Sanibel and Captiva Islands

Sparkling off the Lee County coast, Sanibel and Captiva Islands are among the best known islands in the region, popular for their excellent shelling and captivating beaches. But visitors will also find picturesque paths and historical gems tucked along Sanibel's main thoroughfare -- Periwinkle Way. On this lush island, where all the buildings must be lower than the tallest palm, the sites are best seen by cycling along Periwinkle Way's canopy of whispering pines and expansive banyans. Visit the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum, which showcases the island's history with special touches such as a pioneer-vintage island residence and 1920s-versions of a general store, post office and tea room. Or stop by the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum for a dazzling display of shells that wash up on the island. At the east end of Periwinkle Way, travelers can get an up-close look at one of the region's most photographed landmarks, the Sanibel Lighthouse, which dates back to 1884 when the entire island was a wildlife refuge. Its two adjacent stilt houses are typical of Florida architecture at the turn of the century.

To the south, vacationers can enjoy delightful footpaths, winding canoe trails and a five-mile scenic drive past lush mangroves and sabal palms at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a 6,000+-acre preserve, on the northeast side of Sanibel Island. The refuge offers abundant opportunities for naturalists to witness raccoons washing up before breakfast, alligators snatching a quick bite or long-legged wading birds stalking their prey.

Matlacha and Pine Island

Matlacha and Pine Island may not be as well known as Sanibel and Captiva, but they too are very special places.

When approaching Pine Island from the mainland, travelers will first meander through the tiny, quaint village of Matlacha (Mat-la-shay). Matlacha looks like an "old Florida" fishing village. There is a collection of art galleries, gift shops and boutiques, and restaurants that offer both spectacular food and magnificent views of Matlacha Pass. The drawbridge over Matlacha Pass is known as "the world's most fishingest bridge" and has been attracting anglers from near and far for decades.

Fringed with mangroves rather than white sand beaches, Pine Island's secluded, "country waterfront" atmosphere is a huge part of it's charm. In order to preserve the nature of the Islands, a historical designation and growth regulations, designed to preserve the unique, rural island heritage for generations to come, are in place.

Visitors will find that there is much to see and do - numerous nature preserves, excellent restaurants, comfortable and affordable accommodations, outstanding fishing and shopping in the galleries and gift shops for a wide variety of artwork produced by local artisans, and of course, the opportunity to kick back and enjoy a bit of island-style relaxation. Those looking for a chance to commune with nature will find much of Pine Island is still undeveloped. The Calusa Land Trust has dedicated many years to preserving some of the island's most environmentally sensitive lands, many of which are accessible on foot and provide a chance to spot gopher tortoises, osprey, bald eagles, and a host of other creatures in their natural habitats. The Randell Research Center is home to an important, still-worked, archeological site that gives an excellent opportunity to learn about the Calusa Indian civilization and tour the shell mounds.