We decided to rent beach cruisers for the day and explore the area by biking from Sanibel to Captiva. And we discovered something: It’s quicker to drive.
In all seriousness, it’s a long haul from one end of Sanibel to the other end of Captiva. But it’s a rewarding, memorable experience. And now my favorite way to explore the islands. It’s about 15 miles each way, from the Sanibel lighthouse to the entrance of South Seas Island Resort.
Biking From Sanibel To Captiva
Sanibel is extremely bike-friendly. The island boasts twenty-five miles of paths throughout the island. You never have to ride your bike in the street. Captiva doesn’t have a designated path, so you’ll be biking on the shoulder of the road. A very narrow road.
One of the best things about this trail is that the islands are practically flat. There aren’t any big hills. It’s a leisurely ride but 30 miles isn’t for the faint of heart. We rented single-speed beach cruisers but you can also rent multi-speed bikes.
Insider Tip: If you are planning on biking form Sanibel to Captiva, rent a multi-speed bike.
The village pace on Captiva is quite slow so nothing to worry about while biking amongst the cars in that area. We managed to bike Captiva Island just fine but there are a few tight spots along the main road, Captiva Drive. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t holding my breath when a delivery truck came by. (Side note: the speed limit is only 30 MPH but can seem faster when on two wheels)
Same Islands, New Experience
Billy’s Rentals Sanibel Island Bike Path 
Sanibel Lighthouse 
Lighthouse Cafe 
Blind Pass 
Millionaire’s Row 
Mucky Duck Patio 
Jai Alai IPA 
Mucky Duck Rum Punch
We rented beach cruisers from Billy’s Rentals (website) and headed to the southern end of Sanibel, where the lighthouse stands. We spent some time exploring the lighthouse area before heading to our favorite lunch spot, The Lighthouse Cafe.
Insider Tip: Looking to grab a quick bite to eat on Sanibel? Don’t miss Schnapper’s Hots for lunch or Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream for a sweet treat.
After fueling up for the majority of our trek, we hit the trail and headed north to Captiva. We saw so many cute shops and restaurants along the way, places we don’t usually notice from the car. The last several miles of Sanibel boasts nothing but greenery. It’s serene and it feels like you have the island all to yourself.
It was thrilling to cross the bridge onto Captiva, knowing we were so close to our final destination. The best reward, aside from the front row view of breathtaking scenery, was an ice-cold cocktail at The Mucky Duck. Two Adirondack chairs greeted us and we were more than happy to sit back and look out at the gorgeous gulf view.
Another bonus to biking on Captiva? No need to deal with parking a car! Captiva Island parking options are limited and you’ll pay a premium if you’re lucky enough to find a spot. It’s much easier to set your bike against a tree or in a bike rack than find a nonexistent parking spot for your car.
Well Worth It
Seven hours after we headed out on our ride, our journey was complete. Even though it was a hot day and our legs were tired, our day of exploring felt like a true accomplishment. We’ve been lucky enough to visit the islands many times. But exploring the area by bike allowed us to see it in a way we never have before. We hope you get the same chance to hit the trails and discover the area we love so much!
