Everyone wants a little surprise on vacation. Something unexpected makes for amazing stories when you return, and those thrills often come from a vacation destination’s hidden gems.
If you’ve been interested in visiting Sanibel and Captiva Islands, you’ll find some truly fun, interesting hidden gems on both islands. To explore the area easily and find these hidden gems, you’ll want a vacation rental ideally located for your adventures.
That’s why you should consider Sanibel Vacations for your lodging. Easily travel to and from Sanibel’s and Captiva’s best attractions, hidden or not, all weekend long from one of our vacation rentals.
4 Hidden Gems On Sanibel Island
Here are some often-overlooked things to check out on Sanibel Island.
- Bailey Tract, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge: One of the most popular visits is the Wildlife Drive. However, you need an entrance pass to see it. The Bailey Tract is the free alternative. It is a separate section off Tarpon Bay Road, about 3 miles from the visitor center, open to walkers and cyclists from sunrise to sunset.
- Sanibel Historical Museum and Village: Learn about Sanibel Island’s long history by visiting pioneer buildings, including the 1896 schoolhouse (the oldest on site), the 1913 Rutland House, a 1926 post office, and the original Bailey’s General Store. The museum gives visitors a look at the island from the Calusa and Spanish eras through the 1800s.
- CROW Visitor Education Center: CROW is a wildlife hospital. On weekdays, you’ll want to see what is happening at the visitor center, with interactive exhibits, videos, live animal exhibits, and presentations. CROW claims to be among the nation’s top rehab hospitals. Also, know that animals receiving treatment are not on public display.
- Gulfside City Park (Algiers Beach): Lee County’s tourism bureau calls this beach one of the area’s best hidden gems. If you are looking for a quiet beach, this one is for you. It’s ideal for relaxing and birdwatching.
3 Hidden Gems On Captiva Island
If you cross over to Captiva Island, you’ll want to see what makes these attractions special.
- Buck Key: This uninhabited preserve is about 2 miles long and runs parallel to Captiva. It’s a great place for kayaking and tours run across Roosevelt Channel. You might see manatees, dolphins, herons, and ospreys.
- Chapel by the Sea: The chapel on Captiva Island didn’t start as a chapel. In fact, it started as a one-room schoolhouse in 1901. It later became a Methodist mission church in 1921 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a historic district in 2013. The cemetery also holds many of the island’s earliest settlers.
- Captiva Island Historical Society History Gallery: The gallery sits inside the Captiva Memorial Library. The cool thing is that it is built as a replica of the Santiva, a mailboat that carried mail, passengers and supplies before the Sanibel Causeway opened in 1963.
Find Fun On Sanibel And Captiva Islands
These attractions are often overlooked, but they are well worth a visit when you are on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Make these Florida hidden gems part of a full-day exploration when you stay with Sanibel Vacations.
Sanibel Vacations is a boutique vacation rental management company offering the ultimate vacation experience in the desirable destinations of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, as well as the surrounding Southwest Florida areas. We feature a growing number of professionally managed places to stay such as privately owned homes, cottages and condominiums.
Want to know more? Contact us now by calling 239-579-0348, emailing [email protected], or visiting our website to view our inventory of available vacation rentals.