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Florida

Beautiful Sanibel Island and the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast

Program No. 20899RJ

Discover the rich cultural and ecological heritage of Sanibel Island as you explore its museums, photograph its diverse wildlife and beachcomb for shells with an expert conchologist.

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Regional Studies Nature & Environment

Program

At a Glance

Duration

6 days

Program Begins

Sanibel Island, Florida

Program Concludes

Sanibel Island, Florida

Meals

12 ( 5B, 3L, 4D )

Activity Level

Pure white sand beaches strewn with 400 species of shells; wetlands and mangrove swamps; and wildlife like manatees, dolphins, tortoises, alligators and nearly 250 species of birds make Sanibel Island a tropical Eden tucked along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Get to know this fascinating island like a local. Learn why the “Sanibel Stoop” is the preferred posture on the local beaches, encounter marine life inhabiting island waters and discover the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the U.S.

Best of all, you'll...

Join volunteer docents inside Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, a tribute to the island’s early pioneers where each building has been restored to its original state.
Meet a special kind of marine expert on a beachcombing field trip with a conchologist, who will help identify the many species of shells washed up onshore.
Spend a day at the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, examining the lives of these two remarkable men.

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General Notes

It is important to consider that the beautiful Sanibel Island has been recovering for the past 2 years due to devastating hurricanes. Two years ago, Category 4 Hurricane Ian slammed Sanibel with a 13-foot storm surge, followed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. It is very exciting that the island is reopening, and Road Scholar can be a part of this. The island has gone through, and continues to go through, extensive rebuilding. While tremendous progress has been made, Sanibel is not 100% back to its previous conditions. Some construction is on-going at the resort, but it is in beautiful shape. This island has been incredibly resilient in the face of many challenges as it works to return to its pre-hurricane state. Due to natural conditions and warming sea waters, the state of the beach changes daily, occasionally having algae blooms. As is the case with nature, this is unpredictable. On the program we will learn about what the Island has gone through and the efforts to restore it.

Charles Sobczak

Charles Sobczak is an award-winning author living on Sanibel Island. His first novel, 'Six Mornings on Sanibel,' was originally published in 1999. He has written several other novels, a fictional memoir, and a collection of writings titled 'Rhythm of the Tides.' In 2010, he published a regional nature guide, 'Living Sanibel - A Nature Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands.' In 2004, shortly after the arrival of Hurricane Charley, Sobczak was interviewed by the BBC regarding his premonition of a Cat 5 hurricane hitting Southwest Florida.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

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Nolan Hines

Nolan Hines is a native Ohioan, born on a farm just south of Columbus. He attended Ohio State University intending to become a veterinarian, then became involved in singing and theatre activities. He spent eight years on the ships of Holland America Line as an entertainer, excursion assistant, and cruise director, then four years aboard The American Queen steamboat. Nolan now lives in Florida and since 2017 has enjoyed discovering the treasures of new places and helping participants to enjoy cultural highlights with Road programs.

Brittnay Laster

Brittnay Laster joined the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife in 2023 as the education and outreach coordinator. She earned her degree in wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture from Mississippi State, intending on becoming a veterinarian. After an internship in the field of wildlife education, she instead became a wildlife educator, beginning a master's focusing on global wildlife health and conservation. Returning from the UK, Brittnay started her career with Alaska Geographic in Denali National Park and continued to work seasonally in several states.

Activity Level

On Your Feet

Walking on mostly flat terrain with some rocky, sandy surfaces 1-1.5 miles per day. Standing at cultural sites and stair climbing. Some walking in the dark at night (bring a flashlight - Sanibel Island has no street lights - this is to help preserve the island's natural beauty and to protect sea turtles).

Suggested Reading List

View Full List (6 Books)

You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

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Call 800-454-5768

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.