Sanibel beaches feature transparent turquoise water.
What’s so extraordinary about this 12-by-3-mile Gulf retreat is the local community’s solid commitment to environmental education and conservation. Municipal and commercial concerns have worked cooperatively for decades to promote many eco-friendly experiences for residents and visitors alike. Although Sanibel boasts a grand array of restaurants, shops, and galleries, there’s no doubt that the island’s fabulous natural assets are its primary tourist attractions. Sanibel’s history is nearly as colorful as the shells, vibrant blooms, and soaring birds that make the island so lovely today. After a 2000-year occupation by the Calusa Indians, the mid-1800s brought an influx of Spanish and English explorers and settlers. Commercial fishing, ranching, and farming of crops like citrus, tomatoes, and pineapples shaped the island’s economy. After a fierce 1926 hurricane wiped out agricultural efforts, the launching of an auto ferry operation helped establish Sanibel as a vacation destination. Subsequent construction of causeway bridges provided easier island access from the mainland. When you first cross the bridges into Sanibel, be sure to stop at the Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center to pick up maps and guidebooks. The center is a charming pastel-colored cottage on the right side of Periwinkle
Manatee wall sculpture at Ding Darling NWR.
Sanibel Story and photos by Paula Loehr
Where’s the top spot for sea shell collectors? Sanibel, an offshore island near Fort Myers on Florida’s southwest coast, is a major contender. Sanibel’s shelling prospects are legendary. A large continental shelf that extends into the Gulf of Mexico borders the island. When winter storms produce big waves, nearly 300 species of piled up shells are swept from the ledge onto Sanibel’s sandy shores. Whether you explore the tide line on foot, arrange a guided tour, or hire a boat captain to transport you to secluded coves brimming with shells, the creative process of seeking and discovering sea shells at Sanibel is always delightful. In addition to exquisite shells, Sanibel welcomes visitors with miles of sandy beaches, mangrove-fringed bays, and sparkling turquoise waters. Pine forests, palm trees, and tropical flowers brighten Sanibel’s biking and hiking paths, kayak trails, and fishing spots.
SANIBEL
COAST TO COAST SPRING MAGAZINE 2018
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