Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island Opinions? (Cape Coral, Captiva: hotels, live, cost)

[wellsme]

Hi,
Heading down to Cape Coral Tuesday and plan on spending
Thursday or Friday on Sanibel Island.
We would like to spend the day at Bowman's Beach and later dinner
at the Mucky Duck (or some place like it) for the sunset.
Would the parking lot at Bowman's be filled by say 10:00 AM? We also plan on bringing a change of clothes and are hoping to shower off the salt before we eat, I believe that's possible at Bowman's....correct?
Any other tips or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks.
Brian

[justNancy]

It's not usually full in the summer. Bowman's has an outdoor shower, bathrooms and changing areas AFAIK. Best thing to do to confirm is to call the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce. They're very helpful and have all the dirt (or is that the sand? lol) on all island activities.

Sanibel Island Things to Do :: Beaches :: Sanibel Island & Captiva Island Florida

[hiknapster]

Here you go. It doesn't say anything about showers and I don't remember them, but that doesn't mean anything. I wasn't looking for them! It's a very nice beach, by the way.

Lee County Parks & Recreation | Lee County Government

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Here you go. It doesn't say anything about showers and I don't remember them, but that doesn't mean anything. I wasn't looking for them! It's a very nice beach, by the way.

Lee County Parks & Recreation | Lee County Government

Hi. The link to the Chamber of Commerce I posted says

Pristine and quiet, you won't find any hotels here. Park and walk over a bridge to secluded white beach. There is an outdoor shower located at this beach. This is the only beach with barbecue grills.

Didn't realize they charge $2 an hour to park.

[twobums]

you pay to park at every Sanibel beach, except for the causeway... Fri night, the Yard Dogs are playing at the Mucky Duck, we will be there!!

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by twobums

you pay to park at every Sanibel beach, except for the causeway... Fri night, the Yard Dogs are playing at the Mucky Duck, we will be there!!

Yes, but Bowman's is a Lee County Parks beach, not a Sanibel Island beach. Guess I had a Lee County beach pass last time I was there. I know they've always charged a fee, but it was something like $3 and it was one entrance fee, not an hourly one. I won't swear to it, since I'm going back several years.

When I lived on Sanibel I had an island resident sticker. I walked most of the time, but if you enjoy the beach a lot, paying a few dollars a year isn't much. Unfortunately, it's a lot more for non-residents. I remember paying $15 to park at Crane's Beach in MA more than 20 years ago. Then I had to walk a long way to the very crowded beach and try to dip my toe into the 60 degree water, so I can't complain.

[wellsme]

Thanks all for the info. justNancy if you like we can bring you a jar of Maine Atlantic water so you can dip your toe into for old time memories.
Brian

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by wellsme

Thanks all for the info. justNancy if you like we can bring you a jar of Maine Atlantic water so you can dip your toe into for old time memories.
Brian

I've been to Maine many times. So pretty. I grew up in MA & skied Sugarloaf when you couldn't "get there from here," so I remember when Maine had more cows than people.

Just want to add this. We've been talking about showers and the cost to park at the beach. In case you don't know it, the toll for the bridge to Sanibel is now $6.

So, I guess wellsme stands for Wells, Maine?

[wellsme]

justNancy,
I found about the toll in March when we went to Sanibel for the afternoon, but we didn't mind it.

"So, I guess wellsme stands for Wells, Maine?"

Yes, Wells Maine, but don't tell anyone because I can't afford to bring down 25lbs. of lobster this time. Although it was nice to eat Maine lobster rolls at Lighthouse Beach.
Brian

[twobums]

You are spot on, justNancy.... Bowman's is a county beach. The permit fee for that is 50 bucks a year, thru Lee County.

Sanibel residents can get a permit for the other Sanibel beaches that cost 12 bucks a year. If you don't live on Sanibel, you can pay 90 bucks for a 'B' permit, which covers most beach parking, but not all.

My personal fav is Blind Pass, great wade fishing, beautiful sunsets and rather primitive port a pot facilities. This is an A & B parking area.

Causeway parking is free, last 2 keys have restrooms.