When the sun is glowing and the air is warm, there are few better places to be than the beach. It’s the ideal environment and the definitive locale for the summer.
You can find a dizzying number of fun things in Sanibel and Captiva Islands to do without ever leaving their sandy shores.
But what about the winter? What do you when the sun is just a bit dimmer and the air is just a little crisper?
What are some fun things to do at the beach during the winter season?
Shelling
A winter in Sanibel and Captiva is incredibly mild. So you certainly don’t have to worry about trekking through the snow to get to the beach, only to see the water glossed over in an icy sheen. With that said, the winter is a time to do a few specific beach activities. Every winter season, we see families combing the beach for shells. It’s a great and simple activity.
Some of the best shells are often found at the top of the beach and away from the water line. It’s an easy way to keep the kids away from the water so you don’t have wet and cold feet and pants coming back to your car. A shell guide can also be a great “can you find them all” activity for the whole crew.
The crowds are usually a little sparser during the winter, so you don’t have to worry about sneaking around feet to find some excellent shells. Shelling is one of the all-around best family-friendly activities in Sanibel & Captiva Islands.
Kite Flying
The winter often brings on some larger-than-life winds. There’s no better season to fly a kite. You may have the open beach to yourself, while you fly your favorite mascot character or a classically-designed kite as high as it can possibly go. Like kite flying, a lot of the fun things in Sanibel & Captiva Islands you can do revolve around a little creativity and imagination.
The Sunset
During the winter seasons, the sun settles right on the horizon line in the gulf. It’s direct front-and-center. It makes for that picture-perfect postcard moment.
A Hot Chocolate Picnic
We love the idea of a hot chocolate picnic. We suggest this idea to many of our family winter guests. It’s so much fun to take a quick walk on over to the beach and sip cocoa as the waves crash. We offer rentals right by the water, so you can comfortably mosey on down for an afternoon at the beach.
You can bring all the snacks you want, just as long as you dispose of your trash. Have a picnic on the beach, cuddled up with family.
Read a Book
Every season, we see a number of people draped on the beach with a book in hand. The duller sun makes the pages easier to read. You aren’t fighting for a good angle and the crowds are quiet and minimal. The cool air and the dazzling beach acts as the ideal backdrop to escape deep into an enriching story.
Wildlife
Sea turtles, heron, and more, Sanibel and Captiva islands light up with wildlife during the winter. The wildlife gets a little frisky and active for the season.
We have many different activity ideas. We compiled a list of things to do when the sun is bright and shiny or when the sky is dark and rainy.
We also have numerous vacation rentals near Sanibel & Captiva Islands. Have the vacation experience of a lifetime. Enjoy some of the quietest coastlines in Florida. We love the subdued and relaxation nature of Sanibel.