Captive Island and Sanibel Island Florida are the Gulf Coast heaven. In the Sanibel Island fishing and first-rate shelling are done. Golf, cultural attractions, restaurants, shops and golf are situated near Naples and Ft. Myers.

In nature these islands consists of the world’s best shelling grounds. Conchs, whelks and coquinas could be found on the beach after the storms and sometime the beach may be empty. It is against the law to take live shells from the beach.

More than one million shells have been displayed in The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel. This museum exhibits sailor art, fossil shells, tribal art and medicinal mollusks.

Majority lands of these Islands are preserved for wildlife refuges and it forms an interesting place for the bird’s lovers. Private noisy watercrafts are not allowed here in these Islands.

The bigger of the two Islands is named by Ponce de Leon as “San Ybel” after Queen Isabella of Spain. Sanibel Island is near the mainland by means of the Sanibel Causeway.

While you pass through the Periwinkle Way you will find the shell shops, galleries, open-air shopping complexes, a kind of boutiques and restaurants under a under the wide covering of shady ficus and flowers, knotted oaks and whispery pines. Instead of hotels you could enjoy an unconventional of Florida-style cottages at Island Inn, Shalimar, Waterside Inn and Sanibel’s Seaside Inn.

For your taste of seafood you could sample the solar selections at the Sunshine Café, Green Flash and Twilight Café. And if you would like to have an enjoyable feast you could attempt Bubble Room where the bearers wear scout uniforms with funny hats.

1913 homes, 1926 General Stores with antique gasoline pumps and Miss Charlotta’s Tea Rooms are included in The Sanibel Historical Village & Museum.

Important beaches include Old Lighthouse Beach and Gulfside Park. The 94-foot Sanibel Lighthouse stands from 1884 and marks the fishing pier, capture trail, wildlife refuge and restrooms. Tarpon Bay Beach gives way for an admirable swimming. The most secluded beach is Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel’s northwest end of the island’s.

18-hole course, pro lessons and seven clay tennis courts are presented by The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club. Well-appointed spa treatment packages are obtainable at the Sanibel Harbor Resort & Spa.

Almost half of the Sanibel is covered with J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge of 6300-acre. Snowy egrets, great blue herons, white pelicans, spoonbills and ibises could be viewed and enjoyed by the birdwatchers. Alligators, panthers, loggerhead sea turtles, crocodiles, bison and manatees could be seen. For this you could take a ride by bike, kayak, and canoe or in a tram through the lush ecosystem.

To reach the Captiva Island you have to cross the bridge at the north end of Sanibel. In the private estates lush vegetation of Key lime, Australian pines and coconut palms are hiding splendid.

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