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It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. and they leave from Captiva, but its an easy drive from Sanibel. Thirteen miles of beaches plus luxury resorts and golf courses sprinkled across untouched acreage make Amelia Island a must-visit Florida island destination . Marco has a 7.1 mile continuous, wide crescent beach with a long "Tigertail" beach. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. Turner Beach - Lee County Southwest Florida There's a $6 toll to get onto the island. 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!) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My 9 Favorite Restaurants On Sanibel And Captiva Islands - TravelAwaits The sand on Clearwater Beach is slightly nicer than the sand on Sand Key, but it is pretty close. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). . Silver Key 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. 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. 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. For Sale. Almost 7,400 residents live there in just over 16 square miles. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. But thats not the only reason Sanibel is busier than Captiva theres just more things to see and do on Sanibel. There are also a few resorts, inns, and B&B's offering nightly rentals. 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. 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. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. But youre going to have to dig around more than youd think and its probably not going to be a bargain. 45+ LEISURELY THINGS TO DO ON SANIBEL ISLAND (beyond shelling) You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. But you may not find the amount youll find on Sanibel, which means more time may be needed to hunt for them. 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. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. The future of Sanibel and Captiva : r/florida Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - travels-answers.com Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts boasts more than 50 years of hospitality marketing and management success all based on the delivery of our mission, by each team member, to each of you, our guests: deliver a warm, friendly and memorable island resort experience that provides value to you so exceptional, you'll want to return . Blind Pass Beach. Captiva island or Sanibel , best places to stay for 2-3 people , what is reopened , any suggestions? Which is never a bad thing. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. 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. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. And the standards of the condos arent the highest. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. 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. Most of the island is very narrow- you can see both the Gulf and Pine Island Sound from many spots. Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. Beaches in Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, & Captiva Island | Must Do The city-island has several banks and shopping centers, even a single-screen movie theatre. With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. Without a doubt, Sanibel has better shelling than Captiva. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. $899,000. The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. 2. Touring the Beaches on Sanibel Island - YouTube Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? Siesta Key vs Captiva Island - Siesta Key Forum - Tripadvisor Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. 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. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. January 2, 2021 Ryan Bellino Florida Gulf Coast Islands, Sanibel and Captiva Islands 0. Some resorts offer bikes for rent. The Gulf Beach is 3 minutes' walk away. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. Shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the light began shining as bright as ever. Sitemap, 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. We did some . 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. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. No issue of traffic concerns. In the early '70's Sanibel was slated to become the next Marco Island with the building of the bridge. Since the water off Sanibel is shallower than Captiva, this causes bigger waves and murkier water. 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! If you aren't into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Its a great way to explore and enjoy the island. 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. Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. 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. On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. Not really. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are but two small vacation spots on the Gulf Coast. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. 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. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - Rattleinnaustin.com There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. Island Vacations of Sanibel and Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way #108 Sanibel, FL 33957 888-451-7277 ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys. 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. Captiva has only a limited number of properties with nightly rentals and they are very popular. 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! Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. 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. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. With surging currents depositing an exotic array of shells, Blind Pass Beach is one of the best beaches on Sanibel Island for shelling. 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. ;-). Hey, it even has a K-12 school, so whats stopping you? TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. 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. Sports and Activities Insider Pagefor more information. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. Last month, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation staff and volunteers participated in the 15th annual Florida Winter Shorebird Survey, documenting nearly 3,000 shorebirds and seabirds over two days. If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. 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. 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. Where to Find Shells on Sanibel Island - Port Sanibel Marina 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. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. 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 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. Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. In fact, Sanibel and Captiva have some of the most fun and unique bars in Southwest Florida. Other than day trips to Sanibel, we dont usually use our rental car on Captiva. There are free taxis to many restaurants/bars but paid transport is $6 anywhere on the island. While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. 13 Incredible Airbnbs in Sanibel Island, Florida (2021 Edition) Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Taking a boat tour off the beach? Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. Before you reach the South Seas Island resort theres the quaint village of Captiva with a few shops and eateries. Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are unique for many reasons. 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. There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. 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). Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. Were often asked and emailed questions from readers wanting to know what the difference is between Sanibel and Captiva islands. 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 island and Sanibel - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor You'll find it on the western edge of Captiva Island. Relax on the miles of beaches surrounding the island or enjoy some fun in the water. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. At stake in Sanibel's nonpartisan Tuesday city council election: the seats now filled by the island's mayor and vice-mayor, Holly Smith and Richard Johnson. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. 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. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. You can even rent golf carts. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. Likewise, Ive heard from people who stayed on Captiva and were disappointed in the lack of shells. Because of its larger size, Sanibel has more beaches to choose from than Captiva. Sand Key is literally a 5 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. Make your Florida boat rental reservation today and call us today at (239) 437-1660 to make some boating memories today. Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. SHELLING AT BOWMAN'S BEACH. Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. Some travelers find that Captiva is a little more upscale, with fancier resorts and more eclectic dining opportunities. Since it is more or less north and south you have perfect beach sunsets from all 7.1 miles. If you want to get on a personal level with nature, you can visit any of these beaches. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are called sister islands, but there are some obvious differences between them. With endless skies and treasured beach walks, Captiva Beach will surely captivate you and the whole family. It seems like this couldnt possibly be true since they are so close, together but it absolutely is. 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. Some people are put off by higrises on the beach. Home News 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit. Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. . 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. 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. If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. Sanibel vs Captiva: Which Island Stay is Right for You? Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. Sanibel vs Captiva: Which Slice of Paradise is Better? Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. From Sanibel, this distillery is only about 40 minutes away. Sanibel's beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation. 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. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. You can rent wave runners and go parasailing and as well as canoe and kayak rentals. You wont get much shelling done here, but that doesnt mean that you cant find any at all! The J.N. Mostly boutique shopping. Eight Sanibel and Captiva beaches you have to visit include: For many people, the massive amount and variety of shells that can be found is what brings them Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches. The parking lot isnt huge, but there is space if you get there early enough. The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. Thats a must! Port Sanibel Marina offers marina reservations and fishing charters for you to enjoy after a great time visiting all the beaches we mentioned above! Hurricane Ian in Naples and Southwest Florida: How Can You Help? 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. Bowman's Beach. Its a pristine beautiful beach, great for privacy, sunning ,and fishing, but offers limited shelling. Sanibel Island vs. Marco Island: Where to Vacation - Royal Shell Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Turner Beach, between Sanibel and Captiva islands, is the hottest of hot spots for both fishing and surfing. 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 . Best Florida Gulf Coast Airbnb for Shell . 0.25 acre lot. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. Brokered by US Schwarz Immobilien Real Est. 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. It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. 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. There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. The waters off the beaches of Sanibel have a gradual slope that allows shells to be washed up onto the beach extremely easily. Visit the Islands to find great shells today! You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. Within the developed sections are things common to towns anywhere- schools, neighborhoods, supermarkets, and stores. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are known for shelling, consistently ranking at the top of the best shelling beaches in the United States.