One of Southwest Florida’s barrier islands, Sanibel is located on the leeward side of Pine Island. The island is easily accessible from Fort Myers via a four lane causeway. The main thoroughfare, Periwinkle Way, is where the majority of stores and restaurants are located, while the Gulf Drives (East, Middle and West) play host to most of the accommodations. The lighthouse and adjacent beach is located at the eastern end of the island next to the fishing pier.
For well over a century, Sanibel’s Point Ybel Lighthouse has guided seafarers to its’ captivating shores. Today the lure of Sanibel is as strong as ever. It’s not uncommon for visitors to the charming island to put down roots, buying a home or business. Sanibel has it all; excellent dining, shopping, accommodations, bike paths, golfing, fishing, tennis and white sand beaches covered with multi-colored shells. Sanibel is known the world-over for its’ prime shelling. The beaches are well-traveled by many performing what’s known as the “Sanibel Stoop.”
The modern causeway replaced the ferry in 1963, residents asserted control over development. They created the Sanibel Comprehensive Land Use Plan in 1974 to maintain a balance between development and preservation of the island's ecology. A spirit of preservation is evident on the island. More than half of the island is made up of wildlife refuges. The largest is J. N. “Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations.
In 2010, The Wall Street Journal named Sanibel and her sister island, Captiva one of the “Ten Best Places to Buy a Second Home.” With its’ world-wide appeal as a prime Florida beach destination, homeowners have confidence property values will remain stable or appreciate. Home buyers can select from a wide inventory of beachfront, gulf-front, waterfront homes, condos and cottages.
