Sanibel Island is home to the Bailey-Mathews
Shell Museum, which is regarded by many as the largest shell museum in
the world, housing a collection of nearly one-million shells from around the world. One
of the best shelling beaches is on the southern tip of the island at Lighthouse Park, where you’ll find the historic Sanibel Lighthouse
that has been a landmark since 1884. Other popular beaches on Sanibel
Island include Bowman’s
Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, Turner Beach and along the Sanibel Causeway.
Sanibel Island's main commercial street is Periwinkle Way, a picturesque
thoroughfare running down the middle of the island. Intriguing shopping,
galleries, and restaurants dot the road from the Sanibel Lighthouse to
Tarpon Bay Road, making frequent stops a must. Toward Sanibel Island's
northwestern side, the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife
Refuge is home to 170 species of birds and more than 1,000 native plants.
Sightseers can witness a variety of wildlife in a natural setting, including
the alligator. The refuge consists of 6,300 acres of mangrove forest,
marshland and hardwood hammocks . . . almost one-third of the island.
Of the countless barrier islands that
make up Lee County’s
coast, Sanibel Island and Captiva are best known. The islands are connected
to the mainland by a three-mile-long scenic causeway from the mainland.
Captiva Island to the north is one of the most beautifully preserved and
well-known areas on the Gulf Coast. The nation's foremost authority on beaches,
Dr. Stephen Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach) has recognized Captiva's beaches
as the country's most romantic. The main attraction on Captiva is
that there are no attractions, only white sand, calm waters and warm fresh
breezes. Visitors can sit back and while away the hours, sunning, walking
the beach, fishing or just doing nothing.
Sanibel Island and Captiva Island have changed in many ways since the
causeway to the mainland was opened in 1963, but they remain among Florida's
most beautifully preserved destinations. The new span that begins the
Sanibel Causeway was opened in the summer of 2007.
Sanibel Island and Captiva offer a variety of high-end resorts with the amenities
you’d expect and an abundance of outdoor activities for tourists like kayaking,
biking, swimming and boating. Most resorts on Sanibel Island are found along
Gulf Dr; Captiva is home to the legendary South Seas Plantation and Tweenwaters
Inn. Captiva
Cruises offers tours to the out islands from South Seas and McCarthy’s
Marina.
For dining fun, don't miss Sanibel’s own world-famous Cheeburger Cheeburger a popular home-grown eatery that now has 35 locations nationwide. Visit the Island Cow for an ample portion of delicious Island food and live music everyday, and don't forget to save room for Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream - a Sanibel tradition for over 30 years. For superb dining with a beachfront view, your best choice is the historic Thistle Lodge located at the Casa Ybel Resort. When on Captiva, there's no better place to dine and relax than the Keylime Bistro on Andy Rose Lane.
While shelling is a favorite pastime on Sanibel; shopping too draws crowds to the Island…especially along Periwinkle Way.
Just down the street are dozens of options for unique merchandise. including Perriwinkle Place, Tahitian Gardens, the Village Shops and the Olde Sanibel Shops with dozens of boutiques and emporium style shops.
Your best choice for all Island-related tourist information is the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce, located on the causeway leading onto these enchanting tropical islands.