Sanibel & Captiva

Captiva Island is an island in Lee County in southwest Florida, located just offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. It was originally  part of Sanibel Island. It was probably divided when a hurricane's storm surge created a new channel, called Blind Pass, which has now been filled in with sand.

Like Sanibel, Captiva is a barrier island to Pine Island (to the east of Captiva and north of Sanibel), however it is much narrower. The only automobile access to Captiva is via the Sanibel Causeway and Sanibel-Captiva Road.

North Captiva Island or Upper Captiva is another island, in turn severed from Captiva in a 1921 hurricane, creating Redfish Pass. North Captiva has power from lines that originate on the north end of Captiva, and is privately owned. With about 300 homes built and 300 vacant lots, the island is about half way to build out. Since the island can be accessed by boat or small plane only, North Captiva real estate values are generally lower than on Captiva.

These islands are a shell collectors paradise. The beaches are loaded with “live shells” therefore you are restricted to the amount you can take off the beaches. They reall are well worth a visit it is a nature lovers paradise.

Sanibel Island  on the Gulf coast of Florida, just offshore of Fort Myers. Located within Lee County, Sanibel is a barrier island – a collection of sand on the leeward side of the Gulf Stream from the more solid coral-rock of Pine Island.

After the causeway (which carries a $6 Toll) was built to replace the ferry in May 1963 the residents fought back against overdevelopment by incorporating the island as a city in 1974. It is home to a good variety of birds, including the Roseate Spoonbill and several nesting pairs of Bald Eagles. Birds can be seen on the beaches, the causeway islands, and the reserves, including J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Common sights include pelicans, herons, egrets, and Anhingas, as well as the more common birds like terns, sandpipers, and seagulls. There is a population of American Alligators, and a lone rare American Crocodile has been seen at the refuge as well. There are over 26 miles of bike trails and 17 miles of beautiful beaches.

The whole island has a tropical feel and appearence with it's high vegitation. The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is worth a visit and is located in the city of Sanibel, Florida on Sanibel Island. It opened to the public in 1995, and operates as an information and reference center for national and international scientists, students, and shell enthusiasts who are interested in the marine, terrestrial, and land mollusks of the Gulf of Mexico and Florida.

More info can be found on the Perfect Florida Villas forums or The Perfect Florida Guide