Island Wildlife & Estuary Tours
NOTICE: Some information on these pages are pre-Hurricane Ian and may not be fully up-to-date.
More than half of Sanibel Island is dedicated to public wildlife refuges you and your family can explore, offering landscapes ranging from winding estuaries, marshland, mangrove bayous, and undeveloped leeward beaches. Sanibel Island’s marshlands, estuaries, mangroves and beaches are teaming with life, including many species of birds including flamingos and rosette spoonbills, the American alligator, manatees and many other animals. Native vegetation on Sanibel Island is world-class, including the sea grape, sea oats, mangroves, and a variety of palm species. All this abundance of life makes for unforgettable tours. Find the right Sanibel Island Marshland and Estuary for you to tour below.
J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is one of Sanibel Island’s most popular attractions. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this refuge boasts more than 5,200 acres of protected land. Learn about the mangrove ecosystem and the animals who call it home, including hundreds of migratory bird species.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation manages more than 1,300 acres of land on Sanibel Island. The SCCF’s many educational programs include beach and rail walks, boat tours, wading trips, kayak tours and classroom-based activities. Be sure to visit the SCCF nature center complete with four miles of trails, an observation tower, a touch tank, butterfly house and Nature Shop.
Everglades Day Safari Ecotour
Experience the Florida Everglades! Everglades Day Safari Ecotour offers the area’s only full day guided tour of the Florida Everglades. The tour includes an airboat ride to see alligators and many species of birds, a boat cruise through the Everglades National Park to see manatee, dolphin and sea turtles, lunch and more! Make your reservation today!
The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Grab your camera as we take a tour around beautiful south Florida. The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is an amazing experience. Take a stroll down their boardwalk and see the many species of wildlife and one of the county’s last remaining stands of virgin bald cypresses.
C.R.O.W. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife
Grab your camera as we take a tour around beautiful south Florida. The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is an amazing experience. Take a stroll down their boardwalk and see the many species of wildlife and one of the county’s last remaining stands of virgin bald cypresses.
Visitor Reviews
A “MUST” stay!! We LOVE Island Inn! Ken and Glory and so welcoming. This is our second time returning. The units are right on the beach and have everything you would ever want. We rented bikes and paddle boards and had so much fun. The screened in porches are so lovely and the view is amazing. Wonderful shelling right outside; as well as free beach chairs and umbrellas. Highly recommend! We will be back! 
Wonderful and close to the beach. Everything needed is available and the proximity to the beach is the best. We rarely ate out since we could cook our own meals. Chairs are set up for guests every day and towels are provided. We always enjoy our stay here! 
Tranquility I usually travel alone and I felt completely safe at the Island Inn. The inn is clean and well cared for, everything is in tip-top condition! In addition, the employees were all very kind. The free use of the umbrellas and beach chairs are the icing on the cake! Some other resorts on the island charge you $$ to sit under an umbrella.
