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! The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNosNWLPbQ, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are separated by a bridge over Blind Pass. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. 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!) "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibel's sand provides a much better surface for runners. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. Rent a bike! And share my account with your travel loving friends! The waters off the beaches of Sanibel have a gradual slope that allows shells to be washed up onto the beach extremely easily. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). 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 . There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels Powerful Send help right to the people and causes you care about. Lets see what sets the islands apart and explore some of the best beaches on both islands. Dolphins make their appearance daily and often a manatee or two are spotted. Island Vacations of Sanibel and Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way #108 Sanibel, FL 33957 888-451-7277 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! Very different experiences. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. Some people are put off by higrises on the beach. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. The "Sanibel Spirit" is indeed alive, strong and resilient, and remarkable signs of recovery continue throughout our "repairadise.". There are 76 general parking spaces. For Sale. The beach here is backed by swaying palm trees, and a few benches, ideal for soaking up the scene, are nearby. On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. Silver Key Beach. There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. Relative to Sanibel, only 583 residents live on over 1.6 square miles of island, and not nearly as many visitors venture over to Captiva, other than those staying at South Seas Island Resort. In fact, Sanibel and Captiva have some of the most fun and unique bars in Southwest Florida. Marcos beach is beautiful. 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. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. Some of the major differences between Sanibel Island and Captiva Island can be found on the beaches. Our guide below gives you an in-depth look at what you can expect at each of Sanibel Island's popular shelling beaches. The currents that bring abundant shells to sanibel and the 10K islands do result in some turbulence and suspended sand in the water at times even when there are no water releases. Driving Directions Take I-75 South to Fort Myers. Please check directly with businesses regarding their operating status as the islands continue to rebuild. It does. The currents flush fish out into the gulf and help build waves. This means you and your pup can frolic in the waves at Algiers Beach in Gulfside City Park, Bowman's Beach, and other Sanibel waterfronts. The J. N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a scenic drive, boating rentals and tours, hiking paths and a visitor educational center. 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. It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. 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. The pristine beaches, with plentiful seashells for collectors, proved popular with. Sanibel is crisscrossed by an extensive multi-use path system that gives bicyclists and walkers access to most of the destinations on the island including the wildlife refuge and most of the beaches. Like Blind Pass Beach, Turner Beach is best for shelling and fishing, but not swimming as the currents can get very strong! You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. Go on a dolphin tour on a waverunner, or enjoy a chartered fishing trip. The grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. You will find miles of pristine beaches to enjoy, and you can island hop to the north of the beaches, and then go fishing when youre on your way! not find chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). 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. But one thing that's very important is CLEAR water and pretty beaches. Best Beaches in Florida for 2019 - Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches Find your favorite paradise with the updated list of best beaches in Florida. 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. With picnic areas for all, you can take a bike ride to the park and the beach, as there are bike racks to use, too. 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. 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. What Does Deeded Beach Access Mean in Florida? And there are no golf carts on Siesta. Captiva island or Sanibel , best places to stay for 2-3 people , what is reopened , any suggestions? Marco is totally surrounded by federal, state parks and preserves, the gateway to the Everglades so IMO it has more options for active adults. If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. There is a parking lot available and its a few minutes to walk to the beach from there. There are two large grocery stores and several smaller markets. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). ;-). 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. The two island are essentially one, but they really do have subtle qualities that could make a big difference in your vacation. Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. Sanibel Island is about 40 minutes west from there. In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. The two were once a single island, along with North Captiva Island, until separated by a storm at Blind Pass. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the beach with a limited number of spaces, and is $5.00 per hour paid at the lot kiosk. Best Sanibel Island Vacation Rental with a View - Shorewood Beachfront Penthouse Sanibel Island Condo. So if you score a parking space, you can walk along the beach as far as youd like. But you will Thank you for your responses. day trips, Fort Myers, attractions, family fun with kids, Captiva, Captiva Island, restaurants, best restaurants, Southwest Florida, Gulf coast islands, Weird Florida: 8 Unusual Things to See and Do in Southwest Florida. While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. If you arent into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Ladyfish - free-lined or cut into chunks is one of the best baits out there and readily available to Sanibel & Captiva Beach Fishermen. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. Marco has more nightlife, more shopping, and more roads. Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? 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. 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. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. One of the best spots on Sanibel to go kayaking is the J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Captiva Road. Sep 26, 2020 Sanibels finest wearing white gloves still move traffic the old fashioned way during peak times. 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. There are also two semi-public 18 hole golf courses on the island. Captiva sits just north of Sanibel and its accessed via a very short bridge over Blind Pass. You can park for free here, and you can head to the park during the day for the kids to play before heading to the sand. . And. Since it is more or less north and south you have perfect beach sunsets from all 7.1 miles. 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. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. And the standards of the condos arent the highest. 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. On my sheller's bucket list, I have found more rare shells that I proudly show off to friends after every visit. 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. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. Here are the most noticeable difference between the islands to help you pick your island destination: One of the biggest distinguishing factors between Sanibel and Captiva lies beneath your toes: their sand. The depth of beach space changes too. See the You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. 0.25 acre lot. If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. Located along the channel between Sanibel and Captiva island, the Blind pass beach is famous amongst sunbathers and . The gulf water was clean and calm, but not clear. Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. 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. 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. While Sanibel and Captiva arent radically different, Ill do my best to break the two down: Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. 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. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. Brokered by US Schwarz Immobilien Real Est. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. 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. There are several vendors on Sanibel for you to rent a kayak or a canoe if you prefer. 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. BOAT RIDE AROUND J.N. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. You can even rent golf carts. Many outdoor activities are also prepared to ensure you are never bored during your stay here. 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. As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. You can visit: Matlacha is a small home village, which is best known for their quirky shops, and several eateries offering some of the best delicacies. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is a combination of a natural and touristy atmosphere with island vibes. 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. They contain thousands of shells you can find. 2. 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. The sand on Clearwater Beach is slightly nicer than the sand on Sand Key, but it is pretty close. Before we delve into whats unique about each island, let us just say that both islands have these things in common: Gorgeous beaches and a laid back, islandy atmosphere, There are NO: high-rise hotels and condos, big box stores, chain restaurants or traffic signals. 1451 Middle Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island. Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. Thats a must! January 2, 2021 Ryan Bellino Florida Gulf Coast Islands, Sanibel and Captiva Islands 0. 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. Are there still restaurant's and shops that are closed due to Hurricane Irma? For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. 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. More island businesses are re-opening every week. There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. 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. Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. Dating back to August 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse is over hundred years old and of historic importance. $899,000. Perwinkle Way is the main business street but you will note that large sections are still devoid of parking lots and buildings where it traverses natural areas. Drop us a line. 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. The best comparison is to a mattress. 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. Which is never a bad thing. Youll love watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico from either island and both destinations truly boast something for everyone. Despite a huge push from developers, the city held their ground with strong building restrictions that were intended to protect the environment (to this day, half the island is a nature preserve) and its largely what makes Sanibel so quaint. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. Theres a parking lot on the side of the saltwater bayous. Where to Eat. But I have never seen brown water hitting Marco Island. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. The lack of multi-unit condos on Captiva makes the beaches far less crowded. There are free taxis to many restaurants/bars but paid transport is $6 anywhere on the island. Which of these twin islands in southwest Florida is right for you? Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. Tarpon Beach. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. 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. My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. You'll find it on the western edge of Captiva Island. Be sure to use the head. more. The whole island is practically all beach on the West, and this is where the Gulf of Mexico laps at the shore just what you want to dip your toes into! Marco has a modern infrastructure of bridges, streets, and street lights. Nearby is the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and two private conservation centers. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. With hundreds of beaches throughout Florida, you may be asking yourself why you should visit these beaches instead of all the others. If clear water is your absolute priority Tina, I don't think either Sanibel or Marco are for you. Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. Without a doubt, Sanibel has better shelling than Captiva. Super crowded, but it was spring break after all. The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. $5 per hour for parking. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. Its a beautiful resort and one we highly recommend staying at for its resort facilities including a 9-hole golf course, and the variety of accommodations that will suit everyone. Sanibel and Captiva are connected to Fort Myers on the mainland by only one roadway the Sanibel Causeway Bridge.
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