which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

Two Sanibel incumbents face challengers in Tuesday elections . Ladyfish - free-lined or cut into chunks is one of the best baits out there and readily available to Sanibel & Captiva Beach Fishermen. 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. Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. However, that doesnt quite hold true. Youll love watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico from either island and both destinations truly boast something for everyone. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Most places are a little worn and just not very updated. Purdue9394/Getty Images. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. 7/9/2016. 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. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are unique for many reasons. Dogs are welcome at Turner Beach- they must be kept on a leash no longer than 8 ft. We please ask that you remember to clean up after your dog. more. CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go BREAKFAST AT Lighthouse Caf. However, these two islands were separated by a storm at Blind Pass. 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. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. Captiva beaches vs Sanibel beaches - Sanibel Island Forum 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. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts | Choose Your Island. Choose Your Beach. Captiva Island Beaches: 3 Best Access Points | PlanetWare We found it while cycling around Sanible and Captiva. Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. You will actually find this beach both on Sanibel and Captiva Island. . As for Captiva Islands beaches, the sand is much more like a pillow-top mattress. The beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. Dating back to August 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse is over hundred years old and of historic importance. Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. There are also two semi-public 18 hole golf courses on the island. But its far from chaotic. Its on the Captiva side of the Blind Pass Bridge, so all swimmers need to be as cautious as possible, as there are strong currents and a swift undertow. Mostly boutique shopping. Once you check into this inn, you get a complimentary breakfast. If you plan to stay in Captiva Island, the South seas island resort is an ideal place to stay. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. South Capers, Sanibel Real Estate & Homes for Sale The city-island has several banks and shopping centers, even a single-screen movie theatre. 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! Alternatively, you may use, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Sanibel Island, Hotels near J.N. There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. Sanibel and Captiva - Southern Boating 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. 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! Sanibel's beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. Is Marco prettier? Please note, the majority of our content was posted and shared prior to Hurricane Ian. The SanCap area is reminiscent of the differences between a smaller community versus the regional center; Sanibel is a smaller town that provides basic services to the broader area. For Sale: Single Family home, $899,000, 2 Bd, 2 Ba, 1,291 Sqft, $696/Sqft, at 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 Sanibels finest wearing white gloves still move traffic the old fashioned way during peak times. Turner Beach is just on the other side of Blind Pass past the small bridge from Sanibel. Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. Its not a party town, but there are plenty of places to eat, drink and listen to live music. It feels like youre walking on a fluffy cloud. This resort is probablythe most upscaleon the two islands with extensive landscaped grounds and resort facilities and a 9 hole golf course. 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. 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. 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. Youll find shady areas with picnic tables and grills to enjoy your own BBQ! Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. Its a pristine beautiful beach, great for privacy, sunning ,and fishing, but offers limited shelling. Your email address will not be published. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. Where to Find Shells on Sanibel Island - Port Sanibel Marina But if youre not staying here, access to the property is restricted. What's there to do I one place vs the other? The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. 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. Its the top shelling destination in the country and shell collectors from around the world come to spend the day hunched over doing the Sanibel Stoop. Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort, an IHG Hotel. The waters off the beaches of Sanibel have a gradual slope that allows shells to be washed up onto the beach extremely easily. The J.N. If you arent into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Without a doubt, Sanibel is the larger of the two islands, and more touristed since its the first island off the Causeway. Thank you for your responses. 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. Gulfside City Park. Make your Florida boat rental reservation today and call us today at (239) 437-1660 to make some boating memories today. Some resorts offer bikes for rent. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are but two small vacation spots on the Gulf Coast. 10 Best Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches - Florida Vacationers 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. Powered by Mai Theme, Tips For Honeymoon Island State Park: A Florida Gem. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. 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. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. With a shell bag in hand, they scour the beaches for hours looking for unbroken treasures. 3 beach destination in the United States, and it is easy to see why. 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! 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. It does. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. For many who visit Fort Myers, Sanibel is . If at South Seas add extensive resort amenitiesand an upscale atmosphere. Taking a boat tour off the beach? Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. Turner Beach - Lee County Southwest Florida YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are separated by a bridge over Blind Pass. The beach is very wide/deep so the buildings have zero impact, but if youre not used to seeing that, it can be a disconcerting at first. ago Add in a few art galleries and jewelry shops and you can take a break from the beach by browsing them all. P.S. Turner Beach. Both have soft white sand and clear blue-green water. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. Cruise to Key West from Marco or Naples?? So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! This Island has several restaurants and stores for shopping. 6 Best Waterfront Places to Stay on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. It does get busy understandably so as its so popular! VISIT THE HISTORIC SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE. Sanibel Island is home to relaxing beaches, great dining, fishing . Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - Rattleinnaustin.com No, Siesta Key Village is not like Captiva. Sanibel Island is a combination of a natural and touristy atmosphere with island vibes. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. Has the red drift algae been a problem AT ALL on Captiva?? Marco is highly developed and channelized with high rises and wide groomed beaches. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. 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 Super crowded, but it was spring break after all. Both families and groups alike will love this beach, as you can swim, sunbathe, enjoy a picnic, build epic sandcastles, and play beach games. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. Read about each one below to decide which ones will complete your dream beach getaway. Is Sanibel Or Captiva Better For Shells? - Home The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Likewise, Ive heard from people who stayed on Captiva and were disappointed in the lack of shells. There are other differences between the islands, too. 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. No issue of traffic concerns. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. 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. 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. Best Florida Gulf Coast Airbnb for Shell . Because its the only way on and off the island, as you can imagine, traffic can be insane given the popularity of the islands as a tourist destination especially at the height of season from December through March. In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. It's a quiet beach, but it's not really the best place for swimming. Blind Pass Beach. Paddling the islands back waters is a great way to spend a day. It takes about 20 minutes (without traffic) to travel the length of Sanibel and come to the small bridge over Blind Pass that brings you onto Captiva. Finding seashells on either island is as easy as walking onto the beach. Marco has a 7.1 mile continuous, wide crescent beach with a long "Tigertail" beach. Thirteen miles of beaches plus luxury resorts and golf courses sprinkled across untouched acreage make Amelia Island a must-visit Florida island destination . Very different experiences. So map your walk along this route carefully and make sure that youre not trespassing along the way. Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. In fact, Sanibel and Captiva have some of the most fun and unique bars in Southwest Florida. 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. To get to the beach, its a short five minute walk through a nature trail, boardwalk bridge, hammock, and beach scrub to get where you need to be. 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. These two barrier islands are nestled just of the Southwest Florida coast, within a short drive from Fort Myers. BOAT RIDE AROUND J.N. Amelia Island. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. We are staying a week. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Which Beach Is Better Sanibel Or Captiva? - TravelMagma I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). 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 Beaches are among the most dog-friendly beaches in Florida, if not the entire country. 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. See the The 8 Best Beaches on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island, Florida As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts Team Relief Fund Sanibel is a bike island. Best Beaches in Florida for 2019 - Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches Find your favorite paradise with the updated list of best beaches in Florida. Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. This beach is a popular spot for fishing. In addition, if you enjoy hunting for shells, you should definitely pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. Sanibel is most famous for its shelling. Bowman's Beach. Enjoy your visit. If Sanibel is rough and murky you can often drive a few miles to Captiva and find calm and clear water. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. There are free taxis to many restaurants/bars but paid transport is $6 anywhere on the island. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. SANTIVA GENERAL STORE - 16 Reviews - 6406 Sanibel Captiva Rd - Yelp There are 23 general parking spaces. to bring home. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. 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. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. 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. Before traveling to any vacation destination, one of the most important things to consider is where you are to stay on your arrival. Touring the Beaches on Sanibel Island - YouTube Absolutely. Mostly boutique shopping. January 2, 2021 Ryan Bellino Florida Gulf Coast Islands, Sanibel and Captiva Islands 0. If clear water is your absolute priority Tina, I don't think either Sanibel or Marco are for you. The beach itself is clean, with shaded areas and restrooms, covered cabanas, and picnic areas to enjoy. Within the developed sections are things common to towns anywhere- schools, neighborhoods, supermarkets, and stores. 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. Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. CEPD reports on beach and water conditions | News, Sports, Jobs 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. Rich with wildlife and first class amenities, Captiva and Sanibel are considered two of the most captivating barrier islands in the country. If you enjoy hunting for shells, you should pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. . Are there still restaurant's and shops that are closed due to Hurricane Irma? The sand on Clearwater Beach is slightly nicer than the sand on Sand Key, but it is pretty close. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. Sanibel Island vs. Marco Island: Where to Vacation - Royal Shell There are only 2 lane roads with no stoplights. On the other hand, if you intend to drive, the admission rate is $5 per car. 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). The Sanibel Spirit 45135 | Ocean's Reach While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. But you may not find the amount youll find on Sanibel, which means more time may be needed to hunt for them. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). Shelling and fishing is very popular at this beach. The two were once a single island, along with North Captiva Island, until separated by a storm at Blind Pass. Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. 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. Thanks to the forethought and determination of local residents, there have been consistent efforts since the 1970s to conserve and protect the natural setting and limit mass development, so much so that citizens formed their own municipal government apart from Lee County. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. 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. Red tide, devastated reefs follow in the wake of Hurricane Ian The Captiva Island Inn is also another wonderful place you can stay especially if youre searching for something more unique and quaint. A collaborative effort of the Florida Shorebird Alliance, the survey of shorebirds and seabirds in Florida aims to gain a better understanding of their winter distributions, the SCCF reported. Best Sanibel Island Vacation Rental with a View - Shorewood Beachfront Penthouse Sanibel Island Condo. Hey, it even has a K-12 school, so whats stopping you? And. 13 Incredible Airbnbs in Sanibel Island, Florida (2021 Edition) The South Seas island resort is a large oceanfront resort which has. No matter what brings people to the beaches, its undeniable that theyre simply magnificent. 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. Sports and Activities Insider Pagefor more information. Blind Pass Beach. 0.25 acre lot. Both have good shelling.