SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION Shoppers can check out the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's Native Landscapes & Garden Center on Sanibel, plus receive tips and information on encouraging wildlife in their backyard.

Note: Hurricanes Helene and Milton had varying impacts on Sanibel, Captiva and all Lee County’s barrier islands. Before planning a visit, please check to make sure your destination is open and/or operating on a limited schedule. 

Stunning sunrises and sunsets, beautiful white beaches perfect for swimming, diving or snorkeling the Gulf of Mexico’s warm waters, a vast assortment of shells and endless shared use paths for exercise continue to draw visitors to Sanibel as the recovery from Hurricane Ian pushes forward for the beloved and popular restaurants, art galleries, resorts and more.

Located just offshore, the island boasts nearly a dozen miles of unspoiled beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, along with hundreds of different kinds of seashells. Home to the famous “Sanibel Stoop” – the bent-at-the-waist stance taken when bending to retrieve a shell (non-living only, please) – it is routinely ranked among the best places in the world for shelling.

Its history is steeped in fishing tradition, specifically tarpon fishing. It was the silver king that put Southwest Florida on the map. W.H. Wood became noted as the first to catch a silver king on rod and reel off the shores of Sanibel in 1885 while visiting from New York. Thomas Edison was a noted tarpon angler.

Explore the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, hike the trails maintained by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and bike the over 25 miles of the city’s Shared Use Path. Learn about the local wildlife at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife or stop by the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium to see mollusks, the live creatures that make seashells.

Sit down and enjoy a meal at The Lighthouse Cafe, Original Cheeburger Cheeburger, Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant and more. Pick up a tasty sweet treat at The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine. For any necessities, stop by Jerry’s Foods; Bailey’s General Store remains under reconstruction.

PLACES TO GO

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium reopened its ground floor in March, which features the Living Gallery of Aquariums with its over 60 species of marine life and redesigned exhibits. The second level, which houses the Great Hall of Shells, was anticipated to reopen in the late fall and feature a greater quantity and diversity of shells, including new exhibits and displays.

The museum also offers lectures featuring authors and scientists, classes spanning a range of scientific and creative topics and in-the-field education like shell, mollusk and biodiversity explorations.

It connects people to the natural world through their love of shells and the animals that create them.

Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-17 and free for members and active military

More info: shellmuseum.org or 239-395-2233

Address: 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road

BIG ARTS

BIG ARTS, or the Barrier Island Group for the Arts, was started by a group of island residents and artists in 1979. It has expanded every year to offer artistic and educational experiences for all.

The education series features workshops and classes, including painting and drawing, fine crafts, photography, discussion and writing, pottery and music. There is also the FORUM lecture series of nationally recognized speakers and the Talking Points series that encourages audience participation with recognized thought leaders on a broad range of subjects.

In addition, BIG ARTS hosts performances from theater to classical music, including a broad spectrum of artists, along with community concerts, a films series and fine art exhibitions.

More info: bigarts.org or 239-395-0900

Address: 900 Dunlop Road

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife is a teaching hospital and visitor education center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine. It offers presentations, wildlife hospital tours, speaker series and more.

Each year, CROW cares for approximately 3,500 wildlife patients, including more than 200 species of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in its veterinary hospital, which is one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation facilities for native and migratory wildlife. It also provides educational fellowships and externship programs for undergraduate students and internship programs for veterinarian graduates.

Admission: $12 for ages 13 and older and $7 for ages 4-12

More info: crowclinic.org or 239-472-3644

Address: 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road

J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Named after editorial cartoonist and conservationist Jay Norwood Darling, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is one of 560 refuges across the United States.

Wildlife Drive is a four-mile-long paved road where the common sightings include sandpipers, blue herons, roseate spoonbills and egrets. Visitors can also explore the Visitor & Education Center, most of the refuge’s trails, the Wildlife and Education Boardwalk and Bailey Tract, which is a 100-acre parcel located off of Tarpon Bay Road. The Calusa Shell Mound Trail remains closed.

Admission: $10 per vehicle and $1 per cyclist/pedestrian for Wildlife Drive, $1 per cyclist/pedestrian for Indigo Trail and free for Bailey Tract but only open to cyclists/pedestrians

More info: fws.gov/refuge/JN.Ding Darling or 239-472-1100

Address: 1 Wildlife Drive

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

A land trust with an impressive acquisition record founded in 1967, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is dedicated to the protection and care of Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems.

Visit its Native Landscapes & Garden Center to learn how to encourage birds, butterflies and other wildlife in your backyard, contribute to better water quality in local waterbodies, help fight the spread of invasive plants on wild lands and conserve drinking water supplies. Peruse the sprawling grounds and take a walk on the meandering SCCF Shipley Trail.

Additional pathways for walking or biking include the Bob Wigley Trail, Periwinkle Preserve Trail, Frannie’s Preserve Trail and Sanibel Gardens Trail. The Sanibel Slough Trails remain closed.

More info: sccf.org or 239-472-2329

Address: Native Landscapes & Garden Center, 1300 Periwinkle Way

Sanibel Historical Museum and Village

The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village was founded in 1984 with a mission to preserve and share Sanibel’s history.

The story of Sanibel is told from the Calusa and Spanish eras to the early pioneer families who settled on the island in the 1800s. It tells of warriors, adventures, fishermen, farmers and proprietors.

Nine historic buildings have been moved to the grounds from their original sites. Each building has been restored to its original state. The village also has a replica of a Packing House and a garage housing a 1927 Ford Model T truck.

Following its summer closure, the historic site museum reopened for season in October.

Admission: $15 for adults and free for members

More info: sanibelmuseum.org or 239-472-4648

Address: 950 Dunlop Road

Sanibel Sea School

The Sanibel Sea School’s vision is a world where all people value, understand and care for the ocean. Its mission is to improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time.

Dedicated to vibrantly teaching children and adults about marine ecosystems – animals, people, plants, land, ocean and weather — it gives participants in its programs an opportunity to touch, feel and interact with the natural surroundings through a variety of offerings and activities.

The Sanibel Sea School hosts youth camps and after-school programs for residents and visitors. In addition, private and enriching family, corporate and group offerings are available.

In partnership with the Island Inn, it holds guided beachcombing walks on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.

More info: sanibelseaschool.org or 239-472-8585

Address: 455 Periwinkle Way

Tarpon Bay Explorers

Tarpon Bay Explorers is the official concession to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

It provides low impact, recreational and educational activities for refuge visitors, and a portion of its proceeds go back to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to benefit national refuges countrywide.

It offers kayak, paddleboard and Hobie fishing kayak rentals; rentals stop at 3 p.m. TBE also hosts kayak and tram tours, as well as manages a nature-themed gift shop.

Kayak Trail Tours are offered on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., but start times can vary depending on the tide. Tram Tours are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reservations are recommended for both offerings.

More info: tarponbayexplorers.com or 239-472-8900

Address: 900 Tarpon Bay Road

The Community House

Historically, the Sanibel Community Association was one of the first non-profits on the island; since 1927, The Community House is still the gathering place of Sanibel. Many social organizations, civic groups and clubs that first found a home there are still there to this day.

TCH holds group painting programs, line dancing classes, art exhibitions and more throughout the year, including monthly Arts & Crafts Fairs during season for residents and visitors.

It also serves as the meeting space for the Original Shellcrafters, Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club and other island organizations.

In addition, TCH hosts community events and fundraisers, with rental bookings available.

More info: sanibelcommunityhouse.net or 239-472-2155

Address: 2173 Periwinkle Way

THINGS TO DO

Explore the Shared Use Path

Sanibel has established itself as a bikers’ paradise with 25 miles of paths around the island, making destinations from one end to the other easily accessible by bicycle. Users frequently stop to take in the natural world of wildlife and environmental educational opportunities lining the path. The island continues to cement its place as a top destination for bicyclists and others using the ribbon of paved footpaths. To download the “Bike or Hike Sanibel” brochure, which includes a map and helpful tips on exploring the destinations and beaches, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/government/recreation2.

Relax on the beach

• Blind Pass Beach Park, 6497 Sanibel-Captiva Road: Located on both the Sanibel and Captiva side of the Blind Pass Bridge, the beach is popular with shellers and fishermen. Signs warn against swimming because of the swift currents.

• Bowman’s Beach Park, 1700 Bowman’s Beach Road: Pristine and quiet, you will not find any hotels. Park and walk over a bridge to secluded white beach.

• Gulfside City Park Beach, 2001 Algiers Lane: Picnic tables and seclusion welcome you, located mid-island on Algiers Lane off Casa Ybel Road.

• Lighthouse Beach Park, 110 Periwinkle Way: The site of the historic functioning Sanibel Lighthouse. Located on the eastern tip of Sanibel, it wraps around to the bay side.

• Tarpon Bay Road Beach Park, 2475 West Gulf Drive: Easy parking for recreational vehicles, and a short hike from the parking lot to the beach. Located at the south end of Tarpon Bay Road at West Gulf Drive.

Take to the water

There is an adventure starting anywhere off the coast of Southwest Florida, which can bring stops with its own unique personality at each one. Several different worlds can be visited all in one day trip on the water by one’s personal watercraft or by charter.

There are numerous barrier islands that line the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Pine Island Sound on the other. The unique set up alone makes the islands one of the best and popular estuaries in the United States.

The Pine Island Sound is one of the best bodies of water to enjoy boating, since it is protected on all sides of it. The barrier islands protect it from the Gulf of Mexico’s tides and winds, while one of Florida’s largest islands – Pine Island – protects it from the north.

Islands that can be hopped to include North Captiva, Cayo Costa State Park, Useppa, Cabbage Key, Boca Grande and Pine Island.

• Sanibel Boat Ramp, 888 Sextant Drive, 239-472-4135, mysanibel.com

• Sanibel Marina, 634 N. Yachtsman Drive, 239-472-2723, sanibelmarina.com