which beach is better sanibel or captiva?
The paths are well marked and almost flat. Golf cart renters must be 21 years old and have a vaild driver's license. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. Although you may not be able to climb to the top of the historic Sanibel Lighthouse, you are allowed to visit the surrounding areas for a lighthouse photo-op. Almost every building still standing, only a few roofs damaged and some flooding around Andy Rosse Lane and the entrance to south seas (but not nearly as bad as on Sanibel). Each beach offers its own unique take on shelling and is worth a visit. 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. Other than day trips to Sanibel, we dont usually use our rental car on Captiva. Visit the Islands to find great shells today! Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. Likewise, Ive heard from people who stayed on Captiva and were disappointed in the lack of shells. TravelMagmais 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. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. 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. 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. 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. Hey, it even has a K-12 school, so whats stopping you? A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. The strong currents that make Blind Pass a . It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. and they leave from Captiva, but its an easy drive from Sanibel. Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches Sanibel Island shelling is considered the best shelling spot in the world according to Travel and Leisure Magazine. More questions about Sanibel vs Captiva? Sanibel vs Captiva? Captiva has only a limited number of properties with nightly rentals and they are very popular. That is until we stayed at the Island Inn on Sanibel. The "Sanibel Spirit" is indeed alive, strong and resilient, and remarkable signs of recovery continue throughout our "repairadise.". If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. That said, however, since most visitors seem to hit the beaches closest to the Sanibel Causeway (the only road on and off the island), youll find that the closer you get to the Causeway, the more crowded the beaches are. 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 beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. The following Sanibel beaches are now OPEN! Not really. On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. Absolutely. The grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. 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 you arent into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. These two barrier islands are nestled just of the Southwest Florida coast, within a short drive from Fort Myers. There are also a few resorts, inns, and B&B's offering nightly rentals. All of the area's beaches from Lighthouse Beach to North Captiva Island are great shelling locations. 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. 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. This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation. 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. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. 1. Marco has a modern infrastructure of bridges, streets, and street lights. There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. Sports and Activities Insider Pagefor more information. The passes at the ends and between the two islands get the attention of adventure beachgoers because of their swift-moving waters. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. For Sale: Single Family home, $1,795,000, 3 Bd, 5 Ba, 3,516 Sqft, $511/Sqft, at 5721 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 The two were once a single island, along with North Captiva Island, until separated by a storm at Blind Pass. Sanibels sideways stretch makes in an excellent destination for shelling and beachcombing; Captivas lengthy reach gives its beaches fine sand. Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. No Wal-Mart, McDonalds, or Ben & Jerry's (sigh). There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. Some people are put off by higrises on the beach. My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. Your email address will not be published. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. . Just cut into 3/4 wide sections. It was here my friends found love and built up their romance. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. It will take you roughly one hour to get to Sanibel and Captiva from the Fort Myers airport Southwest Florida International (RSW) to the Sanibel Causeway. The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva. Sanibel beaches are renowned for the shells that wash up every day - it's the top shelling destination in North America and residents and visitors bending over to examine the shells is the source of the posture known as the 'Sanibel Stoop". 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. ;-). In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. 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. 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. In the East End area Tarpon Tale Inn sits just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Lighthouse Beach Park. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. The building restrictions here are whats part of the charm. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). It does. Marco is further from the Caloosatchee river so generally it will have cleaner water. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels No, Siesta Key Village is not like Captiva. Captiva Beach - Andy Rosse Lane. This is an okay convenience store that carries a little bit of everything, including cigars. The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. Plan to book early as they fill up quickly year round (and especially in the winter). Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. Sanibel's beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. 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. 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! 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. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. Check the Refuge for hours of opening since recent budget cutbacks have reduced staff and forced occasional closings. Walking and biking can get you around most of the island. 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. These barrier islands off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida are inextricably linked because, welltheyre linked. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. 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. As you head for the tip of Captiva, the island gets very narrow allowing you to see the Gulf on one side and Pine Island Sound on the other. 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. In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. Both have good shelling. Turner Beach. 2. Thats a must! 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. Captiva also allows the use of golf carts on the roads within the village limits during daylight hours only. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. When visiting Sanibel and Captiva Island, there are 8 beaches that stand out above the rest as must visit. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Sanibel won, hands down. 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. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. There are several vendors on Sanibel for you to rent a kayak or a canoe if you prefer. 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 With endless skies and treasured beach walks, Captiva Beach will surely captivate you and the whole family. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. On my sheller's bucket list, I have found more rare shells that I proudly show off to friends after every visit. Read about each one below to decide which ones will complete your dream beach getaway. Paddling the islands back waters is a great way to spend a day. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. 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. Hurricane Ian in Naples and Southwest Florida: How Can You Help? As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. 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. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, dont forget to make a boating reservation too! There are 23 general parking spaces. On Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Sanibel is a wonderful overall vacation experience if you like beachcombing and non chain restaurants and nature in general, but the water clarity varies with the tides and winds and currents. 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. 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. But I digress. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. But if youre not staying here, access to the property is restricted. Whether you choose Sanibel Island or Captiva Island, these destinations are a 30 minutes car drive from each other so you can always change your mind if you want to. Email agent. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. 2. During your stay, you should indulge in shell hunting. 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. At 33 square miles, (12 miles end-to-end), walking may not always be convenient, depending on your plans. For the whole family, Causeway Beach & Park is the perfect day out. 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. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. Captiva doesnt have the network of dedicated bike paths that Sanibel has, so if you were looking forward to extensive bike-riding on your vacation, Sanibel may be the better choice.
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