Sanibel Lighthouse - East
end of Sanibel, public parking at the beach at east end of Periwinkle Way. First lit in
August 1884. Since 1950, the U.S. Coast Guard property at the lighthouse has been a
wildlife refuge.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National
Wildlife Refuge - One Wildlife Drive (off San-Cap Road).
Open daily 9am to sunset, closed Fridays (a wildlife vacation from people). 5,000-acre
sanctuary offers hiking, biking and canoe trails. The 5-mile wildlife drive is $5 for
cars, $1 for bikers and hikers. More than 200 species of birds nest here, many of them
threatened or endangered. Alligators, turtles, river otters, armadillos and other
creatures may be spotted as well. Visitor Center with guides and facilities, observation
tower, canoe rentals.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Center - Mile Marker 1, San-Cap Road. Hours: 8:30am-3pm Mon-Fri during the summer,
8:30am-4pm Mon-Sat during winter months. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to
conserving the island's natural resources. Several miles of walking trails, exhibits,
marine touch tank, native plant nursery and nature store. Nominal admission fee.
Care and Rehabilitation of Wildlife (C.R.O.W.) - 3883 San-Cap Road. Non-profit veterinary hospital dedicated to rehabilitation
and return to the wild of ill, injured and orphaned native wildlife. Thousands of patients
- from all over Southwest Florida - are received annually. C.R.O.W. also participates in
wildlife studies and sponsors educational programs. Tours 11am Mon-Fri, 1pm Sunday, no
tours on Saturday. $3 requested donation.
Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum -
3075 San-Cap Road. Hours: 10am-4pm Tues-Sun; Closed Mondays. The
Shell Museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. Exhibits are devoted to
shells in art and history, shell habitats, rare specimens, fossil shells and local
Sanibel-Captiva shells. Museum members and children 7 & under are free, youths 8 to 16
are $3, adults 17 and up - $5. Group rates and tour information availble.
Everglades Day Safari
- An Everglades ecotour of bird watching and
wildlife photography of alligators, panthers, manatees, reptiles and other zoological and
botanical interests in southwest Florida's Big Cypress preserve and Everglades outback . A
full day of nature by riverboat, hiking, airboats and van exploration with highly trained
guides. Let us do the driving. Departs daily from Sanibel, Ft. Myers Beach and
Naples/Marco Island area.