East End, West End: Sanibel Island from the seat of a Bike

There are lots of ways to see Sanibel, but biking is arguably the nicest. And, if one chooses, there are several different routes a biker can take thereby varying their scenery and experiences from day to day.



There are loops and trails through out the Island. On the East End, one might choose to do the Light House Loop, beginning or ending with the famous Sanibel Light House. This loop will take the biker on a nice little jaunt along Middle Gulf Drive, where the beautiful Gulf of Mexico will gleam in shades of emerald to your left as you bike down the road. Come back around on Tarpon Bay Road past all the great little shops on Periwinkle and through the Dunes neighborhood. Like all the biking in Sanibel, the flatness of the Island and the extremely polite and courteous car drivers makes biking both easy and safe.



But if the near 17 mile Lighthouse bike loop seems a little too strenuous for you, an alternate trip might be an inland route through the Ding Darling Nature Preserve which is under 8 miles. This will eliminate the furthest eastern portion of the Lighthouse loop and give you time and opportunity to stop at the Island's only "fast food" eatery, the Sanibel Dairy Queen, for a delicious and refreshing DQ. The return trip cuts through the City Park trail and the Sanibel Cemetery.



If you prefer not to ride the bike trails and strike out a little more independently, you might want to explore the West End of the island and go off the bike trails to do a little exploring. Begin your tour at the exit of Ding Darling Nature preserve and turn onto Wilfert Road. You will enter The Sanctuary at this junction, an exclusive and lush community.




This impressive community was developed in such a way that even the huge homes do not obscure the natural beauty of the area. The homes in this community are surrounded by the serenity and exotic wildlife of the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve, ensuring the community stays true to its name and offers the undulating views from your bike seat of the drop dead gorgeous golf course.But don't worry, you don't have to live in The Sanctuary to enjoy great golfing on Sanibel. There are several public golf courses that are quite lovely and totally accessible.



Exiting the Sanctuary, and perhaps more to your liking if you value history, is the next turn of the bike wheel onto Dinkins Lake Road and then onto Henderson with a turn on Starling Way. This enclave of mostly small homes is "olde Sanibel". Though newer, larger homes have been built, the neighborhood is probably much like it was 50 years ago. The larger lots seem particularly expansive as the land to house ratio is so much greater than in the much more upscale Sanctuary.



The lagoons, lakes and creeks criss crossing this area add to its charm and the feel of secluded country life. This area of Sanibel is not large and its relative small size and very tucked away location make it a real find from a bike and only a 4 to 5 mile easy ride.



If one plans efficiently, there is a bike ride a day possible for your week's stay on the Island. All are quite lovely and worth the time if you enjoy a good ride.