Cross the causeway (toll payable) from Fort Myers Beach to the beautiful islands of Sanibel and Captiva. The islands are famous for their laid back atmosphere, beautiful beaches and the wide variety of shells that can be found along the shore. Sanibel Island measures roughly 12 miles long and 5 miles wide with one main road running down the centre (Periwinkle Way giving way to Sanibel-Captiva Road). Your first port of call should be the tourist information centre, just to the right as you drive onto the island, where local representatives will be happy to provide you with a map and information about the island. To the north of the island are the mangroves and protected habitats around Tarpon Bay – in fact over 67% of the island is a protected environment. Here you can discover the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge which offers exhibitions on nature protection and natural habitats in Florida as well as a number of walking and cycling trails. You can drive your car along the 4 mile “Wildlife Drive” (toll payable) but it will take longer than you think as you will undoubtedly stop for a closer look at the local inhabitants – which include alligators, racoons, ospreys and snowy egrets to name but a few. Alternatively take the organised tram, accompanied by a wildlife expert or ranger. There are additional sealife cruises and guided kayak tours from Tarpon Bay.
The beaches can be found along the south of the island with public access points at Bowman’s Beach and Blind Pass to the west and Tarpon Bay Road Beach, Gulfside City Park and Lighthouse Beach to the east. If you’re not too distracted by the many shells at your feet, looking out to sea can be rewarded by dolphins playing and pelicans fishing. Alternatively, this is a great spot for building sandcastles and letting children paddle. Sanibel Island offers 17 miles of protected cycle paths, ideal for families. Local companies hire a range of bikes including tandems and accessories for children. There is a good selection of restaurants along the island – ranging from casual family dining to haute cuisine. Seafood, unsurprisingly, stars on most menus where shrimp, stone crab and grouper are local specialties. To protect the island from mass development, houses here can be hired only by the month (and most rent for 3 months through the winter season) whilst there are low rise condos available for shorter rental periods. At the tip of the island is a bridge leading to Captiva Island. Measuring just 5 miles long and half a mile wide, there are two public beaches here – Captiva Beach (ideal for views of the sunset) and Turner Beach. Further on lies North Captiva – inaccessible to cars and reached by water taxi. | 
