Get Some Sand In Your Shoes: Sanibel and Captiva Islands

These barrier islands are unique and tranquil. Sitting in the Gulf of Mexico just off the Florida coast, Sanibel is known for its unspoiled beauty, an abundance of seashells and the huge variety of wildlife that calls this island home. It is a beautiful place that is determined to remain that way. Development is strictly controlled - you'll find no high-rises, no stoplights or honking horns, and no fast-food joints here. Wildlife lives at every turn and Sanibel makes a powerful statement by setting aside over 67 percent of the island as protected lands and wildlife preserve. Don't be surprised when traffic stops to let a tortoise cross the street or to watch Bald Eagles soaring overhead.

Connected to Sanibel by a small bridge is Captiva Island, one of the most exclusive islands in North America. So narrow in spots that you can see from the Gulf to the back Bay at the same time, tiny Captiva retains its small-town feel, even amidst enormous wealth and some world-famous residents. Quirky, upscale, charming, and exclusive -- all of these words have been used to describe Captiva, and all are correct.

A few things define Captiva; the Village area, the ability to walk most everywhere, and amazing sunsets. The Village is a quaint mix of restaurants, shops and homes. It is the heart of the island and a lively place to see and be seen. Services are limited and shops are small, but the basics are available in an upgraded form. You're never more than a five-minute walk to the bay, the beach or a great meal. The island is blessed with several great restaurants ranging from funky family favorites to romantic bistros. All of Captiva's beaches face west. The views as the sun sinks slowly into the Gulf are unforgettable and never fail to draw a crowd. Like Sanibel, water sports here are almost limitless. Nighttime entertainment may mean driving to Sanibel for some events, but there is always live music at the island's restaurants, bistros and lounges, much of it outdoors while diners enjoy an al fresco meal.

For many who visit and live here though, the true nightlife is the symphony of nature -- percussion by the grunt of tree frogs and backbeat courtesy of the waves. It is the sea turtles that labor ashore on warm summer nights to lay their eggs, and the excitement and energy that bursts from those nests a few months later as baby turtles scramble towards the sea. And it's the dazzling sky, untainted by city lights. On a clear night, the moon paints a shimmering path across the Gulf and stars are so thick you can actually see them in layers.

Sanibel and Captiva's wide beaches may be renowned, but they are just the beginning. Here, river otters play, bobcats prowl among the forest trees and manatees poke along bays and into the Gulf. One island gem not to be missed is the J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge, on Sanibel. It is the perfect way to indulge in the nature of the islands. The Refuge, world-famous for its bird-watching opportunities, is more than 6,000 acres of wild lands and waters used by nearly 300 species of birds, more than 50 reptile and amphibian species and more than 30 kinds of mammals. Your chances of catching a glimpse of any number of these animals along the four-mile >Wildlife Drive or along various hiking and biking trails are excellent. Visiting during the early morning hours or just before dusk further increase your chances. Before you start down the trail of your choice, spend some time in the Center to learn which animals you are likely to see and where.

The islands offer all of the above and so much more. Follow the paths once walked by Teddy Roosevelt and discover the cottage where Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh lived and where Anne wrote her best-selling book; "Gifts from the Sea". Visit a working lighthouse or a historic village or laugh and join in the fun and antics at the NASCRAB races. Adventure and discovery await you on these inlands.

It is often said, that "Once you get our Island sand in your shoes you'll always come back." So what are you waiting for? Sanibel and Captiva Islands; easy to find, and impossible to forget.