The vacation of your dreams is waiting for you on Sanibel Island. It's the perfect spot: a little barrier island off the southwest coast of Florida, where you can gather seashells while exploring the white sand beaches and see an incredible array of wildlife in their natural habitat.

Sanibel Island is heaven on earth that promises all of this, and so much more. It can be a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and you'll want everything to be perfect. Follow these tips to help you create the vacation you've always wanted:

What Should I Pack?

Unlike many of the world's premier vacation spots, you don't need to pack three changes of clothes for each day, or bring along a ton of gear. Sanibel is a relaxing place, so make your personal comfort your first priority.

Binoculars: Bringing along a good pair of binoculars should be a prerequisite for anyone wishing to take a Sanibel Island vacation. It's the best way to get up close and personal with the shockingly abundant natural wildlife. Keep binoculars handy while exploring the country or relaxing on the beach, and you'll never miss out on the animals or birds that will most certainly cross your path. Sanibel's sister island, Captiva, is also blessed with exquisite natural wildlife.

What to Wear

If you need to just kick back and relax, Sanibel Island will be perfect for you. The casual atmosphere calls for a relaxed dress code. Of course, men can wear jackets for elegant dinners, even though there are no restaurants on the island requiring a jacket. All you'll really need is a nice shirt paired with pants or shorts. Of course, you don't want to spoil your dream vacation by appearing too sloppy. Leave the oversized tank tops at home, and don't visit the grocery store or stroll down Periwinkle Way wearing only your bathing suit. The key is to dress casually, not comically.

Comfy Cotton: The climate on Sanibel Island is very much tropical, so be sure to dress accordingly. Leave the polyester at home, and pack cotton shorts, pants, tops and dresses. Cotton will help you to keep your cool on your Sanibel Island vacation.

Sunblock: The combination of sun and sand almost guarantees sunburn for exposed skin. Even on cloudy days, or under a sunshade, you must cover up with a good SPF sunscreen or sunblock. Long-sleeved shirts are also suggested for additional protection from the sun, particularly if you plan on taking a boat excursion. If you plan on visiting in autumn, you'll also want to pack a windbreaker or light sweater to cover up while at sea.

Accessories: Nothing fancy is required on Sanibel Island. Sandals are the footwear of choice for locals and visitors alike, and there are many shops that sell sandals and flip-flops. Be sure to pack a cap or visor to keep your head cool and help shield your eyes.

To protect your eyes, even more, be sure to pack a pair of polarized sunglasses. This simple accessory can make or break your Sanibel Island vacation. You don't want to risk missing anything by squinting against the sun, and there is so much to see. Every Sanibel activity, from water skiing and sightseeing to fishing and shelling, is much more fun when you can comfortably see. If you forget your shades at home, you can visit a local shop to pick up a pair.

Sanibel Shelling

Kids and adults alike list shelling as a favorite vacation activity on Sanibel Island. The gorgeous coastline is literally lined with seashells, but it's important to remember that the most beautiful shells don't always was up onto the sandy shore. Sometimes, you'll need to venture out into the knee-deep water during low tide to find real tropical treasures. Walk slowly and bring along a bag to gather your treasures.

Always remember the golden rule of shelling, and never take a living creature from the ocean. Live starfish, shells, sand dollars and sea urchins must be left in their natural habitat. On Sanibel Island, removing living sea creatures is illegal and guilty parties will be required to pay a hefty fine. Peek inside to be sure that the shells you pick up are empty before putting them into your treasure chest. Don't take too many shells. The growing tourism industry has resulted in rather barren beaches throughout the world.

The perfect Sanibel Island vacation takes relatively little planning, light packing and virtually no effort. Being there is really all you need to be able to call Sanibel Island the vacation paradise of your dreams.

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Contributor Horace Jurdon provides material for several Internet magazines, on sports outdoors and recreation and leisure themes.