Bowman's Beach
Bowman's Beach
4.5
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- Susan GPontiac, Illinois7 contributionsFebruary 2024It’s like any beach, timing is everything. I have found some of my best shells here!! I was shocked to read a review saying no unique shells. Sand dollars, lightning whelks, tulips, shark eyes, and much more. I even saw a shark swimming near shore one day. It’s my favorite beach!Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 12, 2024
- LostInBogotaBogota, Colombia27 contributionsBowmans Beach is a Shell of a Good TimeGreat beach for shelling, especially after a storm. Parking is a bitch, and $5 an hour, and the method to pay for it is outdated, but generally there are spots. Rolling small waves and nice temps make this a good family spot. Not a spring break party spot. Bring shade and chairs and drinks. Collect cool shells with the kids. Enjoy the sunset. Bugs come out at dawn and dusk. Bring bug spray for these times. I’m no joke eaten up from the walk back. Clean bathrooms too. Enjoyed this place minus the bugs.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 25, 2024
- Tiffany B288 contributionsBest beach in the world for Shelling!The beach, once totally covered in seashells, has half the shells it once had. For shelling, you must have beach shoes. I found so many shells! I finally found a system that works. See the videos. You have to go into the water and catch the spiral type shells! I bought pendants and glued on shells for my 3rd grade students back in Philadelphia.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 29, 2024
- KMB_GAFort Myers, Florida1,251 contributionsPerfect Beach DayThe only negative I can say was the price to park! The beach itself was beautiful. You can see they put effort in to keep it clean and had great bathroom facilities. Shells everywhere although I think you need to bring some sifters and colanders so you can catch the best shells out in the surf. We got there early, were able to pick a prime spot and enjoyed the sun and shells.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 18, 2024
- Adrianna F73 contributionsWas a nice tripThis beach was nice, the waves were slightly rough but the water didn’t go beyond hip level. Right at the start of the water it’s coveredddd with seashells but once you walk past the shells there was quite the drop off but way less seashells. I swear I kept touching fish but the water isn’t clear to confirm what I touched. I didn’t really find any magnificent seashells like some people talk about. Bathrooms are decent for being a beach bathroom.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,131 reviews
Excellent
1,662
Very good
960
Average
368
Poor
83
Terrible
58
Tim P
13 contributions
Jan 2021
We will NEVER return here or Sanibel Island for a day trip............parking fees are ridiculous and we received a $150 citation at the end of the day. We planned to return with a large group in March and the city of Sanibel will get no money from us or any family ever again. Why drive visitors away with ridiculous penalties???
Written January 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary_from_Cambridge
Cambridge, UK52 contributions
Feb 2020
This is the beach further north, which I understand gets less busy. I managed to accidently drive past the nearer more southernly beach (missed the sign).
Arrived around 11AM. There were queues on the road, but this was a consequence of an art festival. Once passed this the roads were clear.
At this location parking was plentiful and reasonably priced.
Access to the beach was easy with changing, rest room, and showering facilities.
The beach was long and not particulary busy. Weather was fantastic (good as a UK summers day!).
Beach was a mix of sand and shells. Saw plenty of people collecting shells.
Arrived around 11AM. There were queues on the road, but this was a consequence of an art festival. Once passed this the roads were clear.
At this location parking was plentiful and reasonably priced.
Access to the beach was easy with changing, rest room, and showering facilities.
The beach was long and not particulary busy. Weather was fantastic (good as a UK summers day!).
Beach was a mix of sand and shells. Saw plenty of people collecting shells.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaye
3 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
My husband and I visited sanibel Island, just off the coast of Southwest Florida, last week. The weather was 80s and sunny every day, the beaches were pristine and go for 12 uninterrupted miles on each side of the island. Most of the beaches are public, and very well maintained. Sanibel is known as one of the premier shell-hunting islands in the world, so plan a few days of sunrise waking on the beaches. Rental bikes are a huge business, as the quaint, last century feel of the island makes it easier and faster to ride everywhere on bikes rather than in a car. The middle of the island is a nature preserve with roads criss-crossing it in discrete ways. While it is a relaxing place to visit, it is always crowded coming on and leaving the island, so allow plenty of time to crawl over the long causeway. Still, If you want to spend a few days with no worries or hustle and bustle, come visit Sanibel Island in March.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miles2h0me
Orlando, FL17 contributions
Nov 2021
Its a beautiful beach nice and clean .. Things to WATCH OUT ?????
Parking FEE is very expensive $5.00 per hour if miss one min or so that you will get ticket for $100.00
No one available to pay the Toll Road ..They closed the booth and so you cant pay for the tool FEE which is extra pain ..
Shame quite a few people lost their job due to closing the Toll Booth ...
they could implement better way of paying the toll or the parking Fee so people can park knowing that they wont get ticket of $100.00 if missed the time ..
Pay online system or Ticket at the entrance from the machine then pay on way out will make life much easier and less stressful for everyone ..
By charging hourly rate it does create a worry and rush so then people cant enjoy their stay at the beach!!!
I feel like the way it's planned to create more income so they can ticket as many people as possible this way .. which is very Disappointing ..
i hope this will help brothers and sisters whose is going to visit this beautiful Island .
PS: Dont have the a big expectation to collect many shelves . you will be disappointed not finding many shelves like my family .
Parking FEE is very expensive $5.00 per hour if miss one min or so that you will get ticket for $100.00
No one available to pay the Toll Road ..They closed the booth and so you cant pay for the tool FEE which is extra pain ..
Shame quite a few people lost their job due to closing the Toll Booth ...
they could implement better way of paying the toll or the parking Fee so people can park knowing that they wont get ticket of $100.00 if missed the time ..
Pay online system or Ticket at the entrance from the machine then pay on way out will make life much easier and less stressful for everyone ..
By charging hourly rate it does create a worry and rush so then people cant enjoy their stay at the beach!!!
I feel like the way it's planned to create more income so they can ticket as many people as possible this way .. which is very Disappointing ..
i hope this will help brothers and sisters whose is going to visit this beautiful Island .
PS: Dont have the a big expectation to collect many shelves . you will be disappointed not finding many shelves like my family .
Written November 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oma77
Stillwater, OK69 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is a nice, clean area with lots of room for families, sun bathers and beachcombers. The parking fee is $5.00 an hour and there is a healthy walk from the parking lot to the beach. But the bathrooms are clean, there were no party groups on the beach, and the only disrupters were seagulls. Great pelican watching as well!
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NJItalian
New Jersey163 contributions
Sep 2022
Not the larger fancy shells as expected but depends when you visit. We went early morning and definitely found shells just not unbroken and fancy just basic. Nice and clean. Parking is per hour and lot could fill up quickly in busy season.
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy
Thomson, GA5 contributions
May 2020 • Solo
I lived in Hawaii for 4 years and this beach is all of what Hawaii has to offer. Absolutely beautiful crystal clear waters white sand beach’s. What more could one say. We loved it. A little bit of a walk from car to beach, and parking is a little pricey at $5 per hour.
Written June 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonnie P
Oneonta, AL22 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We went to Bowman’s Beach two separate days with similar experiences. It’s very crowded, and you have to pay $5 an hour to park, but the lots are big so the chances of finding a spot are better than the other beaches. Also—the beach is bigger so more room to spread out. It’s a little bit of a hike to the beach BUT we spotted manatees—including a mom and baby—on every walk, so that’s awesome. Water I beautiful; not as clear as near the lighthouse but a beautiful color. We didn’t find conch or sand dollars, but we had a great day playing in the gulf.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeccaB
Winfield, WV23 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We drove to Bowman’s Beach to escape the red tide in siesta key and so glad we made the drive. Definitely worth it! The water was beautiful and gentle. Great place for kids especially if they love looking for shells. I recommend arriving early since the crowd grew the later it got. Even though the parking lot looked full when we left the beach is large and it didn’t feel crowded. Parking is $5 dollars and hour and you pay when you go in. I also recommend bringing water and snacks as well as a wagon to pull your things to the beach. There is a 1/4 mile easy walk to the beach from the parking lot. They have nice restrooms past the parking lot and a changing area. We will definitely go back!
Written August 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle P
St. Petersburg, FL11 contributions
May 2020
I feel quite differently about his beach than other readers. This may be due to the fact I live near St. Pete beaches and we have our own beautiful beaches and I went with high expectations. This was our 1st time visiting this beach and I will say we will not return. My husband did not think highly of this beach either. Parking is difficult to find and expensive. We had to drive a round the lot a few times before we could secure a spot. Parking was 5 dollars an hour, so to stay 4 hours was 20 dollars. Depending on where you park determines the length of the walk to the beach, we were at the end of the lot so it was a bit of a distance to reach the beach. Since it was our 1st time there we had no idea you would need a beach buggy/wagon to carry your things. We would of had to make a couple of trips to carry all of our items (chairs, umbrellas, cooler, ect). There is also no chair/umbrella rental available on the beach. The sand is not "white sand", it is actually fairly course. To get to the water you have to walk over quite a bit of shells. Stepping in and out of the water can be difficult, we watched a women fall trying to get out of the water due to the incline. Entering the water you also are dealing with small pieces of shells so if you have sensitive feet I would suggest water shoes. Once in the water you are still dealing with more shells and rocks but it is not as bad as the area walking into the water. If you are a shell collector you will find plenty.
Written May 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It says Bowman’s Beach closed at 7pm - in what capacity? Can your car stay there for a while after 7pm?
Written May 15, 2024
How long and far in miles is the walk between Bowman’s to Blind Pass beach?
Written March 30, 2024
Do they only take cash for parking or can you use a card? Are the parking spots metered?
Written June 9, 2021
You can use a credit card. And yes the spots are checked by the local police so you will be fined if you outstay what you have paid for.
Written June 27, 2021
The beach was nice, a bit secluded. Be careful there are jellyfishes my mom was stung by one. Take everything you need bc theres no rentals and its $5 to park but free on weekends
Written July 27, 2020
can you bike from parking lot to the beach or is only walking allowed for that quarter mile stretch?
Written May 19, 2020
. Saw several dogs on our visit in 2019.
Written November 29, 2020
There is Bailey's General Store near Bowman's Beach on Sanibel
Written May 2, 2019
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