Sanibel is an island on the Gulf of Mexico situated in Lee County, Florida. Get closer to nature at Sanibel island with its lush forests, wildlife, and beautiful beaches. Relax in Bowman’s beach, one of the best beaches on the island and a great place for Sanibel Stoop- a popular activity of collecting shells among visitors and locals. Discover the origins of the island and its ancestors at the Sanibel Historical Museum and village. Visit a restored homestead, workplace for an authentic experience. Take a tour with a naturalist to the JN Ding National Wildlife Refuge, home to a mangrove forest with a wide variety of animals and birds. Visit the Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum, a unique museum to explore the history of shelling in Sanibel and different types of shells. Exhibits showcase fossil shells, shell art, a shell classification wheel among others.