Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island, Florida, is perfect for beach walks, swimming, shelling, and relaxing on the Gulf.
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
Bowman's Beach Park Sanibel
Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island has great amenities perfect for a family-friendly day at the beach.
There is a playground, trails, outdoor showers, miles of shoreline to walk and look for shells.
Walk to Bowman Beach
It is a bit of a walk to Bowman Beach from the parking area. If you are bringing a lot of beach supplies you may want a beach cart or wagon to help move everything in one trip.
The walk from the parking area to the shoreline is .25 miles. It is gorgeous and an excellent opportunity to look for wildlife. When you cross Clam Bayou on the footbridge look for alligators, manatees, and birds.
Bowman Beach Amenities
Restrooms - There are restrooms available with flushing toilets which is always a bonus at a beach park.
Changing Rooms - Changing rooms are available near the parking area.
Other amenities include outdoor showers, bike racks, kayak launch, fitness trail/short hiking trail, bbq grills, water fountains
Kid's Play Area
The playground area has benches near it for adults to relax and watch their kids play.
Picnic Tables
There are great picnic areas with barbecue grills spread along the walkway to the beach.
There is also a shade pavilion which is available to rent.
Shelling
We enjoyed shelling along Bowman's Beach and found quite a few really fun shells. Please make sure to remember sunscreen and bug spray!
Make sure to check the tides to see when low tide is for the best shelling opportunities.
Shelling Tools
Shelling Set - This set has a sifter, shell scoop, shell bag, and foldable bucket
Shell bags - I like to carry a couple of different bags so I can seperate any small shells from large conch shells.
Sand Rake - Scoop shells out to make it easier to see them
Shark Tooth Sand Sifter Set - Portable beach sand sifter to look for shark teeth and shells
Why you will love Bowman's Beach
- Great shelling
- White sand beach
- Lots of space for families
Things to know when planning a visit to Bowmans Beach Sanibel Island
Address - 1700 Bowmans Beach Road, Sanibel, Fl 33957
Located on the western end of Sanibel Island
Phone - 239-472-6397
Hours - The beach is open Dawn to Dusk
Accessibility - Free Handicapped parking in any designated parking space with valid handicapped parking permit.
Plus Size Seating - We suggest bringing a beach chair you find comfortable to relax in. There are benches available in the park but they are not close to the water.
Dress Code/Suggestions - Beach casual, sunscreen, hat, bug spray, water, all the beach day essentials. Don't forget the bug spray, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and did I mention BUG SPRAY! The no see um bugs can be painfully present on the beaches of Sanibel
Pets - Dogs are allowed on Sanibel Beaches but must be on a leash at all times.
Bowman's Beach is owned by Lee County and maintained by the City of Sanibel.
Bowman's Beach Parking - Paid parking 24 hours a day. The parking fee can be paid by texting FL2530 to 25023, and you will be sent a landing page to pay for parking. There is also a QR code that can be scanned to get to the payment page.
There are 222 Designated Parking Spaces (three RV and two vehicles with trailer (kayak) parking spaces, first come, first served) in the parking lot.
Free Handicapped parking in any designated parking space with valid handicapped parking permit.
Parking Permits accepted - A or B, Lee County Parking Permits
Sanibel Restaurants and Attractions
Gulfside City Park Beach - also known as Algiers Beach on Sanibel Island, Florida, is a gorgeous stretch of sandy beach with great shelling.
Sanibel Captiva Beach Guide - Detailed information on Blind Pass, Turner Beach, Lighthouse Beach, and more
Doc Ford's - Great local restaurant that has been an icon on Sanibel for years.
Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel - One of the best breakfast spots on the island.
Sanibel & Captiva Island Tours
Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Sanibel Lighthouse Views Rated 4.9 with over 370 reviews. A 1.5-hour cruise that passes the Sanibel Lighthouse at sunset with dolphin sightings along the way. One of the most consistently well-reviewed tours in the area.
Daytime Dolphin Cruise Near Sanibel Rated 4.9. Passes the Sanibel Lighthouse and Twin Sister Key, a secluded island only reachable by boat.
Private Boat Tour - Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel A private option for groups or families who want a more personal experience on the water.
Sanibel Captiva Island Moke Adventure Day Trip Rental Rated 4.9 with 16 reviews. A self-guided day trip around Sanibel and Captiva in a vintage electric Moke vehicle. A genuinely fun and different way to see the islands.
Check out all of the nearby tours here
Sanibel & Captiva Island Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations.
Residence Inn Ft Myers Sanibel - Located right off the island is a great hotel with outdoor pool. Book here
Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort - Right off the Sanibel Causeway this Marriott has great rooms, an epic pool and easy access to the island. Book here
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, Sanibel and Captiva Island, and more.
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
Check out our Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok pages for more great ideas for the Gulf Coast.
Leave a Reply