Touchy, Feely are Hallmarks of Sanibel Island

For a tiny island, Sanibel has so many things to see, hear, taste, smell and touch, it's no wonder the senses are often overwhelmed with even just a one week visit.

Though smell is considered our strongest sense, most people can easily connect with what they see.  And the Island's array of wild life, the presence of the Gulf, the beauty of the tropics are all easily observable.

But a living museum such as the Island itself, is distinguished from the ordinary museum in at least one way.

Here, touching is encouraged.

In fact there are at least 4 ways to touch that appeal to our vacation rental guests.

First is the person to island interaction that takes place on our beaches.  Here, with little effort, the sense of touch is quite satisfied with shell collecting.  Our shells, not only pleasing to the eye are also rewards to the touch.  Some are smooth and shiny, some ridged and gritty.  And a few even offer a sound to the ear that echoes the Gulf itself.  The large horse conch is one of our shells that sings the song of the sea to those lucky enough to spot one.

We also have a touch tank at Tarpon Bay Explorers for those who prefer an indoor setting  to experience the natural world.  Get to know some of Sanibel’s marine life during a naturalist-led
interactive presentation at our touch tank and aquarium display.  It’s hands-on fun for the whole family.

Tarpon Bay Explorer touch tanks are teaming with live shells, including lightning whelks, tulip snails, and conchs, plus sea stars, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, hermit crabs, oysters, and more. Plus, their  aquarium displays will introduce guests to some of the more unusual fish in Tarpon Bay and the surrounding waters, including puffers, filefish, pipefish and sea horses!

 

But the touching does not stop at Tarpon Bay Explorers.

 

The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) offers a wide array of educational programs for people of all ages, from beach walks to trail walks, boat tours, wading trips and kayak tours plus classroom-based activities.

At their Nature Center on Sanibel, they have four miles of trails (with an observation tower), exhibits, a touch tank, butterfly house and Nature Shop.

Still want to put your finger on something special? 

Then you might want to consider the Sanibel Sea School. 

Sanibel Sea School/Captiva is an innovative assortment of experiential sea-based educational programs at a new campus in the heart of South Seas Island Resort. Popular since their inception five years ago on sister island Sanibel, the sea school boasts a unique hands-on curriculum "where every day is a field trip."

Sanibel Sea School’s Ocean Discovery Center is designed to provide guests a tantalizing taste of ocean exploration. There is something for the whole family in the ODC; those young at heart can challenge their senses in the tunnel of darkness or in the tactile tubes. Five aquaria let you see an array of marine habitats represented in southwest Florida and informative panels let you learn things about the ocean that you probably didn’t already know.

After all this touching, you may want to be "touched" yourself, so a perfect way to end the day may be a visit to one of our Island spas.  Doesn't a massage sound divine?