Hi there!
So you want to do a Florida road trip driving from Tampa to Sanibel Island!
Yes, you can drive your car to Sanibel Island!
How long is the drive from Tampa to Sanibel Island?
Driving directly, it might take around 2.5 to 3 hours of driving time from Tampa to Sanibel Island.
Explore the map.
So Tampa is not too far from Sanibel Island, and it’s doable to drive from Tampa to Sanibel Island in one day.
And if you want to make a stop or 2 on your way to Sanibel Island, there are some things to do along the way!
Or you can take a few days to get from Tampa to Sanibel Island!
Below will show some ideas of stops you can make as you make the drive to Sanibel Island if you want to take your time!
See below for a potential driving route from Tampa to Sanibel Island!
🌴
What is there to see between Tampa and Sanibel Island?
Explore the map.
1. Tampa
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is an icon of Tampa Bay.
As you are leaving Tampa, it can be reasonable to set your route so that you drive across the Skyway Bridge as you start your drive to Sanibel Island!
And, there are a few rest areas around that you can stop at too in order to take in the views of Tampa Bay.
2. Lido Key
If you want more islands and beaches than just Sanibel Island, then you have lots to choose from between Tampa and Sanibel Island if you don’t mind making a detour to the Gulf Coast of Florida!
Lido Beach on Lido Key is one of them.
You’ll pass through St Armands Circle on your way to Lido Key where you will find lots of restaurants and shops.
See more about planning your drive from Tampa to Sanibel Island:
3. Siesta Key
Siesta Key is an island that you can stop by on your drive from Tampa to Sanibel Island, and it’s one of the most popular beach destinations in Florida.
It has been named one of the best beaches in America.
At one end of Siesta Key is the famous #1 beach that is Siesta Beach.
This is where you’ll find an amazing white sand beach with a wide stretch of sand.
On the other end of Siesta Key is the quieter end, and it’s where you’ll find Turtle Beach… along with the Turtle Beach campground! If you want to go camping on Siesta Key, the Turtle Beach campground is it!
There is a direct path from the campground to the beach, so your campsite will just be a few minutes walk from being able to see the amazing Gulf coast.
I also saw dolphins swimming along the shoreline from Turtle Beach!
You need to get lucky in order to find camping availability, as campsites get booked up pretty much as soon as they are available months in advance. But people do cancel.
Camping between Tampa and Sanibel Island:
- Turtle Beach campground (Siesta Key)
- How to make reservations for Turtle Beach campground
- Oscar Scherer State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Oscar Scherer State Park
4. Myakka River State Park
You will be driving a little inland.
You can make it a stop at Myakka River State Park if you’re looking for a pleasant nature stop with lots of green.
It can be a scenic drive through Myakka River State Park.
Myakka River State Park is also known for the canopy walk.
You’ll walk across a bridge that’s suspended in air, and then continue climbing the stairs up the tower for views above the trees.
There is also a spot in Myakka River State Park that’s known for alligator sightings.
When you come across the bridge, make a stop to see if you can spot some alligators!
Plus you might make some bird sightings when you are in Myakka River State Park!
Camping between Tampa and Sanibel Island:
- Myakka River State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Myakka River State Park
5. Cayo Costa State Park
Heading back to the coast!
Cayo Costa State Park is on an island in Florida.
To go to Cayo Costa State Park, you’ll need to leave the car behind!
That’s because the way to get to Cayo Costa State Park is by boat!
You can make it a day trip to Cayo Costa State Park, or if you’ve got some time to spare, you can make it a night (or more!) on the island of Cayo Costa!
This will be a mostly rustic stay!
There are no traditional accommodations like hotels or resorts.
Instead, you can get an epic island tent camping experience in Florida.
Or you can get a rustic cabin experience in Florida!
Either way, it’s pretty much bring your own everything!
There’s a small store on the island, but it’s not much to depend on.
So it will require a bit of an effort in the form of planning a trip to Cayo Costa, but no matter how you choose to stay on Cayo Costa, you will be just a few minutes walk from the beach!
Is there a lot to do on Cayo Costa island? No, not really. Your time will be spent at the beach or walking around the island on the beach… or in search of another beach!
And you can watch an epic sunset!
You can also look for shells in Cayo Costa State Park.
The “real Florida” as the people of Florida state parks like to say! It’s a quiet Florida island experience!
Camping between Tampa and Sanibel Island:
- Cayo Costa State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Cayo Costa State Park
6. Sanibel Island
And you’ve made it to Sanibel Island!!!
Since your destination is Sanibel Island, you probably already know that Sanibel Island is known for having some of the best shelling in Florida!
You can go to any of the beaches on Sanibel Island and you will find shells.
Along the shoreline, you can find tons of small shells, and the more you look, the greater your chances are for finding different types of shells!
To get you started on Sanibel Island beaches, you likely will not be disappointed if you make Bowmans Beach your one and only Sanibel Island shelling beach to visit!
And there is also Captiva Island for beaches and shelling!
You can get from Sanibel Island to Captiva Island by driving across a small bridge.
Plus you might make some bird sightings!
There is a toll for driving the bridge to Sanibel Island. See current fees under Sanibel toll plaza.
The Sanibel Island beach parking fee is hourly. See current fees.
And then once you pass that toll bridge, as you are driving along the Sanibel Causeway to get to Sanibel Island.
You will soon see places that you can stop along the bridge.
You can make this a picnic stop or just stop to take in the views!
It’s a part of the Causeway Islands Park, and it’s located directly along the road.
See more about planning your drive from Tampa to Sanibel Island:
Camping between Tampa and Sanibel Island:
- Koreshan State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Koreshan State Park
And that’s a bit about some stops you can make driving from Tampa to Sanibel Island!
Where to next?!
- South: Marco Island
- South: Sanibel Island to Miami
- South: Miami to Key West
- North: Ocala National Forest springs
- North: Best things to do in the Florida Panhandle
HAPPY DRIVING TO SANIBEL ISLAND FROM TAMPA!
There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.