Planning your Captiva, Florida vacation

Recognized as one of America's most romantic destinations, Captiva Island draws visitors with its quiet ambiance and spectacular white-sand beaches. Connected to Captiva by a bridge at Blind Pass, Captiva's beaches yield the same rainbow of seashells as Captiva. The "Captiva stoop" gives way to the "Captiva crouch" when looking for rare junonias or the impressive lightning whelk. Avid conchologists (shell collectors) know, however, that the best shells are found on beaches away from the crowds.

Any newcomer will find Captiva's back bay area worth exploring. Fishing guides will take seasoned anglers and beginners alike in a search for prized redfish and snook among the mangroves of the Intercoastal Waterway and Roosevelt Channel. The channel was named after Teddy Roosevelt who came to Captiva in 1914 and 1916 to trophy fish. For the more adventurous, canoes and kayaks can be rented from the 'Tween Waters Marina. Two canoe trails on nearby Buck Key can easily be explored or with a little more paddling, the wonders of Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel can be taken in from the water.

Besides Teddy Roosevelt, other national celebrities found Captiva's charms irresistible. Shy of publicity, Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh first came to the region to visit their Fort Myers friends, Thomas and Mina Edison. After Edison's death in 1931, the Lindbergh's began frequenting Captiva, a practice that continued into the 1940's. It is widely believed that Mrs. Lindbergh penned her well-known work, Gift from the Sea, while on the island. Additionally, Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling visited Captiva for many years. A Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist from Iowa, Darling's passion for conservation led to the setting aside of the 4,900 acres on Sanibel for a wildlife sanctuary.