All of the area's beaches from Lighthouse Beach to North Captiva Island are great shelling locations. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. 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. Compared to Sanibel Island, beaches on Captiva Island do not have a lot of crowds and have a few shells to hunt. Some people are put off by higrises on the beach. Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. Sanibel Island versus Destin - Trippy My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. Read about each one below to decide which ones will complete your dream beach getaway. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. Gulfside City Park. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. Alternatively, you may use, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Sanibel Island, Hotels near J.N. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. The grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. Each beach offers its own unique take on shelling and is worth a visit. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. 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. Several restaurants are within walking distance on Sanibel Island, including The Lazy Flamingo, Sunset Cafe and The Mad Hatter. You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. On the other hand, if you intend to drive, the admission rate is $5 per car. 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 Captiva Beach - Andy Rosse Lane. The gentle slope of the beach means more spread-out shells. Purdue9394/Getty Images. The Seaside Inn is another laid-back beachfront inn. Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. Sanibel vs Captiva? There is so much you can do and see with your time, so why not go exploring now? 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. Can anyone give us advice. Island Vacations of Sanibel and Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way #108 Sanibel, FL 33957 888-451-7277 Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches are well known for shelling, exotic wildlife and their beauty. The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Getting the Most Out of Your Florida Fishing Trips, 2023 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. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. more. 2. Sitemap, 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit. The pristine beaches, with plentiful seashells for collectors, proved popular with. But I digress. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. Theres nothing better than a relaxing day at the beach, and Lighthouse Beach has some of the best spaces to let your worries float away. From Sanibel, this distillery is only about 40 minutes away. Absolutely. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in beauty and other features. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. These two barrier islands are nestled just of the Southwest Florida coast, within a short drive from Fort Myers. Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. 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. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. Thank you for your responses. The beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. 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. Where to stay on Sanibel Island, FL - Howtobookyourtrip Hey, it even has a K-12 school, so whats stopping you? Relax on the miles of beaches surrounding the island or enjoy some fun in the water. Captiva also allows the use of golf carts on the roads within the village limits during daylight hours only. These islands are more alike than they are different. This resort is probablythe most upscaleon the two islands with extensive landscaped grounds and resort facilities and a 9 hole golf course. $899,000. Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. 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. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. Turner Beach, between Sanibel and Captiva islands, is the hottest of hot spots for both fishing and surfing. Best Beaches in Florida for 2019 - Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches For Sale. Driving Directions Take I-75 South to Fort Myers. Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. Be sure to use the head. Since the water off Sanibel is shallower than Captiva, this causes bigger waves and murkier water. Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 100 feet (239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com There is public access and the smaller resorts are on the West. Sanibel has all the bells and whistles compared to Captiva. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands - Florida Trippers 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. A collaborative effort of the Florida Shorebird Alliance, the survey of shorebirds and seabirds in Florida aims to gain a better understanding of their winter distributions, the SCCF reported. 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. On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. You should, however note that the beach access is limited, and you can only shop at one spot. 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 $$). SANTIVA GENERAL STORE - 16 Reviews - 6406 Sanibel Captiva Rd - Yelp Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. Nearby is the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and two private conservation centers. 7/9/2016. Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort, an IHG Hotel. CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go 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. Beaches in Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, & Captiva Island | Must Do People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. Sanibel and Captiva are connected to Fort Myers on the mainland by only one roadway the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. But eachisland has its own distinctive personality: Sanibelis a eclectic mix of nature, wildlife conservation land, tourist destination,island home, andshopping/ restaurant districts. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. In fact, as Sanibel and Captiva are connected by bridges, interested cyclists can bike from Fort Myers proper all the way across to both of the islands and back if they choose. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island Trip Report - TripSavvy Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? Is Sanibel Or Captiva Better For Shells? - Home 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. You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. Which is never a bad thing. If at South Seas add extensive resort amenitiesand an upscale atmosphere. The parking lot isnt huge, but there is space if you get there early enough. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. 5 tips to help you catch more fish around Sanibel & Captiva If you want to get on a personal level with nature, you can visit any of these beaches. The best comparison is to a mattress. 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. Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. Thats the right question! Drop us a line. Dont take this the wrong way, the beaches of Captiva Island are still better for shelling than most places in the entire world, its just that Sanibel is truly the best there is. This is an okay convenience store that carries a little bit of everything, including cigars. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! 3 beach destination in the United States, and it is easy to see why. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. Fort Myers is blue collar means that Ft Myers is more lower . 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. It was warm and pleasant. The irony of this is, one of the best beaches on Sanibel is located closest to the Causeway. Theyre smaller here, so beautiful to collect! "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. With hundreds of beaches throughout Florida, you may be asking yourself why you should visit these beaches instead of all the others. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. Taking a boat tour off the beach? 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 6 Best Waterfront Places to Stay on Sanibel Island 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. 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. Here and on adjacent roads you will find a wide selection of restaurants, galleries, shops, food markets, a live theater company, a movie theaterand severalsmall shopping centers. See the 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. There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. Sanibel Island might be better for you if youre looking for active family vacations, great shelling beaches, more shopping and dining amenities, being closer to nature preserves and off-island driving adventures to Fort Myers and beyond to the Everglades or Charlotte Harbor. Captiva island and Sanibel - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor No Wal-Mart, McDonalds, or Ben & Jerry's (sigh). As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. 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. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. Turner Beach is just on the other side of Blind Pass past the small bridge from Sanibel. No matter which island you choose, be prepared to pay for parking. Tarpon Beach - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. You could easily sell your home, move here and never miss a thing. Your email address will not be published. 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. Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. And we totally get it when youre planning a trip, understanding whats unique about one or the other can be so confusing, especially if youve never been here before. It dwells today within the seaside Casa Ybel Resort. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Sanibel-Captiva islands have been an idyllic destination for tourists from Florida and the world over. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. BREAKFAST AT Lighthouse Caf. 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! Sand Key is literally a 5 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. Captiva has more of a village feel. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. Sanibel Island is known for being a natural wonderland. Sanibel Island Florida Vacation Rentals | Breakaway Vacation Properties Asides the Sanibel Lighthouse, you can join a dolphin cruise or visit other amazing spots like: If you dont plan on staying in the Island, feel free to head inland for a day trip in Cape Coral. Essentially, Sanibel and Captiva islands are sister islands. The 7 Best Beaches for Shelling on Sanibel Island Its a pristine beautiful beach, great for privacy, sunning ,and fishing, but offers limited shelling. But you will The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. The Sanibel Spirit 45135 | Ocean's Reach Differences Between Sanibel and Captiva Island 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. A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. Which of these twin islands in southwest Florida is right for you? 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. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. If you are really into fantastic shelling then the obvious choice is Sanibel. Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. The combination of strong currents and fish travelling between the two islands mean that fish will often be biting. 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands Turner Beach (Blind Pass Beach) Just a stone's throw from the bridge from Sanibel to Captiva lies Turner Beach, aka Blind Pass Beach. Some popular activities on Turner Beach include: If you have a Saltwater Fishing License, you can saltwater fish from the shore. Local grocery stores like Jerrys and Baileys General Store are good for sandwiches, prepared foods, good picnic food for the beach, and stocking your own kitchenette or vacation rental.
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