Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island is a laid-back island not far from its sister island, Captiva Island. A map of Sanibel Island indicates it is a southwestern community sitting right in the Gulf Coast. The island is roughly about 12 miles in length and approximately five miles wide at its broadest section. To reach the island, pay the toll and cross the bridge.

Sanibel Island is old unspoiled Florida. The island features manicured lawns, tidy gardens. The downtown centre of Sanibel Island is Periwinkle Way where row after row of shops and restaurants sit proudly along its main thoroughfare. Follow the road to its end, through a quieter commercial section at to the Sanibel lighthouse, an 1884 built, working lighthouse, not open to the public.

The other major road on Sanibel Island is gulf Drive. It is where you find hotels, motels, resorts, beaches and homes. Running off these two main roads are smaller roads connecting to the other important route on Sanibel Island. The Sanibel-Captiva Road, fondly called the San-Cap by locals, takes travelers over to Captiva Island.

Attractions on Sanibel Island include the J. Ding National Wildlife Refuge, home to at least 238 species of birds, several different types of reptiles and numerous kinds of mammals. You can also visit the Bailey-Mathews Shell Museum and the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife.

The sun and sand draw many individuals to Sanibel Island, Florida. There is Bowman Beach and Lighthouse Beach. Yet, many people come to the island for another reason. One of the main purposes for coming to Sanibel Island, Fl., however, is not the shops or the sun but the shells. Sanibel is home to somewhere between 160 and 400 different varieties of seashells. Fanatics pick shells from morning until night. Some even use flashlights to seek out the pastel-hued shells strewn along the beaches. Their posture, as they bend over to pick up the shells has found its way into the local lexicon. They call it the “Sanibel Stoop.”

Staying in Sanibel Island hotels or at Sanibel Island resorts is not difficult. There is a Holiday Inn, Sanibel, West Wind Inn Beach Resort and Waterside Inn on the Beach. There is also the Sanibel Sundial Beach Resort. You can use the family beach or play golf.
Other options include finding a home for rent by the owner on Sanibel Island. There are several available at different times. You could find a Sanibel Island, Florida cottage. One such Sanibel Island cottage is White Caps Cottages. Cottage like structures are also part of Diggers Tropical village.

Other possible Sanibel Island rentals include condominiums. Sanibel Island beach front condos offer you easy access to the beach and/or the Wildlife Reserve. Check out Blind Pass Condominiums or search for a Sanddollar condo rental in Sanibel Island, Fl.