Sanibel Island (Tarpon Bay)

Difficulty: Basic	Scenery: Very Good
Location: Sanibel-Captiva, Lee County	Distance: Commodore Creek 2.5 miles, Tarpon Bay Loop 8 miles
Atlas: Page 110 A-2
Last Update: July 2006	Canoe OK: Yes

Description

Sanibel Island, along with its northern neighbor, Captiva, are the best known barrier islands on the southwest Florida Gulf coast. These unique islands with their east-west orientation (most barrier islands are north-south) are connected to the mainland by a three mile long causeway which terminates at Sanibel's eastern end. The gulf side of the island, with a gentle slope from the sea bottom allows over 200 hundred species of shells to be washed ashore intact. Spending just a few minutes along the beach will entice almost anyone to join in the "Sanibel Stoop".

Important Hurricane Note: On August 13, 2004 Hurricane Charley struck the Sanibel area. Over 70% of the mangroves were destroyed, changing the tropical landscape for many years.

Sunset from Sanibel Causeway.

If paddlesports are your game, Sanibel offers first-class canoeing and kayaking. Canoe & Kayak Magazine and Paddler Magazine both list Sanibel as a top destination for great weather, abundant wildlife, world-class beaches and proximity to other hot spots such as Captiva and Pine Island.

Access

Sanibel Island is located in southwest Florida near Fort Myers. From I-75 take Daniels Parkway (exit 131) west toward the Gulf. Turn left at Summerlin Road and follow the signs to Sanibel and Captiva Islands. A three mile long causeway connects Sanibel with the mainland (toll required).

Once you reach Sanibel, turn right on Periwinkle Way. Travel approximately 2 1/2 miles past many fashionable shops, galleries and restaurants. Turn right on Tarpon Bay Road and follow the dirt road to the Tarpon Bay Explorers concessionaire.

Note: Traffic jams are frequent, especially on weekends and holidays during November thru April. Vehicle traffic can get backed up and it is not uncommon to take over one hour to travel the 6 miles from the toll booth to Tarpon Bay.

Important Items Boat, Paddle, PFD Causeway Toll Roads, $6 Canoe Launch, $7 [Optional] Camera, Binoculars [Optional] Fishing Pole and Tackle Environment Saltwater Estuary Mangrove Islands Seagrass Beds Freshwater Ponds National Wildlife Refuge

Heron in Flight.

Tour #1: Commodore Creek (2.5 miles)

You'll find the beginning of your adventure at the end of Tarpon Bay Road. Tarpon Bay Explorers will be happy to provide you with kayaks and canoes if you didn't bring your own. While they don't offer top-end rental boats, their prices are very reasonable. The put-in is the small boat ramp between the store and the boat barn.

Start paddling and immediately turn left (west) and follow the mangrove tree line one-half a mile to the bright blue sign announcing the entrance to Commodore Creek. From here, there are 17 small route signs marking the 1.5 mile canoe trail. Some passages among the mangrove tunnels and particularly the lakes are shallow at low tide. While this may cause paddling to become a bit more challenging, it also offers tremendous bird watching opportunities. In the area are a number of old mosquito control canals that offer additional wildlife watching and great fishing. To finish your trip, turn right at the entrance (now exit) marker and paddle back to the concessionaire.

Tour #2: Tarpon Bay Loop (8 miles)

The eight mile loop begins at the boat ramp near the Tarpon Bay concessionaire. Assuming you have your own kayak or canoe (see rental note below), follow instructions for Commodore Creek for the first two miles of the trip. Upon exiting the mangrove tunnels, turn left at the Commodore Creek entrance sign and follow the mangrove shoreline clockwise around Tarpon Bay. The first exit from Tarpon Bay comes at one mile from the sign post. Looking north across the open water of San Carlos Bay is St. James City, the southernmost point on Pine Island. The water in this area is shallow enough to get out and stretch your legs. Exit Tarpon Bay and paddle northeast for 1.5 miles along the outside of the mangrove islands that enclose the bay.

Large, expensive homes can be seen marking the next major entrance to Tarpon Bay. Enter the bay and continue paddling in a clockwise direction. At approximately 1/2 mile from the homes is the entrance to another set of mangrove tunnels. There are no sign posts or waymarks, so if you decide to paddle these mangrove tunnels, bring a compass or GPS unit find your way back out.

Toward the center of Tarpon Bay are several small islands that serve as bird rookeries. Use binoculars and don't get too close as it is easy disturb the birds inhabiting these islands. Continue south along the shoreline to return to the boat ramp.

Rental Note: If you rent from Tarpon Bay Explorers, current policy states you are not allowed to take the boat outside of the bay area. Tour #2 - the 8 mile Tarpon Bay Loop - exceeds this limit. Stay within the protected bay and enjoy your adventure!

Special Interest: People and Places

Tarpon Bay Explorers, Inc.

Tarpon Bay Explorers, a private company operating in the wildlife refuge provides a variety of services to Sanibel's visitors. For those looking for land-based adventures, tram tours and bicycle rentals are available. For paddlers, Tarpon Bay Explorers provides guided canoe and fishing trips in addition to rentals and equipment sales. On guided trips, birders learn about how various species live, roost and feed in the rich ecosystem at Tarpon Bay.

Another specialty is the rental of "outfitted canoes", complete with canoe, paddles, ice chest, fishing poles, bait and optionally a small electric trolling motor. Tarpon Bay Explorers is located at 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, Florida 33957. Phone 941-472-8900.

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

The J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR was established in 1945 and consists of over 5,200 acres of land and water. The purpose for the refuge is to protect the pristine subtropical habitat for the benefit of wildlife. Additionally, the refuge provides high quality educational programs at the Ding Darling Center for Education.

The refuge consists of many unique ecosystems including estuarine with open saltwater, seagrass beds, mangrove islands, mudflats and freshwater ponds. The refuge enjoys a large diversity of species including 51 different reptiles and amphibians, 32 species of mammals and 238 bird species. One of the main draws for all visitors is Wildlife Drive, a 5 mile one-way drive with interpretive signs and observation tower. The drive is open sunrise to sunset, except for Friday.

The J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR can be found at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957. Phone 941-472-1100.

Who was "Ding" Darling?

Jay Norwood Darling (1876-1962) was a top-rated syndicated political cartoonist that received Pulitzer prizes in 1923 and 1942. Jay Darling's famous signature of "Ding" came from combining the first letter and last three letters of his last name. Ding Darling was passionate about conservation and politics. Darling was appointed head to the U.S. Biological Survey, the forerunner for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1934. Darling was also responsible for creating the Federal Duck Stamp program and creation of the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge. In 1978 the refuge was renamed to the J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR in his honor.

Kayakers getting ready at Tarpon Bay concessionaire.

Paddling the Mangrove tunnels at Commodore Creek.

Map

GPS Location Aid Description Latitude Longitude Sanibel Isl. Causeway Sand Beach N26.27.936' W82.01.835' Tarpon Bay Explorers Boat Ramp N26.26.545' W82.04.975' Commodore Creek- Entrance No Exit N26.26.650' W82.05.357' Marker 10 Big Lake No Exit N26.26.709' W82.05.697' San Carlos Bay- West Access Oyster Bays N26.27.423' W82.05.111' San Carlos Bay- North Access Oyster Bars N26.27.818' W82.03.999' Tarpon Bay- North Mangroves No Exit N26.27.502' W82.04.216'