Sanibel Island sits in the Gulf coast of Florida, located off-shore of Fort Myers. Part of Lee County, Sanibel is a top tourist destination in the Sunshine State, that boasts zero multi-lane highways or even fast food restaurants, and is a truly quaint and comfortable atmosphere for visitors. In March of 2010, Barrons named Sanibel Island as one of the "10 Best Places for Second Homes."
Just 33-square miles, Sanibel has an abundance of wildlife territory; most notably the J.N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which covers nearly half the island as the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. Visitors and residents on the island enjoy the large number of migratory bird populations that settle here. Sections of the Refuge also provide hiking, biking, driving and paddling trails.
Sanibel Island is also known for its premium shelling, and is largely attributable to what makes this area as a vacation destination for people around the world. Shells wash up in droves along Lighthouse and Tarpon Bay Beach because Sanibel sits on a plateau that extends and collects shells out from the Gulf of Mexico.
As a sort of rite of passage, visitors are encouraged to troll the beaches and take a look at everyone doing the "Sanibel Stoop," in reference to the act of bending over to observe and pick up shells along the shore.
Our concierge staff has spent a lot of time soaking up the sun in Sanibel Island. Contact them for answers to any questions you have about the area.
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