Added Adventure: Places to See/Go near Sanibel Island

One could argue that there is no need to leave Sanibel Island when on holiday, even for weeks or months at a time.

And it is true that Sanibel has all the essentials.

Beautiful beaches, miles of bike trails, bird watching at its best, in the top 3 destinations world wide for shelling are all woven into the fabric of the island.

And there  are dozens of restaurants, ample shopping opportunities, water sports of all kinds and a wide array of cultural activities.

But human nature often demands change, always seeking something different, even when things are pretty perfect as they are.

We have highlighted attractions in past blog posts in nearby Fort Meyers and also  further south in Naples.

Since those posts , we have discovered a few others that might be worth a visit as well. 

Though Sanibel Island is a natural wonderland, filled with wild birds of all kinds, it could make a nice day trip to visit Little Estero Lagoon, about a 35 minute ride from the causeway, which can be a mecca for bird life in many ways.  The lagoon, with both a south and north end, attracts many waders , all who are easy to spot.  The trees and bushes surrounding the lagoon, can be the residence of hawks, pelicans and woodland birds.  And, as the lagoon is bordered by the close in Gulf of Mexico shores, what ever may be lacking in lagoon life will certainly be found in the Gulf waters or on the Gulf beaches.  Recent visits to this location (early morning or late afternoon is best for bird sighting every where) were particularly fruitful.

And though Sanibel does an incredible job of protecting the nests of plovers and other birds, the number of chicks one will find on the eastern Sanibel beaches appears much less than at the lagoon.  All nesting birds, which include the Wilsons and Snowy Plovers, the Least Tern and the American Oyster Catcher, can be located easily at the Southern portion of the lagoon right now.  But one must walk very carefully and gently in that area.  Despite the nesting area being cordoned off with ropes and signs, birds can't read and do not heed the ropes. So the chicks, with and without parent birds, can be found roaming the beach necessitating the utmost care in exploration.

But if you want to see birds of incredible color and variety without a lot of looking, a drive south of Estero into Bonita Springs may be just perfect for you.  There, at the intimate but lovely and very special Everglades Wonder Gardens, you will find a flock of Flamingo and several other exotic specimens.  Well worth the visit~

Have you found any hidden gems off Sanibel? We would love to hear of them!