds on any Kayaking trip around the Islands. The most notable place would be Wildlife Drive, here you’ll see the whole left side of the trail is a sandbar of shore birds!
Manatees– Manatees are one of the most popularly spotted animals by Kayakers in the Sanibel area. Near the Mangroves and out in the open water keep a look out for these friendly gentle giants, sea cows!
Roseate Spoonbills– These beautiful pink birds are found all throughout J.N. “Ding Darling” National Wildlife Refuge and can sometimes be spotted via kayak!
Otters– Otters aren’t as common around the island but they can be spotted while visiting the J.N. “Ding Darling” National Wildlife Refuge!
School Fish– There are many groups of small school fish swimming around the waters, easily spotted on a sunny day when the water is crisp and clear!
Sting Rays– While sting rays tend to stay closer to the ocean floor on a clear day you may see them! Sometimes they’ll rise to the surface and see their wings flap in the waves!
Where To Stay On Sanibel Island
There are so many ways to stay and enjoy both Sanibel and Captiva Island! Choose from hotels, vacation rentals, and cottages.
Some of our favorite places to stay are Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel Inn, South Seas Island Resort Cottages, and any of the wide variety of Vacation Rentals!
Sundial Beach Resort and Spa
This resort ranks highly within all of Sanibel’s beachfront hotels! There are so many wonderful condo-style options all very spacious and fully equipped with a kitchen, living room, and dining area!
Of course, this resort is beachfront which adds even more ambiance to the beautiful tropical escape! Perfectly nestled among Sanibel’s shell-strewn shores this resort is definitely worth a stay.
Sanibel Inn
The Sanibel Inn has a much more homey feel to it! Their motto “where nature meets the sea!” is a great representation of what it feels like to reside here for a getaway!
The Inn is perfect for families, there are plenty of activities to do on-site and very nearby. Our personal favorite benefit is access to the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club throughout your stay!
👉 Take a look at Sanibel Inn’s amazing accommodations to start planning!
South Seas Island Resort
Our favorite part of South Seas Island Resort in terms of how to stay is its cottages! Many of them are beachside and you can choose between 2-3 bedroom options.
The resort is an entire vacation in itself there is so much to do onsite that you could spend the whole time at South Seas! With exclusive access to guest-only restaurants and other facilities such as pools, there is plenty to keep you entertained!
👉Check out everything the resort has to offer and start planning your stay!
Vacation Rentals
Sanibel and Captiva Island are home to a large number of vacation rentals, homes, cottages, condos, and more! All of which are privately owned and rented to visitors! Learn all about Sanibel’s best beachfront hotels and Captiva’s many cottages!
