Lighthouse Beach & Fishing Pier

Absolutely loved it!!! Enough people to people-​watch while not being too crowded. Great shelling, as reported. Beach is a bit narrow at high tide but it makes everyone spread out so you get a great view. Toilets and parking on site. Parking is $ 4/​hour and there’s a $ 6 toll to get onto the island.

**The important thing to remember anywhere on Sanibel if you are coming for shelling, is that it changes constantly due to the weather and time of year it is. But overall, it is the best place to go shelling in the world really because of the plates and island shape.**
I absolutely love Light house beach. It’s the closest once you come onto Sanibel and the views are fabulous. Shelling of course is hit or miss, but the atmosphere and experience you can’t beat. If you arrive early on an extremely low tide day a lot is exposed and you can see some really neat sea creatures and find great shells. I love the extremely low tide days when you can walk very far out and still only be up to mid calf, the dogs really love it when it’s like this too!
Very dog friendly, on leash, for dogs. If you are not used to having your dog on the beach, I recommend do NOT let them eat /​chew on any shells, especially the razor clam shells as they break easy. And check their paw pads after to make sure no shell have cut their feet. But my dogs LOVE the beach.
Parking is limited and can get expensive at $ 4.00 an hour if you plan to stay for a while. But they do have newer nice public restrooms provided in the parking lot. Sanibel police does patrol regularly, so make sure you do pay.
Great location to shell, experience the beach /​wide life, watch boats /​people watch and just enjoy some fresh air.

Beautiful day to take in some sun & shelling! Lighthouse did not disappoint as there were shells galore. Picked up some beauties (tulips, cones, conch, augers, nutmegs, etc…). Parking was tough as we got there at 11, so make sure to get there early this week with spring break crowds in full effect.

This is our favorite beach in the area. We like that it’s quieter and more relaxing than Fort Myers Beach. We’ve had the good fortune to see dolphin and manatee playing in the water. The beach has sand that is soft and pleasant under your feet but it also has lines of shells and shell fragments that are washed ashore from the tides. This makes the area fun to shell but you’ll want to watch your step if you’re barefoot. Parking is $ 4/​hour. You pay at a kiosk and then display the time-​stamped ticket on your dash. There are boardwalks leading to the outdoor showers and restrooms. The boardwalks are lined with trees and provide some afternoon shade in this area. The fishing pier is popular and watching birds dive for the fishermen’s catch can be entertaining. Bring your own snacks and drinks because there are no concessions at this location. There are picnic tables near the lighthouse but these tend to fill up early, not unlike the parking lots. Plan to arrive early (or late), especially during season, if you want to avoid circling for parking.

This review is overdue, but comes from a weekend in October of a «staycation» where me and the BF decided to get out of Lauderdale and head to the West Coast of the state for a little R&R.
We hit up Siesta Key on Saturday first, then drove down here on Sunday. The two places are so polar opposite it’s insane. Siesta is a beach full of families, littered with kids. The sand is powder fine, white, like the kind you fill sandboxes with. Sanibel is littered with shells, rockier, and it’s so desolate and quiet that there aren’t many people there.
We came on a weekend in mid-​October at the beginning of high season so there weren’t a TON of people here yet, I imagine if we went this weekend things might be different. The beach is very different than Siesta because there might be 20 yards of sand before you hit dunes, meanwhile there were 200+ at Siesta and the walk to the car was forever. The beach here feels very private, because there simply isn’t the real estate to seat a ton of people. In addition, the dense strips of seaweed, sea glass and shells make even fewer places to set a chair or towel.
The gulf was cold in October-​even by Florida standards, the ocean is MUCH warmer. But here is where you come for a romantic getaway-​we were soaking in sun away from all the commercial beach hullabaloo of Lauderdale and the kids screaming in Siesta. It was almost silent. Here is where they must come to record the ocean sounds that they use to put people to sleep. Perfection.
There was also a fishing pier around the other side of the island, we didn’t go fishing because we didn’t have time or bring gear. Keep in mind you do need to pay for parking here, and it’s NOT pay by phone like we are used to. The lighthouse was neat to check out-​there is some history attached to it with Columbus or something, can’t remember exactly since it’s been a few months since we came here. I will TOTALLY be back here again, it’s really very relaxing and the view going over the bridge is worth the insane toll.

*Sigh* like a lover that looks better at night than in the daylight, this beach and lighthouse was not as alluring in the daytime, sadly. As many have mentioned, parking is a pain. It took my friend over half an hour to find a spot, and that was after chasing people around and around. There are definitely not enough spots to accommodate all the interested parties that come out here, as there is not only a beach, but also a fishing pier.
The beach itself is quite narrow, and there are lots of trees around the shoreline of the main entrance. My biggest reason for coming was to enjoy the lighthouse, but little did I know that it is off-​limits to the public. The same is true of the oil house, lighthouse keeper’s cottage, and anything within the grounds area of the lighthouse. This was truly a big disappointment, as my friend and I were persistent in circling around for parking because we were under the illusion that we would be able to access the place. I am not sure why neither of these are not accessible, but it is a damn shame as I love exploring lighthouses and their museums to learn more.
Are there better beaches in Florida? Sure, which is why I downgraded my rating to 3 stars. While I was not as impressed in the daytime and thought the parking was more trouble than it was worth, I still maintain the fact that at night, this is a very romantic, stunning spot to sit and huddle up under the crisp air. I have been to a lot of Florida spots for stargazing and I still think this is one of the best, while also being able to dip your toes in the water and therefore avoiding the daytime parking nightmare.

The sand is always great to see and enjoy the sea air. The only thing us that it can get crowded during tourist season, which in learning pretty quick. However, it’s always great to just come relax and enjoy the water. :)

Nice parking lot, mostly live shells. Depending on the tide will determine the amount of take home shells. Season will also determine the type of shells you will find.

Have been here several times before and the food was excellent. This must have been an off day. Our waiter Daniel had to be reminded of several requests. When our meal arrived it was tepid.

What a beautiful area to take the family or a romantic place for your loved one. Such a wonderful area for kids as well. Love it!

This is a beautiful beach on an amazing little island!
We decided to go here on Thanksgiving, because we figured it would be quieter than on a regular day, and it was. There was little problem with the parking, and not many people out shelling. The beach was clean of trash, which made it all that much better.
For people who’ve never been there, this is one of «The» places for collecting shells. If you’re lucky, you can find all kinds in a lot of different colors.
It’s also a great place for bird watching. We saw lots of the raptors out fishing. There are supposed to be a lot of great things to see in the water, but it was too cold to get in. We’ll have to go back when it’s warmer.
Be sure to wear shoes, the broken shells are sharp and you have to be careful!

Very short pier area. It does have actual well type water pumps for cleaning up. You can walk the entire point depending on the tide and how deep you walk out. $ 3 per hour to park and they do have restrooms.

I have been to Lighthouse Beach and Fishing Pier quite a bit, and if you are not staying on Sanibel and you are staying in Fort Myers, this is the closest beach that you will come to.
The parking lot can be challenging and it has machine parking which works SOMETIMES so keep that in mind. You will either want to go on the right side to the beach, or the left side towards the Light house. The shorter way to the beach is on the right side. Currently, the walkway on the right side is closed, and there is a detour. If you go to the detour, you will get to the side that has the bathroom and changing area, and it is also the side of the lighthouse. You will also get to the side that often has driftwood sitting on the beach. Often times, this makes for great pictures, so that may be of help for you too.
There’s not as many shells here as other beaches on the island so if you are up for shelling, go to other beaches on Sanibel and Captiva.
Either way, where ever you sit, it’s a great beach with nice fluffy sand, and is very much relaxing.

The reason my family has visited Sanibel so much over the last 25 years is this beach. My parents will arrange their day around watching sunrise and sunset from this beach… to the point that we’ll eat dinner a little too early and go to bed at 9 to get up for the sunset every day. Heh.
There’s an Osprey nest as you walk out onto the beach, occasionally dolphins within walking distance in the shallows, flying fish, shore birds everywhere, sting rays, and wildlife everywhere. It’s an active live beach and that’s pretty awesome.
Shelling isn’t as great right at the lighthouse. Walk 5 minutes to the right and it gets pretty good though.

This is a really busy place! The beach is narrow and loaded with people. The parking lot is a waiting place, you wait for someone to leave like a vulture. Lots of boats and fishing hours on here. Not a lot of catching fish unless your a pelican. They did rather well. The pelicans crash into the water as people shell hunt.
The rest rooms are by the light house. Don’t think they are by the sign in the parking lot, it’s a good half mile walk. Well seems that way. And at least they have them.
Better place is bunche beach about give miles south. Less people and beach is wider. $ 2 to park at either place

Great beach and fishing pier. I used to go on vacation to Sanibel with my parents when I was a kid. It has changed a lot over the years. More vacationing spots, restaurants and things to do.

Located on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island, this beach offers a panoramic 270 degree view of the picturesque local waters. Renowned for its shells, I think its an even better beach to simply sit out, people watch, catch some rays and enjoy the water.
Public restrooms are nearby and there’s a small pier on one end if you wish to take a stroll or do some fishing. Lot’s of families catching rays or wandering around the beach looking for sea shells. As the beach is on a peninsula, there is always some part of the beach that will have calm waters on which you can wade out. I didn’t notice any food services on the beach but the road leading up to the point seemed to have some restaurants where you can catch a bite or bring along some take out. Parking costs $ 2/​hour and there aren’t a lot of spots. Came on Father’s day around 11am and got shut out. Returned the following Tuesday and had no problem at the same hour.

I went during the week to avoid the crowds and I’m so glad I did. Parking is $ 2 an hour and the parking attendant was quite vigilante with the tickets. So if you’re thinking the signs are a bluff, they’re not.
I didn’t realize how special the beach was until after I sat still to soak up my surroundings. Beach crabs scurrying about the sand, ospreys circling around the trees, and then wild dolphins swimming near the shore line. I imagine the dolphins were there to get a taste of the chum that drifted away from the fishing pier. As I went in the water for a dip, I noticed seahorses in the water! That was such a pleasant surprise for me. My experience here was nothing but memorable. This beach is truly a FL gem!

This is a must to visit! I was there in the afternoon around 5ish. I saw fishermen with their catch and release, pelicans, herons, egrets, a sea hawk bathing in the beach and joining its partner in the nest, dolphins, live shells moving about the shallow clear bay floor, the list goes on and on. The sunset was beautiful too.
For two bucks, this is so worth it. Bring a picnic and chill. So lovely, the nature, the sun casting on the water, amazing. One of the highlights of Sanibel Island. My friend took 400 pics of just this location.

So, I’m going to brand myself as a total tourist in this review, but I have to admit I love going to Sanibel Beach. Partly because this has been our family destination beach since I was a kid, and partly cause I’m from a landlocked state — and who can resist white sandy beaches and gorgeous blue water?
Since I’m usually in town on holidays, this beach is typically packed with tourists (takes one to know one) collecting shells, sunbathing, picnicking, fishing, boating, swimming, making out, you name it.
The views are beautiful, there’s an old lighthouse to check out, a fishing pier with great people watching, sparse but functional restrooms, and plenty of parking although it’s $ 2/​hour and sometimes people can be jerks about cutting you off!
Note: Heed the signs about leaving valuables in your car — my grandma had her purse stolen from here once. You’ve been warned!