Secrets of Sanibel

Attractions

Sanibel, Florida

After you've spent some time on the beach soaking in the sun, enjoying Sanibel's shelling culture and returning to the childhood impulse to build castles and bury loved ones in the sand, take time to explore some of Sanibel's many island attractions.




Museums, theater, golf, fishing, biking, hiking, shopping and stargazing are some of the many island diversions that you can experience in a way only Sanibel can deliver.

The following are some our favorite things to do on the island, information you will need to make them a part of your vacation, and tips for making the most out of your experience.

Sanibel - Captiva Conservation Foundation

A visit to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is a wonderful way to spend time in the island wilderness, particularly if you have young children with you. Located on the Sanibel-Captiva Road, the SCCF has developed a series of wide nature trails that are very enjoyable, even if you don’t have much of a green thumb.

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

Sanibel is known as having some of the best shelling beaches in all of the United States.  The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum at Sanibel is a great place to learn about all the shells you can find on the island.  It's also a great place to take children, where they can participate in a shell scavenger hunt and earn a small prize for finding them all.

"D'ing" Darling National Wildlife Reserve

Even if your travel plans don’t typically include visiting one of the 538 refuges that are protected by the National Wildlife Refuge System across the United States, the J.N. “D'ing” Darling NWR on Sanibel Island is an attraction you will not want to miss.