About
Sanibel, Captiva, and Southwest Florida's Island Coast
There’s just something about the barrier islands of Florida’s
southwest coast. Year after year
they attract visitors from around the world with their pristine beauty,
tropical allure, and relaxed atmosphere. Discover a completely different
world from mainland Florida as you cross the three-mile causeway to
Sanibel and Captiva or arrive via boat to the outer islands. This is
the American Tropics, the closest thing to true tropical island living
in the United States. From the time the proud, fierce Calusa Indians
discovered these islands more than 1,000 years ago, people have made
the trip to their shores in search of peace, tranquility and some of
the most exotic shelling in the world. Thankfully, the beauty of much
of their tropical landscape has been preserved so we can enjoy it yet
today. Times of the Islands visits these islands in each issue:
Sanibel – A proud model of environmental concern and planning.
Sanibel is two-thirds protected lands that include the 5,000-acre J.N.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge. The remainder is carefully
controlled development—no high-rises, traffic lights or multilane
roads mar this jewel. Disposable income is easily spent in the quaint
stores and art galleries that dot the island.
Captiva – Accessible by car via a short bridge over Redfish
Pass, this tiny spit of land is a quiet enclave of upscale residential
and resort development.
Pine Island – The largest of these islands is situated between
the others and the mainland, accessible via boat or car. Its long tradition
as a fishing and agricultural community remains evident today.
North Captiva Island – Years ago disconnected from Captiva
by powerful storms, this getaway is a mixture of private development
and state-owned land, still largely untouched. Its two waterside restaurants
are favorite destinations of boaters.
Cabbage Key, Gasparilla, Cayo Costa and Useppa Island
– These outer islands retain the Old Florida charm of days gone
by when visitors came in search of elegant retreats and dreams of tarpon.
Cabbage Key itself is immortalized in the Jimmy Buffett song “Cheeseburger
in Paradise.”
