- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
23 reviews for Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
23 reviews in English
-
Review from Ryan S.
Minneapolis, MN
12/14/2011
The scenic 4 mile drive through the park is *well* worth the $5.
We loved the laid back drive and getting out occasionally to observe the wildlife. Lots of birds and very active leaping fish were a riot! -
Review from David K.
Boulder Creek, CA
7/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Large beautiful reserve, and a testament to US conservation efforts. The only place I've been to in south Florida that is still somewhat pristine (but I'm sure there are others - or at least I hope so).
Wish I had read the other reviews first before coming. Looks like an awesome place to go for a bike ride or kayak. We went with my grandparents who didn't care to get out of the car. The other Yelper's tip about going at low tide seems important as we went while high tide was going out and didn't see much besides a couple birds even at the end of a long dry season. -
Review from Lisa W.
West Point, PA
Updated - 6/21/2011
Note: this review was filtered, though I have no idea why. Might be because I'm new to Yelp. In any case, I'm reposting. Following the tides when going to Ding Darling is the single most important thing, and I don't want that to be missed.
REPOSTING:
First of all, FOLLOW THE TIDES! If you want to see wildlife, you have to go when the tides are low. Plan your trip by calling the Ding Darling Wildlife Center first, and find out when low tide is. Also, note that the overall water level will be higher during the rainy season, May through October, so wildlife still might be limited even during low tide.
If you go during high tide, and it sounds like some of you did, good luck finding anything more than a bird or two. It's easier for the birds to find food when the water level is low. I've been to Ding Darling many times, and low tide during the dry season is the best time to go. See my photos for the feeding frenzy at low tide.
For those of you who don't like the heat, take the Wildlife Drive by car. Drive slowly, stop, walk to the shoreline, get back in the car and drive to the next spot. Mangroves are a natural wind barrier, so you will be hotter when walking near or through them.
P.S. I filmed an alligator in Ding Darling 2 years ago. I didn't see any the past two years, but I wasn't looking for them, either. So I can't confirm or deny the statement that the alligators "were moved." And Wildlife Drive is paved, not gravel. Bumpy, maybe, but still paved. Not sure where you were sharing gravel roads with cars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/7/2010
First of all, FOLLOW THE TIDES! If you want to see wildlife, you have to go when the tides are low.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Miranda P.
Miami Beach, FL
3/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bring some binoculars!
We were on a time crunch so we ended up paying $5 & driving through the four mile mostly-paved path. I would have preferred to rent some bikes and meander through the preserve at a more leisurely pace.
There are lots of places to stop and observe whatever wildlife happens to wander by. We didn't see much more than some fish and some birds but the weather was great! -
Review from Jim W.
Bonita Springs, FL
1/12/2011
First of all, if you are a whiny northern transplant who can't handle heat and humidity make sure you avoid this place and go hang out with the old people at an air-conditioned Perkins or something along those lines.
Ding Darling overall is a really neat place. There isn't as much real Florida around populated places these days but luckily the SW coast wasn't completely paved over like the SE coast. If you are going to do Ding Darling, remember that it is natural and it is not a theme park. If you want dancing and singing creatures who stand around and entertain you, go to Disney.
You really need to take your time at this place. The emptier it is the better as there will be less vehicles and people scaring away the birds and other creatures. This place is for those who want to see nature and is not a groomed over zoo. If you know what the place is and what you can see, I recommend it to you. If you are just looking for something touristy to do, go to the beach or go shopping because you probably won't like it.
If you have the opportunity, the best way to see Sanibel and Captiva is by boat. This area is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. -
Review from Jamie L.
12/21/2010
Crocodiles. Alligators. In the same place. It doesn't happen often outside of a zoo. (Florida City is another rare example) Pair that with an informative visitors' center, winding roads through palms, wetlands, and highlands for either driving or biking, trails and paths for walks or hiking, bird rookeries, ponds, fishes, critters, and lush Florida vegetation, and how could you ever go wrong?
Bring comfy shoes, a camera, and a sense of adventure to venture deeper into the trails.
And don't forget the bug spray...Listed in: Florida! I'm From There! I…
-
Review from Tom S.
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's been 20 yrs since I was here and some things are better and so are worse. The roads have been paved, water flow has been improved, nice visitor area and there is tram for a guide tour if you wish. Then the bad, in my opinion is they have blocked off way to much of the viewing areas from the road. Before you could drive along and see almost everything on each side of the road. Now they have let the trees grow up and block most of the view. It's only where they decided to clear a spot here and there. They still have the big high tower you can go up, but for those of us wanting to shoot pictures they have really killed the experience. Price is only $5 and if you're in town from fall to spring you should have the best viewing.
-
Review from Tolga O.
Winchester, MA
11/10/2010
It might have been a better experience on a bicycle but I wouldnt recommend driving through it. There is really not much to see, especially no gators (booo) which was the only reason I went in in the first place.
Not even worth spending time to write a review :-) -
Review from Sam G.
3/10/2010
Walked two plus hours in heat, on a crummy gravel trail and roadway, surrounded by dry grass and vegetation. To see two pelicans and a flock of birds. We would have biked it but, oh no, were told by the front visitors centre that the road was really bumpy for biking only to discover that about 30% of people are biking and about 2% (ok maybe 5%) are stupid enough to walk.
I felt like I was caught in the middle of the desert.
When the display at the end of one of the walkout bridges shows the 3 most common (out of 7) types of GRASS we can look for, you know you're not in a place built for excitement.
Also, why were they giving the talk about alligators four miles away from the "alligator viewing platform"????
Really disappointed. The visitors centre at the wildlife area looked like it had some nice displays but we weren't really in the mood at that point.Listed in: Hanging with the parents in…
-
Review from Deborah C.
Culver City, CA
1/19/2010
This is a kinda cool area, but there are much better nature preserves in the local area. If you are already on Sanibel Island, it's worth the trip as it's not too expensive. But if you aren't already on the Island, then the price more than doubles. It's $6 just to get over there, plus the entrance fee, for a gravel path that's 2 miles long. What annoyed me it's that it's a there and back, rather than a loop, so if you walk, it's 4 miles. You can drive it along a different path, but I feel like that defeats the purpose.
Overall, probably not worth it. I like the Six Mile Cypress Slough much better. -
Review from terry h.
San Jose, CA
8/15/2008
If you are an animal lover, this is the place for you to visit. You can either drive it, bike it or walk it, I recommend biking it for maximum experience.
Ding Darling is Sanibel Island's pride and joy because it takes up as much as 1/2 of the entire island, keeping home prices high in the midst of a housing meltdown.
Ding Darling is the biggest protected nature reserve besides the Everglades in SW Florida. And because of that, there are miles of open water and mangrove forests to explore.
It can get really hot here even though it is right on the Gulf of Mexico so bring a hat, a camera, bug spray and suntan lotion. Rent a canoe and start paddling around the easily found paths. You will see an amazing amount of fish, snakes, birds and mosquitoes (during the summer).
If you go early in the morning, you will see more and be more comfortable because it is cooler and the animals are moving around more than they are later.Listed in: Florida Fun Spots
-
Review from Carla C.
3/17/2007
WHAT? You haven't seen the roseate spoonbills at Ding Darling? omigosh...then, get thee to:
The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, located on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations. J. N. "Ding" Darling is one of over 540 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Did I mention there's loads of lodging, restaurants, bike riding, shell gathering fun here? -
Review from Courtney W.
Phoenix, AZ
3/7/2009
This place is my personal trail of tears. I walked it and barely saw any wildlife. In 2 hours of walking! I am all for supporting the refuge (with a name like Ding Darling, you have too!) but seriously - walking on gravel paths shared with cars and bikes sucked. I was super jealous of anyone that had some sort of transportation. Especially after the blisters developed.
Side note: They used to have alligators but sent them all away somewhere because they got to be too big. I don't know where they sent them though...And it is HOT out there. Bring mucho agua. -
Review from parichehr t.
Sausalito, CA
4/30/2011
kayaking with pods of dolphins and manatees. beautiful.
-
Review from Shelby J.
Acworth, GA
7/24/2011
We visited for a kayaking tour and although the kayaks are all tandem and as cheap as it gets (a paddle actually broke in our group), the tour guide was fantastic. We did feel a bit rushed because our group was so large and we had to keep up, and frankly we had some in our group that were more interested in playing with each other than enjoying the environment we were a bit disappointed. But, you are able to keep the kayak and explore the area on your own as long as you wish so if you have enough time, take advantage of that opportunity to get the most out of your trip. The water is not that deep, and they are very helpful with someone new to kayaking so convince your group to see the preserve this way. $30 a person is reasonable for a much better experience and first hand appreciation of the preservation efforts.
-
Review from Rachael H.
Hialeah, FL
10/19/2010 1 photo
My boyfriend and I are up for any wildlife adventure, so while in Sanibel, we decided to stop by here. They were having family fun day, but it was beyond packed so we opted for the wildlife drive instead, which was free. Every once in a while we saw a flock of birds, flying fish, and hawks. the most exciting thing was seeing ONE alligator close by. Other than that, there wasn't really much to see.
-
Review from Andy A.
Plainsboro, NJ
4/14/2010
When we went we crawled along in the car. Never going above 5 mph and we so so much wildlife, including spoonbills! You really have to keep your eyes open and take your time. We spent 3 hours in the park and enjoyed every minute of it.
-
Review from Robert W.
Miami-Dade, FL
6/8/2010
Went on memorial day weekend. Rented a tandem from Billy's Rental and decided to ride all the way to the refuge. Wow it was hell on earth! No clouds, humid and sun in my face the whole time. It sucked. But what sucked even more was getting to the refuge. Finally arrive there. Paid $2 and did the 4 mile trail. There was nothing there.... maybe a hawk (or whatever it was) flew over us.... but thats it!! Where the hell are all the animals? Very disappointed. If i was in my car, i would still be disappointed.... the bike riding and heat and nearly passing out made it worse.
-
Review from kelly w.
Brooklyn, NY
4/25/2007
if someone were to create a hell on earth for me.. this is it.
yes, there is wildlife. yes, it is nature. but biking this in the florida heat is a definitely NO GO for me.
sorry guys, I'd rather go to the zoo. at least that way i am guaranteed to see all the animals i want. -
Review from Ruth B.
San Carlos, CA
12/29/2009
So beautiful. Go near sunset (gates close at 5:30) to catch a lot of the birds flying in for the evening. The Roseate Spoonbills are amazing, with their enormous pink wings, flying over the ground. The sun setting on the water with the birds flying in is a sight that should not be missed on the island. How wonderful that this refuge is here for the birds and us to enjoy.
-
Review from Melanie S.
Cambridge, MA
6/29/2007
If you don't want to languish in the heat, but still want to enjoy Sanibel's wildlife in their natural setting, then be sure to experience all that Ding Darling's Wildlife Refuge has to offer by renting a canoe or kayak and paddling through their well marked mangrove maze. There is the most amazing variety of birds, fish, and plant life for all to experience close up in their own environs. It is a truly amazing experience. Try to plan to go in the morning when more of the wildlife is out.
-
Review from David H.
San Francisco, CA
12/16/2007
A great place to brush up on your conoe paddling skill, and get close up to a lot of wildlife you won't see anyplace else. Take extra water, energy bars, film, a flashlight, and a sunhat. Avoid getting too close to snakes hanging from trees.
-
Review from Kyle L.
Round Lake, IL
10/26/2008
This is a great spot for wild animal lovers. I was a little disappointed as I did not see any alligators or crocodiles, but that was OK because the park is very beautiful. It was only $5 to drive a car through, so it definitely worth it.
