Sanibel & Captiva Islands back to Community Profiles

IPIX 360° Images: Sanibel Lighthouse | Ding Darling

Of the 100 barrier islands that make up The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, Sanibel and its neighbor Captiva are best known. Connected to the mainland by a dazzling three-mile-long scenic drive across a causeway from the mainland, Sanibel has a worldwide reputation for it's shelling and the associated posture referred to as the "Sanibel Stoop."

More than 400 varieties of shells decorate the beaches, particularly after an especially high or low tide. With so many different kinds of shells, it is no wonder that the area hosts the annual Sanibel Shell Fair, attended by thousands of shell enthusiasts from around the world. For most visitors, however, shelling is a simply delightful excuse to enjoy hours of sun worshipping along some of the most beautiful shoreline in North America and to absorb the unspoiled island atmosphere the natives so effortlessly maintain.

Sanibel's main street is Periwinkle Way, a picturesque, lush thoroughfare framed by a canopy of Australian pines and tall, graceful palms. Intriguing shops, galleries, and restaurants dot the road from the Sanibel Lighthouse to Tarpon Bay Road, making frequent stops a must. Located toward Sanibel's northwestern tip, the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is home to exotic species of birds and plants. Naturalists and sightseers have opportunities to witness a variety of wildlife, including the ubiquitous alligator, in a natural setting. You can drive, bike or hike through this sanctuary, or take a narrated tour by tram or canoe. In all, the refuge occupies 5,000 acres, almost one-third of the island.

Captiva Island, Sanibel's northern neighbor, 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 (also known as Dr. Beach) has recognized Captiva's beaches as the country's most romantic for two years in a row, noting as its key features its abundance of shells and overall tranquility.

The main attraction on Captiva is that there are no attractions, only the pristine white sand, calm water and warm fresh air. Visitors can sit back and let the hours fly by, sunning, walking the beach, fishing or just doing nothing. Anne Morrow Lindbergh was so inspired by Captiva's surroundings that she wrote her best-selling love letter, "A Gift From the Sea," while a guest on the island.

Although this tiny barrier island has changed in many ways since the causeway to the mainland was opened in 1963, it remains among Florida's most beautifully preserved destinations. It offers top-rated resorts with an abundance of outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, swimming and boating. Captiva Island will captivate the senses and soothe the soul.