Surround yourself with the things that matter most on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. On 50 miles of Florida's most protected white-sand beaches, the best memories are found naturally. Spend your days spotting dolphins, collecting seashells and watching sunsets. Join us June 20 for National Seashell Day and take a moment for something you and your family can hold on to. Find some of the world's best shelling on Captiva and Sanibel Islands where kids can easily collect Conchs, Sand Dollars, Calico Scallops and see more than 400 kinds of shells. The perfect collection always seems to attract one more perfect addition.

Family vacations should include plenty of beach time and, here, time flies like ospreys and blue herons. Bask in the warm sunshine and bury your toes in soft white sand. Build the perfect sandcastle or read your favorite book. Smile and take a photo in front of another perfect sunset.

In addition to Captiva and Sanibel, hundreds of islands dot an expansive stretch of the Gulf. Most of them can only be reached by boat or seaplane. Whether on an island or the mainland, this region provides sanctuary to wildlife. Whistle and clap for dolphins that play in the wake of your boat. Paddle inches from manatees bobbing throughout the Great Calusa Blueway while kayaking toward shady mangrove trees. Spot pink roseate spoonbills and more than 300 kinds of birds in the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the U.S.

The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel offers more than wildlife and nature. Many creative minds have flourished in this area. Inventor Thomas Edison and automobile manufacturer Henry Ford enjoyed their visits so much they put down roots. Their estates, filled with tropical gardens, laboratories and museums, prove the only limit to success is one's imagination.

Order a free Lonely Planet guidebook at FortMyers-Sanibel.com and start planning your next vacation.