Sanibel Island is known for being a natural wonderland. 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. Its a pristine beautiful beach, great for privacy, sunning ,and fishing, but offers limited shelling. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! My 9 Favorite Restaurants On Sanibel And Captiva Islands - TravelAwaits Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. The sand on Clearwater Beach is slightly nicer than the sand on Sand Key, but it is pretty close. For many who visit Fort Myers, Sanibel is . Sanibel and Captiva Island are amazing islands that welcome people searching for a great spot to have family time. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island Trip Report - TripSavvy Sanibel, Captiva experiencing erosion after Eta - NBC2 News 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 . Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are known for shelling, consistently ranking at the top of the best shelling beaches in the United States. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. Where to Find Shells on Sanibel Island - Port Sanibel Marina Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. 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. 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. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. Tarpon Bay Road Beach. Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. Absolutely. The J. N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a scenic drive, boating rentals and tours, hiking paths and a visitor educational center. No Wal-Mart, McDonalds, or Ben & Jerry's (sigh). The 8 Best Beaches on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island, Florida Sanibel's lighthouse shining bright again five months after Hurricane Ian 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! 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit 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. While Sanibel is not busy by mainland standards, Captiva manages to be even more laid back. Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. 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. Please note, the majority of our content was posted and shared prior to Hurricane Ian. 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. The sand quality is good. Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. 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. There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! 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. Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. For walkers and bikers, the admission rate is set at $1 per person. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. 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. 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. Three Perfect Days on Sanibel and Captiva Island - Tampa Bay Date Night Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. Beach access is strictly limited and there are only two small paid public lots for beach parking. Some people simply love admiring the unrivaled views of the sunset that the unique islands provide. 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. The paths are well marked and almost flat. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. Sanibels beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. Some of the major differences between Sanibel Island and Captiva Island can be found on the beaches. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. P.S. When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, dont forget to make a boating reservation too! The Sanibel Spirit 45135 | Ocean's Reach There is no fee for Florida residents. If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. 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. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. There are also two semi-public 18 hole golf courses on the island. If youre not a strong swimmer or you have young kids, swimming should be avoided. $5 per hour for parking. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. But you will There is so much you can do and see with your time, so why not go exploring now? Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? Email agent. Thats the right question! The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. Please check directly with businesses regarding their operating status as the islands continue to rebuild. If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. Sanibel, Captiva residents await news of Ian's destruction | Miami Herald Sanibel Island vs. Captiva Island [2023] - Jam Travel Tips YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. Before you reach the South Seas Island resort theres the quaint village of Captiva with a few shops and eateries. 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 is public access and the smaller resorts are on the West. If you are really into fantastic shelling then the obvious choice is Sanibel. But one thing that's very important is CLEAR water and pretty beaches. All of the area's beaches from Lighthouse Beach to North Captiva Island are great shelling locations. 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. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? Many outdoor activities are also prepared to ensure you are never bored during your stay here. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Compared to Sanibel Island, beaches on Captiva Island do not have a lot of crowds and have a few shells to hunt. Captiva Island Beaches have a more laid back, island-y vibe. Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. They contain thousands of shells you can find. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are unique for many reasons. Captiva Island, the South seas island resort, Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva, Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches. As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. There are 23 general parking spaces. But both islands have their own unique personality. When visiting Sanibel and Captiva Island, there are 8 beaches that stand out above the rest as must visit. Captiva's Tween Waters will re-open open to off-island guests Dec. 17 Parking costs $5 per hour, but is well worth it once you leave with loads of shells. On the other hand, if you intend to drive, the admission rate is $5 per car. The irony of this is, one of the best beaches on Sanibel is located closest to the Causeway. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts Team Relief Fund Turner Beach. 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 | 39 Photos | MLS #223016359 There are no stoplights (only a couple of four way stops and traffic directors who help move things along in congested areas at peak times) and a phenomenal network of bike trails. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. 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! Other than day trips to Sanibel, we dont usually use our rental car on Captiva. Is this really a true statement? 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. Bowmans Beach stretches for miles, and there are excellent amenities here. Without a doubt, Sanibel is the larger of the two islands, and more touristed since its the first island off the Causeway. "Barefoot Elegance": Must-See Sites and Eats on Captiva Island in Some resorts offer bikes for rent. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. 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. I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida | Does anyone have recommendations if You can swim safely, walk and picnic here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNosNWLPbQ, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. 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. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. Both islands are breathtaking. A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. This Island has several restaurants and stores for shopping. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. 10 Best Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches - Florida Vacationers 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 only vegetation around is the natural one that grows, which opens up the scenery. You can take Instagram-worthy pictures and view the local wildlife from the perfect vantage point: the sand! In the East End area Tarpon Tale Inn sits just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Lighthouse Beach Park. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. Answer 1 of 5: Hi all! These islands are more alike than they are different. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner.
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