Twelve miles long, Sanibel, and Captiva Island south, are “refuge islands”, are just west of Fort Myers, and part of the ecologically-sensitive 100 barrier islands on the Gulf of Mexico. They were once thought to be one island, now divided. They are a visitor’s paradise, connected to the mainland via a three-mile-long scenic drive across a causeway. Famous for the hundreds of varieties of beautiful sea shells along island beaches, collecting is one of the Island’s most popular pastimes; bending to pick one up is referred to as the “Sanibel Stoop”. Expansive beaches and surrounding waterways provide nature adventures and boundless activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking, diving, or just soaking in the sun.
Lodgings from small inns to luxury resorts and marinas include the Country Inn & Suites, Sanibel Inn, the Sundial Beach & Golf Resort, Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, Song of the Sea Inn, Best Western Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort, the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, and the Seaside Inn, South Seas Resort & Yacht Harbour, and Captiva Island Inn B&B. Sanibel Island is also a camper’s paradise. RV parks include Bonita Lake RV Park, Gulf Coast Camping Resort, and Koreshan State Historic Site.
With so many popular Island dining options, a few are Ellington’s Jazz Bar & Restaurant, Rassa Steaks and Seafood, Crocodile’s Grill, Windows on the Water, the Mucky Duck (a great sunset view bar), Belini’s, Sanibel Island Chowder Company, the Seafood Factory, the Bubble Room, and the Terrace Tropical Grill.
Nature and environmental attractions include the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (National Audubon Society), Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Center, the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. Museums and landmarks include the historic Sanibel Lighthouse and Boardwalk, and the Sanibel Historic Village and Museum.
Great shopping includes the Tanger Outlets featuring over 60 shops, Olde Sanibel, the Captiva Village Square, Chadwick’s Square, Tahitian Gardens, and Periwinkle Place.
