Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island, FL, is located on the south west part of this barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. It is at mile 4.8 off the Sanibel-Captiva Road turning onto Bowman's Beach Rd. The island is reached by a causeway form Fort Meyers on the mainland.
The beach is on one of the world's rare barrier islands, which runs from east to west rather than north/south. Since the beach faces southwest it provides an adequate position for sunset watching although it is not a direct view out to sea.
There is hourly paid parking at the beach parking lot which is a quarter of a mile from the beach. There are several spaces for oversized vehicles such as RVs or trailers. The parking lot fills up early in the busy season. Parking is free after 7 PM. The walk to the shoreline leads over a freshwater pond on a wooden bridge. The beach is fairly wide, although it narrows as one heads up the shore in a northwesterly direction.
There is an outdoor shower, there are restrooms, picnic tables and some barbecue grills along the beach. The tables and grills are set back in the tree shaded area. Snack food is available from vending machines. There are no hotels whatsoever at this beach, which is one of the most secluded bathing spots on the island. There are condos with vacation rentals within short walking distance to this beach. The beach stretches for miles.
Sea shell collecting is varied here although when a storm has recently passed by it is excellent. The removal of shells from this beach is prohibited when they house living creatures.
Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island, FL, has ample space for windsurfing or parasailing but there are no concessions that rent equipment directly at the beach.
This beach is compliant with the ADA and beach wheelchairs can be made available with at least 24 hour notice.
The white sand on this beach is composed of fine pulverized quartz, which eroded from the Appalachian Mountains some 200 million years ago and was delivered to the Gulf by inland tributaries. Over time, wind and sea currents brought the material to its current location.
Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island, FL, is on an island that is home to around 6,000 full time residents and 12,000 part time inhabitants. From the beach itself, there is no sign of said habitation as not a single building can be seen from the sands. Only palm trees serve as a backdrop here.
The island where this beach is found has been rated to be among the ten best places in the U.S. for bird watching. A small trail can be hiked through the woods behind the beach that runs parallel to the shoreline.
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