Sanibel Causeway: bridge tolls and island parking

Sanibel starts before you reach Sanibel. Between the bridges, the causeway’s two islands sit out in San Carlos Bay, with places to stop before you reach the main island. The bridge toll and parking are separate charges, and the similarly named county and city parks do not share one parking rule.

The toll for an ordinary car

Lee County’s standard two-axle Sanibel toll is $6 with a compatible transponder and prepaid account. Without one, pay-by-plate is $9: the $6 toll plus a $3 administrative fee. A vehicle or trailer combination with more axles has a different rate.

The toll facility collects toward Sanibel, not on the return to the mainland. Collection is electronic, not through a cash booth. LeeWay, SunPass, E-PASS, and E-ZPass are among the accepted transponders. Keep the account funded, and use only one active transponder in the vehicle. Without a compatible prepaid account, a plate invoice goes to the registered owner under the county’s pay-by-plate process.

The county’s Causeway Islands

Lee County’s Causeway Islands are listed at 19931 Sanibel Causeway Road and open dawn to dusk. Parking is free, though reaching them by the toll crossing still involves the toll.

Island A is after the toll bridge; Island B follows the second bridge. Both have parking and portable toilets. Neither allows RV parking. These are bayside stops along the crossing, rather than Sanibel’s Gulf-facing beach parks.

The city’s Causeway Beach Park

Causeway Beach Park at 888 Sextant Drive is not one of those county islands. It is on Sanibel beside the boat ramp, and its ordinary parking rate is $5 an hour, charged around the clock, with city permit and disabled-parking exceptions.

The city park has restrooms and picnic facilities, but its lot does not accommodate RVs or trailers.