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Our Guide to Plan Your Fall Vacation on Sanibel Island

18 Sep 2019
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Trip Planning

Sanibel Island in the fall offers beautiful weather, small crowds, and even some lower prices. There is so much to do this time of the year in Southwest Florida. Since the weather has cooled, it’s more comfortable to explore the area’s nature preserves and parks. Plus, there are several annual events and holiday celebrations to make your stay even more special.

These are a few of our favorite reasons to visit Sanibel Island in the fall. 

Outdoor Recreation

bird on sanibel

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most popular nature preserves in the area, offering scenic trails and more opportunities for recreation. Fall temperatures are much milder than during the peak summer heat, but they are still warm enough to enjoy these parks. Take a bike ride, go for a hike, or even rent a canoe to explore the waters. 

Annual Events

sanibel food festival

The Annual CROW Taste of the Islands is among Sanibel and Captiva local’s favorite events. Raising money for the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, the Taste of the Islands event showcases some of the area’s best food, live music, and entertainment. Admission is free for kids and $7 for adults. Tickets can be purchased on-site for food and drinks. 

Halloween

little girl on halloween

Get spooky on Sanibel Island. While we don’t have the fall foliage here in Southwest Florida, we have plenty of Halloween events for all ages. The Spooktacular Trolley event is perfect for those 21 and older, while Farmer Mike’s Haunted Corn Maze is a family-friendly affair. Are you more into the scary side of Halloween? Take a haunted walking through the historic Fort Myers Rivers District, home to paranormal activity and ghostly sightings. 

Thanksgiving

dolphin cruise sanibel island

Want to celebrate Thanksgiving with a view? The Thanksgiving Sunset Dolphin Cruise is a perfect non-traditional way to celebrate the holiday. After you’ve enjoyed your Thanksgiving meal, jump on board a cruise ship with Adventures in Paradise to watch the sun go down. You’ll see birds take flight through the mangrove islands and estuaries while learning about the local history. 

Plan Your Sanibel Island Vacation

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island offer the perfect setting to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Celebrate this season’s holiday events while digging your toes into the sand and hearing the crash of the waves. Can you imagine a better setting? Book your Sanibel Island vacation rental with us and start planning your fall vacation.