The island city of Sanibel lies just off the coast of Florida and promises pleasant sunny weather year-round. This unique east-west oriented barrier island is famed for its white, sandy beaches, unique shells, and bird watching. With a large portion of the island under conservation, it is a true paradise for nature lovers.
From these beachfront properties, guests are close to popular attractions such as the historic Sanibel Island Lighthouse, Bailey’s Beach Park, the restaurants on Periwinkle Way, and of course the Gulf of Mexico. The island is popular year-round with families, but especially during the summer months when the weather is at its best. And when the locale is this gorgeous with wide open spaces, it feels wrong to leave your pet behind. Explore this side of sub-tropical Florida from the best pet-friendly accommodations on Sanibel Island, USA.
Pet-friendly vacation rentals on Sanibel Island, USA
1. Gulf front townhouse (from USD 721)
This spacious beachfront property, located on a secluded and private beach, is spread across 2,000 sq. ft. (185 sqm). This townhouse is ideal for large families or a group of friends. You will have secure balcony doors and a screened porch, and for a nominal fee, you can bring your family dog along without worry. This townhouse is decorated primarily in neutral tones with splashes of coral and shades of blue, giving it a coastal vibe. Plenty of windows and balconies ensure that you have views of the Gulf of Mexico from all rooms.
The open-plan kitchen and living spaces make for the perfect gathering spot for meals and hanging out. Guests also have access to a heated swimming pool, private parking, a barbecue grill, a fully functional kitchen, and Wi-fi.
Top guest reviews
Read more reviewsLocation:
fantastic location on a great islandthe location is perfect steps from the sand and minutes away from great restaurants
2. Romantic studio within walking distance of the beach (from USD 575)
When on an island, the top priority is access to the beach, and this ground-level studio apartment is within walking distance of the Gulf of Mexico. With 600 sq. ft. (55 sqm) of living space, there is enough room to bring your pet along (for a nominal fee) to enjoy the wonderful Florida weather. A dog-friendly beach is also nearby.
From here you can easily rent equipment and head out to canoe and kayak in the gulf or you explore this tiny Florida haven on bicycles. A fully equipped kitchen with basic pantry items, complimentary beach chairs, and towels is provided by the host for a hassle-free island vacation.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
small efficiency that was clean and best of all steps from the beachHost:
property owner was very helpfulnancy was so helpful when we needed her for questionsthis unit was clean with a comfortable bed and owner did communicate wellthis was a great location host was incredible and we’d happily stay here againRead more reviewsLocation:
property well groomed so close to the beautiful beachvery close to beach which was nicethis property was so close to the beach and perfect for us and our little dog
3. Charming pet-friendly cottage near the beach (from USD 226)
This recently renovated independent cottage exudes a quintessential Florida charm. With an ideal location close to the beach, you are sure to begin your mornings with the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. With prior approval and a nominal fee, this cottage welcomes pets. The ample indoor and outdoor areas ensure that there is no shortage of space for them.
This charming cottage comes equipped with a washer and dryer, three TVs, and even a fully functional kitchen. From here, guests are within walking distance to the Sanibel Island Southern Beach and within 2 mi (3.2 km) of all major attractions on the island. This property is a firm favorite among past renters not only due to its accessible location but also the wide range of amenities it provides.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
leslie thank you so much for providing a warm comfortable place for us to stay with our fur babywe were pleasantly surprised with items for breakfast the next day as well as many other extra treatsCleanliness:
it's not luxurious but it is clean comfortable and so well maintainedthe house was very clean comfortable and had everything needed for a beach vacationabsolutely loved this place very very clean which is top priority when i am looking for a placeHost:
host was wonderful to communicate with and very responsivewe greatly appreciated the "welcome supplies" on our arrival and the owners were very responsive and thoughtfulRead more reviewsLocation:
perfect location so close to the beachthis location is perfect - just mere minutes to the beach
4. Gulf front condo with porch (from USD 452)
Located on the eastern end of the island, this ground-level condo with a porch boasts some of the best views on Sanibel. Enjoy your morning coffee on the glass-walled patio as you see the sun rise over the horizon, before stepping out for a swim in the heated Olympic-size pool. A short walk through the condo complex leads you to the Gulf of Mexico, one of the top spots in the world for shelling. The condo allows 1 small dog under 25 lb (11 kg), so bring your furry friend to run along the beach with you. Do remember to ask for permission while booking, and pay the pet fee.
This condo is perfect for families and is fully equipped for the same: TV’s in each room, complimentary Wi-fi, a functional kitchen, and a washer/dryer.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
It was also well equipped in the kitchenit was a folding closet type doorit was not as private as I would have likedThe beds were very comfortableThe condo was supplied with everything we needed including beach towels and chairsCleanliness:
There were 4 of us 2 teenagers and 2 adultsAccommodated 2 adults and 3 children ( 15 14 13) very nicelyExtremely clean condo cutely decorated and provided beach towelsThe condo was very cleanthe clothes washer is really loudHost:
First Floor works well with our grand kidsMy kids loved the heated poolWe have always loved Loggerhead Cay where we have friends staying as wellbut the response from the mgmt team was quick and effectiveHowever again we really enjoyed the homeRead more reviewsLocation:
just steps from a not too busy beachLoggerhead Cay is a great locationPaved walk way all the way up to the sandit was a great property that fit my families needs perfectlyThe location is very nice
5. Dugger's Cottage #4 (from USD 182)
This idyllic pale blue property, one of just seven cottages at Dugger’s Tropical Village, dates back to the 1960s when there was still no road access to the island. But, don’t be fooled by the date, the property was recently renovated and comes equipped with all modern amenities and is surrounded by lush greenery. With prior approval from the host, you can bring one dog weighing less than 25 lb (11 kg) along to enjoy the Florida sunshine with you.
The beach is easily accessible via private access and is one of the most popular spots for shelling on the island. You can spend your days sunbathing at the beach, snorkeling, or exploring the island on a rental bike.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
very clean and maintainedvery clean and well stockedcottage #4 was very clean and comfortableHost:
the cottage was perfect and we had a wonderful experieince with the hosts and office staffhouse was absolutely perfect and surrounding guest at duggar’s was so friendlyRead more reviewsLocation:
this was a perfect getaway location for usgreat location excellent condition no complaints at allenjoyed the location and the quietness
Premier Host
6. Island Beach Club B210 (from USD 388)
Professionally decorated in coastal gray and soothing whites, this two-bedroom, two-bath condo comes with partial gulf views. If you are a parent to a small dog of under 25 lb (11 kg) bring them along to this pet-friendly condo. This bright and airy condo features a secure wrap-around balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious living areas, and a fully functional kitchen.
The Historic Thistle Lodge restaurant is right next door while the shops and downtown area are less than 1 mi (1.6 km) away. Guests can access the condo’s heated pool, outdoor grills, and the Island Beach Club.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it is comfortable very livable and has everything you needCleanliness:
it was clean comfortable and quietthe unit was clean and had everything you needed from pots to beach chairsHost:
friendly helpful staff took care of 2 minor issues right awaythe location was perfect and the management was very helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
i would recommend this location to othershowever the best part was the locationit is very close to the beach a very quiet area and we really enjoyed our staythis unit was a very short walk to the beach and about 30 yards to the amazing pool
7. Contemporary beachfront villa (from USD 200)
This modern villa, with an upgraded kitchen, is perfect for families traveling with pets. With generous outdoor space, children and their furry friends are free to run and play, hold picnics or simply lie on a hammock. The courtyard garden features lush vegetation and is beautifully landscaped by flowering plants and fruit trees. Guests are sure to love the recently upgraded kitchen, twin outdoor barbecue grills, and a canal-front backyard.
The excellent beachfront location places you within 2 mi (3.2 km) of the main island attractions, such as the lighthouse, Bailey’s Beach, and the Herb Strauss Schoolhouse Theater.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it was spacious with comfortable furniture and bedCleanliness:
clean and had everything that we neededcomfortable beds and very clean placevery clean would recommendthe property was very clean so we didn’t think much of itHost:
host was very responsive to questionsvery impressed with the cleanliness how helpful the management was and the locationRead more reviewsLocation:
5 min easy walk to beacheasy walk to the beachgreat location and everything you need for the beachthis was a wonderful location and a very nice place to staygorgeous villa right on the canal 5 minute walk to the beach with everything you need
8. Oasis Inn (from USD 232)
Recently renovated, this pet-friendly nautical-themed duplex is close to The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club. While dogs under 25 lb (11 kg) are welcome, larger dogs need prior approval from the host. Guests enjoy access to the 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, heated pool, and restaurant. The property comes with three bicycles for guests to ride and explore the island, with the Bailey’s Beach Park, the lighthouse, and Periwinkle Way with its array of restaurants just a short ride away.
Split across two levels, this villa comes with a fully equipped kitchen and a spacious living area, which opens to a deck, making it perfect for outdoor meals with your family and furry friend.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
But was very comfortable for 6We thoroughly enjoyed the large back deck and the enclosed patio area; the glass doors open fully and in essence double the size of the living roomMaster bedroom was very spacious with a nice office area on the side:The home was exactly as describedIt was a bit cramped for 8 people as 2 were sleeping on the living room pull out sofa which was not idealCleanliness:
it was well presented and very cleanThe home was clean and had everything we neededI was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rentalI was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rentalI was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rentalHost:
Sanibel vacations was unbelievably responsive to anything we neededwell maintained close to all amenities - restaurants beach tennis courts walking & bike pathsI was very happy with the locationI was very happy with the locationI was very happy with the locationRead more reviewsLocation:
The location was ideal and watched the sunrise every morningWe could bike to the main beach in 5 minutes and walk to a small beach overlooking the causeway in less than 5 minutesgolf course- were all within walking distanceWe biked daily Pictures of the property were accurateThe location was great for accessing Periwinkle Road and getting on and off the island easily
9. One-bedroom beachfront cottage
Part of a shared cottage, this one-bedroom unit boasts of an ideal location, walking distance from the famed beaches of Sanibel. Decorated in a style reminiscent of old Florida, this pet-friendly cottage is just a short drive or bicycle ride away from the shops and restaurants.
Featuring twin beds, this cottage comes with a functional kitchen and a porch to enjoy the sights and exotic birds of this unique island. You can utilize the complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, and even a beach cart for your days spent tanning and shelling at the nearby beach.
Sanibel Island, Florida, United States
12.45 km (7.8 mi) from Lighthouse Beach ParkAccommodates: 2
Pet-friendly hotels and resorts on Sanibel Island, USA
10. Sanibel Island Beach Resort (from USD 198)
This beachfront boutique resort on the Gulf of Mexico offers activities for the entire family. Keeping young families and pets in mind, all the rooms come installed with microwaves and a mini-fridge. The best part about this property is it is one of those rare places that allow you to bring 2 dogs, as long as they are under 30 lb (13 kg). Do note that a pet fee of 75 USD per night will apply. You will also have private beach access, so you can spend hours can collecting unique shells, lounging under the sun, and partaking in water sports.
The Sanibel Island Lighthouse is 2.9 mi (4.7 km), Periwinkle Way is 2.6 mi (4.2 km), and Bailey’s Beach Park is 1.7 mi (2.7 km). At the end of a fun-packed day, head to the on-site Tiki Bar for some yummy and colorful cocktails.
Sanibel Island Beach Resort
Address: 1231 Middle Gulf Drive
3.52 km (2.2 mi) from Lighthouse Beach Park
The island way or no way
Sanibel Island is renowned around the world as one of the top spots for collecting unique and rare shells but it offers much more than just shelling. This east-to-west oriented barrier island is also home to a wide variety of exotic birds and is popular with bird watchers.
Miles of clean sandy beaches and wide open spaces make it a top choice for families with pets. For a dream vacation, you cannot go wrong with these pet-friendly vacation rentals on Sanibel Island, USA.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to bookmark our articles, like local expert tips, receive great stories in your inbox, and follow writers and topics that you love.
Log in with Google ×