Seashells with header Oh, 2-B on Sanibel
B-2 Breakers West as seen from the lawn

Attractions

Sanibel has won many "world's best" awards:  for its beaches, for its shells, for its birds, not Sanibel Liighthouse and outbuildingsto mention its shops, art galleries and restaurants.  Sanibel is a family-friendly island rich in history and culture., with over 22 miles of shared-use paths to explore on foot or by bicycle.  Go birding in a National Wildlife Refuge, or fishing from our beach.  Set sail on a sunset cruise.  Play a round of golf on a championsip course.  Sanibel has all that, and more.

Wildlife and Nature

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
Vintage drawing of murex and other shells 3075 San-Cap Road, Sanibel.  The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum houses one of the world's finest collections of shells and shell-related objects, in a family-friendly setting.  Over 30 exhibits, including a special SouthWest Florida collection.  Shell-ID assistance with local "finds."  Museum shop and research library.  Summer camp for children.
Bailey Tract
boardwalk traversing Bailey Tract marsh Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel.  Quiet and unspoiled, part of J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR.  Interpretive billboard at trailhead.  Three concentric walking/biking paths encircle a pond and follow a stream frequented by egrets, herons, osprey, alligators and turtles.
Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (C.R.O.W.)
2 gopher tortoises with bandages 3883 San-Cap Road, Sanibel.  CROW is a nonprofit combination veterinary hospital and visitor education center that specializes in the care, treatment and release of sick, injured and/or orphaned wildlife.  Interactive exhibits, nature walks, events.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
roseate spoonbills wading One Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.  "Ding" Darling has over 6,000 acres of wildlands, home to over 270 species of birds, including roseate spoonbills, pelicans, osprey, herons, egrets and anhingas.  Also alligators, turtles, otters and raccoons.  Take the guided tram tour, or visit by car, bicycle or kayak.  Visitor Education Center offers interactive exhibits, lectures. 
Periwinkle Park Parrots
Pumpkin, a Catalina macaw 1119 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.  Periwinkle Park has a collection of pet and "rescue parrots" (once abused and/or neglected), cockatiels, waterfowl and exotic lemurs.  Mornings, in season, "Libby the Bird Lady" puts on a show, taking the birds from their cages and allowing visitors to hold them.  Pictured here is Pumpkin, a Catalina macaw. 
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
Brown Pelican in flight 3333 San-Cap Road, Sanibel.  The SCCF has made Sanibel "Sanibel"; responsible for acquiring and preserving over 1,800 acres of sensitive land and aquatic habitat island-wide.  Nature Center, shop and bookstore; 4 1/2 miles of walking trails; butterfly nursery; native plant nursery; seabird and seaturtle nesting projects.
Tarpon Bay Explorers
Tarpon Bay Explorers logo  900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel.  Tarpon Bay Explorers has partnered with the "Ding" Darling NWR, conducting the Refuge's wildlife-viewing tram tours.  Guided kayak adventures; kayak and canoe rentals; lunchtime lectures on-the-pier; naturalist-led nature, sunset and dolphin- and bird-watching cruises; private fishing charters and equipment rental; shop and education center with interactive touch-tank.

Cultural Attractions

"BIGARTS" (Barrier Island Group for the Arts)
BIG ARTS logo 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.  BIGARTS is Sanibel's premier venue for concerts, lectures, art exhibits.  Concert series in peak season; gallery and shop; classes and workshops.  The Herb Strauss Schoolhouse Theater is now part of the complex, offering live theater, family entertainment, original revues, musicals and more.
Sanibel Community House
2012 Sanibel Shell Fair "Shellabration" poster  2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.  The Sanibel Community House is home to the famous Sanibel Shell Fair; a center of island life.  Classes in shellcrafts, bridge, yoga, ballroom dancing and more; ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games (in season); lectures and discussion groups.  Auditorium, meeting and banquet  space available for rent.

Historical Attractions

Sanibel Historical Museun and Village
antique postcard of Baileys General Store abt 1950  950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.  The Sanibel Historical Museum-VIllage is an integral part of Sanibel history, the 1927 Bailey's General Store (its 1950's incarnation is shown in this 1950's postcard) has been lovingly restored and moved into the Village, along with at least 6 other historic properties. 
Sanibel Lighthouse (a/k/a Point Ybel Light)
Sanibel Lighthouse, keeper's cottage, outbuilding Point Ybel, Lighthouse Way, Sanibel.  First lit in 1884 and still in use as an aid-to-navigation. the Sanibel Lighthouse is one of Florida's so-called "spider lighthouses."  The lighthouse itself is not open to the public, but beautiful and photogenic.  Lovely, shell-filled beach and fishing pier nearby.  Spectacular vistas.

Sports and Outdoors

Biking (and Walking) on Sanibel -- the Shared-Use Paths
view of shared-use path surrounded by foliage Bicycles are a great way to get around on Sanibel.  Sanibel has over 22 miles of shared-use paths; mostly flat terrain (save for "Sanibel Mountain," a 3-foot-high, arched bridge on the East End).  Bikes and surreys can be rented at reasonable rates from Finnimore's, Billy's and others.
Golf
Great Blue Heron on Dunes golf cart path by pond Great Blue Heron inspecting the Dunes' golf-cart path.  The Dunes is one of two championship golf courses open to the public on Sanibel (the other is Beachview).  Challenging holes, gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife. Great off-season specials including low greens fees and lunch.
Tennis
Image of tennis racquet and flying tennis ball There are a number of places to play tennis on Sanibel, including the Sanibel Recreation Center, the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club  and the Beachview Golf & Tennis Club.
The City of Sanibel Recreation Center
Sanibel Rec Center pools, buildings at dusk [ BestPicturesOf.com]  The City of Sanibel's beautiful new Recreation Center offers tennis, swimming, Center4Life and other classes and activities.    More info, hours at the City of Sanibel website.  Photo courtesy of BestPicturesOf.com)
Cruises Around the Islands
Sanibel Marina, with charter boat Lots of fun and educational cruises depart from on or near Sanibel. Tarpon Bay Explorers offers naturalist-led bird- and dolphin-watch, nature, sunset cruises, guided kayak tours.  Captiva Cruises (Captiva) offers nature, sunset cruises, shelling and out-island tours.  Adventures in Paradise (Port Sanibel, Ft. Myers) offers cruises, free transport. More info: SanCap Chamber of Commerce.
Fishing -- Charter, Boat Rentals, Fishing from Shore
a beach fisherman and his catch Fishing is popular on Sanibel:  deep-sea, shallow-bay, from the beach or the Lighthouse fishing pier or the Causeway, or in "Ding" Darling NWR (crabbing also permitted).  Take a charter, hire a guide, or fish on your own.  For more information (incl. license info), visit the SanCap Chamber of Commerce.
Professional Baseball:  Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Ft Myers Miracle
Twins-Red Sox baseball game Boston Red Sox at bat against the Minnesota Twins.   Fort Myers is home to both of those Major League teams during Spring Training.  And a Minor League team, the Fort Myers Miracle, plays there during the regular season.  Games are great fun:  intimate stadiums; informal atmosphere; inexpensive tickets.  Visit the official Fort Myers-Sanibel website for more information.

Dining and Shopping

Dining on Sanibel
Blueberry pancakes with syrup in take-out container  Sanibel offers a wide variety of dining experiences, from basic to gourmet, take-out to fine dining, and everything in-between (including homemade ice cream).   There are simply too many good ones to name here. The Guidebook in our condo contains a list of our personal favorites. See listings in SanCap Chamber of Commerce and the Sunny Day Guide.
Shopping on Sanibel
Periwinkle Place, with fountain and foliage  Sanibel is a shopper's paradise, with several small shopping centers, numerous standalone shops and art galleries, and 2 large supermarkets with wine shops, a movie theater, a garden with exotic parrots.  Check the SanCap Chamber of Commerce, the Sunny Day Guide and the local newspapers for up-to-date information, coupons and more.