Sanibel and Captiva Real Estate Area Information and Homes for Sale in Lee County, FL.


	Sanibel and Captiva Homes for Sale

Sanibel and Captiva

It could be said that Sanibel and Captiva Islands are equal parts solid and liquid. Rising like visions from the Gulf of Mexico, these ancient sand and shell banks, washed by waters on all sides, are natural wonders as well as restful havens. The Islands’ dual ambience – land and sea – is the magic that lures you to these shores and keeps you here, or coming back.

Sanibel and neighboring Captiva are narrow islands that offer visitors incredibly diverse ecosystems all within a few miles of each other. In addition to the best shelling beaches in North America, the islands offer great biking and hiking trails and many acres of wildlife sanctuaries to explore. In fact, more than half of the islands are preserved as wildlife sanctuaries. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are just two of the 100 barrier islands that make up Florida's Lee Island Coast.

With so many different kinds of shells, it is no wonder that the area hosts the annual Sanibel Shell Fair, attended by thousands of shell enthusiasts from around 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 is a barrier island sanctuary where over 67 percent of the lands on the island are protected through federal or municipal government or private foundation ownership. Residents and visitors are committed to preserving an environment where a diverse population lives in harmony with the island’s wildlife and natural habitats. To this end, Sanibel has adopted laws and ordinances that are enforced to maintain the community.

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, including the ubiquitous alligator, in a natural setting. You can drive, bike or hike through this sanctuary, or take a narrated tour by tram or canoe. In all, the refuge occupies 5,000 acres, almost one-third of the island.

Not only can you soak up the sun and bask in the Gulf waters, but you can also explore mangrove tunnels by kayak, discover the abundance of wildlife that thrives on the island and in the waters around them and learn why Sanibel is one of the nation’s premier destinations for bird lovers.

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.