Sanibel Island and Captiva Island
A family-oriented vacation destination off the Florida Gulf Coast
Oct 3, 2009
The tiny islands are only a 2.5 hour drive away from Miami, and the long bridge connecting them to the west Florida mainland had only a $6.00 toll at the time of writing. Sanibel is a great place to spend an entire week, but it also makes a convenient overnight trip for Miami vacationers.
Shelling on Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island’s main claim to fame is the abundance of seashells lining its beaches. The angled East-West position of the island acts as a dragnet against the flow of the tide, collecting all the seashells in the island’s path. Sanibel has been named the best shelling spot in North America, and is a primary destination for both amateur and serious shellers. Although the winter tides bring the best new finds to the beaches, shells are copious year round. Most of the beaches are sandy, but some have mounds of seashells that cover the entire stretch of beach and crunch underfoot, necessitating the wearing of shoes. Visitors are allowed to collect as many shells as they like, provided that they contain no living organisms, and some hotels even provide special stations for cleaning and rinsing the finds of the day.
Any visit to Sanibel would be incomplete without a stop at the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. The museum charges a very reasonable $4.00 - $7.00 admission, and is a small but beautifully designed look at the science and history of shells around the world.
Biking and Wildlife on Sanibel Island
Biking is also a popular activity on Sanibel. There are over 26 miles of paved bike paths, many of them winding along wildlife preserves, and bike rental stores are convenient and easy to access. As the island is only 12 miles long and no more than 4 miles wide, bike rentals are an attractive and cheaper option to car rentals for some people. They also save visitors the trouble of paying for parking spots on the beaches.
Fully 60% of Sanibel Island has been set aside as a wildlife refuge, the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It includes an information center and lengthy paved and unpaved trails, which are accessible by both bike and car. Viewing platforms along the trail provide unrestricted views of the many varieties of wildlife that live on the island: raccoons, alligators, and too many species of birds to list. When planning a trip to the refuge, though, be aware that it is entirely closed every Friday to allow the animals a respite from human contact.
Sunsets on Captiva Island
Captiva Island is so tiny that it makes even Sanibel look large by comparison; it lies to the north of Sanibel and is linked to it by a causeway. Captiva is so small that a hurricane in 2004 severed the island in two, creating a pass in the middle. The gap has since been filled in with sand, and the island is still linked to Sanibel by a short causeway. Captiva is a perfect place to view sunsets; the beaches are generally quieter than those on Sanibel, and the island’s position facing due west allows stunning and unobstructed views of the setting sun over the water.
There are many more possibilities for adventure on these islands, and this website can provide details. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are ideal family vacation spots. The emphasis is on experiencing the beaches and the outdoors rather than nightlife or clubs; the islands are small and quiet, and provide a perfect setting for reflection and relaxation; and the thrill of shelling on the beaches is an irresistible lure to the young and the young-at-heart.
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