Sanibel Island - Captiva Island

Sanibel Island – “Happiest Seaside Towns” 2013

COASTAL LIVING READERS VOTE SANIBEL ISLAND

ONE OF THE TOP FIVE

“HAPPIEST SEASIDE TOWNS” 2013

New York, NY (May 07, 2013) – Sanibel Island, Florida places third in Coastal Living’s second annual list of “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns.” The complete list of the 10 best places to live by the sea, as ranked by consumers, is featured in the June 2013 issue of Coastal Living, on newsstands May 17th.

Coastal Living editors unveiled their list of the 10 “Happiest Seaside Towns” in the February 2013 issue and invited America to vote for their favorite. Consumers could vote hourly from January 10 to February 28 online or via smartphone. Fans rallied around their favorite towns and voted often. Beaufort came in first place followed by Harwich Port, Massachusetts then Sanibel Island.

“It was incredible to see such enthusiasm from our readers,” said Coastal Living Editor-in-Chief Antonia van der Meer. “People take great pride in their home towns and we at Coastal Living are thrilled to share their happy little secret with the rest of America.”

Coastal Living chose its 2013 “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns” finalists based on criteria that included ranking on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, percentage of sunny days, healthiness of beaches, commute times, walkability, standard of living and financial well-being of the locals, geographic diversity, and an editorial assessment of “coastal vibe.” Coastal locations named as “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns” in 2012 were not eligible to make the current list.

Turtle Nesting Season Started on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island

Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1st to October 31st

Sanibel Island & Captiva Island’s beaches provide the perfect subtropical nesting area for sea turtles, but please be sure to follow the guidelines of Sanibel Island and Captiva Island and turn off all lights that could draw attention away from the Gulf of Mexico to the land. By removing the light from the land and obstacles from the beach, baby sea turtles can find their way back to the water, where they need to be. More information on guidelines and pictures of baby loggerhead turtles on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island.

Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center Ranked #1

The Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is ranked #1 attraction on Sanibel Island

It Has Arrived!!

2013 Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Chamber of Commerce Visitor Guide

Now available

Everything you need to know about Sanibel & Captiva Islands

You can pick one up at the Chamber Visitor Center or order one on our website by CLICKING HERE.

You can also download and view or print it yourself. Click Here to go get it.

Sanibel listed in the top ten best Florida Beach Towns by USA Today

With thousands of snowbirds pointing their convertibles south to the Sunshine State for a dose of winter warmth, we asked “Dr. Beach”— aka Florida International University professor and coastal expert Stephen P. Leatherman — for 10 Florida destinations that combine sand, surf and a welcoming sense of community.

Sanibel Island:Yes, “you have to pay $6 to get there” via a causeway. But once you reach this upscale Gulf Coast barrier island, you’ll find the country’s “No. 1 shelling area,” no stoplights, and strict building codes that limit new structures to two stories in height.

Peruse our website to learn all about Sanibel & Captiva Islands!

Christmas JUNO-HO-HO-HO-NIA

courtesy of Pam – I Love Shelling.com

If you happen to stop by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber Of Commerce on your way on the island, say “Congratshellations!” to Anne at the welcome counter. She found her first JUNONIA this week!!!

Chamber staff member finds Junonia

Sanibel Island made USA Today’s list of 10 great places for families to Escape the Snow

Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY

You’ll get a beach vacation, but so much more at this Gulf Coast Island near Fort Myers. The island’s location makes it one of the best places to find seashells in the country. “Who wouldn’t love shelling on the beach and wading in the mellow, mellow waters?” Biking’s easy on the flat island, and so is kayaking at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
CLICK HERE to visit the Chamber’s website for all your information about Sanibel & Captiva.

WILDLIFE REFUGE WINS TRAVEL WRITERS AWARD

The Society of American Travel Writers awarded the J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge their prestigious “Phoenix” award. The purpose of the Phoenix Award is to give appropriate recognition for Individuals or Organizations actively involved in conservation, preservation, beautification and anti-pollution campaigns which further the growth and appeal of North American travel destinations. J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge opened in 1945 as the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge. Today the refuge protects more than 7,600 acres of preserved water and land, and hosts nearly 800,000 visitors annually year. They come to visit the free education center built by the friends group (“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society), drive or bike the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, hike nature trails, board narrated tram and boating tours, paddle the backwaters, fish, and climb the observation tour to photograph some of the 272 species of birds that have been spotted, including the iconic roseate spoonbill. In 2011 it unveiled the first-of-its-kind iNature Trail along Wildlife Drive. Using QR code and smartphone/tablet technology, it gives visitors an interactive refuge tour by linking to custom filmed YouTube videos. A committee member wrote: ”Without this refuge, Sanibel would not be the environmentally sound island that it is.”

Sherman’s Travel Named Sanibel Island, Florida a Top 10 Family Beach

Top 10 Family Beaches, Sanibel Island, FL

Following is what Sherman’s travel wrote about Sanibel Island… “Nearly 15 miles of seashells are yours for the pickin’ on Sanibel Island, known as one of the country’s top destinations for this family-friendly activity.

This family beach destination on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico has all the ingredients for a kid’s dream vacation – soft white sand, gentle surf, and shallow water – plus the educational possibilities that parents love.

Teach the children about ecotourism at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where bald eagles and more than 300 other species of birds, reptiles, and mammals reside, or, give them a thrill on an Everglades Day Safari in the Florida Everglades, less than 2 hours away. Tennis, golf, shopping, and biking mean that there’s plenty for grown-ups to enjoy on Sanibel, too.”

Historical Property Relocated to Sanibel Historical Museum and Village

The structural relocation of a historical property known as Shore Haven, from Bird Lane to the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, located at 950 Dunlop Road took place on October 3th.

For more information regarding the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village please contact (239) 472-4648 or Click Here.

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Sanibel Island – “Happiest Seaside Towns” 2013

Turtle Nesting Season Started on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island

Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center Ranked #1