Sanibel and Captiva Islands are the perfect destinations for romantic getaways, family vacations, or simply for exploring nature. Boasting 15 miles of breathtaking beaches, the islands are a little slice of paradise, and a true dream to photograph. We captured a bit of their beauty with our drone as we enjoyed the islands from sunrise to sunset.

Southwest Florida is an absolutely incredible destination, and one we are now thrilled to be able to call our “home away from home.”  Whether you are traveling for a vacation, or in the area for a wedding, engagement, or portrait session, we have discovered a few new favorites this year, and wanted to share them with you! 

Beaches we Visited: Lighthouse Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, Bowman’s Beach, Turner Beach, and Alison Hagerup Beach

Parking: Parking rates vary from beach to beach, and while most are around $5 per hour, we found that Alison Hagerup Beach on Captiva Island was $25 for 2 hours or $40 for the day.

Walk to Beach: The distance from the parking lot to the water’s edge can also vary.  Lighthouse Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, and Bowman’s Beach have somewhat longer walks, while Turner Beach and Alison Hagerup Beach have shorter walks, but also have smaller parking areas.

Amenities: All of the beaches we visited had restrooms, a few had picnic areas, Bowman’s Beach has a playground, and Lighthouse Beach has a historic lighthouse.

A few dining favs: Casa Ybel Resort has great indoor or pool-side dining, and the Mucky Duck is great for watching sunsets with live steel drum music on the beach.

Other Places we Love: Periwinkle Place for shopping!

Whether you are visiting Florida on vacation, here for your destination wedding, engagement, or portrait session, or simply planning a day at the beach with family and friends, we hope these ideas are helpful as you plan your time in the sunshine state!