Point Ybel Light | Jeanne Ukwendu

Sanibal Island Light taken from the causeway

To view the Sanibel Island Light (also called Point Ybel Light) up close and personal, you need to drive to Sanibel Island. There is a toll to go over the Sanibel causeway bridge of $6.00 to get onto Sanibel Island. If you have a Sunpass, you can pay your toll with that. You can leave the island at no charge. You get a very good view of the lighthouse from the causeway.

We drove to Lighthouse Beach and parked there. Parking is $2.00 an hour and is purchased in 1 hour increments. Don’t even think about parking illegally – the current fine is $50.00. Parking is ample, but you may need to wait for someone to leave to get a space. Fortunately, it appears that people come and go fairly often.

Sanibal Island Light taken from the boardwalk

Once parked, look for the sign for the restrooms. You take about a 5 minute walk along a boardwalk, then take a right to get to the restrooms which is where the lighthouse is as well.

The lighthouse and adjoining houses are closed to the public, but you can get fairly close to the light tower and buildings.

The Sanibel Light was constructed in 1884 by the U.S. Lighthouse Bureau and began functioning on August 20, 1884. The light tower is roughly 98 feet tall with foot supporting legs.