Upper Captiva Island is and oasis from a busy and hectic world. Also known as North Captiva Island on Nautical Charts, Upper Captiva is bordered by Pine Island Sound on one side and the waters and beached of the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Upper Captiva is quaintly sized at just over 700 acres with two thirds of the island set aside for a Wildlife Sanctuary. Upper Captiva Island is approximately four and a half miles long and a half a mile wide at its widest points. From the mangrove lined waters of the Bay to the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, half a mile seems just right. North Captiva becomes a narrow sliver of sandy beaches, rustic beach verandahs, and majestic stilt homes in comparison with the great waters of the Bay and Gulf that surround our tiny tropical island.

Sanibel is famous all over the world for the fabulous shelling on its beaches. The island's location in the Gulf of Mexico, lying east to west, instead of the normal north to south, makes it a prime spot for shells to wash ashore. The island acts as a scoop, catching numerous shells as the tides shift. There are 17 miles of beaches for shelling, swimming or basking in the warm Florida sun. In the waters of Sanibel, you are likely to see dolphins, manatees, and numerous varieties of seashells including starfish and sand dollars. The dolphins are so plentiful on the island, that many swimmers have reportedly swam along aside of the dolphins. Adhering to the island's preservation principles, removal of live seashells, including living starfish and sand dollars, are prohibited.

The Sanibel Lighthouse is a popular attraction. Built in 1884, the 98-foot-tall lighthouse is the island's oldest standing structure. The lighthouse sits on a popular beach spot, appropriately called "Lighthouse Beach" by the locals. The lighthouse is surrounded by white sandy beaches, clear waters and a plethora of seashells. The lighthouse keeper's cottages are now used by the J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve's employees. It is the last lighthouse to be seen while heading south, until you reach the Dry Tortugas, 130 miles further south.

In addition to the sun, beaches and wildlife, Sanibel's relaxed atmosphere is its most admirable asset. The absence of stop lights, high-rises, neon signs, fast food restaurants or shopping malls gives the tropical island an old time feeling that is hard to find in most areas. The speed limit rarely exceeds 30 miles per hour, and in place of stop lights, the local policeman can be seen directing traffic to keep it moving along. The yesteryear feeling is perfect for families looking for a relaxing vacation or for couples looking to spend quiet time together.

One hour south of Sarasota, and Venice on SW Florida’s Gulf Coast, Explore 400 miles of tropical canals, hire your own private boat for access to the Gulf of Mexico and nearby Sanibel & Captiva Islands. Experience the casual atmosphere of "old town" Florida side by side with the elegant grandeur of million dollar waterfront estates. Discover the simple magic of nearby Matlatcha with its quirky artist shops, and tropical Island views. This Key West, style Island has a special atmosphere all of its own. Cape Coral is located 21/2 hours from Miami, Ft Lauderdale, and Tampa airports. ½ hour from SW Florida airport at Fort Myers. 31/2 hours from Orlando and Disney theme parks.

It’s hard to imagine Fort Myers Beach as a remote stretch of green edged with white, soft sand and accessible only by boat. However, that's just what it was until the first "Little Bridge" was constructed to bring tourists and locals alike to the seven-mile Estero Island through Bunche Beach on the mainland. By the late 1920s, a new bridge (actually a second-hand one from the East coast of Florida) was installed near the current San Carlos Bridge.

Little by little, Estero Island’s attractive features, including miles and miles of white, sandy beaches, have captured the imaginations of visitors from near and far. This beach community draws thousands of visitors from Germany, France and the United Kingdom each year.

Boating,fishing and spectacular Lovers Key State Park make this island a real recreational playground.

Add to that a great number of family-friendly resorts, quaint cottages, Old Florida charm, restaurants serving fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico and an annual Shrimp Festival, and it’s a beach vacation paradise.

Nightlife gleams along the northern tip of the island around shopping-and-dining destination Times Square, and sunset watching is a favored pastime