Paradise Coast
Sanibel Island Fishing Weather & Tides
Pine Island Sound flats and the passes off Sanibel & Captiva.
Active NWS alerts for Sanibel Island
Official watches, warnings and statements from the National Weather Service, in NWS’s own words.
Small Craft Advisory
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EDT TUESDAY
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL · Until Tue 3 AM ET
Read on weather.gov →Full alert text
Tampa Bay waters; Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound; Coastal waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 NM; Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM; Coastal waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 NM; Waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 to 60 NM; Waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 to 60 NM; Waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 to 60 NM
* WHAT...Northeast winds 20 to 30 knots and seas 6 to 9 feet.
* WHERE...Portions of Gulf of America.
* WHEN...Until 3 AM EDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
Today on the water
Monday, October 19Right now it's 76°F and clear at Sanibel Island, with wind NNE 22 mph (gusts 31). The forecast high is 81° with a 15% chance of rain.
Today's tides
- Low tide2:19 AM (1.9 ft)
- High tide7:43 AM (2.3 ft)
- Low tide3:00 PM (0.8 ft)
- High tide10:03 PM (2.2 ft)
Sun
- Sunrise7:29 AM
- Sunset6:56 PM
- UV index7
Fishing Sanibel Island
Sanibel and neighboring Captiva sit at the edge of Pine Island Sound, one of the richest inshore fisheries in the state. Redfish and snook stack in the passes and around the causeway, trout blanket the seagrass, and tarpon roll through the passes in early summer. The island's shell-strewn beaches are as famous as its fishing.
Target species
- Redfish
- Snook
- Spotted seatrout
- Tarpon
Local tip: The passes and causeway fish best on a strong moving tide; low water tightens fish onto the bars.
Sanibel Island fishing & weather FAQ
- What are the tides in Sanibel Island today?
- Sanibel Island's tide predictions come from the NOAA CO-OPS station at Punta Rassa, San Carlos Bay. Today's high and low tide times are shown above and update through the day on the live dashboard.
- What fish can you catch at Sanibel Island?
- Sanibel Island is known for Redfish, Snook, Spotted seatrout, and more. The mix shifts with the season, water temperature, and tide — check the live conditions before you run.
- What's the best weather app for fishing Sanibel Island?
- Salty Forecast is built for exactly this stretch of coast — it combines tides for San Carlos Bay & the Gulf, wind and gust forecasts, water temperature from nearby NOAA buoys, live radar, and offshore swell in one clean, free view aimed at anglers.
- Is the wind good for fishing Sanibel Island right now?
- Wind direction and speed make or break a day on the water. The live Salty Forecast dashboard shows current wind and gusts, an hourly wind forecast, and an animated wind map so you can pick the calmest window and the most protected water.
Guides for Sanibel Island
Hurricane Isaias and Southwest Florida: What Happened and What It Meant
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, on the evening of October 9, 2026, and has since weakened to a post-tropical cyclone in the Tennessee Valley. Southwest Florida was never under a hurricane, tropical storm or storm surge watch or warning. What NHC and NWS Tampa Bay reported for Englewood, Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande, Venice and Fort Myers, with sources.
Storm Surge on Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay, Explained
Why storm surge on the Charlotte Harbor coast depends on track, wind direction and our shallow Gulf more than category, with real numbers from Ian, Irma, Helene, Idalia and Milton.
Reading the Wind Before You Run to Boca Grande Pass
How wind direction decides whether Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor are fishable, and how to find protected water on a breezy day.
Summer Thunderstorms on the Gulf Coast: Reading Radar Before You Run
Florida's summer storms build fast and hit hard. The daily pattern, why they're dangerous on the water, and how to read radar to stay ahead.
Nearby spots
Tides from NOAA CO-OPS (Punta Rassa, San Carlos Bay). Forecast from Open-Meteo. Salty Forecast is a free hyperlocal weather app built for anglers — species and local notes are general guidance, not fishing advice. Always check current conditions and regulations before heading out.