When the causeway connecting Sanibel to the Florida mainland was completed in 1963, it came with a manmade chain of islands to support it. In the years since then, the island has gained popularity with sunbathers, anglers, and windsurfers.  

Turn left at the end of the causeway when you drive onto Sanibel and you’ll come to Lighthouse Beach, a wide swath of wedding-white sand at the eastern tip of Sanibel, wrapping around to the bay.  

Casa Ybel sits on 23 lush acres of landscaping, palm trees, a pool, tennis courts, and a glorious stretch of Gulf of Mexico beach. With its melding of first-class amenities and Sanibel’s laid-back ambience, Casa Ybel has casual elegance covered.  

It's not that there's nothing to do on Sanibel, far from it. But time here moves at a slower pace, allowing for life's sweet moments—swinging in a hammock, watching the sun rise or set, reading, resting, breathing in the ease of island life.  

If you get tired of playing in the waves or sunbathing on a stretch of sun-kissed sand, just mosey along the shoreline looking down—a treasure of shells waits to be discovered.  

Gopher tortoises are the perfect poster critters for these islands—moving slowly and smelling all the roses, so to speak. If they’re crossing San-Cap Road, the one road connecting Sanibel and Captiva, they stop traffic—and no one seems to mind too much.  

J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge occupies more than 2,500 acres of mangrove ecosystem, wetlands, and waterways, and to visit Sanibel without spending time here is unthinkable. The best time for birding is December to March.  

Biking is a fine way to see Sanibel and Captiva, and one excellent route is Wildlife Drive in Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Stop and checkout the view tower and different trails accessed from the drive.  

Book a stellar tour with Captiva Kayak on Pine Island Sound Aquatic Reserve, where manatees and dolphins roam. The shallow waters entice experienced paddlers and novices alike. Or rent kayaks and paddle the national wildlife refuge on your own.  

Head to McCarthy’s Marina on Captiva Island to join Captiva Cruises for a shelling tour or sunset serenade cruise. Afterward, mosey up Andy Rosse Lane to Key Lime Bistro for a bite to eat.  

Best get to the Mucky Duck early if you want a seat to watch the sunset. Folks have been embracing this quintessential Captiva tradition since 1976 because, as the saying goes, the Mucky Duck is where the beer is always cold and the sun sets nightly.