Sanibel Vacation Rentals: house rentals & more

Discover a selection of 6,000 vacation rentals in Sanibel that are perfect for your trip. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or even pets, Vrbo vacation homes have the best amenities for hanging out with the people that matter most, including swimming pools and private pools. Prices start at $149 per night, and houses and cottages are popular options for a stay in Sanibel. Either way, you'll find a rental for everyone's needs.

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Find the best place to stay — Sanibel

Search 5,629 vacation rentals

Stayed May 2021

Excellent ocean view

Over the top clean, convenient to the beach. We can’t say enough about the owners. They include everything you could possibly think of, especially the bikes, beach chairs, beach gear, etc. Also, very generous in the many, many amenities you might hav...

Stayed Apr 2021

Good Location By the Beach

This is a good location - the condo itself is about one block from the beach, while the entirety of the property sits on the beach. It is close to lots of restaurants and shops. It was nice to be located so close to the beach, as parking for the gene...

Stayed Apr 2021

Perfect vacation for my family

This was the perfect condo for our family of 4’s vacation. Steps from the beach and pool, stocked with all the beach essentials and plenty of towels and linens. Check in and check out were simple and the adjacent resort was perfect for grabbing lunch...

Stayed Apr 2021

Sanibel Swimming Getaway

The property was very good and had a good location. The swimming pool was perfect with 20 yard length for lap swimming. I am a distance swimmer and was able to easily swim 1.5 - 1.75 miles per day. The beach is very close by and we saw dolphins on tw...

Stayed Apr 2021

Beautiful immaculate condo!

We have been going to Sanibel and staying at Loggerhead Cay for the last 9 years. By far this has been the best place we have stayed at. What a wonderful stay at this condo. It was very clean and beautifully decorated. Everything you need was there. ...

Stayed Apr 2021

Outstanding Paradise Vacation

This Property each day was always getting attention from grounds, the sanitation of the pool, the chairs, tables, decking and the list goes on and on. The furniture and all appliances were all brand new and state of the art. The cookware from utensil...

Stayed Apr 2021

Awesome stay!

Could not be more pleased with our stay. Condo has everything you could ask for or need! A few small hiccups which were addressed immediately by management completely to our satisfaction! Great to deal with! Enjoyed so much that we rebooked for next ...

Stayed Apr 2021

Sanibel Getaway

This property has a great location on the San Carlos Bay and is close to restaurants, bars and shopping. We were greeting each morning by dolphins and pelicans and had an amazing view from the condo lanai. The condo was clean with a well stocked kitc...

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Destination guide

Fun in the sun at Sanibel vacation home rentals

Nature-lovers looking for a great escape from the concrete jungle's bright lights and city noise will find it in Sanibel, an idyllic hideaway in southwest Florida. Connected to the mainland at Punta Rassa via the Sanibel Causeway, the island is only 15 miles long and 5 miles wide, tops, but the selection of fun activities is anything but small. A Sanibel vacation rental is an ideal base as you tick off the island's offerings one by one. Hop on a boat or kayak for a close encounter with various wildlife, tee off on 1 of the many golf courses, and explore the island on 2 wheels—Sanibel has 22 miles of scenic bike paths.

Things to do

Tourist attractions near Sanibel vacation rentals

No doubt rivaling The Little Mermaid's treasure trove, the exquisite exhibits at Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will have you singing, "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?" Visit after you go shelling—it'll be fun comparing your seashell swag with the museum displays. Pop into Sanibel Historical Village, where the old buildings, including a schoolhouse and cottage dating from the late 19th century, will give you a glimpse of a simpler time, back when Calusa and Spanish pioneer families settled on the island in the 1800s. Don't forget to swing by Lighthouse Beach for a snapshot with Sanibel Island's metal lighthouse, built in 1884.

Activities

Things to do near vacation homes in Sanibel

If you don't have a shell collection yet, this is the place to start one. Beautiful seashells of all shapes and sizes wash up on Sanibel's shores from the Gulf of Mexico. Combing the shore for these souvenirs is such a popular activity that bending over while shell-hunting has come to be known as the Sanibel Stoop. After a morning on the beach with your bucket and shovel, shell-ebrate your prized finds with a big lunch back in your Sanibel vacation rental. You'll need to fuel up before an afternoon session of watersports, from canoeing to jet skiing to parasailing.

Weather

Climate for your stay in Sanibel vacation homes

It's no wonder snowbirds flock to Sanibel from December to February—the island destination's subtropical climate means winters are mild and lovely, with temperatures from the mid 50s to the high 70s. On the other hand, temps can climb to the 90s during the summer months of June to August, although tempered by breezes from the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel vacation rentals are easier on the pocket from June to September, but expect downpours to join you on your holiday, and there's a chance you'll have an unwanted guest in the form of a hurricane.

Natural features

Sanibel—a buffet of beaches, bike trails, and bird sightings

Sanibel's impressive ecology is protected by a few wildlife refuges. The largest on the island is the J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which you can explore by walking, biking, driving, or kayaking through the mangrove forests. Bird watchers are in for a treat, as this is home to more than 220 bird species. Sightings of herons, egrets, and pelicans aren't uncommon even outside the wildlife refuge (such as on the beaches, or even near your Sanibel vacation rental), but to get the most from your bird-watching and wildlife-spotting endeavors, it's best to have your binoculars within reach. If you'd rather pass the time on a kayak or canoe, try the 190-mile Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail.

Beaches

Beach locales near Sanibel vacation rentals

The beaches of Sanibel are one of its biggest draws. Vacation homes are available near places like Sanibel Island, an inhabited island with white-sand beaches and tranquil waters, and Bowman’s Beach, a popular beach with seashells for beachcombing and calm waters for swimming. You'll also like Lighthouse Beach Park, a scenic bayfront park with a sandy beach, picnic areas, and a fishing pier.

How to get there

Traveling to and around Sanibel

Fly into Fort Myers, FL (RSW-Southwest Florida Intl.), the closest airport, located 21.6 mi (34.7 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Naples, FL (APF-Naples Municipal), which is 28.8 mi (46.4 km) away.

Family friendly

Family fun near Sanibel vacation homes

Kids will love the unique attractions in Sanibel. Vacation rentals are close to places like Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, a facility with a nature and garden center with educational programs, and the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, a wildlife rescue facility with exhibits and demonstrations for education. Kids will also like Everglades Day Safari, a safari tour of cypress forests and fresh and saltwater swamps to glimpse native wildlife.

How many vacation rentals are available around Sanibel?

Our 2021 property listings offer a large selection of 5,629 vacation rentals around Sanibel. From 2,711 house rentals to 79 cottage rentals, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends.