Sanibel and Captiva Islands are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida. These are, however, not the rowdy type of destinations preferred by college students on spring break. Both of these islands are principally renowned for their spectacular environments and for the rather upscale lifestyles enjoyed by many of their residents. Sanibel Island information related to tourism and lodging generally centers on touring some of the amazing mangrove ecosystem, the white sand beaches and the waterways that surround the island. Sanibel Island is separated from neighboring Captiva Island by a narrow strait of water called Blind Pass.

Sanibel Island information related to the natural environment can be found from any of the major organizations on the island dedicated to preserving the natural heritage. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge constitutes one of the most treasured places on the island and encompasses over 5,000 acres of magnificent habitat. Sanibel Island pictures of the over 200 bird species that call this island home are some of the most cherished souvenirs brought home by visitors to Sanibel. One of the more popular places to stay on Sanibel is accommodations located at Blind Pass. There are spectacular white sand beaches, restaurants, fishing, shelling, hotel and cabin rentals, restaurants and natural beauty that make this a popular place for residents and tourists. At low tide, the flats on the bayside of Blind Pass allow for great shelling.

Sanibel and Captiva Island are also both home to some of the best shelling beaches to be found anywhere in the world. There are literally thousands of shells to be found on most of the beaches. These islands sit on an underwater plateau that extends far out into the Gulf of Mexico. This plateau creates a natural shelf which provides an ideal habitat for shellfish. Their shells collect on the shores of these islands and offer some fantastic collecting. Sanibel Island information related to shelling can be obtained from the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, the largest of its kind in the world.

Sanibel Island pictures of dolphins, unlike as is the case in most areas, are very easy to obtain. One could travel the world without finding a larger population of bottlenose dolphins than exists in Tarpon Bay. These playful and intelligent creatures are one of the island’s largest draws. Sanibel Island information about either tourist facilities or the natural environment can offer many options for scheduling a vacation or for investigating the options for buying on these tropical destinations. The islands have many properties available and a very quaint, hometown feel to them.