Attractions
Sanibel has won many "world's best" awards: for its beaches, for
its shells, for its birds, not
to 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
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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
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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.)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
The City of Sanibel Recreation Center
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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. |