As reported by Drew Winchester 5/31/11 Cape Coral Daily Breeze

Lee County has miles of pristine shoreline and family friendly beaches, offering the kind of outdoor opportunities that thrill nature enthusiasts and casual sun catchers alike.

By and large the beaches of Lee County offer the kind of family fun that attracts people from around the globe.

Some come to Lee County’s wonderful beaches and stick a toe in the water, or grab some sea shells, glide along the surf on a skim board or just sit in a chair with their favorite beverage while the sun sets in a fiery majesty over the Gulf of Mexico. And relax, you’re on beach time now!

– The Beaches of Sanibel and Captiva

There are likely no more famous and renowned beaches in Lee County than those of the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva.

People travel thousands of miles just to comb the sugar white sands for legendary sea shells like the Junonia on Sanibel Island, where the shores have been protected from high rise condos and developments that plague the sands on much of the east coast.

Residents and environmental enthusiasts have worked for years to keep those beaches – and the islands – protected, pushing hard make sure the island stayed as welcoming and pristine as it has for generations.

Lighthouse Beach might be Sanibel’s most iconic beach, due largely to the lighthouse that sits on the island’s southern tip.

Bowman’s Beach may be the island’s quietest beach. Situated toward Sanibel’s northern end, Bowman’s offers barbecue grills, outdoor showers and plenty of parking for families who want to enjoy the natural splendor.

Sanibel also offers sandy fun at Tarpon Bay beach, located at the south end of Tarpon Bay Road.

There is also ample, and free, parking along the causeway which leads to the island. Restroom facilities are also located along the causeway for family convenience.

Captiva is even more exclusive than Sanibel, but the beaches are just as beautiful and pristine.

Blind Pass Beach, or Turner Beach, offers a unique opportunity to visit both the Sanibel and Captiva side of the beach, as the two islands are separated by channel that was opened by a hurricane many years ago. Actually, locals struggle to keep that channel open from time to time, but sunworshippers, anglers and shellers alike are drawn to Blind Pass Beach to sample a truly tropical island experience.

Further north, Captiva Beach has limited parking but views of the sunset are spectacular, as well as the beach’s location to Captiva’s shopping and dining center, as well as a library and the Chapel By The Sea, a historic and scenic church just a stone’s throw from the white powder of Captiva Beach.

For more information visit sanibel-captiva.org.