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1177 Causeway Road
Sanibel, FL 33957
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A playground for fishermen and outdoorsy types, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is arguably the island’s biggest and noisiest attraction, encompassing 7,000 acres of mangrove forests, mud flats, and sawgrass swamps.
Low key and elegant, Sanibel offers upscale shopping and fine dining in a handful of carefully laid out shopping centers. The eco-conscious community has enforced strict laws governing architecture and signage, so the boutiques and restaurants are tucked discretely beneath the pines. Periwinkle Place and Tahitian Gardens are prime examples of Sanibel’s aversion to mega malls, both offering boutiques, specialty shops, and lush landscaping, while blending in with the rest of the island’s quaint cottages.
You won’t see any Spring Breakers here, but that doesn’t mean that Sanibel has forgotten how to have fun. The Schoolhouse Theater, and The Pirate Players put on Broadway musicals, dramas, and comedies year round, while an assortment of patio bars and swanky lounges keep toes tapping with live reggae, Dixieland bands, and Jimmy Buffett-style crooners.
Sanibel is the perfect place to do absolutely nothing, or to go all out.
View our list of the best Sanibel Island family vacation activities.
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Wildlife & Nature
World weary travelers find refuge in peaceful Sanibel, as do scores of threatened and endangered animals. Nearly a third of the island is occupied by a 7,000-acre stretch of maritime wilderness. Visitors tour the island’s unique ecosystems via canoe, kayak, and foot Area outfitters offer guided tours, and lend additional insight into the science, culture, and history expansive park. Home to a startling number of unique species, Sanibel Island is a veritable Disneyland for amateur birdwatchers and full-fledged ornithologists. More Sanibel Wildlife & Nature... |
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Fishing & Watersports
Local lore has it that fishing is so popular on Sanibel you can throw a shell and hit a charter captain. Avid anglers complain of sore arms from reeling in so many trout, grouper and mackerel. Watersports enthusiasts can enjoy quieter pursuits like surfing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking in the island's many aquatic settings. More Sanibel Fishing & Watersports... |
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Dining
Food snobs often make the drive all the way from Fort Myers just to sample Sanibel’s fine collection of restaurants. Even the most casual and inexpensive family eateries here turn out delicious, expertly prepared fare. More Sanibel Dining... |
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Shopping
The community of Sanibel has taken strides to keep its shops and boutiques from overshadowing the island’s flora and fauna, so you’ll have to look hard to find any garish signs or neon strip malls. The few shopping “malls” on the island feel more like tropical parks dotted with discrete Caribbean beach shacks. Art galleries and antique dealers set up shop along Periwinkle Way, as do gift boutiques and high end clothiers. More Sanibel Shopping... |
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Arts & Entertainment
For as small and as quiet as it is, Sanibel boasts an impressive array of attractions and amusements that keep the island lively.
Sailing schools, yacht charters, and day cruises offer excitement on the Gulf, and eco-tours take adventurers into the swamps and upland forests of the Refuge. And although it’s a time zone away from Broadway, Sanibel has its own live theater. More Sanibel Arts & Entertainment... |
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Golfing
With more than half of the island designated as a wildlife preserve, golfers are bound to see interesting wildlife on Sanibel’s fairways. The island’s two golf courses feature breathtaking natural scenery and sculptured greens, as well as fine restaurants in their clubhouses. Just over the causeway on the mainland, Fort Myers and Bonita Springs offer avid players even more courses to choose from. More Sanibel Golfing... |
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Shelling
Sanibel’s beaches are so famously shell-strewn, that visitors are known to develop “The Sanibel Stoop.” |
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