The Sanibel Wild Mile Pass 2.0
Expiration: Apr 1st 2027
Download The Sanibel Wild Mile Pass to immerse yourself in the island’s legendary conservation story. Here you can take a deep dive into its reputation as a seashell capital of the world, hike miles of island forest and wetlands, visit an animal hospital to learn about the island’s diverse wildlife, or explore one of the nation’s most fascinating national wildlife refuges. Check in at CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife), SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation), the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and Aquarium — all while earning points for exciting rewards! This free pass gives you the chance to explore these hidden gems and well-loved spots on Sanibel Island.
How It Works:
1. Visit any location in the pass and earn points when you check in.
2. Special monthly events give you the chance to rack up even more points!
3. Redeem points for prizes!
4. Check in to 14 locations and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a grand prize that includes swag from your favorite Sanibel Island stores and restaurants.
From CROW’s wildlife rehabilitation efforts to the stunning nature preserves of SCCF and the educational exhibits at the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum & Aquarium, you’ll get a deeper appreciation of this beautiful region while staying active and earning fun prizes. Sign up now to start exploring, earning points, and unlocking perks!
Included Venues
See locations on an interactive map.
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is the location of the first recorded tarpon caught on rod and reel. To celebrate the historical moment and Southwest Florida’s history of fishing, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society & Doc Ford’s began the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament. A Legacy of Fishing, Community, and Conservation
The “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament is more than a competition—it’s a tradition rooted in the history of the first tarpon ever caught on rod and reel right here in Southwest Florida. Each year, anglers from across the country gather not only to chase the silver king but to protect the waters that make this place extraordinary.
Purchase museum admission to acquire a pin number to earn points! With a mission to to celebrate shells, mollusks, and their ecosystems, the Museum includes exhibits of shells from all over the world and aquariums with hundreds of marine animals including octopuses, Giant Clams, conchs, and many more. Opportunities also include hands-on touch pools and daily gallery and aquarium talks at the only accredited museum in the United States devoted primarily to shells and mollusks. Purchase museum admission to acquire a pin number to earn points!
Sign up for a guided beach walk! Join our knowledgeable marine science educators for a casual guided beach walk to explore what's washed ashore. We will talk about some of the more mysterious objects we find on the beach, look for fascinating animals, and learn about shell biology. Free for Island Inn Guests/ $20 per participant. Guests make reservations through the front desk at 239-472-1561. General public can make reservations by clicking https://sanibelseaschool.org/programs/at-your-resort/
Sign up for guided beach walk! Join our knowledgeable marine science educators for a casual guided beach walk to explore what's washed ashore. We will talk about some of the more mysterious objects we find on the beach, look for fascinating animals, and learn about shell biology. $20/ adult for Mooring Guests (children with a registered parent are free); $20 per participant general public. Make reservations by calling 239-472-4119 or visit https://sanibelseaschool.org/programs/at-your-resort/ for more information.
Purchase admission to acquire a pin number to earn points! Guests learn about CROW’s history and day-to-day operations through displays, interactive exhibits, and videos. The center also features live animal exhibits, special children’s areas, and live camera feeds of the hospital intake room and several outdoor rehabilitation enclosures. Check out our live cameras here.
Sign up for a tour to get a code to earn points! Southwest Florida is filled with fascinating wildlife, and CROW provides a unique opportunity to see wildlife rehabilitation firsthand and meet the staff responsible for their care. Campus Tours are the best opportunity for visitors to get an in-depth look into what patients experience from intake to release including the inner workings of our hospital and the treatment process. Campus tours are Monday-Friday at 12pm. To register for the tour, please email reservations@crowclinic.org or call retail at 239-472-3644 ext. 229.
Sign up for a daily presentation to get a code to earn points! Staff, students, and volunteers engage guests on a variety of topics during the Daily Presentations in the Visitor Education Center. Learn about specific species, habitats, care at CROW, and ways to be great environmental stewards. Most presentations will feature one of CROW’s Animal Ambassadors. Plan 30 minutes to an hour for these popular talks which include, but are not limited to:
April 9 – Author and Conservationist, Tina Morris, “Return to the Sky: The Reintroduction of the Bald Eagle” based on her book Return to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle - 10 am and 1 pm in the Roost. Lectures take place on select Thursdays at the Refuge at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is on a first-come basis. Wristbands will be distributed 1 hour before each talk. Book signing following the lecture.
April 2 – Beekeepers Association of SWFL, “Live Hive & Taste: Observing Live Bees with Honey-Tasting” (live bees may be present in a sealed observation hive). 10 am and 1 pm in the Roost. Lectures take place on select Thursdays at the Refuge at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is on a first-come basis. Wristbands will be distributed 1 hour before each talk.
April 16 – Sanibel Author Charles Sobczak, “Wild Places of Southwest Florida,” based on his book The Living Gulf Coast: A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida - 10 am and 1 pm in the Roost. Lectures take place on select Thursdays at the Refuge at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is on a first-come basis. Wristbands will be distributed 1 hour before each talk. Book signing following the lecture.
Join SCCF for our 12th annual Beer in the Bushes — a swingin' celebration of community and the end of another island season! Enjoy live music by the Squirrel Nut Zippers, craft beer from eight local breweries, and a Food Truck Alley, while supporting our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems.
Register to participate in an SCCF Voluntourism event! SCCF's Voluntourism is a unique blend of travel and environmental conservation, where visitors can actively participate in efforts to protect and restore the local ecosystem. To sign up to participate visit https://sccf.org/voluntourism-with-coastal-watch/