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All the United States Florida Sanibel

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Sanibel

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Sanibel, Florida

Updated May 31, 2019

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Unusual Attractions in Sanibel

A sailor’s valentine.

Sanibel, Florida

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

In a city crazy for seashells this museum educates and amazes visitors using the wonder of cast-off exoskeletons.
A Pistol Shrimp

Sanibel, Florida

Pistol Shrimp of Ding Darling

Just below the surface, shrimp are producing temperatures hotter than the sun.
The grave itself is overgrown with agave, poison ivy, and lots of other sharp pointy objects, so wear protective clothing!

Sanibel, Florida

Grave of Captain Oliver Bowen

The bizarre story of the mysterious death and hidden treasure of one of Sanibel Island's early homesteaders.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!

Fort Myers, Florida

Punta Rassa Telegraph Station

A telegraph station used to send information from Cuba to the U.S. during the Spanish-American War.
2 miles from Sanibel
Mound Key, in southwestern Florida’s Estero Bay, is an artificial island made from layers of shells and other material.

Estero, Florida

Mound Key Archaeological State Park

Long before Europeans arrived, Native Americans built an artificial island out of shells that has withstood a millennia of hurricanes.
9 miles from Sanibel
The Bubble Room

Captiva, Florida

The Bubble Room

This kitsch eatery is chock-a-block with bric-a-brac.
11 miles from Sanibel
Koreshan State Park Yellow House

Estero, Florida

Koreshan State Historic Site

Former utopian colony based on the belief that the universe exists in a hollow sphere.
12 miles from Sanibel
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Sanibel Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Jeff Wagg
    1
  2. Anna Marlis Burgard
    1
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    1
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Places Edited

  1. Collector of Experiences
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  2. Jeff Wagg
    1
  3. Martin
    1
  4. leslipeterson
    1
  5. Anna Marlis Burgard
    1
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Places Visited

  1. gerriepatdu
    3
  2. Reublin66
    3
  3. collinmayfieldvids
    3
  4. morgieee0044
    3
  5. matthewbenton
    3
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Visit a place in Sanibel.

Recent Sanibel Activity

  • kjmeows

    has been to The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

  • shippnout

    wants to go to The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

  • shippnout

    wants to go to Pistol Shrimp of Ding Darling

  • shippnout

    wants to go to Grave of Captain Oliver Bowen

  • Sunny Vibes

    wants to go to Grave of Captain Oliver Bowen

Stories About Sanibel

This Aplidium stellatum came ashore near Destin, Florida.

The Secret Life of 'Sea Pork,' The Organ-Like Blobs on Your Beach

Contains no actual pork.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
May 15, 2019

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