When Florida eco tours are mentioned, quite understandably, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds are the Everglades. This area is the most popular for airboat tours and mangrove safari tours. There are other places to explore the environment in Florida, however. Eco Tourism on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island is one of this destination’s most popular draws. This island is renowned for its pristine mangrove ecosystems, its extensive beachfronts and the numerous species of shells to be found on the shores. A large part of this island is occupied by a nature preserve.

Florida eco tourism oftentimes centers on environments which are endangered or threatened. One of the most popular destinations for eco tourism on Sanibel is the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge occupies the northern portion of the more than 5,000 acres set aside as a preserve on Sanibel Island. Mangrove ecosystems are some of the more fragile and threatened on the planet. The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge protects one of these ecosystems and allows tourists to explore the fascinating wildlife that calls this exotic locale home. Eco tourism in Florida such as this helps to preserve these national treasures through education.

Eco Tours are exciting for the entire family!

Eco tourism in Florida, predictably enough, oftentimes centers on the seaside environs. On Sanibel and Captiva, those who love to go shelling will find themselves in one of the best locations for that pastime on Earth. The shelling on these beaches is recognized as world-class and visitors will find everything from sand dollars to scallops and much more. There is a museum on the island, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, which is dedicated to educating visitors about the undersea world of shellfish. This museum has over 30 exhibits and is the largest such facility dedicated to the study of shells in the world.

Eco tours in Florida oftentimes take travelers far off the beaten path. On Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, this oftentimes means visiting beaches which are far outside the developed areas of the islands. While it’s associated with relaxation and just getting away from it all, eco tourism on Sanibel oftentimes means visiting Bowman’s Beach. It may be close to populated areas but this beach is very secluded and allows visitors to explore the seaside environs in peace. There are festivals held at various times of year which help to educate visitors about this delicate environment and the island itself.

There are many options for exploring the environs around these islands via watercraft. The Tarpon Bay Explorers offer tours that traverse the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and which are representative of the variety of activities in which visitors can engage. The tours pass through this mangrove ecosystem via various means. One may choose to take a kayak tour, a canoe tour or a tour on a pontoon boat. These methods all have one thing in common: They allow a very quiet means of exploring. The Tarpon Bay Explorers offer guests the opportunity to see the environment at its finest and most serene.

Of course, there are those who will wish to do some Sanibel and Captiva fishing rather than touring the reserves. There are few better places for which one could wish. Some of the common fish caught in this area include redfish, snook and sea trout. The waters around Sanibel Island and Captiva Island have more than just game fish beneath their surfaces, however. The Sanibel and Captiva waters around these islands boast the largest population of bottlenose dolphins anywhere. They are also home to Florida’s famously gentle and curious Manatees.

Fantastic fishing, boating and tours await you on Sanibel and Captiva!

Finding a boat rental on Sanibel Island is not difficult, but one should consider a guided tour such as those offered by Tarpon Bay Explorers if they have no experience with the sea. Making use of a guided tour service ensures that one sees all that the island has to offer. For instance, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is famous for being the seasonal home of many migratory birds. If one doesn’t know where to look, one may well miss out on the egrets, ibis, pelicans and roseate spoonbills that live in this reserve. Sanibel fishing is very popular, but boats have many more uses in this environment.

Finding a boat rental on Captiva Island is also quite easy. There are several different businesses that offer the service. The options range from skiffs to pontoon boats and beyond. These boats are suitable for Sanibel and Captiva fishing or in any other area surrounding either of the islands, depending upon the type. Remember that some areas are restricted speed zones. The reason for this is usually that manatees forage in those specific areas.

Many of the adventures in the paradise of Sanibel involve exploring the extensive wildlife refuges. A full half of this island is set aside as a national wildlife refuge. The most famous of these protected areas is the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Kayaking Sanibel and Captiva oftentimes means starting out in this area. There are several advantages to taking a quiet mode of transportation, such as a canoe or a kayak, though this and other areas. There is a huge population of birds in this area and numerous water-dwelling creatures. A quiet passage ensures the closest possible contact with them.

Kayaking Sanibel and Captiva Islands is best done with the assistance of a guide. Guides may be contracted privately or one may make use of the various organizations that offer educational excursions through the island’s various natural areas. Either way, one is ensured a much more substantial experience than would be had if one were to simply venture out on their own. Many individuals dedicate their lives to studying the various wildlife and plants that inhabit the island environs and are more than happy to share that knowledge with those who choose to vacation on the islands of Sanibel and Captiva.

Fantastic ECO Adventures await you on Sanibel and Captiva!

Tarpon Bay Explorers on Sanibel offers several different Sanibel kayaking packages for getting out and exploring the natural environs and kayaking Sanibel. The company offers several different styles of watercraft for hire and, provided with proper safety training, adventurers can set out to explore some of the most wild and exciting environments to be found anywhere. The company has enough watercraft to ensure that just about everyone will be able to find something suitable for their needs. These quiet and easy to use crafts ensure that one can get into sensitive environments without disturbing the wildlife that calls it home. Of course, they also offer great guided tours of mangrove trails and Tarpon Bay. They even have a guided sunset Sanibel kayaking trip perfect for observing all the birds as they come to roost for the night.

The Adventure Sea Kayak & SUP takes adventurers out into both the interior waterways and the coastal waters to explore some of the fascinating life forms to be found in both. The population of bottlenose dolphins around Sanibel and Captiva is the largest anywhere and travelers will delight in getting up close and personal with these curious and astoundingly-intelligent mammals. Manatees also ply these waters and their peaceful and friendly nature makes them a favorite with tourists. Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding Captiva Island ensures that tourists leave the island with something far more precious than pictures: an appreciation for the environment.

Sanibel Island tours are one of the more popular activities in which visitors to this area of the country undertake. This area is renowned for having one of the most abundant populations of bottlenose dolphins in the world. It is also one of the grazing areas preferred by manatees, a gentle and friendly marine mammal. Booking Sanibel tours or Captiva tours allows guests to see these beautiful islands from offshore and, if they’re fortunate, to interact with some of the fascinating marine life that calls the waters around these barrier islands home.

Florida dolphin tours are enjoyable for people of all ages. These friendly and incredibly intelligent mammals are very social and their curiosity tends to make them as interested in the people taking a tour as the tourists are in the dolphins. The manatee population is also one of the most compelling reasons to take Sanibel tours. These mammals are endangered and are at particular risk for being injured or killed by speed boats. The residents of these islands work famously hard to protect the environment and these tours serve more than just a commercial purpose. There is a great deal to learn on Sanibel tours.

Experience the spectacular tours of sanibel and Captiva!

Captiva tours are equally enjoyable. Captiva is separated from Sanibel by a narrow strait of water known as Blind Pass. The islands are accessible to one another by car but traveling from one to the other on a chartered cruise is simply one of the most enjoyable activities for which one could ask. Captiva tours will afford guests views of the island’s fascinating interior, which has been inhabited since 1888. The island gets its name from its legendary affiliation with pirates who allegedly held a woman captive on the island. Today, tourists are more likely to see the spectacular homes that make up Millionaire’s Row than they are any pirates.

If one has an interest in undertaking Florida dolphin tours, taking Sanibel tours or Captiva tours is an excellent way to go about it. If one is more interested in game fish than they are in ocean mammals, there are plenty of chartered fishing services which will offer a more active sort of island tour. One may also wish to explore the waterways within the island with Sanibel tours, including the mangrove ecosystem which is part of the protected lands at the northern end of Sanibel Island.