There are many attractions near Captiva Beach within a 30-minute drive. J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge is spread over 6,400 acres and it has many kinds of habitats including mangrove forests, West Indian hardwood hammock forests, and marine seagrass beds - you can explore this refuge’s vibrant landscape via the hiking and biking trails. In addition, this refuge is also a fantastic wildlife watching spot and you can view many kinds of animals here including alligators, crocodiles, fish, bobcats, rabbits, raccoons, otters, and 245 species of birds. Sanibel Recreation Center is a public recreation center which offers tennis courts, game rooms, a gymnasium, pools, treadmills, ball fields, skate parks, weight room, and fitness classes. If you are looking for another attraction near Captiva Beach, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum has 30 permanent exhibitions including a hall which showcases the museum’s collection of 500,000 shells. In addition, the museum also has aquariums and touch tanks which are home to many kinds of marine animals including sea hares, cuttlefish, and a Giant Pacific octopus.