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Sanibel and Captiva Getaway Guide

These two charming islands lie on the Gulf of Mexico just west of Fort Myers, on the opposite side of the state. The beaches are world famous for their beauty, tranquility and seashells. Sanibel and Captiva are sometimes called "the Shell Islands," not because of the abundance of shells on the beach, but because the islands themselves are made out of shells.

IF YOU GO

Getting there: Visitors can fly in to Southwest Florida International Airport (239-768-1000) in Lee County, which is served by nearly all major airlines. The islands are about a 45-minute drive from the airport. By car, take I-75 west for about three hours from downtown Fort Lauderdale, another 15 to 30 minutes if you're continuing to Captiva.

More information: Contact the Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, which provides a free vacation guide for visitors. Phone: 941-472-1080. On the Web: http://www.sanibel-captiva.org

Useful links for visitors to the Sanibel area

• Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce

• Accommodations directory from Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce

• Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

• Sanibel Lighthouse

• The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

• Edison-Ford Winter Estates

• The Bubble Room

Weather: Current conditions and five-day forecast for Fort Myers area.

Florida Beach Guide

November 30, 2007

Historic Sanibel village provides break from the beach

February 7, 2005

Historical Edison, Ford homes in Fort Myers

The Edison House, located in Fort Myers, is where the inventor spent working vacations from 1886 until his death in 1931. As the guide will tell you, this is where Edison perfected the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, the motion picture camera and the storage battery.

May 4, 2003

Eleven ways to make the most of visit to Fort Myers

Within 24 hours of arriving in Fort Myers in March 1885, Thomas Edison bought 13 acres on the Caloosahatchee River, and before long he was planting palm trees along the dirt road between downtown and his spread. The road is now McGregor Boulevard, lined with thousands of royal palms (not all courtesy of Edison) and congested in tourist season, and Fort Myers is still seducing Northerners.

May 1, 2005

Captiva cruise gives visitors a look of Hurricane Charley's legacy

CAPTIVA ISLAND · On a gray, windy day in March, the 65-foot Lady Chadwick pushes away from a dock at the end of Andy Rosse Lane.

March 9, 2003

Bokeelia: Heaven near harbor on charming Pine Island

Sanibel and Captiva are not the only islands worth your time west of Fort Myers. There's Pine Island, anchored by Matlacha at the center, St. James City at the southern end and, 18 miles distant on the only road on the island, Bokeelia on the northern tip facing Charlotte Harbor. Definitely not Sanibel or Captiva and still blessedly free of the glitter and glam, the gated golf course condominiums and the strip malls.