J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center

Visitor center · Sanibel

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center

Visitor center · Sanibel

2

Sanibel, FL 33957

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J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor and Education Center by null

Highlights

Explore Sanibel Island’s Ding Darling Refuge, a vibrant wildlife haven with mangroves, birds, alligators, manatees, and interactive exhibits.  

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Sanibel, FL 33957 Get directions

fws.gov

Information

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Sanibel, FL 33957 Get directions

+1 239 472 1100
fws.gov

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Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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@afar

"Florida’s nature is alive and well at this wildlife refuge, located on the north side of Sanibel Island. Rich with mangroves and seagrass, the protected, subtropical habitat is home to more than 230 species of birds as well as alligators, manatees, and many land mammals. Head here from October through April to see most of the shorebirds, or during the summer months if you’re looking for manatees in and around Tarpon Bay. All year long, you can also spot alligators during four-mile wildlife drives. Back at the information center, be sure to check out the great displays, which are free to all visitors."

Fort Myers and Sanibel for Families
View Postcard for J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor & Education Center
@afar

"Florida’s nature is alive and well at this wildlife refuge, located on the north side of Sanibel Island. Rich with mangroves and seagrass, the protected, subtropical habitat is home to more than 230 species of birds as well as alligators, manatees, and many land mammals. Head here from October through April to see most of the shorebirds, or during the summer months if you’re looking for manatees in and around Tarpon Bay. All year long, you can also spot alligators during four-mile wildlife drives. Back at the information center, be sure to check out the great displays, which are free to all visitors."

The Best Places to Spot Wildlife in Fort Myers and Sanibel
View Postcard for J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Visitor & Education Center

lk kim

Google
$10 dollars to drive through about 4 miles of wildlife. It used to be free and donations but I guess time Changes. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind paying to get in and help the wildlife and preserve the nature for next generation of people to enjoy. You can still see the damages from the last storms but in good condition.

T Hanes

Google
The island is so damaged from Ian. There was not much wildlife to see. Some of the trails are still closed. There is new growth with some of the plants. Employees were very friendly. The gift shop was very nice and reasonably priced. I'm sure this area was beautiful before the hurricane. I'm looking forward to going back next year. Hopefully, things will have improved by then.

Katie Harris

Google
Amazing museum and gift shop. They have a wonderful assortment of gifts, shirts, books, kids’ stuffed animals, and decor. The museum was closed for renovations to the AC unit during our visit in June 2025, but we have been in previous years and it’s really wonderful.

Ashley Romnosky

Google
Wonderful center. Many interactive learning stations ranging from techy tablets to physical, hands-on stations to a blend of the two. The life-sized visuals were impressive and the walking trail and Outlook were nice. Even the artwork was in a one-of-a-kind fashion. I'm glad I didn't have my wallet on me in the gift shop or I would have bought everything. Great, enforced gem of a stop.

The Nar Side

Google
Had a great ride around Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge today. The temperature was around 70 degrees and breezy. Parking at the visitor parking lot is free. Entrance to "Wildlife Drive" is about 200 meters from the parking lot. Cars are $10 and bicyclists and hikers are $1 and share a fairly wide road. There is an annual pass for $25 as of January 2022. The drive is one way and is 4-miles long. (Note. If you ride your bicycle, it is one way only. Wildlife Drive exits onto Sanctuary Road and onto Sanibel Captiva Road. It is approximately 4 more miles back to the visitor parking lot). Speed limit is 15 mph but most people will drive slower. There are pull offs, observation decks, paths to viewing areas, and kayak and canoe launches. Motor boats are not permitted in the protected areas. It was low tide at the time. There were many "water birds" feeding and resting in the shallow waters and exposed sand bars. There was one 6-foot alligator sunning near the road just on the other side by the mangroves. The visitor and education center has displays about how the refuge came about as well as a gallery for rotating art exhibits (which may be available for sale) and a gift shop that also sells Vortex birding scopes. There are tram tours available with a tram ticket booth in the parking lot. There are public restrooms in the Visitor Center and one along Wildlife Drive. There are picnic tables in grassy areas in the parking lot. And there are several restaurants on the island.

John Baker

Google
This is a great national wildlife park! I saw some really unique wildlife! Tree crabs! Have you ever heard of them? We rode our bikes over from where were staying on awesome bike trails

James Diedrick

Google
Visiting this refuge is all about timing. One December, during a low tide, we saw thousands of birds, including some 500 white pelicans feeding in the shallows along with reddish egrets, snowy and great egrets, and white ibis. Yesterday, I drove through at 8 a.m. and saw one yellow-crowned night heron, six wood storks, and a few white ibis and reddish egrets (low tide was at 6 p.m. yesterday). So check the tide charts before your visit!

Margaret Hooks

Google
Nice walk! It was warm but we enjoyed seeing the sites along the way. The portable classrooms was great and the nature center was really done well.