Sanibel Island is a barrier island situated off shore from Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The white sand of the beaches on one side of the island are dotted with shell and the streets are named after shells with the main street being Periwinkle Street.
On one side of the island there are wetlands and marsh areas with small lush green islets. This is truly a “tropical Island paradise” with palms, pines and other tropical plants lining the streets and instead of large neon signs and billboards there are smaller less obvious signs for the many art galleries, cafes and boutique styled shops.
For the beach lovers, lazing on the sand watching pelicans and other sea birds is a delight or you can collect many different types of shells for a great collection.
Some beaches to visit include Bowman’s Beach, which is quite secluded. It has a barbecues and an outdoor shower. Tarpon Bay Beach is good for recreational vehicles with ample parking.
Lighthouse Beach is the site of an historic yet fully functioning lighthouse. There is a fishing pier and a boardwalk which follows a nature trail through the adjoining wetlands.
Away from the beach the Gulf Side City Park is a good spot for a snack with picnic tables under shady pine trees. Bailey Matthews Shell Museum and Gift Shop is worth a look and very informative.
If golf or tennis takes your fancy the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club has much to offer. A challenging 18 whole championship course with breathtaking views is on offer. There is a fully stocked pro shop and clinics and individual lesson are available as is club and shoe hire.
The J.N (Ding) Darling National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1945 and covers 5,000 acres. With over 2,000 species of bird life, it is a wonderful spot for bird watching .River otters, turtles, alligator and many other species of wildlife also inhabit the area.
There are many other activities available on Sanibel Island such as Bike riding on the many trails and paths on the island. Guided tours are run daily and bike hire is available as are rollerblades.
Naturally water sports are plentiful, Sanibel has five freshwater pools for the swimmers and body boarding and snorkeling are always popular. Scuba instruction is available by appointment.
You can hire canoes and kayaks at the Tarpon Bay recreation area and for those interesting in boating and fishing, boat and equipment hire is on offer at Sanibel Marina.
Accommodation in plentiful but it is wise to book well in advance in the high season. With over 60 restaurants and cafes you will always find something to tempt your taste buds, be if for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Of an evening you can choose from dining under the stars, listening to reggae music, live bands or more formal dining settings.
When it comes to facilities Sanibel Island has them all including Cinema, art galleries, pharmacy, medical facilities, plenty of night spots and supermarkets. There is a good variety of clothing and gift shops and of course, beauty salons and day spas.
Sanibel Island is a wonderful holiday destination with activities for the entire family, combined with a glorious climate it is well worth checking out.
