Wildlife Refuge Tram Tour

Tuesdays & Saturdays at 10am & 1pm

*Reservations Recommended, See Calendar for Exact Dates*

“Being on Wildlife Drive without a guide is like watching the Discovery Channel with the volume turned down.” – Tour guest

Our experienced naturalists can help you spot wildlife most visitors would never see. Hop on our tram that travels along Wildlife Drive through the J.N. “Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Search for roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets, ibis, alligators and much more while learning about the refuge’s ecology and history! Taking the Refuge Tram Tour also benefits wildlife. Reducing the number of cars along Wildlife Drive helps to protect the animals from polluting exhaust fumes and noisy automobile engines. Plus, by leaving the driving to us, you’ll have your hands free to capture those amazing photos or to peer through binoculars and gaze at the wildlife. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED, please have a Visa, Master or Discover Card when booking (CALL 239-472-8900). Please note, due to a backorder on Wheelchair Lift Electronics, the Tram Tour is not handicap accessible. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are working hard to get the lift up and running. 

Tram Tours check in at Tram Ticket Booth next to the Visitor’s Education Center, NOT 900 Tarpon Bay Rd. We recommend using Google Maps for the best directions to get to 1 Wildlife Drive.

Tram Schedule: https://tarponbayexplorers.com/tour-schedule/#refuge-tram-tour

Things to Know & Bring

• Something to drink, especially in the Spring, Summer and Fall months. It can get hot & humid down here!
• Binoculars! If you have them, bring them. They will come in handy to spot wildlife 🙂
• Cash for tip if you thought the Naturalist did a good job. It is always greatly appreciated 🙂
• The months of February thru March are very busy! Please allow extra time to get to your destination, ESPECIALLY if you are coming from OFF ISLAND!

Did You Know?

While visitors to Sanibel are drawn by the island’s natural beauty, they may not be aware that approximately one-third of Sanibel is a federally protected wildlife refuge. For many years, J.N. “Ding” Darling had a winter home on Captiva Island. Through the efforts of his island neighbors and the J.N. “Ding” Darling Foundation, a refuge was created on Sanibel Island from land donated by concerned citizens and land acquired by the federal government. Administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, this Sanibel refuge has protected habitat for wildlife since 1945. It was renamed in Jay Norwood Darling’s honor and officially dedicated to him in 1967. Today, the refuge is comprised of more than 7,000 acres and has been hailed as one of the top birding spots in the nation. It is also home to several endangered and threatened species, including American alligators, American crocodiles, wood storks, West Indian manatees and Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles.