which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

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which beach is better sanibel or 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. While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. Is Sanibel Or Captiva Better For Shells? - Home Sitemap, 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit. I will say, depending on the types of places youre used to staying in Florida (or on vacation in general)I find that 95% of whats offered on Sanibel leaves a lot to be desired (especially for the $$). Powered by Mai Theme, Tips For Honeymoon Island State Park: A Florida Gem. Blind Pass Beach Park. If youre not a strong swimmer or you have young kids, swimming should be avoided. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. Which is never a bad thing. If you plan to stay in Captiva Island, the South seas island resort is an ideal place to stay. Sanibel is known for its beaches some of the best beaches in southwest Florida but even more so for the millions of shells that wash up on its shores by the hour. 1725 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904. 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. You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 100 feet (239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. "This light being lit . There is no fee for Florida residents. Differences Between Sanibel and Captiva Island 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. Captiva Beach, Captiva Island: See 1,385 reviews, articles, and 733 photos of Captiva Beach, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 10 attractions in Captiva Island. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). 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. Check out this shortlist of my top five 'quick picks for vacation rentals in Sanibel Island. Beach access is strictly limited and there are only two small paid public lots for beach parking. Here is our best explanation about Sanibel vs. Captiva in a nutshell. If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. Once you visit, its easy to see what we mean when we call them twins. 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. 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 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. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. Visit the Islands to find great shells today! Bowman's Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. There are several vendors for bike rentals or check with your hotel to find out if they offer bike rentals. At the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse your stay on Sanibel Island truly is picture perfect. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. Located in the middle of the island, there is more than enough space to enjoy the sunshine or relax in the shade should you want to take a moment to rest. With a shell bag in hand, they scour the beaches for hours looking for unbroken treasures. In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. 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. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island Trip Report - TripSavvy 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. The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. The Best Bars on Sanibel Island | The Gee Family Team Fort Myers is blue collar means that Ft Myers is more lower . Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? 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. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. One of the questions we get asked a lot is, what are the differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island?. The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. $899,000. Welcome to Capturing Captiva, your online vacation guide to Captiva Island, Florida, and the surrounding area. For walkers and bikers, the admission rate is set at $1 per person. Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. 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. Purdue9394/Getty Images. Generally, these two islands have amazing beaches and a calm, laid-back atmosphere that everyone enjoys. More questions about Sanibel vs Captiva? ;-). There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. Differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches Spotting aquatic wildlife including dolphins and manatees. The South Seas island resort is a large oceanfront resort which has. Theres nothing better than a relaxing day at the beach, and Lighthouse Beach has some of the best spaces to let your worries float away. Tarpon Bay Road Beach. 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. And anything called a resort is actually a condo with more resort-like amenities. But I digress. In the East End area Tarpon Tale Inn sits just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Lighthouse Beach Park. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are known for shelling, consistently ranking at the top of the best shelling beaches in the United States. But they are worth the extra drive to the north end of the island. 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. 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. Sanibel Island vs. Captiva Island [2023] - Jam Travel Tips Sanibel's beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. 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. 0.25 acre lot. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts | Choose Your Island. Choose Your Beach. Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. Its a great way to explore and enjoy the island. The J. N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a scenic drive, boating rentals and tours, hiking paths and a visitor educational center. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. But you will The 8 Best Beaches on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island, Florida What Does Deeded Beach Access Mean in Florida? Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. There is so much you can do and see with your time, so why not go exploring now? Sanibel won, hands down. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . The J.N. Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. Turner Beach - Lee County Southwest Florida Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. Dolphins make their appearance daily and often a manatee or two are spotted. 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. It dwells today within the seaside Casa Ybel Resort. Marco is highly developed and channelized with high rises and wide groomed beaches. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. 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. Most of the year it feels like you are the only one on the beach. Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. 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. If youre looking for a smaller beach, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is an excellent option. 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 . The Seaside Inn is another laid-back beachfront inn. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Overall, the options youll find on Captiva are a little more upscale than Sanibel, but both are very laid back islands without much major development. Best Beaches in Florida for 2019 - Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches 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. Sanibel vs Captiva: Which Island Stay is Right for You? 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. 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 Sanibel is your choice if you are looking for nature, activities, choices in restaurants and shopping, are on somewhat ofa budget, biking or want to go off island fortouring or nightlife on the mainland. . If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation. Trusted Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. Not really. Best for Kids: Located right on the beach, . It reported that the agencies responsible for declaring public safety for the beaches and waters in Lee County are Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Florida Department of Health's Healthy Beaches program. There are only 2 lane roads with no stoplights. The islands of Captiva and Sanibel are located just off the coast of Fort Myers Beach. Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches are well known for shelling, exotic wildlife and their beauty. 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. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. The pristine beaches, with plentiful seashells for collectors, proved popular with. 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. The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including . 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. Before traveling to any vacation destination, one of the most important things to consider is where you are to stay on your arrival. Sand Key is literally a 5 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. Thank you . Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. Sanibel and Captiva Island are amazing islands that welcome people searching for a great spot to have family time. While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. 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. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. No matter what brings people to the beaches, its undeniable that theyre simply magnificent.