Sanibel Island is connected to mainland Florida by a three-mile causeway, but it seems a world away. Sanibel boasts many things that make Florida a popular tourist destination, including beautiful beaches and bright sun, but it is also figuratively and literally a private sanctuary. 1,800 acres of the 12 mile long island are preserved for wildlife, while residents and a Conservation Foundation have successfully fought to limit commercial growth and development. The lack of urban sprawl and protected lands make Sanibel luxury homes all the more appealing and exclusive. Beachfront cottages, compounds on the Gulf of Mexico and sophisticated penthouses add their own beauty to the scenic surroundings, similar to the famous pastel-colored shells that collect on Sanibel’s pristine beaches.