Attractions
Sanibel has won many "World's Best" awards: for its beaches, for its shells, for its birds, its shops, art galleries and restaurants.
The Bailey Tract. Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel. Part of J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Three concentric bike-hike paths encircle a pond.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. One Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. Over 6,000 acres of wildlands and water, home to over 270 species of birds, incl. spoonbills, herons, egrets, pelicans, osprey, anhingas. Also alligators, turtles, otters, raccoons, bobcats. Guided tram tours. Road and trails for car, bike, hike, kayak. Visitor Education Center with interactive exhibits.
Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). 3883 San-Cap Road, Sanibel. Combination veterinary hospital and education center specializing in the treatment and release of sick
Sanibel Lighthouse (a/k/a Point Ybel LIght). Lighthouse Way, Sanibel. First lit in 1884 and still in use. One of Florida's famous "spider lighthouses."
Periwinkle Park. 119 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Aviary with pet and "rescue" parrots and birds. Scenic pond with waterfowl. On winter mornings, "Libby the Bird Lady" puts on a show, and allows visitors to hold the birds.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF). 3333S an-Cap Road, Sanibel. The group that made Sanibel "Sanibel"; responsible for acquiring and preserving over 1,800 acres of land. Nature Center, butterfly nursery, over 4 1/2 miles of trails, native plant nursery, seabird and turtle nesting projects.
City of Sanibel Recreation Center. 3880 San-Cap Road, Sanibel. Tennis, swimming, Center4Life, classes and activities.
Golf. Sanibel has a number of public and private golf courses. Public courses include the Dunes and Beachview. Dunes offers off-season specials, including low greens fees and lunch.
Professional Baseball. Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Fort Myers Miracle.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. 3075 San-Cap Road, Sanibel. (888) 679-6450. World-class collection of shells and shell-related objects. Shell-ID assistance. Museum shop and research library.
Sanibel Historical Museum & Village. 950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. Historic buildings, restored and open to the public, tell the story of the island.
Tarpon Bay Explorers. 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel. Guided tram tours of "Ding" Darling NWR. Nature, wildlife, sunset cruises. Guided kayak tours, kayak and canoe rentals. Shop and education center; interactive "touch tank."
Tennis. Several places to play on Sanibel, including the City of Sanibel Recreation Center, the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, Beachview Golf & Tennis Club.
Scenic boat tours. Sanibel Marina (pictured here), fishing charters; Tarpon Bay Explorers, nature-dolphin-sunset cruises; Captiva cruises, nature-wildlife-shelling-sunset cruises; sanibel harbor (ft. myers), high-speed ferry to key-west, casino cruises.
