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Island Information
Sanibel Island is a barrier island just off the southwest coast of Florida near Fort Myers. Sanibel is about a forty-five minute drive from the Southwest Florida International Airport. There is a $6.00 toll to cross the Sanibel bridge.
Sanibel Island is about 12 miles long and 4 miles wide. Sanibel is known around the world for it's fabulous shelling beaches.With a unique geographical orientation, lying East to West instead of North to South, it acts as a scoop and gathers seashells along it's beaches. Throughout the year, thousands of visitors come to enjoy our beaches and hunt for that special seashell.
The average temperature is 75 degrees and the sun is always shining.
With over 60% of the Island protected as wildlife preserve, Sanibel is a great place to 'get away from it all'.
There are over 26 miles of bike trails and over 17 miles of beautiful beaches. Sanibel beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world with great shelling, fishing, beachcombing, and sunbathing.
The Island's curved shrimp-like shape forms Tarpon Bay on the north side of the island. It is linked to the mainland by the Sanibel Causeway, which runs across two small man-made islets and the Intracoastal Waterway. A short bridge links Sanibel Island to Captiva Island over Blind Pass. The Gulf side beaches are excellent on both islands, and are world renowned for their variety of seashells. The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to the study of shells.
Sanibel Island is home to a good variety of birds, including the Roseate Spoonbill and several nesting pairs of Bald Eagles. Birds can be seen on the beaches, the causeway islands, and the reserves, including J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. There is a population of American Alligators, and a lone rare American Crocodile has been seen at the refuge as well. Plants on the island include the native sea grape, sea oats, mangroves, and several types of palm trees.
