09/11/2026
Sanibel and Captiva were recently named to the New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2026”. Our Islands are the only location in Florida to make the list alongside destinations in Iceland, Seychelles, and Brazil to name a few.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has called Sanibel home since its establishment in 1945. Initially known as the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge, its mission primarily focused on protecting migratory bird habitat. Over the years the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Complex has expanded to include land over both Sanibel and Captiva with the purpose to preserve and protect wildlife habitat. In addition to protecting vital ecosystems, “Ding” Darling has become one of Southwest Florida’s most beloved attractions, attracting nearly 800,000 visitors from around the world each year. We are proud of our island community for having such a strong and unique identity! When visiting make sure to visit “Ding” Darling and the incredible Florida Wildlife that call our islands home.
Photo by Oskar S Garcia.
The New York Times
