Nature & Recreation

Looking for Nature & Recreation?

To find the wildest scene on Sanibel, follow Periwinkle Way heading west to where it ends at Tarpon Bay Road. Turn right to get to Sanibel-Captiva Road, which will take you away from the bustle of “downtown Sanibel.”

Watch and listen for ospreys screeching their parental precautions from atop man-made pole aeries. Egrets splash around in the puddles after rain. And you never know when a momma raccoon and family will skitter across the road, or a marsh rabbit will bounce out of the dense vegetation of palmettos and sea grapes.

Along the way, natural attractions teach about island flora and fauna: the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Center, Care and Rehabilitation of Wildlife facility, and the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. At Sanibel Elementary School, the city’s recreation department maintains a public complex with swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, playground and kids’ after-school and summer programs.

For other recreation options, check with local marinas, Rental facilities about equipment for sailing, power-boating, windsurfing, in-line skating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking (See Shops and Services).

SANIBEL ISLAND MUSEUMS AND RECREATION CENTERS

VENUE
ACTIVITIES
SCHEDULE

Bailey’s-Matthews Shell Museum
3075 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel
(239) 395-2233

Sea Shell Museum with educational exhibits of shells from Sanibel and other areas of the world.

Open Daily
10:00am to 4:00pm
Kids 5 -16yr: $3
Adults 17yr & Up: $6

C.R.O.W. – Clinic for Rehab of Wildlife 
3883 Sanibel Captiva Road
(239) 472-3644

Wildlife Rehab Facility with education center to teach public about indigenous wildlife.

Daily Education Program
11:00am Mon-Fri

Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve
One Wildlife Drive (off San Cap Rd)
(239) 472-1100 ext 233

Nature Preserve with education center, walking trails, nature tours, canoe trails, bike trails, wildlife drive.

Open Daily
9:00am – 5:00pm
No fee for education center. For trails: $5/car & $1/person, tour pricing varies

Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation – Nature Center
3333 Sanibel Captiva Dr
(239) 472-2329

Nature Exhibit with nature trail, walking tours, Butterfly House and Native Plant Nursery. Gift shops on premises.

Open Daily
Mon – Fri.
Entry fee for ed center;
Nature tour prices vary.

Sanibel Historical Museum & Village
950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
(239) 472-4648

Step right into Olde Sanibel buildings preserved and displayed for your enjoyment. Sanibel Historical Info.

Wed – Sat. 10:00am to 4:00pm
(summers hours differ)
Entry fee $5 (kids get in free)
Open daily Mon – Fri.
Nature tour prices vary/person

Tarpon Bay Explorers
Nature Tours & Rentals
900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel
(239) 472-8900

Fishing Guides & rental; Nature shop; Bike rental; Tram Tours; Kayak & Canoe tours & rental; Pontoon Boat Rental; & more.

Open Daily
Prices vary

VENUE

Bailey’s-Matthews Shell Museum
3075 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel
(239) 395-2233

ACTIVITIES
Sea Shell Museum with educational exhibits of shells from Sanibel and other areas of the world.
SCHEDULE

Open Daily
10:00am to 4:00pm
Kids 5 -16yr: $3
Adults 17yr & Up: $6

VENUE

C.R.O.W. – Clinic for Rehab of Wildlife 
3883 Sanibel Captiva Road
(239) 472-3644

ACTIVITIES
Wildlife Rehab Facility with education center to teach public about indigenous wildlife.
SCHEDULE

Daily Education Program
11:00am Mon-Fri

VENUE

Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve
One Wildlife Drive (off San Cap Rd)
(239) 472-1100 ext 233

ACTIVITIES
Nature Preserve with education center, walking trails, nature tours, canoe trails, bike trails, wildlife drive.
SCHEDULE

Open Daily
9:00am – 5:00pm
No fee for education center. For trails: $5/car & $1/person, tour pricing varies

VENUE

Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation – Nature Center
3333 Sanibel Captiva Dr
(239) 472-2329

ACTIVITIES
Nature Exhibit with nature trail, walking tours, Butterfly House and Native Plant Nursery. Gift shops on premises.
SCHEDULE

Open Daily
Mon – Fri.
Entry fee for ed center;
Nature tour prices vary.

VENUE

Sanibel Historical Museum & Village
950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
(239) 472-4648

ACTIVITIES
Step right into Olde Sanibel buildings preserved and displayed for your enjoyment. Sanibel Historical Info.
SCHEDULE

Wed – Sat. 10:00am to 4:00pm
(summers hours differ)
Entry fee $5 (kids get in free)
Open daily Mon – Fri.
Nature tour prices vary/person

VENUE

Tarpon Bay Explorers
Nature Tours & Rentals
900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel
(239) 472-8900

ACTIVITIES
Fishing Guides & rental; Nature shop; Bike rental; Tram Tours; Kayak & Canoe tours & rental; Pontoon Boat Rental; & more.
SCHEDULE

Open Daily
Prices vary