which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. SHELLING AT BOWMAN'S BEACH. 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. Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. Captiva Beach - Andy Rosse Lane. Its a great way to explore and enjoy the island. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! Sanibel and Captiva remain very much in recovery mode, but some business leaders urged city management to open back up, so visitors can once again eat, shop and stay at the iconic barrier islands . Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. Most of accommodations on Captiva are at South Seas, but there are a few resorts, inns, and B&B's. Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. If youre trying to decide which island to stay on, its really going to come down to your budget and what exactly youre looking for. 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. It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. 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. Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. See the Theyre smaller here, so beautiful to collect! If you aren't into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Thats a must! Drop us a line. Captiva Cruises is the best way to get out and explore the surrounding area (Cayo Costa State Park, Useppa Island, Cabbage Key, etc.) 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! The two island are essentially one, but they really do have subtle qualities that could make a big difference in your vacation. Does the lack of chain restaurants mean Sanibel has no casual restaurants for quick and cheap in-and-out service? The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. Marco has a 7.1 mile continuous, wide crescent beach with a long "Tigertail" beach. Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. Sanibel Island is a combination of a natural and touristy atmosphere with island vibes. 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 Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. Since then, Sanibel has followed a path of creating a balance for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of the island while at the same time proactively and aggressively controlling development and sprawl. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. You wont get much shelling done here, but that doesnt mean that you cant find any at all! Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. 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. Ever since our first trip to Captiva in 2016, Ive been impressed with the ability to find shells on Captiva. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are unique for many reasons. Many are gulf front and the rates vary greatly. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, dont forget to make a boating reservation too! Check the Refuge for hours of opening since recent budget cutbacks have reduced staff and forced occasional closings. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. Turner Beach is located at Blind Pass right across the bridge from Sanibel. Or is there another better spot? To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The passes at the ends and between the two islands get the attention of adventure beachgoers because of their swift-moving waters. Marco has a modern infrastructure of bridges, streets, and street lights. If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. No matter which island you choose, be prepared to pay for parking. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. For Sale: Single Family home, $899,000, 2 Bd, 2 Ba, 1,291 Sqft, $696/Sqft, at 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 At the end of the lane is one of Captivas most popular restaurants, The Mucky Duck, a laid-back place thats great for a cold drink and watching the sunset.On the opposite side of Captiva Drive is a popular favorite, the Bubble Room complete with year-round Christmas decorations and a very funky decor. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. ;-). 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. Do You Need a Boating License in Florida? The waters off the beaches of Sanibel have a gradual slope that allows shells to be washed up onto the beach extremely easily. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. From Sanibel, this distillery is only about 40 minutes away. 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. 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. 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. 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. Both islands are breathtaking. Almost 7,400 residents live there in just over 16 square miles. Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. 7/9/2016. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. Haven't been to either. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. Is Marco prettier? While the intention is to rebuild, the causeway has been fixed, and the island is expected to begin opening to tourism in January 2023, things are not back to normal and likely wont be for a long time. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. Sanibel Island is about 40 minutes west from there. And anything called a resort is actually a condo with more resort-like amenities. Blind Pass Beach. We hope this clears things up a bit to help you plan your trip to either island! But youre going to have to dig around more than youd think and its probably not going to be a bargain. And share my account with your travel loving friends! In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys. This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. There's a $6 toll to get onto the island. YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. There are bars and restaurants just back across the bridge. 1. If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. Dolphins make their appearance daily and often a manatee or two are spotted. 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. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. . Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. I agree completely with the response from Hawkowl (#3 above). Thirteen miles of beaches plus luxury resorts and golf courses sprinkled across untouched acreage make Amelia Island a must-visit Florida island destination . Tarpon Bay Road Beach. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Captiva's beaches are more of the soft sugar sand that one would typically see on an island. Sanibel and Captiva are connected to Fort Myers on the mainland by only one roadway the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. to bring home. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. It was here my friends found love and built up their romance. The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. Sports and Activities Insider Pagefor more information. The gentle slope of the beach means more spread-out shells. Both families and groups alike will love this beach, as you can swim, sunbathe, enjoy a picnic, build epic sandcastles, and play beach games. Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. Go on a dolphin tour on a waverunner, or enjoy a chartered fishing trip. The geography of each island makes it unique. 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. The islands of Captiva and Sanibel are located just off the coast of Fort Myers Beach. Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. 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. Gulfside City Park. No matter what brings people to the beaches, its undeniable that theyre simply magnificent. Hi , we are trying to book vacation end of March . For Sale. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Also Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary is best visited early in the day. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. Rich with wildlife and first class amenities, Captiva and Sanibel are considered two of the most captivating barrier islands in the country. The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is another fun place to visit on Sanibel with interesting exhibits, interactive stations for the kids, and shell collections from all over the world. There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. 2. 1725 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNosNWLPbQ, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. Powerful Send help right to the people and causes you care about. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. 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. 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. With Sanibel's unique orientation as a primarily East-West island, the shelling is great AND the beaches at either end (Lighthouse, East end) Blind Pass (west end) offer a variety of beach conditions to explore on the same day. You can reach Blind Pass by heading to Sanibel's western tip where the gorgeous white sand flanks the channel between Sanibel and Captiva islands. $5 per hour for parking. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. 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. On my sheller's bucket list, I have found more rare shells that I proudly show off to friends after every visit. Marcos beach is beautiful. ago So if you score a parking space, you can walk along the beach as far as youd like. If you stay at South Seas Island Resort, you have the added benefit of the resorts shuttle service. 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. Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. 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. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). Most places are a little worn and just not very updated. 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. 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. In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner. There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. Shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the light began shining as bright as ever. 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. 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. 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. Bowman's Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on 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. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are separated by a bridge over Blind Pass. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. You can download an app with tons of info on it. LUNCH AT THE ISLAND COW. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! There are free taxis to many restaurants/bars but paid transport is $6 anywhere on the island. Thats the right question! But thats not the only reason Sanibel is busier than Captiva theres just more things to see and do on Sanibel. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. Sanibel-Captiva islands have been an idyllic destination for tourists from Florida and the world over. It seems like this couldnt possibly be true since they are so close, together but it absolutely is. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. 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. There are no high-rise accommodations on Sanibel, only two story hotels, one-story retro motels, and lovely quaint cottages. For walkers and bikers, the admission rate is set at $1 per person. $899,000. Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. The J.N. With a shell bag in hand, they scour the beaches for hours looking for unbroken treasures. From the bay to the Gulf of Mexico, the islands are surrounded by water and beauty. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. The parking lot isnt huge, but there is space if you get there early enough. Turner Beach. There isnt a full-on grocery store (The Island Store is the closest it gets), but the shops on the island can get you most, if not all, of your basic needs. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. 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. Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. As for Captiva Islands beaches, the sand is much more like a pillow-top mattress. But its all about your expectations. Compared to some of the other beaches on this list, Blind Pass Beach doesnt have an endless list of amenities. 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. For Sale. Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. You want to find a slice of paradise when you go to the beach, and Captiva Beach is the most authentic piece of heaven there is. Sep 26, 2020 Can anyone give us advice. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! Visit the Islands to find great shells today! Generally, these two islands have amazing beaches and a calm, laid-back atmosphere that everyone enjoys. Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches are well known for shelling, exotic wildlife and their beauty. The deep channel of water of what is now Blind Pass was formed, forever separating the two (though barely) by a narrow two-lane bridge thats small enough to walk across in under a minute. Its smarter to go further down the beach here for swimming, but with the nearby bars and beachside restaurants, you may decide that sitting on the sand and watching the waves move is a safer option for you. While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. Everyone is differentI much prefer Sanibel to Marco by a wide margin, but if you want a more elegant experience with groomed beaches than Marco might be a better fit for you. Not really. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures.