which beach is better sanibel or captiva? which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

. With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Captiva island or Sanibel , best places to stay for 2-3 people , what is reopened , any suggestions? The gentle slope of the beach means more spread-out shells. Frequent Islander is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. On the flip side of this is that Captiva allows the use of golf carts on the roads within the village limits during daylight hours only. 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. When we were at Marco last month, the beaches were pretty. The island is a lot smaller than Sanibel (half of its taken up by the South Seas Island Resort), but it feels very much the same. Sanibel's beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. From the bay to the Gulf of Mexico, the islands are surrounded by water and beauty. it's one of the best parts but cut off and discard the tail. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. 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!) Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. The beach itself is clean, with shaded areas and restrooms, covered cabanas, and picnic areas to enjoy. 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. Alternatively, you may use, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Sanibel Island, Hotels near J.N. Most of the year it feels like you are the only one on the beach. On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. It depends on the direction of the wind and tides. In many ways, the two islands are sisters. Very different experiences. Theyre smaller here, so beautiful to collect! But one thing that's very important is CLEAR water and pretty beaches. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. 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 Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. Sanibel Island is about 40 minutes west from there. Marco has a 7.1 mile continuous, wide crescent beach with a long "Tigertail" beach. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. If you stay at South Seas Island Resort, you have the added benefit of the resorts shuttle service. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. If you are really into fantastic shelling then the obvious choice is Sanibel. Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. No Wal-Mart, McDonalds, or Ben & Jerry's (sigh). Bringing the whole family is a must when you head to Captiva Beach, and there are plenty of beaches and places to stay along those beaches. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. Bowman's Beach. At 33 square miles, (12 miles end-to-end), walking may not always be convenient, depending on your plans. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. Beach access is strictly limited and there are only two small paid public lots for beach parking. These islands are more alike than they are different. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Paddling the islands back waters is a great way to spend a day. It was warm and pleasant. To get to the beach, its a short five minute walk through a nature trail, boardwalk bridge, hammock, and beach scrub to get where you need to be. Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. Driving Directions Take I-75 South to Fort Myers. The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. With hundreds of beaches throughout Florida, you may be asking yourself why you should visit these beaches instead of all the others. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. . 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. Located on a little barrier island just 7 miles long, Fort Myers Beach features wide beaches and beautiful views. Sanibel Island is home to relaxing beaches, great dining, fishing . The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. This is simply due to the offshore geography and Sanibels unique curvature of land it really does get the lions share of great shells! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Tarpon Bay Road Beach. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. "This light being lit . Dating back to August 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse is over hundred years old and of historic importance. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grill 2500 Island Inn Rd, Sanibel Island OR 5400 S Seas Plantation Rd, Captiva Island That's right - Doc Ford's has two locations within the islands! Both have good shelling. As you head for the tip of Captiva, the island gets very narrow allowing you to see the Gulf on one side and Pine Island Sound on the other. You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. Sanibel is the by far the larger of the two and is the first island off the mainland. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. But both islands have their own unique personality. Fishermen also enjoy the beach. LUNCH AT THE ISLAND COW. Marcos beach is beautiful. Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. The Gulf Beach is 3 minutes' walk away. Sand Key is literally a 5 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. 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. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. As you approach the northern part of Captiva, you come to the small and very quaintvillage areawhere you will find an assortment of restaurants and shops, as well as the post office, a bank and a small library. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. Is Marco prettier? My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. Sanibel Island is a combination of a natural and touristy atmosphere with island vibes. You should, however note that the beach access is limited, and you can only shop at one spot. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/local-things-to-do/mrkfl-jw-marriott-marco-island-beach-resort/. This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. Sanibel beaches are renowned for the shells that wash up every day - it's the top shelling destination in North America and residents and visitors bending over to examine the shells is the source of the posture known as the 'Sanibel Stoop". 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. Which Beach is Better Sanibel or Captiva? Welcome to Capturing Captiva, your online vacation guide to Captiva Island, Florida, and the surrounding area. Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. 2. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. 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. 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. Dogs on leashes no longer than 8 feet are welcome on all Sanibel Island beaches. However, that doesnt quite hold true. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. Sep 26, 2020 There is no fee for Florida residents. 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. Likewise, Ive heard from people who stayed on Captiva and were disappointed in the lack of shells. Realizing the differences in the two islands is important, Ive heard from people who stayed on Sanibel expecting the clear water and soft sand and were disappointed. Captiva Island and Sanibel Island were formerly single islands located along North Captiva Island. 1725 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. The majority of Captivas accommodations are at South Seas Island Resort, and its a lovely stay perfect also for destination weddings and other family gathering as they have a variety of accommodation types from studios to 3 and 4 bedroom homes. But honestly, zero impact. For Sale. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). Sanibel is a unique blend of well-protected nature destination and tourist hotspot with a bit of everything for those seeking a laid-back, go at your own pace vacation. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. All great points. The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! For Sale: Single Family home, $1,795,000, 3 Bd, 5 Ba, 3,516 Sqft, $511/Sqft, at 5721 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 It's a quiet beach, but it's not really the best place for swimming. I agree completely with the response from Hawkowl (#3 above). What Does Deeded Beach Access Mean in Florida? This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. However, these two islands were separated by a storm at Blind Pass. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. 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. This is all from my personal experience on the islands, nothing I have read on any blog or website trying to sell you on an expensive vacation package at one of the resorts. Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! If youre staying on Sanibel, running up to Captiva to eat dinner or shop isnt a big deal and vice versa. There are two large grocery stores and several smaller markets. As far as recommendations on where to stay on each island: On Captiva: South Seas Island Resort or Tween Waters Island Resort, On Sanibel: Casa Ybel Resort, Tortuga Beach Club Resort, the Inns of Sanibel, Sanibel Restaurant Recommendations: What I Liked & What I Didnt, Shopping on Sanibel: A Must Visit Bookstore & Cute Boutiques, A Visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Cayo Costa Shelling Tours with Captiva Cruises, Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Luminary Hotel & Co in Downtown Fort Myers Review, Matlacha Isles & Pine Island: A Great Fort Myers Day Trips. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Nearby is the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and two private conservation centers. Compared to some of the other beaches on this list, Blind Pass Beach doesnt have an endless list of amenities. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. Out of the 1.6 square miles of Captiva, over 300 acres essentially the entire northern tip is all owned by the South Seas Resort. ;-). 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. The Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery gives free tours and tastings for all visitors. The other three councilmen are Scott. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. There are also two semi-public 18 hole golf courses on the island. Both islands have the same great beaches, but if youre coming for the day or youre not staying right on the beach, parking at the beaches on Captiva is much more limited and more expensive than on Sanibel. Mostly boutique shopping. It reported that the agencies responsible for declaring public safety for the beaches and waters in Lee County are Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Florida Department of Health's Healthy Beaches program. Shopping plazas along the main drag known as Periwinkle Way are small independent boutiques selling everything from souvenirs and beachwear to clothing and higher end designer apparel. The depth of beach space changes too. Some popular activities on Turner Beach include: If you have a Saltwater Fishing License, you can saltwater fish from the shore. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. Blind Pass Beach Park. Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! The access you get to the state park beach is at the West side of Panama Shell Drive at the end of Captiva Drive, and there are just miles of empty sands and fallen trees to explore and climb. Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . No matter which island you choose, be prepared to pay for parking. The FDOH's fecal indicator bacteria testing results on Dec. 12 suggested low bacterial concentrations and no current advisories. More island businesses are re-opening every week. It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including . Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. 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.But Captiva is even quieter and less busy than Sanibel, though there's still plenty to do.. Once you cross over the bridge at Blind Pass, you'll immediately notice how the road narrows and . Although you may not be able to climb to the top of the historic Sanibel Lighthouse, you are allowed to visit the surrounding areas for a lighthouse photo-op. Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. $899,000. Most places are a little worn and just not very updated. Sanibel won, hands down. Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. The geography of each island makes it unique. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. It does. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. While you can walk to bars and restaurants from some vacation rentals it is not that easy from most. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. Sanibels sideways stretch makes in an excellent destination for shelling and beachcombing; Captivas lengthy reach gives its beaches fine sand. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. Like neat little boutiques for shopping. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. Port Sanibel Marina offers marina reservations and fishing charters for you to enjoy after a great time visiting all the beaches we mentioned above! On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. 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. Its on the Captiva side of the Blind Pass Bridge, so all swimmers need to be as cautious as possible, as there are strong currents and a swift undertow. Please note, the majority of our content was posted and shared prior to Hurricane Ian. 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. There are 76 general parking spaces. This is an okay convenience store that carries a little bit of everything, including cigars. The Captiva Island Inn is also another wonderful place you can stay especially if youre searching for something more unique and quaint. 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. Gulfside City Park. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. Hurricane Ian in Naples and Southwest Florida: How Can You Help? Your email address will not be published. How to Rent a Beachfront House on Isla Mujeres, Ultimate Guide to Florida Keys Vacation Rentals. In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner. The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. The beaches shown in the video are: Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, Bowman's. 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. If clear water is your absolute priority Tina, I don't think either Sanibel or Marco are for you. Each beach offers its own unique take on shelling and is worth a visit. 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. The lack of multi-unit condos on Captiva makes the beaches far less crowded. Here is our best explanation about Sanibel vs. Captiva in a nutshell. Thank you Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues.