which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including . 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. You can swim safely, walk and picnic here. Powered by Mai Theme, Tips For Honeymoon Island State Park: A Florida Gem. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. As far as "clear water" is concerned - no matter WHERE you are, the local conditions depend on the direction and strength of the winds, and the currents which vary from day to day, AND from one section of beach to the next. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. So if you score a parking space, you can walk along the beach as far as youd like. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. There is access to the western sunset-facingpristine beaches of Captiva at Turner's Beach immediately after Blind Pass Bridge and also a small lot at the very end of Captiva Drive directly adjacent to South Seas Resort. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . Some popular activities on Turner Beach include: If you have a Saltwater Fishing License, you can saltwater fish from the shore. U.S. News & World Report ranks Sanibel Island as the No. One of the biggest attractions on Sanibel Island is the J.N. It dwells today within the seaside Casa Ybel Resort. Also, Captiva and North Captiva had medium counts and Cayo Costa's was low, a trend that continued north to Manasota Beach and south to 32 miles offshore of Wiggins Pass in Collier County. Island Vacations of Sanibel and Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way #108 Sanibel, FL 33957 888-451-7277 My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. There are 76 general parking spaces. 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. Lets see what sets the islands apart and explore some of the best beaches on both islands. Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. Once you check into this inn, you get a complimentary breakfast. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. Youll find a few places like Schnappers Hots for hot dogs, lots of ice cream shops, and other casual eateries that are value-friendly. There are only 2 lane roads with no stoplights. The other three councilmen are Scott. More island businesses are re-opening every week. Mostly boutique shopping. 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! Sanibel Island is home to relaxing beaches, great dining, fishing . You can visit: Matlacha is a small home village, which is best known for their quirky shops, and several eateries offering some of the best delicacies. In the East End area Tarpon Tale Inn sits just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Lighthouse Beach Park. BREAKFAST AT Lighthouse Caf. 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. But one thing that's very important is CLEAR water and pretty beaches. The Captiva Island Inn is also another wonderful place you can stay especially if youre searching for something more unique and quaint. 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. 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. Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? Ever since our first trip to Captiva in 2016, Ive been impressed with the ability to find shells on Captiva. Walking and biking can get you around most of the island. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. The only vegetation around is the natural one that grows, which opens up the scenery. One of the best spots on Sanibel to go kayaking is the J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Captiva Road. Sometimes they are even joined when the narrow waterway of Blind Pass that separates them fills in and the two islands actually connect, though a concerted effort is underway to keep the pass open to improve the health of the bayous on the bay side. Some of the features of the beach that youll find here include: Whether youre by yourself, with a loved one, or bringing the whole family, Bowmans Beach is a great option. 3 beach destination in the United States, and it is easy to see why. Because of the more remote location furthest from the Sanibel Causeway, what few public beaches there are on Captiva Island tend to be much less-crowded compared with the beaches on Sanibel. 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 $$). Your support really helps me keep this blog running! Some travelers find that Captiva is a little more upscale, with fancier resorts and more eclectic dining opportunities. Marcos beach is beautiful. Lighthouse Beach. All of the area's beaches from Lighthouse Beach to North Captiva Island are great shelling locations. Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. They contain thousands of shells you can find. This laid-back beachfront inn allows you to get comfortable in a suite or cottage while relaxing by the poolside. The intimate 10-day festival starts off in Captiva Island and Sanibel Island, then moves on to downtown Fort Myers and wraps up at Fort Myers Beach. But its all about your expectations. Honestly I cant imagine living on the island if I had to go to work off-island everyday, or just do a quick run to Target. The beach is very wide/deep so the buildings have zero impact, but if youre not used to seeing that, it can be a disconcerting at first. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. You should, however note that the beach access is limited, and you can only shop at one spot. At these islands, you get 15 miles of coastline, 25 miles of biking, and fifty different species of fish! Just off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida lie the twin barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva, coastal jewels of the Lee County coast. 2. While you're likely to find many shells at any of Sanibel's 6 public beaches, a couple that stand out include: Gulfside City Park Beach- This beautiful sandy beach is covered with countless shells to collect. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! Its not a party town, but there are plenty of places to eat, drink and listen to live music. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. The whole island is practically all beach on the West, and this is where the Gulf of Mexico laps at the shore just what you want to dip your toes into! Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. The irony of this is, one of the best beaches on Sanibel is located closest to the Causeway. A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. It was warm and pleasant. Discover the Beauty of Sanibel and Captiva Islands There is so much to find and enjoy in Southwest Florida, especially on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. While Sanibel is not busy by mainland standards, Captiva manages to be even more laid back. It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. Eight Sanibel and Captiva beaches you have to visit include: Bowman's Beach Lighthouse Beach Blind Pass Beach Captiva Beach Turner Beach Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach Causeway Beach Park Tarpon Bay Beach Without a doubt, Sanibel has better shelling than Captiva. But Captiva is even quieter and less busy than Sanibel, though theres still plenty to do. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Along Andy Rosse Lane is Captiva Island Pizza, casual RC Otters, and the very delicious Key Lime Bistro. The bottom structure of the beaches have more influence on waves and water clarity than most realize. Bowmans Beach is one of many beaches on Sanibel Island, and on the western portion of the island.Its a protected site, with no developments going on, which leaves a pure and natural landscape to enjoy for all. Which is never a bad thing. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. The following Sanibel beaches are now OPEN! Captivas beaches are more of the soft sugar sand that one would typically see on an island. Compared to Sanibel Island, beaches on Captiva Island do not have a lot of crowds and have a few shells to hunt. it's one of the best parts but cut off and discard the tail. Shelling and fishing is very popular at this beach. While Sanibel and Captiva arent radically different, Ill do my best to break the two down: Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. The Atlantic with its steep continental dropoff has stronger surf than the Gulf coast which is relatively shallow (there is actually a shallows area many miles off-shore). More questions about Sanibel vs Captiva? As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. Theres even a lovely campground on Sanibel! You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. Captiva, on the other hand, is much, much smaller: five miles long and 1.64 square miles in size. Gather some refreshments and enjoy a picnic on the beach, its one of the most beautiful places you will ever have the pleasure of visiting. The South Seas island resort is a large oceanfront resort which has. Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. From the bay to the Gulf of Mexico, the islands are surrounded by water and beauty. Not at all. When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, dont forget to make a boating reservation too! These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. 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. The city-island has several banks and shopping centers, even a single-screen movie theatre. SHELLING AT BOWMAN'S BEACH. What Does Deeded Beach Access Mean in Florida? You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. Best for Kids: Located right on the beach, . Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. With hundreds of beaches throughout Florida, you may be asking yourself why you should visit these beaches instead of all the others. If youre not a paddler you can still see a lot of the refuge by taking the guided tram tour or hiking on established trails. It feels like youre walking on a fluffy cloud. There is a parking lot available and its a few minutes to walk to the beach from there. . Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. Does the lack of chain restaurants mean Sanibel has no casual restaurants for quick and cheap in-and-out service? And share my account with your travel loving friends! The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? The building restrictions here are whats part of the charm. DINNER AT TIMBERS RESTAURANT. Sanibel is your choice if you are looking for nature, activities, choices in restaurants and shopping, are on somewhat ofa budget, biking or want to go off island fortouring or nightlife on the mainland. The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva. As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. Turner Beach, between Sanibel and Captiva islands, is the hottest of hot spots for both fishing and surfing. Like Blind Pass Beach, Turner Beach is best for shelling and fishing, but not swimming as the currents can get very strong! With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. The strong currents that make Blind Pass a . Taking a boat tour off the beach? If Sanibel is rough and murky you can often drive a few miles to Captiva and find calm and clear water. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. Turner Beach is a beautiful day out for the whole family, and with enough amenities to do it all, youll enjoy your time there immensely! There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. Bowman's Beach. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys. It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. 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. Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. Privacy Policy | Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. But youre going to have to dig around more than youd think and its probably not going to be a bargain. The depth of beach space changes too. Sanibel City leaders said their beaches fared better than Captiva's in the erosion department following Eta, although isolated erosion was spotted on some public beaches. We did some . Don't take this the wrong way, the beaches of Captiva Island are still better for shelling than most places in the entire world, it's just that Sanibel is truly the best there is. Please check directly with businesses regarding their operating status as the islands continue to rebuild. Since the water off Sanibel is shallower than Captiva, this causes bigger waves and murkier water. Sanibel Beaches are among the most dog-friendly beaches in Florida, if not the entire country. Jensen's Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, Captiva Vessels up to 40 feet (239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com. day trips, Fort Myers, attractions, family fun with kids, Captiva, Captiva Island, restaurants, best restaurants, Southwest Florida, Gulf coast islands, Weird Florida: 8 Unusual Things to See and Do in Southwest Florida. If you plan to stay in Captiva Island, the South seas island resort is an ideal place to stay. Overall, the options youll find on Captiva are a little more upscale than Sanibel, but both are very laid back islands without much major development. The water is frequently greenish and less than clear due to fine sediments stirred up by currents / wave action and significant drainage from the land, particularly after a storm. Also Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary is best visited early in the day. Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches Sanibel Island shelling is considered the best shelling spot in the world according to Travel and Leisure Magazine. There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. Thirteen miles of beaches plus luxury resorts and golf courses sprinkled across untouched acreage make Amelia Island a must-visit Florida island destination . Were often asked and emailed questions from readers wanting to know what the difference is between Sanibel and Captiva islands. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. These islands are more alike than they are different. On the end of Captiva near Blind Pass Captiva is typically pretty busy but the reast of the 5 miles of beach is some of the quietest you will find. Since it is more or less north and south you have perfect beach sunsets from all 7.1 miles. With amenities such as bathrooms and showers, picnic tables and playgrounds, youre going to find everything you need for the perfect day at the beach. To give you an accurate perspective, Sanibel is downright sleepy compared with other southwest Florida towns like Fort Myers, Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs even Punta Gorda. Best Beaches in Florida for 2019 - Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches Find your favorite paradise with the updated list of best beaches in Florida. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. The Seaside Inn is another laid-back beachfront inn. But its far from chaotic. But if you are looking for the more traditional sugar sand beach with clear blue water the Captiva Island Beaches are the way to go. 1451 Middle Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. This beach is a popular spot for fishing. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. If the beaches ofSanibelare uncrowded by moststandards, Captiva's are even more so. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. . The sand on Clearwater Beach is slightly nicer than the sand on Sand Key, but it is pretty close. The kids will love the park, and you can take a moment to explore the shoreline and find as many shells as you like (not live ones!) Captiva Island. Getting the Most Out of Your Florida Fishing Trips, 2023 Your email address will not be published. Can you find a nice place to stay? Gulfside City Park. We aren't big nightlife people, but enjoy good "non-chain" restaurants. Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Rich with wildlife and first class amenities, Captiva and Sanibel are considered two of the most captivating barrier islands in the country. The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. The geography of each island makes it unique. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. There's a $6 toll to get onto the island. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. The combination of strong currents and fish travelling between the two islands mean that fish will often be biting. Sanibel is a better choice if you are beachcombing and want to enjoy biking on the bike paths, birdwatching, a d being out in nature in general. 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. Golf cart renters must be 21 years old and have a vaild driver's license. Theyre smaller here, so beautiful to collect! Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. Handicapped parking is free.Further up Captiva Drive, at the end of the main road on Captiva, there is another public beach adjacent to the entrance of South Seas Resort. I only took in the Captiva Island portion of the trip but made sure to experience as much of the area as possible and not just sit on patios listening to acoustic music while drinking rum punch. There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. You can take Instagram-worthy pictures and view the local wildlife from the perfect vantage point: the sand! TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. There is public access and the smaller resorts are on the West. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/local-things-to-do/mrkfl-jw-marriott-marco-island-beach-resort/. the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. January 2, 2021 Ryan Bellino Florida Gulf Coast Islands, Sanibel and Captiva Islands 0. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. While you can walk to bars and restaurants from some vacation rentals it is not that easy from most. Relative to Sanibel, only 583 residents live on over 1.6 square miles of island, and not nearly as many visitors venture over to Captiva, other than those staying at South Seas Island Resort. You could easily sell your home, move here and never miss a thing. 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. Copyright Lisa Erickson, Capturing Captiva, About|Contact|Privacy Policy|Sitemap, The Mucky Duck reopens after Hurricane Ian, How To Support Sanibel and Captiva Businesses, Captiva Island Parking App Pay Via Phone. Hi , we are trying to book vacation end of March . Is there much of a difference between beaches on Sanibel and those on Captiva? Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. If youre staying on Sanibel, running up to Captiva to eat dinner or shop isnt a big deal and vice versa. From Sanibel, this distillery is only about 40 minutes away. There are 23 general parking spaces. The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches are well known for shelling, exotic wildlife and their beauty. Before choosing the island youd like to visit, it is important to know the differences as this can influence your choice. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. The J.N. "This light being lit . Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Beach access is strictly limited and there are only two small paid public lots for beach parking. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction.

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