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J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge - One Wildlife Drive (off San-Cap Road). Open daily 9am to sunset, closed Fridays (a wildlife vacation from people). 5,000-acre sanctuary offers hiking, biking and canoe trails. The 5-mile wildlife drive is $5 for cars, $1 for bikers and hikers. More than 200 species of birds nest here, many of them threatened or endangered. Alligators, turtles, river otters, armadillos and other creatures may be spotted as well. Visitor Center with guides and facilities, observation tower, canoe rentals.
Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum - 3075 San-Cap Road. Hours: 10am-4pm Tues-Sun; Closed Mondays. The Shell Museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. Exhibits are devoted to shells in art and history, shell habitats, rare specimens, fossil shells and local Sanibel-Captiva shells. Museum members and children 7 & under are free, youths 8 to 16 are $3, adults 17 and up - $5. Group rates and tour information available.
Everglades Day Safari - An Everglades eco tour of bird watching and wildlife photography of alligators, panthers, manatees, reptiles and other zoological and botanical interests in southwest Florida's Big Cypress preserve and Everglades outback. A full day of nature by riverboat, hiking, airboats and van exploration with highly trained guides. Let us do the driving. Departs daily from Sanibel, Ft. Myers Beach and Naples/Marco Island area.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Center - Mile Marker 1, San-Cap Road. Hours: 8:30am-3pm Mon-Fri during the summer, 8:30am-4pm Mon-Sat during winter months. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to conserving the island's natural resources. Several miles of walking trails, exhibits, marine touch tank, native plant nursery and nature store. Nominal admission fee.
Care and Rehabilitation of Wildlife (C.R.O.W.) - 3883 San-Cap Road. Non-profit veterinary hospital dedicated to rehabilitation and return to the wild of ill, injured and orphaned native wildlife. Thousands of patients - from all over Southwest Florida - are received annually. C.R.O.W. also participates in wildlife studies and sponsors educational programs. Tours 11am Mon-Fri, 1pm Sunday, no tours on Saturday. $3 requested donation.
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