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Sanibel/Captiva
islands:
Pure Florida
All-sanibelisland.com
brings you the best of Sanibel and Captiva islands with destination information and great rates
on
hotels/resorts,
condos and extended-stay accommodations and
rental cars.
 Of the
100 coastal islands that make up Florida's Lee County, Sanibel
and its neighbor Captiva are best known. Connected to the
mainland by a dazzling three-mile-long scenic drive across a
causeway from the mainland, Sanibel is known worldwide for its
shelling and the associated posture referred to as the "Sanibel
Stoop." More than 200 varieties of shells litter the
beaches,
particularly after an especially high or low tide. The annual
Sanibel Shell Fair is attended by thousands of visitors from
throughout the world. For most visitors, however, shelling is a
delightful excuse to enjoy hours of sun-worshipping along some
of the most beautiful shoreline in North America and to absorb
the unspoiled island atmosphere the natives so effortlessly
maintain.
Sanibel's main street is Periwinkle Way, a picturesque, lush
thoroughfare framed by a canopy of Australian pines and tall,
graceful palms. Interesting shops, galleries, and restaurants
dot the road from the Sanibel Lighthouse to Tarpon Bay Road,
making frequent stops a must. Located toward Sanibel's
northwestern tip, the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife
Refuge is home to exotic species of birds and plants.
Naturalists and sightseers get opportunities to witness a
variety of wildlife as well, including the ubiquitous alligator,
in their natural settings. You can drive,
bike or hike through
this sanctuary, or take a narrated tour by tram or canoe. In
all, the refuge occupies 6,000 acres, over 65% of the island.
More natural beauty can be found across Pine Island Sound in
Pineland.
Captiva Island, Sanibel
Island's northern neighbor, is one of the most beautifully
preserved and well-known areas on the Gulf Coast. The nation's
foremost authority on beaches, Dr. Stephen Leatherman (also
known as Dr. Beach) has recognized Captiva's beaches as the
country's most romantic two years in a row, noting its key
features of abundant shells and its overall tranquility.
The main attraction on Captiva is that there are no attractions,
only the pristine white sand, the calm water and the warm fresh
air. Visitors can sit back and let the hours fly by, sunning,
walking the beach, fishing, or just doing nothing. Anne Morrow
Lindbergh was so inspired by Captiva's surroundings that she
wrote her best-selling love letter, "A Gift From the Sea" while
a guest on the island.
Although this tiny barrier island has changed in many ways since
the causeway to the mainland was opened in 1963, it remains
among Florida's most beautifully preserved destinations. It
offers top-rated resorts with an abundance of
outdoor activities
such as kayaking, biking, swimming or boating.
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