which beach is better sanibel or captiva?
Which Beach is Better Sanibel or Captiva? It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. These two barrier islands are nestled just of the Southwest Florida coast, within a short drive from Fort Myers. ago While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - Rattleinnaustin.com Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! 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, 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. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. Theyre smaller here, so beautiful to collect! My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches Captivas beaches are more of the soft sugar sand that one would typically see on an island. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. VISIT THE HISTORIC SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. Hopefully this post helps you make a decision that puts you on the beach that will give you the most enjoyment from your island vacation. If youre planning to visit the area, make sure to do plenty of research to find out whats open, whats available and whats just not even there anymore. While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. 1725 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. Cruise to Key West from Marco or Naples?? Is there much of a difference between beaches on Sanibel and those on Captiva? Alternatively, you may use, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Sanibel Island, Hotels near J.N. The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach. 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. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. 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. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. 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. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. It does. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. For walkers and bikers, the admission rate is set at $1 per person. There are also a few resorts, inns, and B&B's offering nightly rentals. What's there to do I one place vs the other? 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. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. Beach access is strictly limited and there are only two small paid public lots for beach parking. It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. Email agent. 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. Amelia Island. Beaches in Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, & Captiva Island | Must Do 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. Blind Pass Beach is one of the more unique beaches on this list given the fact that it stretches to the northern tip of Sanibel Island, making it easily accessible from Captiva Island as well. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). No matter which island you choose, be prepared to pay for parking. Captiva has more of a village feel. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. The FDOH's fecal indicator bacteria testing results on Dec. 12 suggested low bacterial concentrations and no current advisories. Gulfside City Park. Captiva Island, the South seas island resort, Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva, Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches. Because of its larger size, Sanibel has more beaches to choose from than Captiva. 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. There is no fee for Florida residents. Bowman's Beach. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities. "This light being lit . Some resorts offer bikes for rent. Most of the island is very narrow- you can see both the Gulf and Pine Island Sound from many spots. The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Also Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary is best visited early in the day. You can rent wave runners and go parasailing and as well as canoe and kayak rentals. It was warm and pleasant. And the standards of the condos arent the highest. 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. The Best Bars on Sanibel Island | The Gee Family Team The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. More questions about Sanibel vs Captiva? 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. Captiva also allows the use of golf carts on the roads within the village limits during daylight hours only. Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. 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. 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. The other three councilmen are Scott. Captiva beaches vs Sanibel beaches - Sanibel Island Forum There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation. Rich with wildlife and first class amenities, Captiva and Sanibel are considered two of the most captivating barrier islands in the country. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - travels-answers.com 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. Other than day trips to Sanibel, we dont usually use our rental car on Captiva. Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! Some popular activities on Turner Beach include: If you have a Saltwater Fishing License, you can saltwater fish from the shore. With a shell bag in hand, they scour the beaches for hours looking for unbroken treasures. South Capers, Sanibel Real Estate & Homes for Sale On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. 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. For the whole family, Causeway Beach & Park is the perfect day out. 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. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. Is this really a true statement? Are there still restaurant's and shops that are closed due to Hurricane Irma? Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. And anything called a resort is actually a condo with more resort-like amenities. You wont find any high rises (buildings are only allowed to be as tall as the tallest native tree on the island), any chains (except for the cutest little Dairy Queen thats been grandfathered in), and pretty much everything is a mom and pop shop or restaurant. 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. Its a popular destination for those who love to hop from Captiva Island to Sanibel Island and the kids will love the chance to comb for shells. If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. Marco has more nightlife, more shopping, and more roads. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. 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. Marco is further from the Caloosatchee river so generally it will have cleaner water. The passes at the ends and between the two islands get the attention of adventure beachgoers because of their swift-moving waters. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. Sanibel Island vs Marco Island for a vacation?Sanibel and Marco islands are both tropical gems of Southwest Florida, attracting thousands of visitors each year for a family vacation, a weekend getaway, or a honeymoon. At the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse your stay on Sanibel Island truly is picture perfect. How to Rent a Beachfront House on Isla Mujeres, Ultimate Guide to Florida Keys Vacation Rentals. On Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Sanibel vs Captiva: Which Island Stay is Right for You? In the village area there are a number of marinas that offer charter captains and water taxi service to the out islands of North Captiva, Cabbage Key and Useppa. 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. Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. Once you check into this inn, you get a complimentary breakfast. 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 . 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. 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. Rent a bike! Brokered by US Schwarz Immobilien Real Est. The biggest difference is the number of beaches. You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. These islands are perfect, providing visitors with dining, shopping, entertainment, and local hotels. Ladyfish - free-lined or cut into chunks is one of the best baits out there and readily available to Sanibel & Captiva Beach Fishermen. Without a doubt, Sanibel has better shelling than Captiva. and they leave from Captiva, but its an easy drive from Sanibel. Where to stay on Sanibel Island, FL - Howtobookyourtrip There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. 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. Thats a must! So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! Both islands are breathtaking. Mostly boutique shopping. The Captiva Island Inn is also another wonderful place you can stay especially if youre searching for something more unique and quaint. This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. Some people simply love admiring the unrivaled views of the sunset that the unique islands provide. 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. There are 23 general parking spaces. Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. Siesta Key vs Captiva Island - Siesta Key Forum - Tripadvisor 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 all the bells and whistles compared to Captiva. Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 100 feet (239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com it's one of the best parts but cut off and discard the tail. Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. 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. Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. 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 no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. Lots of visitor parking available on Sanibel but it costs $5.00 per hour. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. P.S. 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . Im not saying any of this to put you off, because Sanibel and Captiva are GREAT islands and one of my favorite places in Florida, but if youre used to staying at more high end beach resorts in other parts of Florida, what that money gets you on Sanibel and Captiva is a lotless. The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNosNWLPbQ, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Within the developed sections are things common to towns anywhere- schools, neighborhoods, supermarkets, and stores. If you aren't into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches are well known for shelling, exotic wildlife and their beauty. 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. Can you find a nice place to stay? Where to Eat. There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. Most of the year it feels like you are the only one on the beach. The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. Likewise, Ive heard from people who stayed on Captiva and were disappointed in the lack of shells. The Keys are AMAZING in my opinion, but you do give up the nice, wide, sandy beaches when choosing to vacation in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Captiva Island Beaches With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. Thank you It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. The sand quality is good. Sanibels finest wearing white gloves still move traffic the old fashioned way during peak times.