Sanibel-Captiva Vacation Information

Escape to an island paradise — the Florida Gulf Coast islands of Sanibel and Captiva. These twin barrier islands afford visitors a wealth of natural and man-made delights. The over 15 miles of beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are perhaps best known for their abundance of beautiful seashells. Shell seekers from all over the world come here to scour the sands for the ultimate vacation souvenir. There's even a shell museum here!

The islands are also home to a wildlife refuge where you can see 238 species of birds, more than 50 species of reptiles and 32 different kinds of mammals. After spending the day with Sanibel and Captiva's abundant natural wonders, you'll want to visit the islands' best man-made attractions. Browse Sanibel's charming shops, galleries and markets for a pleasurable afternoon. Tour the Sanibel Historic Village for a peek at how life used to be on the islands. To top off your perfect day, enjoy a meal to remember at one of Sanibel and Captiva's many restaurants.

Small, quaint, and laid back, are good descriptions for both Sanibel and Captiva. While Sanibel is the larger of the two islands, from end to end it still only takes about 20 minutes to traverse. Along the way, you’ll see opportunities for biking along protected paths, attending cultural events, shopping, dining, and birding or observing other wildlife. USA Today named Sanibel Island one of the “Top 10 Best Florida Beach Towns.”

Across the bridge on Captiva, you’ll likely feel like you’ve entered not just another island, but another world. Quirky, yet upscale, Captiva is the place to go for pampering and a variety of tailored services. Relax with a massage at home, or dress up the family and head out to the beach for portraits. Be sure to spend some time on the water fishing, sailing, shelling and parasailing.

You’re sure to create memories to last a lifetime on both Sanibel and Captiva, two small islands of the coast of Southwest Florida that are calling you to come have some fun in the sun!