Gulfside City Park Beach
Gulfside City Park Beach
Gulfside City Park Beach
4.5
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
42 within 3 miles
Attractions
31 within 6 miles
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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
281 reviews
Excellent
162
Very good
77
Average
24
Poor
8
Terrible
10
Gabby2u2
Amelia Court House, VA49 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
I had heard so much about Sanibel Island and Captiva that I HAD to visit. After being at other islands with shells I was disappointed in what was there. The reason for the 1 star rating is that it took us 2 hours to drive 2 miles to get off the island. I'm not sure what was causing the backup but it was also on the news all week that this was happening to others. I would stay away from this place.
Written February 12, 2024
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.
louche700
Asheville, NC6 contributions
Dec 2021
This beach is basically a dog park. Small dogs yapping incessantly. Large dogs lumbering around. Nobody following the 8 foot leash law, and many off leash.
The sand is hard packed like concrete and damp. Hard gray sand, not white powdery sand. The beach has narrowed - is Florida sinking? Terminal high tides?
Whatever. Not going back.
The sand is hard packed like concrete and damp. Hard gray sand, not white powdery sand. The beach has narrowed - is Florida sinking? Terminal high tides?
Whatever. Not going back.
Written December 29, 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.
Maureen
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Solo
I disagree with the parking post below. Yes it is online and completely safe. You scan a QR code then get an email with your paid receipt. Not a scam but takes a few minutes to register then you’re set for any beach. Parking process through Florida Parks.
No there’s not an attendant collecting money it’s all updated. Yes there are attendants who drive the lot because it’s not fair to pay for 2 hours and stay for 5. It will s $5 an hour most places which is reasonable. Just pad your time a little and plan ahead. You can also add more time before it runs out. Like a parking meter. Not a scam
No there’s not an attendant collecting money it’s all updated. Yes there are attendants who drive the lot because it’s not fair to pay for 2 hours and stay for 5. It will s $5 an hour most places which is reasonable. Just pad your time a little and plan ahead. You can also add more time before it runs out. Like a parking meter. Not a scam
Written September 3, 2023
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.
jmash
Turnersville, NJ1,432 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
My wife and I recently visited Sanibel Island while staying in Ft Myers. We drove over to Sanibel and visited the Gulfside Park Beach. We walked along the beach and were amazed by the shells. We had a very nice time walking this great beach and collecting shells. We would recommend this place.
Written May 7, 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.
invertpaleo
New York City, NY344 contributions
Dec 2020
Try to visit this beach during a big early-morning minus tide. You will be amazed how much sea life is visible in the lagoons that are revealed once the tide has gone all the way out.
The plants on the upper beach platform are also very interesting.
The plants on the upper beach platform are also very interesting.
Written December 25, 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.
shelley b
Altamonte Springs, FL1,525 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We returned after about a decade. It’s as pretty as remembered. Pay hourly parking is ok. Appreciate an outside shower & real restrooms in parking lot. Several paths from parking lot to beach. Natural! Can look left & right and not see buildings. Didn’t like seeing 3 dogs on beach. Guess what, saw 2 separate dog doo piles. Shame on dog owners that would have known of incident.
Written July 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.
Bonnie P
Oneonta, AL22 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
Limited parking. We got lucky and got a spot. The walk to the beach was easy. Not very crowded compared to the other spots and lots of room to spread out. About waste deep in the water, we found dozens of sand dollars and clams—really neat.
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.
FrequentlyOnTheMove
Philadelphia, PA210 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
While sightseeing on Sanibel Island we stopped by the Gulf Side City Beach (2001 Algiers Lane, Sanibel, FL 33957) to swim and hunt for seashells. There was ample parking on the weekday we visited. You simply swipe your credit card, choose the number of hours you intend to stay on the beach and place the receipt on your dash. This beach access also has exterior showers and clean public restrooms. However, there are no places to rent chairs or umbrellas. Thus, bring your own. There were several people collecting shells.
Please note that all "Sanibel beaches and nearshore waters to one-half mile from shore are protected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Rule 46-26. This rule prohibits the harvest and possession of live shellfish. Sand dollars, sea stars (starfish), and sea urchins are also protected. All shelling is prohibited within the waters of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO A $500 FINE AND 60 DAYS IN JAIL FOR A FIRST OFFENSE."
Please note that all "Sanibel beaches and nearshore waters to one-half mile from shore are protected by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Rule 46-26. This rule prohibits the harvest and possession of live shellfish. Sand dollars, sea stars (starfish), and sea urchins are also protected. All shelling is prohibited within the waters of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO A $500 FINE AND 60 DAYS IN JAIL FOR A FIRST OFFENSE."
Written July 19, 2017
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.
Wayne G
11 contributions
Mar 2017
We enjoyed walking on this beach looking for sea shells. The beach is accessible for people who use wheel chairs with a nice boardwalk that goes all the way to the beach ending with a concrete slab that runs perpendicular to the beach. Parking is $4.00 per hour and the machine accepts credit and debit cards.
Written March 25, 2017
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.
Jennifer L
Saint Louis, MO32 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
Smaller beach parking area than Bowman beach. The shells were more plentiful here than the more popular Bowman. The beach access entrance has bathrooms and is nicely walkable with pavers. The parking at all the public beaches is $4 per hour!!! But a ranger informed us that during that paid time you can park in any of the public beach lots, so you are free to move to another location if you want.
Written March 17, 2017
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.
To my knowledge, the last hurricane in the Gulf moved the remains of red tide out around the first of September. Latest reports I've seen declare the waters around Sanibel to be 99.9% free of red tide.
Written September 13, 2018
abbyrm
Walt Disney World, Florida
We are in Disney with 4 children under the age of 10. Is it a long drive and if so is it worth it?
Written June 16, 2018
It's somewhat of a long drive, probably about 3 hours or more -- too far from Orlando Florida to make it worthwhile with four small children, unless you are going to stay a few nights here on Sanibel.
And Sanibel is a great place to stay, but be warned, Sanibel hotels tend to be expensive.
Written September 2, 2018
We are making it a family beach day with out of town guests and we are coming from Ft. Meyers. Please advise if there are public bathrooms and showers. Thank you.
Written June 1, 2018
Yes, next to the parking area there are very clean public bathrooms, also standing showers and foot showers.
There are also picnic tables in the shade.
These facilities are not immediately beside the beach, but a short distance back from the beach.
Written June 1, 2018
The parking fees are the same all year round -- $5 an hour.
Written June 1, 2018
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