Complete Biking Guide For Sanibel Captiva


Finnimore’s Bike and Beach Rentals

Sanibel has over 25 miles of bike use paths and biking is one of the easiest ways to get around the entire island. 

Though some resorts will offer bicycles to their guests, there are numerous options to rent a bike either hourly or weekly from the numerous local outlets.

We couldn’t recommend a better way to explore with the whole family than Sanibel’s miles of bike trails!

11 Best Sanibel Island Bike Trails

#1 J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Entrance to Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve on Sanibel Island

This beautiful Sanibel Island trail is 4.25 miles of abundant nature, foliage, and local wildlife! The J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge’s trail is a quick and easy four-mile loop, well worth the ride for the amazing views and nature you will encounter.

An iconic Sanibel Island bike trail located in these popular parks is well known for its migratory bird populations, there will be a diverse set of species of birds throughout your ride. Marine life can also be spotted from the trail, look out for alligators and tortoises! 

The “Ding” Darling Refuge is home to this shared-use path popular for a fabulous walk or the perfect place to go biking and certainly one of Sanibel’s top points of interest!

#2 Periwinkle Way 

Jerry's Shopping Center Sanibel Island

One of the shorter rides on Sanibel Island’s bike trails is Periwinkle Way. Periwinkle from Lighthouse Beach to Tarpon Bay Road is approximately a 4.4-mile ride.

There are many restaurants and shopping plazas including Tahitian Gardens, Periwinkle Place, Jerry’s Shopping Senter, and many small, local businesses specializing in charming treasures unique to the island.

There is often an opportunity to catch beautiful views of the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse from the trails! 

#3 Sanibel Lighthouse 

sanibel xmas

2023 UPDATE The Lighthouse is fenced off at the moment due to damage from Hurricane Ian. Lighthouse Beach is open and there are 3 parking lots with bike racks.

Sanibel Lighthouse is a wonderful destination for any avid biker along the many bike trails. The Lighthouse Beach has an abundance of bike racks making it an easily accessible stop. 

#4 Sanibel Captiva Road 

Sanibel Bike Paths

When exploring the western part of the island bike trails, traveling along Sanibel-Captiva Road is a great way to get around, especially if you’re an avid sheller! 

Take a cruise down San-Cap Road on your bike and pass by the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum! This museum is a hidden gem of Sanibel and Captiva’s In fact it is the only museum in the United States dedicated to mollusks so it is worth the ride. 

The museum is located at 3075 Sanibel Captiva Road, choose any segment of this stretch to bike along, for an enjoyable ride. 

#5 Bowman’s Beach

Bowmans Sanibel

Traveling eastbound from Captiva Island don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Bowman’s Beach! A wonderful place to stop by on two wheels, Bowman’s Beach Park Recreational Trail is a 2.25-mile stretch just past Wulfurt Road.

This Sanibel Island bike trail is a staple and treasure trove for shellers, known to have some of the best shelling on Sanibel! There is plentiful parking and bike racks, other amenities include restrooms, showers, grills, and hiking trails. 

#6 Sanibel Causeway

Hugo Lingrens Causeway shot at sunrise on Sanibel Island

2023 UPDATE The Sanibel Causeway is closed to bikes at the moment. They are repairing the causeway due to damage from Hurricane Ian.

The Sanibel Causeway is a 3-mile stretch of small islands connected by bridges leading onto Sanibel Island. Biking onto the island via Causeway is a great way to avoid the toll fee that motor vehicles have to pay! 

Keep in mind these bridges are fairly steep on the way up so it is best that experienced bikers tackle this Sanibel Island trail!

Coasting down the Causeway you will find ample opportunity for the sea breeze and gulf views as the paths are extremely coastal to these islands. Once you’ve made it across there is a Causeway Blvd. loop that continues right, passing the Sanibel boat ramp, allowing you to go under the Causeway! 

This is a great location to cruise past the white sand beaches of Sanibel using the bike lanes found along the whole Causeway beside the main road!

#7 Middle Gulf Cemetery Bike Trail

sanibel cemetery on sanibel island

If you’re looking for a Sanibel Island bike trail to catch another piece of history on your bike ride, check out the Sanibel Island Cemetery. This historical site is an old part of town and houses the Cemetery that dates back to the 1880s and is only accessible by bike!

Traveling near the Casa Ybel resort just off of West Gulf Dr/Casa Ybel Rd you will come across Algiers Lane. Head South on Algiers and you will shortly reach a left turn, taking you to the historic Sanibel Cemetery. 

If you choose to take the middle gulf drive bike path, keep on going down Algiers Lane you will reach Gulfside City Beach Park and Algiers Beach! 

#8 Sanibel Island Observation Tower

bike path, Sanibel Island

Within the first 2 miles of Wildlife Drive in J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge, you will approach the Observation Tower. This first branch of the road is the most scenic with plentiful water and wildlife surrounding the area. 

If you aren’t able to take on the full Wildlife Drive path within the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge this is a brief alternative. Allowing for a short yet scenic way to enjoy the Sanibel Island Bike trails!

#9 Casa Ybel

tiki bar at Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island

2023 UPDATE Casa Ybel Resort is closed at the moment due to damage from Hurricane Ian.

Biking along Casa Ybel Road you will reach West Gulf Dr, this stretch of the road gives many opportunities to see some of Sanibel’s best spots. Along this path, you will find access points to the Sanibel Cemetery, Gulfside Park, and Algiers Beach! 

Of course, Sanibel Island’s Casa Ybel Resort is nestled on this trail as well! Biking here you will be able to enjoy  Coconut’s the resort’s bar and Thistle Lodge (the restaurant) with beach access points as well! 

#10 Tarpon Bay Road

Tarpon Bay Beach on Sanibel Island

Tarpon Bay Road is an excellent place for you to explore Sanibel Island’s Biking Trails, especially for those looking to see some wildlife! 

This Road is a north-south connector, about halfway along the road you will find the Bailey Tract. This area is known as a freshwater marsh filled with dikes that were constructed in an attempt to attract birds!

There are a handful of routes mapped out within the dikes, allowing for about 3 miles of unpaved eco-biking

#11 Rabbit Road Trail

Bike racks on Sanibel Island

Rabbit Road is one of Sanibel’s most scenic and simple biking trails fit for any skill level. This trail is a short connector between Sanibel and Captiva which parallels a canal.

The start of this trail can be found just past J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a great place to stop in as well! Expect to see beautiful foliage and elements of nature along this path. 

Getting To Sanibel Island’s Bike Trails

Sanibel Toll Booth on Sanibel Island

In order to enjoy Sanibel Island’s bike trails you must cross over the Sanibel Causeway bridge! This bridge requires a toll and it is important to know the rates before you go. 

If you HAVE a physical transponder in your car it is $6.00 to come to the island and it is free (no toll) to leave

If you DO NOT have a physical transponder in your car it is $9.00 to come to the island and it is free (no toll) to leave.

Cost of Biking On Sanibel Island Bike Trails

Blind Pass Beach - Sanibel Island

If you’re looking for a wonderful way to explore all of Sanibel and Captiva’s beauty without breaking the bank, biking is a great way to do just that!

If you have your own bike, coming on to the island the toll will cost you $6.00 with a transponder, and $9.00 without.

If you are going to be parking your vehicle at one of Sanibel or Captiva’s beautiful beaches, the average cost is $5/hr in all lots. 

If you are in need of a bike and would like to purchase a rental, most of the shops on Island will cost any where from $12 (for 4 hours), up to $90 for two-weeks!

Rates will vary depending on the company you choose to rent from, the duration of your rental, and the type of bike you are in search of. We have suggested some of our favorite place to rent a bike below!

Best Bike Rental Companies on Sanibel

There are several places to rent bikes and, the rental companies offer a bunch of options including specialist bikes, hybrids, multi-speeds, and attachments to tow the kids. It is also common for Sanibel Island hotels to have bikes available for guest use!

Most Sanibel Island bike rentals will come with baskets on the front so it is easy to bring along water, beach supplies, and anything you may need whilst riding through Sanibel Island’s bike trails. 

Rental companies typically will not let you use their bikes on the beach for wear and tear reasons. However, you can ride bikes on the beach.

Billy’s Rentals/Billy’s Bike Shop And Segway

1509 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957

239-472-5248

Visit Billy’s Rentals Website

Billy’s Rentals, Sanibel island

Finnimore’s Bike And Beach Rental

2353 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957

239-472-5577

Visit Finnimore’s Website

Finnemore's Bike Rental, Sanibel Island

Sunny Island Adventures – Closed at the moment due to damage from Hurricane Ian

5400 Plantation Rd, Captiva, FL 33924

239-312-4094

Visit Sunny Island Adventures Website

Sunny Island Adventures, bike retals, captiva island

YOLO Watersports

11534 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, FL 33924

239-472-9656

Visit YOLO Watersports Website

Sunny Island Adventures, bike retals, captiva island

Can You Rent and Ride Electric Bikes?

Electric Bikes/ E-Bikes, Class 1 electric bicycles are allowed on shared-use bike paths. Class 1 e-bikes have to peddle assist only (no throttle) and operate under 20 MPH.

You can rent E-Bikes on the island, keep in mind the rules and regulations!

At the end of this article, we have linked and detailed our favorite spots to rent bikes!

Biking Safety On Sanibel

  • Use lights at night. Rear red light and reflector, and white front light are the minimum required by Florida traffic laws, more is recommended.
  • Headsets/headphones are not allowed while cycling.
  • Electric Bikes/ E-Bikes, Class 1 electric bicycles are allowed on shared-use bike paths. Class 1 e-bikes have to peddle assist only (no throttle) and operate under 20 MPH.
  • Riders under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet.
  •  Use hand signals to let others know your intentions.
  • Use an audible signal when passing others. It could be a Bell, a horn or even just a verbal warning, “passing left”.
  • Ride on the right side of the path.

Where To Stay on Sanibel

Crooked Snook Tiki Bar South Seas Captiva Island

If you’re looking to turn your biking trip into a Sanibel Island stay there are many options available on both Sanibel and Captiva Island! Everyone vacation’s differently and these Islands are equipped with a wide variety of accommodations and options for any itinerary! 

There is something for everyone whether it is a resort, vacation rental, waterfront accommodation, or even a Campsite/RV Park

Whichever way you choose to stay you can guarantee that the Sanibel Island bike trails and beach won’t be far! 

Staying on the Island’s is such a wonderful way to escape from reality and live your life in paradise. Planning a stay will give you plenty of time to explore all the wonders of this secret oasis. 

There are so many things to do on the Island, make sure to get a bike and start exploring!

rental bikes on beach, sanibel island
Biker on Sanibel Bike Paths
castaways bikes, sanibel island

Maps For Sanibel Island Bike Trails