With over 25 miles of bike paths on Sanibel Island, you can discover the wildlife preserves, explore the beaches, or just casually cruise around the island. A tour of Sanibel by bike is the perfect way to see our island.
Our “shared-use” bike paths run next to most of the roads, making them a convenient option for getting around, but they also allow for you to get places you normally wouldn’t be able to by car. Plus, due to the island being very flat, biking around Sanibel is a breeze! The paths provide access to beaches, J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the C.R.O.W clinic, a historical lighthouse and village, the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, restaurants, shops and just about anywhere else you would like to get to on the island.
Where to Ride Your Bike on Sanibel
You can bike nearly the entire island, but here are a few of our favorite sections of trail:
Wildlife Drive through J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful way to see birds and alligators, flora and fauna. This spectacular 6,300-acre nature preserve is home to over 200 species of birds, alligators, mangrove forests, and more. The road is a four-mile loop within the refuge and there are also gravel side trails to explore. Cyclists pay $1 per person.
The Sanibel Causeway is open and free to bikes. The causeway is three bridges connected by manmade islands that have been developed into popular parks. Enjoy the trip over the Pine Island Sound with gorgeous views of water and islands.
The Rabbit Road Trail is a scenic section of path that runs parallel to Rabbit Road, behind homes and along a canal. Early birds will get to enjoy small gray marsh rabbits frolicking, herons wading, and alligators floating.
East Gulf Drive on the eastern end of the island is a fun area to explore. Ride your bike to visit Sanibel Island's 120-year-old lighthouse and fishing pier. In this old section of town, several roads are hard-packed sand lanes end in waterfront sites where only bikes can park.
Bike Rentals on Sanibel
Of course, you can bring your own bike to Sanibel, but if you need to rent one, check out these local bike shops!
