By Angela Langford, aklangford@naplesnews.com
EscapeToSWFlorida.com Staff Writer

Fourteen miles west of Fort Myers and 40 miles north of Naples lay secluded, shell-strewn Sanibel and Captiva Islands. With their wooded and sophisticated beach retreats, these islands offer refuge from the neon signs, amusement parks, and high-rise condominiums that clutter most beach resorts. This atmosphere is the work of local voters, who have saved their trees and tropical foliage, limited the size and appearance of signs, and permitted no building higher than the tallest palm within 300 yards of their beaches. More than half of the two islands is preserved in its natural state as wildlife refuges.

Legend says that Ponce de León named the larger of these two barrier islands "San Ybel," after Queen Isabella of Spain. Another legend claims that Captiva's name comes from the captured women kept here by the infamous pirate Jose Gaspar. The modern era of the islands dates from 1892, when a few farmers settled on the islands. One of them, Clarence Chadwick, started an unsuccessful Key lime and copra plantation on Captiva and many of his towering coconut palms still stand.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands are located on Florida's southwest coast. Easily accessible, these islands are just one hour from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Ft. Myers. They are also within close proximity of other popular Florida destinations, a three-hour drive from Tampa International and Ft. Lauderdale and four hours from Miami and Orlando.

A vacation haven for families as well as couples seeking romance, Sanibel Island offers the slow pace of island life with unparalleled amenities. Both Sanibel and Captiva Islands offer a wide array of lodging options, from hotels and resorts to small inns and condos. Visitors and residents alike choose whether to spend their days biking along protected bike paths, observing birds and wildlife in refuges, attending cultural events, or enjoying one of the many island restaurants.

Sanibel Lighthouse

Captiva Island may be connected to Sanibel by a bridge, but it's distinct. Captiva Island, at the far end of Sanibel, is one of the most exclusive islands in North America, yet retains a casual ambiance. So narrow in spots you can see both Gulf and Bay, tiny Captiva retains its small-town feel. Captiva’s village is a quaint mix of restaurants, shops, homes and condos. Captiva is also the gateway to nearby out-islands.

Sanibel and Captiva history swims with Indians, pirates, fishermen, farmers, hurricanes, a ferryboat, several airstrips, Presidential visits, a nationally known cartoonist, and an elaborate boat named Algiers. While only a handful of current island residents are descended from original settlers, visitors can discover the old islands through a number of formats. In addition, Sanibel's Historic Village allows visitors to wander through fully furnished, early 1900s island cottages.

While nature-oriented Sanibel and Captiva will never be considered fast-paced, there is still plenty of entertainment on the islands. Places that make Sanibel and Captiva unique include J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, our historic lighthouse and fishing pier, the C.R.O.W. wildlife rehabilitation center, Captiva's historic Chapel by the Sea and more.

Sanibel Island has carefully cultivated its cultural offerings over the years, truly becoming an "Island of the Arts." One successful island organization, Barrier Island Group for the Arts, or B.I.G. Arts, embodies this concept, with musical concerts, literary discussion groups, classes in painting, dance, pottery, drawing and more. Other options include the Sanibel Music Festival, which brings world-renowned performing artists to the island in the month of March. Both Captiva and Sanibel have plenty of nightlife: live music in an intimate setting, or cocktails and dancing. Darts, pool, karaoke, and sports bars are also available.

The natural seclusion of Sanibel and Captiva Islands affords visitors the tranquility of an island paradise with the convenience of being situated near the hot spots of neighboring cities. Visit and find out why the main attraction of these islands is truly the absence of flashy attractions.