Sanibel and Captiva | DebbieHouses.com

beach_lft Welcome to Sanibel and Captiva Islands—located on the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida. Now, there’s easy access through the new Fort Myers International Airport (RSW). Sanibel is world famous for its shelling. Cross the causeway by car or bike from Ft. Myers to Sanibel Island and you will immediately notice that your blood pressure drops by quite a few degrees. The setting reminds one of a Caribbean Island with 21st century creature comforts. As a barrier island with an east/west orientation and as a part of a plateau that extends out into the Gulf of Mexico, the island acts like a shelf where seashells gather and collect.
People are often seen bending down to examine and gather whelks, sand dollars, coquinas and junonia shells for their collections or to make crafts. This posture is adoringly called the “Sanibel Stoop”. Rated one of the top beaches in the world by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel enjoys sunsets like a painted canvas…each day a different painting in the sky reflecting over the expansive Gulf of Mexico horizon. If you are looking for tranquility and a reverence and respect for nature, Sanibel and Captiva is the place to be!

oy_rt In the 1960’s and 1970’s, residents of Sanibel fought against overdevelopment by establishing the Sanibel Comprehensive Land Use Plan to help maintain balance between development and the island’s ecology. More than half of the island is made up of wildlife preservation areas. The largest one is the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and Bird Sanctuary. Enjoy a drive in your own car, your bike or take the nature tram through the park to revel in the sights of roseate spoonbills, white and brown pelican, anhingas, egrets, ibis, raccoons and the occasional alligator. Red and white mangrove forests abound with tiny tree crabs and many variety of estuarial fish.
Enjoy the many biking paths, which traverse the island and allow easy access to beaches. Enjoy the large and modern Sanibel Public Library, which even possesses a large jigsaw puzzle collection for visitors and residents to borrow.
Entertainment options abound! Enjoy a play or musical at the School house Theater. Enjoy one of the many concerts indoor and out or scintillating lectures at BIG ARTS Center. Many outdoor exhibits and Art Fairs grace the island. July 4th parade down Periwinkle Drive is colorful and full of surprises. The newly built Sanibel Recreation Center offers fitness classes, yoga, water aerobics , plus state of the art fitness equipment, tennis courts and outdoor swimming for a nominal fee.Many restaurants offer live music and a variety of cuisines are represented.Just a word of warning: You might just fall in love! Many people come as visitors and like it so much, they decide to make Sanibel their permanent home!
I can personally assist you with your purchase or vacation rental in Sanibel and Captiva Islands.Call or email me today to chat about these idyllic islands on Florida’s sun washed Gulf Coast!