ISLAND ACTIVITIES
Your villa is the retreat. The island is the adventure.
Plan your perfect Sanibel days from your private home base.
Everything You Need,
Nothing You Don’.t
Beachview Villas gives you the privacy and quiet you came for. But Sanibel offers more than most barrier islands: world-class shelling, protected wildlife refuges, and dining that holds its own against anywhere in Southwest Florida.
You’re minutes from J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, and beaches that draw collectors from around the world. When you want a meal you didn’t cook in your villa kitchen, you’ve got options, from Gulf-front fine dining to casual island institutions.
Your villa is where you recharge. The island is what you explore when you’re ready.
Start With What..’s Already Included
As a Beachview Villas guest, you have access to all amenities at ’Tween Waters Inn & Marina.
• Full-service spa and salon
• Live entertainment and events
• Full-service marina with boat
rentals, jet skis, and parasailing
• Two hot tubs
• Fitness center
• Tennis and pickleball courts
• An olympic-sized pool as well as
an adult-only Serenity Pool
• Kayak and paddleboard rentals
Start With What..’s Already Included
As a Beachview Villas guest, you have access to all amenities at ’Tween Waters Inn & Marina.
• Full-service spa and salon
• Live entertainment and events
• Full-service marina with boat rentals, jet skis, and parasailing
• Offshore Sailing School
• Fitness center
• Tennis and pickleball courts
• An olympic-sized pool as well as an adult-only Serenity Pool
• Kayak and paddleboard rentals
Dining You W.on’.t Want To Mis.s
Beachview Villas guests have full access to dining at ’Tween Waters Inn & Marina on Captiva.
Just a short drive from your villa, ’Tween Waters offers five distinct dining options. No reservations required at most, though Old Captiva House books up during peak season.
OLD CAPTIVA HOUSE
Gulf-front fine dining in a building that dates back to the early 1900s. Fresh seafood, contemporary American menu, sunset views. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.
CROW’S NEST STEAKHOUSE
Second-floor steakhouse with panoramic Gulf views. Elevated and romantic dinner atmosphere, open every day except Monday.
THE SHIPYARD RESTAURANT
Casual dining for dinner and weekday Happy Hour. Straightforward menu, no pretense, reliable when you want a relaxed meal by the water.
CAPTIVA CRUST
Handcrafted signature or customized personal pizzas, available to pick up or enjoy in The Shipyard.
OASIS POOL BAR
Poolside service. Simple food, cold drinks, easy access.
W.orth t.he Drive
A few island restaurants that justify leaving your villa.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
Island Inn Road, Sanibel
Named after a character in Randy Wayne White’s mystery novels. The grouper sandwich is the most-ordered item on the menu. Yucatan shrimp and key lime pie consistently show up in reviews. Casual Florida atmosphere, indoor and outdoor seating, open 11 am to 10 pm daily.
Th.e Bubble Ro.om
Captiva Drive, Captiva
Three floors of 1930s nostalgia. Bubble lights, moving trains, and over 3,000 antiques are displayed throughout. Originally a family home, converted to a restaurant in 1979. The cakes (especially the Orange Crunch) have their own reputation. Lunch 11 am-3 pm, dinner 4:30 pm-9 pm. This is an experience, not just a meal.
Th.e Mucky Duck
Captiva Drive, Captiva
Gulf-front casual dining that draws crowds for sunset. The fish and chips are a staple, and the location keeps it packed during peak hours. Arrive early if you want a table with a view. This is the kind of place locals bring visiting family.
Why People Travel Here For Shells
Sanibel’s east-west orientation makes it one of the best shelling destinations in North America. More than 400 species wash up on these beaches. Early morning after a storm, especially at low tide, reveals the most finds.
The “Sanibel Stoop” is real. You’ll see it everywhere: people bent over, scanning the sand, pockets full of shells. Part of the island routine.
Bailey-Matt.hews Shell Museum
3075 Sanibel Captiva Road
Nearly 600,000 shells in the collection. Living gallery with over 60 species of marine life. Exhibits on mollusk science, ecosystems, and conservation. The museum offers guided beach walks and nature programs that teach you to identify what you’re finding. Open daily 10 am-5 pm.
Bailey-Matt.hews Shell Museum
3075 Sanibel Captiva Road
Nearly 600,000 shells in the collection. Living gallery with over 60 species of marine life. Exhibits on mollusk science, ecosystems, and conservation. The museum offers guided beach walks and nature programs that teach you to identify what you’re finding. Open daily 10 am-5 pm.
J.N. “DING” DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Over 6,400 acres of mangrove forest and coastal wetlands.
More than 245 bird species.
Part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. The Wildlife Drive is a four-mile route you can drive, bike, or walk. You’ll pass feeding areas where roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets, and alligators show up consistently.
Early morning and late afternoon bring the best wildlife viewing. The refuge closes every Friday. Start at the free Visitor and Education Center; it provides the context for what you’re about to see.
Tarpon Bay Explorers runs tram tours with naturalist guides. They also rent kayaks and paddleboards and lead eco-tours through the mangroves and backcountry waters.
On Th.e Water
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Calm Gulf waters and extensive mangrove systems make ideal conditions. Several island outfitters rent equipment and lead guided tours.
Fishing
Charters leave from marinas on both islands. Inshore trips target snook, redfish, and sea trout in the bays and mangroves. Offshore charters go after grouper, snapper, and larger game fish.
Swimming
Sanibel’s beaches are gentle and family-friendly. The Gulf stays shallow for quite a distance. Waves are typically mild.
Where to Go on th.e San.d
Your Private Ac.ces.s
Steps outside your villa
When you stay at Beachview Villas, there’s no need to leave for a day on the sand. With private access to our quiet beach just steps away from your villa, you’ll enjoy one of Sanibel’s most serene Gulf views that Beachview guests have loved since the 1970s.
Your Private Ac.ces.s
Steps outside your villa
When you stay at Beachview Villas, there’s no need to leave for a day on the sand. With private access to our quiet beach just steps away from your villa, you’ll enjoy one of Sanibel’s most serene Gulf views that Beachview guests have loved since the 1970s.
Lighthouse Beach
Eastern tip of Sanibel
Home to the Sanibel Lighthouse, built in 1884. The lighthouse is closed to the public, but the beach and surrounding area are excellent for shelling and fishing. A fishing pier extends into San Carlos Bay.
Lighthouse Beach
Eastern tip of Sanibel
Home to the Sanibel Lighthouse, built in 1884. The lighthouse is closed to the public, but the beach and surrounding area are excellent for shelling and fishing. A fishing pier extends into San Carlos Bay.
Plan.ning Your Days
Sanibel and Captiva operate on island time. Most restaurants and attractions keep relaxed hours. Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants during peak season.
The islands are connected by a causeway with a toll. Traffic is generally light, though weekend evenings and holiday periods see backups.
The islands have grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores for anything you need during your stay.
Plan.ning Your Days
Sanibel and Captiva operate on island time. Most restaurants and attractions keep relaxed hours. Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants during peak season.
The islands are connected by a causeway with a toll. Traffic is generally light, though weekend evenings and holiday periods see backups.
The islands have grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores for anything you need during your stay.
Your Villa, Your Pace
Your villa provides the privacy and space you want. The islands provide everything else.