Sanibel Island
Island · Sanibel ·
Island known for seashells, beaches, lighthouse, and wildlife
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Florida Get directions
Island known for seashells, beaches, lighthouse, and wildlife
Florida Get directions
"A hop off the mainland with not a single stoplight, Sanibel (and its twin Captiva just to the north) punches well above its weight with 15 miles of beach, 25 miles of biking trails, 50 types of fish, and 230 bird species; visit during low tide to collect shells from among the island’s 250-plus varieties." - Caitlin Morton
"Ranked fifth, Sanibel Island was noted for a relatively high average home price ($984,480) and an especially short average commute of 17.6 minutes." - Opheli Garcia Lawler Opheli Garcia Lawler Opheli Garcia Lawler is a journalist with a decade of experience, half of which has been dedicated to covering the way we travel. From interviewing former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to digging into Amtrak customer complaint data, Opheli has developed a deep well of knowledge about what shapes our travel experiences. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"An island on the Gulf of Mexico famed for its east–west orientation that makes it a global repository for seashells—a pastime so characteristic it has its own local term for stooping over the sand to collect finds. Large protected areas, including a wildlife refuge, make it a haven for bird-watching, kayaking, fishing, and picnicking. Visitor commerce is small-scale: a few local custard and seafood spots and a summertime farmers market round out the low-key experience." - Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the jungle. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Sanibel Island is among the top islands in the United States with a score of 90.69."
"Sanibel Island, Florida, is one of the top U.S. islands according to the T+L readers' 2023 survey." - Travel + Leisure Editors