A sunset cruise on the Sanibel Harbor Princess is a beautiful way to experience Southwest Florida, Sanibel Island, and the Gulf of Mexico from the water.
Overview
There is something especially magical about watching the sun disappear over the water, and a sunset cruise makes the experience even better. During one of our visits to Southwest Florida, we had the chance to spend an evening aboard the Sanibel Harbour Princess Yacht, enjoying dinner while cruising the waters around Sanibel and Fort Myers. With views of San Carlos Bay, the islands, and the spectacular sunset, it was a relaxing change of pace from spending the day exploring on land.
The Sanibel Harbor Princess is a dinner cruise departing from the waterfront at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. The cruise combines a meal, scenic views, and time on the water, making it a fun choice for a special occasion, romantic evening, or simply something different to add to a Southwest Florida vacation. The yacht is a 100-foot vessel, and guests can enjoy the views from indoor dining areas or the outdoor observation deck.
The Princess boat is at the end of the dock near the hotel’s pool area
There were some clouds the night we went, but it turned out to be a beautiful evening
History
The Sanibel Harbour Princess has been part of the Fort Myers waterfront dining experience for years, offering guests the opportunity to see Southwest Florida from the water while enjoying dinner. The yacht has traditionally operated from the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa, giving visitors a convenient starting point near Sanibel Island and the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico.
The experience has also evolved over time. The Sanibel Harbour Princess has been used for dinner cruises, private charters, receptions, celebrations, and other special events. The vessel’s upper deck can also be reserved for private events, making it an option for occasions such as a wedding ceremony, rehearsal dinner, anniversary, or other celebration.
Today, the experience is centered around an elegant cruise through the scenic harbor with dinner and waterfront views. The current resort information describes the yacht as available for private reservations and special gatherings, while current dinner-cruise information lists Friday and Saturday evening departures.
As we were boarding the boat, there were some dolphins playing in the water
Sanibel Harbour Sunset Cruise Plan
This wasn’t an excursion we had originally planned for our Southwest Florida trip. Instead, we won the sunset cruise in a silent auction at a charity event. Since we already knew we would be visiting family in Fort Myers one weekend, we decided that was the perfect opportunity to use our prize.
It turned out to be a really fun addition to our weekend. Rather than spending another evening at a restaurant, we got to dress up a little, board the Sanibel Harbor Princess, enjoy dinner, and watch the sunset over the water. Winning the cruise made the experience even more memorable because it was something we probably wouldn’t have thought to add to our plans otherwise.
The sun starting to set under the low cloud coverage
Justin and Stephanie on the boat
Getting There
Location
Southwest Florida is located along the Gulf Coast in the southwestern part of the state, with communities stretching from the Fort Myers area south toward Naples and surrounding coastal communities. This part of Florida is known for its beaches, barrier islands, warm Gulf waters, wildlife, and beautiful sunsets.
Fort Myers is particularly well positioned for exploring the islands and waterways around the coast. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island sit just offshore, while San Carlos Bay connects the Fort Myers area with the Gulf of Mexico.
The Sanibel Harbour Princess takes advantage of this waterfront setting. The Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa is located in the Punta Rassa area of Fort Myers on 85 acres overlooking Sanibel and Captiva islands.
This location also puts you close to many of the things that make Southwest Florida such a popular destination. Depending on your plans, you can combine a cruise with time at Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, Captiva Island, or nearby wildlife areas such as the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Best Time to Go
For a sunset cruise, the best time to visit Southwest Florida is generally during the cooler months from late fall through spring. Winter and early spring offer comfortable temperatures for being outdoors, while the sunset colors can be spectacular over the Gulf Coast.
We especially like the idea of pairing a sunset cruise with a full day of exploring. Spend the morning visiting Sanibel Island, look for wildlife and wading birds, explore historic gardens or nearby attractions, and then head to the marina in the late afternoon.
Summer can also be beautiful, but Southwest Florida is hot, humid, and more prone to afternoon thunderstorms. If you visit during the summer, keep an eye on the weather and allow yourself plenty of flexibility around your cruise.
Sunset Cruise on Sanibel Harbor Princess in Southwest Florida
Who Can Go?
A sunset cruise is a good activity for a wide range of travelers. Couples can enjoy it as a romantic evening, while families and groups can make it part of a larger Southwest Florida vacation.
You don’t have to be staying at the resort to enjoy the cruise. The Sanibel Harbour Princess has been offered as a public cruise as well as for private events and charters. Current information lists the dinner cruise as an option for the general public, with private reservations also available.
Because you’re on a boat for the evening, anyone who is prone to motion sickness may want to plan accordingly. Otherwise, this is an easy activity that doesn’t require hiking, swimming, or strenuous physical activity.
What You'll See
The biggest attraction is, of course, the spectacular sunset. As the Sanibel Harbor Princess moves away from the dock, you’ll have opportunities to see the waterways surrounding Sanibel and Fort Myers from an entirely different perspective.
Depending on the route and conditions, you may see:
- Sanibel Island
- Captiva Island
- San Carlos Bay
- The Gulf of Mexico
- Fort Myers Beach
- Passing boats and waterfront homes
- Wading birds and other coastal wildlife
- Dolphins and other wildlife encounters
The area around Sanibel and Captiva is particularly well known for wildlife. You may spot white pelicans, bald eagles, sea turtles, or other animals during a broader Southwest Florida adventure, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed from the cruise.
The real highlight for us was simply being on the water as the sky changed colors. Sitting outside on the upper deck and watching the sun sink toward the horizon created that kind of magical setting that is difficult to duplicate from a restaurant on land.
The Sanibel Lighthouse
What to Bring & Wear
The cruise is more of a dinner experience than an outdoor adventure, so you don’t need a lot of gear.
I would recommend bringing:
- Comfortable but slightly dressier clothing
- A light sweater or jacket for the boat
- Comfortable shoes with good traction
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A camera or phone
- A small purse or bag
- Motion-sickness medication if you typically need it on boats
The current dinner cruise is listed with a casual dress code, so you don’t need formal clothing.
That said, I would lean toward resort casual rather than beachwear. You’re going to dinner aboard a yacht, so this is a great excuse to dress up a little.
Where to Go
The Sanibel Harbor Princess departs from the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa at 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33908.
You’ll want to arrive at the resort with enough time to park, get oriented, and check in before boarding. Current resort information says guests check in at Charley’s Restaurant before the cruise, with current Friday and Saturday departures listed at 7:00 p.m. and returns at 9:00 p.m.
The marina is on the resort property, so once you arrive, follow the signs and directions provided for the Sanibel Harbour Princess rather than trying to find a separate marina elsewhere on Sanibel Island.
If you’re driving from Fort Myers, the resort’s location near Punta Rassa makes it a convenient starting point for the cruise. If you’re spending the day on Sanibel Island or Captiva Island, allow extra time to return to the mainland and reach the resort before your check-in time.
How Long Does it Take?
Plan on approximately two hours for the sunset dinner cruise. Current information lists the cruise as a two-hour experience, with the exact departure time tied to the sunset during some operating periods.
That makes it easy to fit into a larger Southwest Florida itinerary. You can spend most of the day exploring, return to your hotel to freshen up, and then head to the Sanibel Harbour Princess for the evening.
For a special occasion, you could also turn the cruise into the centerpiece of an entire evening.
Cost
The cost of the Sanibel Harbour Princess cruise can change, so check the current pricing when you make your reservation.
At the time of our research, current listings show the dinner cruise at approximately $99 per person before tax, with water, tea, and coffee included. The historic dinner-cruise menu information lists different pricing from an earlier period, so older prices you may see online should not be used when planning your current budget.
Private charters are also available at substantially different rates. Current information lists charter options beginning around $3,500 plus fees for a three-hour cruise, with additional food and beverage minimums, so private events should be priced directly with the venue.
Because pricing and schedules can change, I recommend checking the current Sanibel Harbour Princess information before your trip.
Tips for the Sanibel Harbor Princess
- Arrive early. Give yourself plenty of time to park, find check-in, and get to the boat without feeling rushed.
- Check the sunset time. Cruise departure times can be adjusted around sunset, so verify your exact boarding time before leaving for the resort.
- Bring a camera. The views from the water are worth photographing, especially as the sky changes colors.
- Spend some time outside. Even if you're enjoying dinner indoors, head to the outdoor observation area for the sunset.
- Dress comfortably. Casual or resort-casual clothing works well, but this is a fun experience for dressing up a little.
- Bring a light layer. Even warm Florida evenings can feel cooler when you're moving across the water.
- Don't expect wildlife sightings. Sanibel and the surrounding waterways are fantastic for wildlife encounters, but animals such as dolphins, bald eagles, white pelicans, and sea turtles aren't guaranteed on any particular cruise.
- Consider it for a special occasion. A sunset dinner cruise can be a memorable choice for an anniversary, birthday, rehearsal dinner, or romantic evening.
- Look into private charters for groups. If you're celebrating with a larger group, reserving part or all of the yacht may be worth considering.
- Pair it with a day of sightseeing. Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, and the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge can all fit naturally into a Southwest Florida vacation.
- Check current details before you go. Cruise schedules, pricing, parking arrangements, menus, and availability can change, so confirm the latest information when booking.
- Share your sunset photos. This is one of those Southwest Florida experiences that makes for beautiful social media photos, especially from the upper deck as the sun goes down.