Sanibel & Captiva — Ding Darling, Shelling Beaches & Blind Pass

Two low, curving barrier islands off Florida's southwest coast, Sanibel and Captiva run east-to-west rather than north-to-south — a quirk of geography that turns their beaches into natural shell traps and makes them among the finest shelling islands in the world. Just under three hours south of Tampa, they reward three unhurried days of paddling, cycling, walking, and beachcombing. Day one is given to the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, whose Wildlife Drive and paddling trails cross the mangrove estuary that covers half of Sanibel. Day two walks the wild sand of Bowman's Beach and climbs the Sanibel Lighthouse at the island's tip. Day three crosses to quieter Captiva and the shell-strewn cut of Blind Pass before the return north. Nights are spent on Sanibel itself, among its low-key resorts and its famous shared-use bike paths. Note: Sanibel and Captiva were hit hard by Hurricane Ian (2022); the causeway, Ding Darling refuge, and the shell museum have reopened, but this is a hurricane-exposed barrier-island trip — confirm current access and hours, and note peak hurricane season runs June through November.