Attractions

PINE ISLAND

Museum of the Islands, 5728 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia. Features island culture from the Calusa Indians to modern times. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. (941) 283-1525.

Sunburst Tropical Fruit Company, 7113 Howard Road, is one of the oldest mangrove thickets in Florida. Planted in the 1920s, it offers a nursery of tropical fruit and foliage, tasting of tropical fruit in season and chutney at the grove stand. Hours are by appointment only. (941) 283-1200.

PUNTA GORDA

Fisherman's Village, 1200 West Retta Esplanade, offers 37 unique shops, seven restaurants, cruise boats, fishing charters, boat rentals, sailing school, a 98-slip marina, 47 luxury villas and special entertainment and events. Hours vary. (800) 639-0020. donna@fishville.com.

SANIBEL ISLAND

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, offers about 30 exhibits displaying shells from Sanibel and Captiva islands, Southwest Florida and around the world. Daily programs explain the habits and habitats of mollusks. Discounts and special programs for group tours with advance reservations. $5/adults, $3/ages 8-16, free/7 and under. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. (941) 395-2233. shell@shellmuseum.org.

Cayo Costa State Park has seven miles of Gulf beaches, five miles of hiking trails, 12 rustic cabins for rent by reservation and 25 tent camping sites, also for rent by reservation. Accessible only by private boat or passenger ferry. No electricity or telephones. Visitors must bring their own provisions. Tram takes visitors from bayside to Gulfside and returns. $1/person for day visitors, $21.80/night per cabin, $15/night per site. 8 a.m. to sunset. (941) 964-0375. bigpdh@gls3c.com.

C.R.O.W., Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife Inc., 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, offers one guided tour daily Monday-Friday at 11 a. m., and more tours during season. $5/adult. (941) 472-3644. crowclinic@aol.com.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, One Wildlife Drive, consists of 6,300 acres of mangrove forest, cordgrass marshes and West Indian hardwood hammocks. Located on the north side of Sanibel Island along Pine Island Sound, the refuge includes 2,800 acres of federally designated "wilderness area" and provides important habitat to over 170 species of birds. Bicycles, canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the Tarpon Bay Recreation Area. Guided canoe tours are also offered, as are narrated tram tours. $5/car, $1/adult bicyclist or hiker. Seasonal hours. (941) 472-1100.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road, has acquired more than 1,500 acres of land managed for wildlife through its 30-plus year history. A retail native plant nursery, butterfly house, nature center with a marine touch tank and more than four miles of walking trails including an observation tower are accessible to visitors. Special programs and walks are available and vary with the seasons. Seasonal hours. $3/adult, free/under 17 and members. Groups welcome by special arrangement. (941) 472-2329. www.sccf.org.

Sanibel Historical Village and Museum, 850 Dunlop Road, recalls island days before the Sanibel Causeway and air conditioners. Trained guides offer insight and stories of pioneer settlers, farmers and fishermen, the Calusa Indians and those who saw Florida's tourist industry in the 1890s as visitors travel through five separate buildings. Donations requested. $2/adult. Seasonal hours. (941) 472-4648.

Sanibel Lighthouse, at Lighthouse City Park, is the historic lighthouse on the southern tip of the island that has been a landmark since 1884 when the entire island was a nature preserve. The park also features a lush tropical landscape, a white sand beach and a bayside fishing pier. (941) 472-9075.