Regional Facts & Figures • History  •  Location

Climate  •  Beaches & Parks

Welcome to beautiful, sunny Sanibel Island! Sanibel Island and the surrounding communities welcome your curiosity and the possibility of relocation to our pleasant, relaxing corner of the world. Below you will find listed some of the important information about Sanibel Island. Enjoy!

History of Sanibel Island

The Calusa Indians were the first known inhabitants of what is today known as Sanibel Island. The Calusa Indians were incredibly skillful and they used the waterways to their advantage in terms of food and tools. They used sea creatures such as whelks, conchs, clams and oysters for food, and then they used the shells for tools. The Calusa were also very skillful in the way that they build their huts on mounds to protect from storm tides, and many of these mounds still stand today.

In 1513 Juan Ponce de Leon was believed to have stumbled upon the island, which he named Santa Isybella after Queen Isabella in his quest for the fountain of youth. After years of battling with the Calusa Indians, in 1523 Ponce de Leon suffered an injury and fled to Cuba died.

The Spanish were never able to establish the land of Santa Isybella, but they introduced slavery and foreign diseases such yellow fever, tuberculosis, and measles to the Calusa Indians, who then became an almost extinct population by the 1700´s. However, Indian raids kept settlers and fisherman at bay and discouraged and permanent residency in the area. It was not until after the civil war that military activity made it a safe place for settlers to set up residency

In 1870 the government ruled that Sanibel would become a lighthouse reservation and on August 20, 1884 the Sanibel lighthouse was lit and remains lit to this day.

Sanibel and Captiva islands are located on the west coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico, 15 minutes southwest of Fort Myers. Located 120 miles south of Tampa, arriving by car or plane is a snap. Southwest International Airport is only a pleasant 30 minute car ride to the islands. A three mile long causeway, with a $3 toll, links these jewels to the mainland. Sanibel is approximately 11 miles long and 2 miles wide at its widest part. Shaped like a banana, Sanibel lies east to west at the southern end and curves to the north.

Bowman's Beach

Quiet, secluded white sand beach. Outdoor shower and barbeque grills. Location off Sanibel-Captiva Road, left on Bowman´s Beach Rd.

Causeway Beaches

No fee on causeway beaches. Pull vehicle to waters edge. Lots of shade trees. Swim, fish, windsurf, picnic.

Gulf Side City Park

Mid-island on Algiers Lane of Casa Ybel Road. Picnic tables, shade.

Lighthouse Beach and Fishing Pier

With its landmark historic lighthouse, the eastern tip of Sanibel is a place for shelling and sunning. Turn left on Periwinkle way from Causeway Road. End of road to lighthouse Fishing pier and a boardwalk nature trail winding thru native wetlands.

Tarpon Bay Beach

Mid-island. Located at south end of Tarpon Bay Road at West Gulf Drive. Parking for recreational vehicles, beach a short hike from parking lot.

Bob Bramel
Sellstate Premier Realty Network
2240 W. First St. #101
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Fax: (239) 482-0095

Direct: (239) 823-5514
Cell: (239) 823-5514
E-Mail: bob@bobbramel.com