Sanibel & Captiva Island Information

There is truly no place like Sanibel or Captiva Island to vacation or live.  Just ask Money Magazine who voted it one of the top 10 places in the world to vacation.  The Islands offer something for everybody.

Sea Shelling - The Islands have the reputation of having the best shelling beaches in the Western Hemisphere.  Sanibel Island lies east to west, and is a natural shell catcher from the northerly Gulf currents.  The sandy white beaches provide visitors with the perfect place to do the "Sanibel Stoop".  Conch, lightning whelk, banded tulip, angel wing, lion's paw, and junonia are just a few of the scores of species commonly found.  In order to preserve the the variety of shells it is against the law to collect any of the live shells.  The Bailey-Matthews museum is the only shell museum in the U.S. and is a great place to learn about the +160 species of shells on Sanibel.
 

Wildlife - Sanibel is a haven for unique wildlife with over a third of the island dedicated to preservation of the J.N. "Ding"  Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  The refuge is home for over 300 species of birds including mangrove cuckoos, roseate spoonbills, and snow egrets.  In the refuge you can find over 50 types of reptiles and amphibians such as alligators and crocodiles.  Otters and manatees are some of varieties of mammals that make the Sanibel their home.  Wildlife Drive stretches through 5 miles of the refuge, allowing easy viewing for everyone.  A stop at  the brand new $3.3 million dollar wildlife education center complete with interactive exhibits is a must for all ages.

Sanibel Lighthouse - The 104 foot high Sanibel Lighthouse is the most photographed and painted scene on Sanibel. The lighthouse is located on the far east edge of the island, right near historic Old Sanibel.  The lighthouse was completed in 1884 and is the oldest structure on Sanibel Island.  The lighthouse is a must see during your trip to Sanibel.