Sanibel Island versus Destin - Trippy These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. If youre looking for the best tropical getaway on Floridas Gulf Coast, Sanibel and Captiva are always going to be in the conversation. What Makes Sanibel and Captiva Island Special? - Jensen's Marina This means you and your pup can frolic in the waves at Algiers Beach in Gulfside City Park, Bowman's Beach, and other Sanibel waterfronts. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. You cant access Captiva without going through Sanibel and these two islands have such a different vibe than pretty much every other place in the area so theyre often compared. Sanibel is known for its beaches some of the best beaches in southwest Florida but even more so for the millions of shells that wash up on its shores by the hour. Differences Between Sanibel and Captiva Island Sundial Beach Resort & Spa has secured its spot as one of the best Sanibel hotels on the beach, thanks to its many amazing amenities and waterfront location. It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including . BREAKFAST AT Lighthouse Caf. It's a quiet beach, but it's not really the best place for swimming. Bowman's Beach. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. The Best Bars on Sanibel Island | The Gee Family Team Captiva does not have a bike path, but rather, a 3 foot "safety shoulder" that runs along each side of Captiva Rd, so inexperienced bicyclists and children should use extra caution. Fort Myers Beach vs Naples Beach - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums The lack of multi-unit condos on Captiva makes the beaches far less crowded. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are unique for many reasons. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. From the bay to the Gulf of Mexico, the islands are surrounded by water and beauty. 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - travels-answers.com For Sale: Single Family home, $899,000, 2 Bd, 2 Ba, 1,291 Sqft, $696/Sqft, at 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 McCarthy's Marina, Captiva Vessels up to 24 feet (239) 472-5200 Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 65 feet (239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com. There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. Generally, these two islands have amazing beaches and a calm, laid-back atmosphere that everyone enjoys. When we were at Marco last month, the beaches were pretty. One of the questions we get asked a lot is, what are the differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island?. You can take Instagram-worthy pictures and view the local wildlife from the perfect vantage point: the sand! 11 Gorgeous Sanibel And Captiva Island Beaches To Visit A popular destination for visitors, Turner Beach is one of the best beaches on Captiva. Other prohibitions are streetlights and traffic lights (Sanibel police with white gloves move traffic along at peak times). These two barrier islands are nestled just of the Southwest Florida coast, within a short drive from Fort Myers. Sanibel and Captiva islands offer tourists at least fifteen miles of stunning beaches, and boost over 250 kinds of seashells from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean regions.. You see why I said that Sanibel and Captiva have what I cherish. Sanibel and Captiva - Southern Boating Dolphins make their appearance daily and often a manatee or two are spotted. Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. Lighthouse Beach is one of the best places to watch sunset on Sanibel or Captiva because of the lighthouse it makes any sunset pic of Sanibel Instaworthy! Youll find restrooms here quickly, and while the beach wont allow your dog or any open fires, you can still have a great time here. Marco has a modern infrastructure of bridges, streets, and street lights. Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. Marco Island vs Sanibel/Captiva - Marco Island Forum - Tripadvisor The way it juts out into the gulf (its situated more east/west than north/south) means its a treasure trove when winter storms stir up the billions of shells sitting out deeper in the Gulf of Mexico. It takes about 20 minutes (without traffic) to travel the length of Sanibel and come to the small bridge over Blind Pass that brings you onto Captiva. The same gradual sloping shoreline that collects millions of shells on the beaches of Sanibel also prevent it from having bright clear blue water most of the year. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. They contain thousands of shells you can find. 10 Best Islands in Florida for Beautiful Beaches, Laid-back Vibes, and The two island are essentially one, but they really do have subtle qualities that could make a big difference in your vacation. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are known for shelling, consistently ranking at the top of the best shelling beaches in the United States. If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes, Check VRBO Availability of Captiva Beachfront Rentals, Top 10 Tricks for Planning a Sanibel Island Vacation on a Budget, What to Look for in a Captiva or Sanibel Island Vacation Rental, The 3 Best Months to Visit Sanibel Island, The Highest Rated Captiva Island House Rentals, The 5 Highest Rated St George Island Beach House Rentals, The 5 Best Anna Maria Island Beachfront House Rentals, The 5 Biggest Florida Keys Beach House Rentals, The 6 Best Amelia Island Vacation Rentals, Top 10 Hidden Caribbean Private Island Rentals, Sanibel Island Tips & Secrets Only a Local Would Know, Complete Guide to Kayaking Sanibel Island. January 2, 2021 Ryan Bellino Florida Gulf Coast Islands, Sanibel and Captiva Islands 0. At this point, the combined preserved/ protected conservation land owned by the National Refuge, private foundations and the City of Sanibel extends to about 70% of the island. Since it is more or less north and south you have perfect beach sunsets from all 7.1 miles. But eachisland has its own distinctive personality: Sanibelis a eclectic mix of nature, wildlife conservation land, tourist destination,island home, andshopping/ restaurant districts. Hi , we are trying to book vacation end of March . But you may not find the amount youll find on Sanibel, which means more time may be needed to hunt for them. 8 Great Places to Go Kayaking in Fort Myers, 50 Things to Do in Southwest Florida: The Ultimate Bucket List, 10 Fun and Easy Day Trips from Naples Florida, 15 Fun Things To Do on Sanibel Island, Florida, 6 Best Waterfront Places to Stay on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, Castaway to 7 Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Islands Reachable Only By Boat, The 7 Best Beaches in Fort Myers Florida (Plus 5 More Nearby), 9 Sanibel Restaurants for Tropical Island Dining at Its Best. CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go Captiva Island Beaches There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! As they are a bit less shelly, the sands are a bit softer than on Sanibel and the water is usually clearer and less sandy. Sanibel Island vs. Marco Island: Where to Vacation - Royal Shell With surging currents depositing an exotic array of shells, Blind Pass Beach is one of the best beaches on Sanibel Island for shelling. Just within the past two weeks, we've seen Billy's Rentals and Tarpon Bay Explorers reopen, along with Doc Ford's, Timbers and the Great White Grill. The 8 Best Beaches on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island, Florida 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 | 39 Photos | MLS #223016359 Most of accommodations on Captiva are at South Seas, but there are a few resorts, inns, and B&B's. ;-). In the village area there are a number of marinas that offer charter captains and water taxi service to the out islands of North Captiva, Cabbage Key and Useppa. Captiva Island beaches on the other hand have a steeper slope in the water directly off the beach, which tends to cut down on the amount of shells that wash up on the beach. Best Beaches in Florida for 2019 - Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches Find your favorite paradise with the updated list of best beaches in Florida. In addition, if you enjoy hunting for shells, you should definitely pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. Sanibel and Captiva Island are amazing islands that welcome people searching for a great spot to have family time. Jensen's Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, Captiva Vessels up to 40 feet (239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com. Captiva sits just north of Sanibel and its accessed via a very short bridge over Blind Pass. There are bars and restaurants just back across the bridge. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranks Sanibel Island as the No. Walking and biking can get you around most of the island. One of the biggest attractions on Sanibel Island is the J.N. And the standards of the condos arent the highest. The building restrictions here are whats part of the charm. Sanibel vs Captiva? Were often asked and emailed questions from readers wanting to know what the difference is between Sanibel and Captiva islands. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. During your stay, you should indulge in shell hunting. Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. No, Siesta Key Village is not like Captiva. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. I will say, depending on the types of places youre used to staying in Florida (or on vacation in general)I find that 95% of whats offered on Sanibel leaves a lot to be desired (especially for the $$). Before you reach the South Seas Island resort theres the quaint village of Captiva with a few shops and eateries. Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. The currents flush fish out into the gulf and help build waves. Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. The J. N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a scenic drive, boating rentals and tours, hiking paths and a visitor educational center. Island Vacations of Sanibel and Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way #108 Sanibel, FL 33957 888-451-7277 Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. You can rent wave runners and go parasailing and as well as canoe and kayak rentals. Sanibel is crisscrossed by an extensive multi-use path system that gives bicyclists and walkers access to most of the destinations on the island including the wildlife refuge and most of the beaches. 3 beach destination in the United States, and it is easy to see why. LUNCH AT THE ISLAND COW. Can you find a nice place to stay? Located in the middle of the island, there is more than enough space to enjoy the sunshine or relax in the shade should you want to take a moment to rest. Lighthouse Beach. Its a popular destination for those who love to hop from Captiva Island to Sanibel Island and the kids will love the chance to comb for shells. The Keys are AMAZING in my opinion, but you do give up the nice, wide, sandy beaches when choosing to vacation in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We are staying a week. Sanibel isnt a cheap vacation destination (supply and demand because of development restrictions) so youre probably going to pay a premium for anything on the beach. It does. The depth of beach space changes too. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Hotels near The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Hotels near Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, Hotels near Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), Hotels near Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, Hotels near Sanibel Moorings Botanical Garden Tours. Once you cross over the bridge at Blind Pass, youll immediately notice how the road narrows and homes are shrouded by lush greenery and gates. Most of the island is very narrow- you can see both the Gulf and Pine Island Sound from many spots. The Captiva Island Inn is also another wonderful place you can stay especially if youre searching for something more unique and quaint. Thanks to the forethought and determination of local residents, there have been consistent efforts since the 1970s to conserve and protect the natural setting and limit mass development, so much so that citizens formed their own municipal government apart from Lee County. In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. Purdue9394/Getty Images. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. The bottom structure of the beaches have more influence on waves and water clarity than most realize. Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. Blind Pass Beach. not find chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). Ladyfish - free-lined or cut into chunks is one of the best baits out there and readily available to Sanibel & Captiva Beach Fishermen. It does get busy understandably so as its so popular! Trusted Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. The SanCap area is reminiscent of the differences between a smaller community versus the regional center; Sanibel is a smaller town that provides basic services to the broader area. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. But its all about your expectations. Captiva Island beaches on the other hand have a steeper slope in the water directly off the beach, which tends to cut down on the amount of shells that wash up on the beach. Is Sanibel Or Captiva Better For Shells? - Home Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. Dogs on leashes no longer than 8 feet are welcome on all Sanibel Island beaches. There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. Captiva Beach, Captiva Island: See 1,385 reviews, articles, and 733 photos of Captiva Beach, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 10 attractions in Captiva Island. Sanibels sideways stretch makes in an excellent destination for shelling and beachcombing; Captivas lengthy reach gives its beaches fine sand. Captiva Beach - Andy Rosse Lane. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . 6 Best Waterfront Places to Stay on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Bowman's Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the beach with a limited number of spaces, and is $5.00 per hour paid at the lot kiosk. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. Sanibel Island is home to relaxing beaches, great dining, fishing . Here is our best explanation of the main differences between Sanibel vs Captiva islands, to help you decide which island stay is right for you. That is until we stayed at the Island Inn on Sanibel. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. Both islands have these things in common: Beautiful beaches, lack of high-rise hotels and condos, mostly low density development, and a laid back atmosphere. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts Team Relief Fund While Captiva Island features a North-South orientation like most of Floridas Gulf barrier islands, youll find that Sanibel Island has a unique East-West orientation. On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. Marco is further from the Caloosatchee river so generally it will have cleaner water. It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. Home News 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit. Now that I am retired and live here full-time I really appreciate the laid-back atmosphere and natural, ungroomed beaches, and of course the shelling. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. Its the top shelling destination in the country and shell collectors from around the world come to spend the day hunched over doing the Sanibel Stoop. The paths are well marked and almost flat. You will actually find this beach both on Sanibel and Captiva Island. Captiva Island, on the other hand, is perfect for quiet family vacations, romantic getaways, privacy and exclusivity, and easy access to off-island boat adventures to out islands. Then it takes about 20 minutes (without traffic) to travel the length of Sanibel to the small bridge at Blind Pass that brings you to Captiva. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. There are no stoplights (only a couple of four way stops and traffic directors who help move things along in congested areas at peak times) and a phenomenal network of bike trails. I agree completely with the response from Hawkowl (#3 above). 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. There is public access and the smaller resorts are on the West. Not really. Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. If you stay at South Seas Island Resort, you have the added benefit of the resorts shuttle service. As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. And. Several restaurants are within walking distance on Sanibel Island, including The Lazy Flamingo, Sunset Cafe and The Mad Hatter. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts Holly Monroe Beneficiary Created October 5, 2022 Emergencies Report fundraiser Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help Easy Donate quickly and easily. If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. Essentially, Sanibel and Captiva islands are sister islands. BOAT RIDE AROUND J.N. Sanibel Island vs Marco Island: An Honest Comparison to Help You Choose Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . Blind Pass Beach. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. Its especially popular among beach and nature lovers as the beaches are pristine and the water sublime. There are so many different species of fish here, and with the bay on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, you can imagine how popular its been as a destination here as you can access the beach right from the water, too. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. Onceyou're is on the beach, it is public property from mean the high tide line to the water, so you can stroll to your heart's content. As for Captiva Islands beaches, the sand is much more like a pillow-top mattress. The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. Can anyone give us advice. I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida | Does anyone have recommendations if 2. Most places are a little worn and just not very updated. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). Mostly boutique shopping. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. Shelling and fishing is very popular at this beach. But if youre not staying here, access to the property is restricted. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva were still closed due to Hurricane Ian w hen we visited, but we marveled at the huge, powerful, beautiful waves we saw from the road. Sanibels beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic.
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