Sanibel Island

Sanibel, Florida: Just off the coast of Fort Myers lies a small island that has been a favorite spot for beachgoers for years. The laid back lifestyle of Sanibel Island combined with the clear tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide the perfect oasis from a busy day or week.

Like much of Southwest Florida, the original settlers of Sanibel were the Calusa Indians. The maintained a settlement on the island until the European arrival collapsed the Calusa Empire in the 1700’s.

Spanish settlers began to explore the island in the mid 1700’s. By 1768, the island was named Puerto de S. Nibel by the Spanish. The naming of the island is believed to be in honor of Queen Isabella I of Castile by Juan Ponce de Leon.

In the early 1800’s, pirate lore joined Sanibel. Just like neighboring Gasparilla Island, Sanibel Island is thought to have its own pirate past. Black Caesar is thought to have taken refuge on the island during the War of 1812. But later left when he betrayed Gasparilla by stealing his treasures.

This first modern settlement was established in 1832. The colony was established by the Florida Peninsular Land Company but did not last long. They completely abandoned the island by 1849.

Settlers returned the island in 1862 when the Homestead Act was passed. The only way to reach the island was by ferry, keeping the town small. In 1963, a bridge linking the island to the mainland was completed and the population grew.

In an attempt to maintain the small town charm and keep the island from developing beyond recognition like neighboring barrier islands, the city passed strict development standards. As part of these standards was to restrict building height to two stories and ban fast food restraraunts from the island.

Sanibel is world renowned for its wildlife. Because of the wide diversity of species that can be found here, much of the island is preserved as wildlife refuge. The largest on the island is the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The 5,200 acres of the refuge provides home for over 200 different species of birds. Visitors flock from all over the world to bird watch from the refuge’s trails and roads. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation preserves an additional 1,300 acres of land to be used as wildlife habitat.

Shelling is another popular attraction for the island. The island juts out into the Gulf of Mexico in an east-west fashion, this orientation makes is a great place to accumulate shells. It acts like a net, washing the shells onto the beach. This has led to the nickname, “Sanibel Stoop”, a name given to the posture of visitors bending over looking at the shells.

Sanibel Island offers something to do for the entire family. Hanging out at the beach, fishing, bird watching, shopping, dining and much more awaits just a short drive over the causeway bridge.