J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is one attraction not to pass up. With an amazing 6,482 total acres of land on Sanibel dedicated to nature preservation, this refuge is home to about 250 species of birds and other animals including Roseate Spoonbills, American alligators, , Bald Eagles, Wood Storks, Ospreys, Reddish Egrets, Mangrove Cuckoos, Florida Manatees, Atlantic Loggerhead Turtles and more.
Besides protecting wildlife, “Ding” also provides high-quality interpretive and environmental education programs to impart each refuge visitor with an appreciation of wildlife ecology and provide quality wildlife-oriented recreation while conducting research to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.
Tower of Egrets – Click to Enlarge
“Ding” introduces visitors to wetland environment through its FREE Visitor & Education Center (don’t miss its award-winning restrooms while there), 4-mile Wildlife Drive, hiking and biking trails, fishing estuaries, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and guided tram and boat tours.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Phone: 239-472-1100
Visitor & Education Center Hours:
- Saturday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Closed Friday’s
Wildlife Drive Hours:
- Saturday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Closed Friday’s
Fee:
- Visitor & Education Center: Free
- Wildlife Drive:
- $10/car,
- $1/bike or pedestrian (under 16 free)
Shop Ding Darling:
Visitors can shop for unique, eco-friendly products that professional staff have personally curated at three convenient locations. Many are made in America and, when possible, The Nature Store works with up-and-coming local artisans. Staff selects each item with quality, conservation, and recycling foremost in mind. Many items are exclusive to the Nature Store and ShopDingDarling.com and not available elsewhere.
Your in-store and online purchases support conservation efforts; 100% of all profits directly benefits the Refuge. So, you can feel good about your shopping experience and make a difference at the same time. Plus, guests of the Island Inn receive an Exclusive Promotion card at check-in that entitles them to special discounts! Click here for details.
- The Nature Store
- Located inside the Visitor and Education Center located at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- 1 Wildlife Drive Sanibel Island FL 33957
- Phone: (239) 472-1100 ext 241
- Shop Ding Darling Store Online
- Website: ShopDingDarling.com
- Phone: (239) 472-1100 ext 241
For information on supporting the Refuge, programs, and events, visit DingDarlingSociety.org
Visitor Reviews
A great place to stay! We just left this wonderful inn. The people were so kind and welcoming, the room (actually more of a condo) was beautiful and had everything we needed. The beach in front of the inn was beautiful and had better shells than most places on the island! The balcony, which was screened in, was beautiful, we ate breakfast there every day! There were chairs and umbrellas on the beach. You can’t beat the sunset as well. This was our first time back to Sanibel since the devastating hurricanes. There were plenty of restaurants open and lots of shops are coming back too. We’ll be back! 
Return to Paradise We have stayed at the Island Inn many times. However, this was our first stay since the hurricanes hit Sanibel. The rooms in Matthews Lodge were just as great as ever. The beach had a great many more shells. The chairs and umbrellas made sitting on the beach very peaceful and enjoyable. The staff was as friendly and welcoming as ever. While so much has changed, we were glad to support the Island Inn and all the other familiar businesses on Sanibel. It is important to show your loyalty to such a wonderful place and the people who live and work there. We will be back again in the near future!
Restful, Quiet and Just Right! My husband and I stayed for three nights in April and had the BEST time! Our room was clean and well stocked, and the view just couldn't be beat. Ken and his staff were friendly and accommodating, and the best part having a room that was directly on the beach! We sat on the balcony at night and enjoyed the sound of the water, went shelling each morning and found our space at the Inn as a welcome retreat from our very busy lives back home. 
