The island is approximately 12 miles long by 3 miles wide with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and San Carlos Bay on the other. John Gee & Company Location Map - Sanibel Beaches Maps

There are over 22 miles of bike paths on the island. Bike rentals are available.
Sanibel Bike Path Map - Map of the Sanibel Island Lighthouse

Over 65% of the island is owned by various conservation organizations. The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is on of the best birding spots in the United States. It consists of over 6500 acres and has over 800,000 visitors per year. It is a "must see" when you visit Sanibel.
www.dingdarlingsociety.org

Volunteerism is important to the many non-profit organizations on Sanibel.

• The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, sccf.org
• The Baily-Matthews Shell Museum, shellmuseum.org
• Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, crowclinic.org
• Barrier Island Group for the Arts, bigarts.org
• Old Schoolhouse Theatre, oldschoolhousetheater.com
• Two 18-hole golf courses are open to the public in addition to one private course.
  Beachview Golf & Tennis Club - The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club

  A well-equiped marina has boat rentals, fishing guides, sightseeing, fuel, ship store, shelling excursions, and dockside dining. Sanibel map & tide charts

  In 1974 island residents voted to become the City of Sanibel. In doing so, a strong emphasis was placed on living in harmony with the environment and maintaining a small town atmosphere. For example, there are no high-rise buildings on Sanibel - building codes limit condominiums to a maximum of three living levels. www.ci.sanibel.fl.us

  Sanibel is home to 6500 permanent residents. During the winter season the population increases to over 30,000 people, many of whom have second homes on Sanibel.

Sanibel Real Estate Values

Gulf-front homes range from $3,000,000 to $18,900,000 depending upon lot size and type of home.

Canal-front homes start at $700,000 for a small home on a mangrove canal and increase to $3,895,000 for a palatial estate with both boating access and view of the Gulf.

Near-beach homes currently range between $680,000 and $3,395,000.

Golf course homes are priced between $700,000 and $1,600,000 depending upon its age and size.

Condominiums start at $325,000 for an inland one-bedroom unit with few amenities and may go as high as $3,700,000 for a larger, newer Gulf-front unit. To obtain a good view of the Gulf of Mexico, a 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit will range between $750,000 and $900,000.

Vacant lot prices begin at $300,000 for a small lot located in the center of the island. Near-beach lots range between $4000,000 and $600,000. Canal lots sell from $700,000 to $1,200,000. Gulf-front home sites start at $3,000,000 and generally top out at $4,000,000.