City Profile: Sanibel Island

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Watch your children play on the Sanibel shore.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

Famous for its excellent shelling, Sanibel Island offers miles of unspoiled beaches and nature.

Of the 100 coastal islands that make up Florida's Lee County, Sanibel and its neighbor Captiva are best known. Connected to the mainland by a dazzling three-mile-long scenic drive across a causeway from the mainland, Sanibel is recognized world-wide for its shelling and the associated posture referred to as the "Sanibel Stoop." More than 300 varieties of shells litter the beaches, particularly after high, northwest winds or during January through March. The annual Sanibel Shell Fair, known as "Shellabration," is attended by thousands of visitors from throughout the world.

For most visitors, however, shelling is a delightful excuse to enjoy hours of sun-worshipping along some of the most beautiful shoreline in North America and to absorb the unspoiled island atmosphere the natives so effortlessly maintain.

Sanibel's main street is Periwinkle Way, a picturesque, lush thoroughfare framed by tall, graceful palms. Interesting shops, galleries, and restaurants dot the road from the Sanibel Lighthouse to Tarpon Bay Road, making frequent stops a must.

Located toward Sanibel's northwestern tip, the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is home to exotic species of birds and plants. Naturalists and sightseers get opportunities to witness a variety of wildlife as well, including the ubiquitous alligator, in their natural settings. You can drive, bike or hike through this sanctuary, or take a narrated tour by tram or canoe. In all, the refuge occupies more than 6,400 acres, over 65% of the island. More natural beauty can be found across Pine Island Sound in Pineland.