While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. 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. The "Sanibel Spirit" is indeed alive, strong and resilient, and remarkable signs of recovery continue throughout our "repairadise.". Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. 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. Handicapped parking is free.Further up Captiva Drive, at the end of the main road on Captiva, there is another public beach adjacent to the entrance of South Seas Resort. . If youre not a paddler you can still see a lot of the refuge by taking the guided tram tour or hiking on established trails. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva were still closed due to Hurricane Ian w hen we visited, but we marveled at the huge, powerful, beautiful waves we saw from the road. Several restaurants are within walking distance on Sanibel Island, including The Lazy Flamingo, Sunset Cafe and The Mad Hatter. From the bay to the Gulf of Mexico, the islands are surrounded by water and beauty. 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. 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. Shelling and fishing is very popular at this beach. 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. Sanibel isnt a cheap vacation destination (supply and demand because of development restrictions) so youre probably going to pay a premium for anything on the beach. Is this really a true statement? Other than day trips to Sanibel, we dont usually use our rental car on Captiva. 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. $5 per hour for parking. Very shelly though, youll need to wear flips flops to take a walk. 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. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. 5721 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 | 50 Photos | MLS #223012023 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. 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. If youre staying on Sanibel, running up to Captiva to eat dinner or shop isnt a big deal and vice versa. 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. 6 Best Waterfront Places to Stay on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Here is our best explanation of the main differences between Sanibel vs Captiva islands, to help you decide which island stay is right for you. What's there to do I one place vs the other? Elsewhere the beautiful green canopy that was destroyed by Hurricane Charley is getting replaced by trees planted in 2006 and extensive landscaping is once again beautifying Periwinkle Way. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! Fishermen also enjoy the beach. Dolphins make their appearance daily and often a manatee or two are spotted. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. Do You Need a Boating License in Florida? All of the area's beaches from Lighthouse Beach to North Captiva Island are great shelling locations. But its far from chaotic. Haven't been to either. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. At the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse your stay on Sanibel Island truly is picture perfect. CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go 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. Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. Most of the year it feels like you are the only one on the beach. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. This is simply due to the offshore geography and Sanibels unique curvature of land it really does get the lions share of great shells! 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. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. It was here my friends found love and built up their romance. Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. While Captiva Island features a North-South orientation like most of Floridas Gulf barrier islands, youll find that Sanibel Island has a unique East-West orientation. 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. 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. Sanibel Island is a combination of a natural and touristy atmosphere with island vibes. 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. Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. Theres a parking lot on the side of the saltwater bayous. 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. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. We couldn't have had better customer | Island Vacations of Sanibel Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. Get answers to your questions about Marco Island, Recommendations for condo complex with central booking site. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. Some resorts offer bikes for rent. Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. The 8 Best Beaches on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island, Florida Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. The waters off the beaches of Sanibel have a gradual slope that allows shells to be washed up onto the beach extremely easily. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. Fishers in particular love it here, as there is a lighted pier for them to enjoy and fish from. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. Sanibel Beaches are among the most dog-friendly beaches in Florida, if not the entire country. 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. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. Bowmans Beach is one of many beaches on Sanibel Island, and on the western portion of the island.Its a protected site, with no developments going on, which leaves a pure and natural landscape to enjoy for all. 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. Some of the major differences between Sanibel Island and Captiva Island can be found on the beaches. Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. The passes at the ends and between the two islands get the attention of adventure beachgoers because of their swift-moving waters. 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. The FDOH's fecal indicator bacteria testing results on Dec. 12 suggested low bacterial concentrations and no current advisories. Locations to go shelling include: Causeway Beaches; Gulfside City Park; Bowman's Beach; Blind . 10 Best Islands in Florida for Beautiful Beaches, Laid-back Vibes, and The Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery gives free tours and tastings for all visitors. For the whole family, Causeway Beach & Park is the perfect day out. The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands - Florida Trippers The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. 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. The Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are actually very different, and most articles you read on San-Cap fail to even acknowledge this. The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. As for Captiva Islands beaches, the sand is much more like a pillow-top mattress. 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. Mostly boutique shopping. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? Which of these twin islands in southwest Florida is right for you? Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. 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. 1. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Sanibel is a bike island. Hurricane Ian in Naples and Southwest Florida: How Can You Help? This resort is probablythe most upscaleon the two islands with extensive landscaped grounds and resort facilities and a 9 hole golf course. Tarpon Beach - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor In the East End area Tarpon Tale Inn sits just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Lighthouse Beach Park. 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. It is connected to Fort Myers by the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Sanibel's lighthouse shining bright again five months after Hurricane Ian Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. DINNER AT TIMBERS RESTAURANT. 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. There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! Since then, Sanibel has followed a path of creating a balance for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of the island while at the same time proactively and aggressively controlling development and sprawl. 0.25 acre lot. Fishers will love the opportunity to fish and catch their day, and with amazing sunrises and sunsets, youll find somewhere to sit and marvel at the colors. I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida | Does anyone have recommendations if Thirteen miles of beaches plus luxury resorts and golf courses sprinkled across untouched acreage make Amelia Island a must-visit Florida island destination . 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. 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. There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. Strollers, wagons, and the like are a lot harder to maneuver on Captivas beaches than on Sanibel. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts | Choose Your Island. Choose Your Beach. In fact, as Sanibel and Captiva are connected by bridges, interested cyclists can bike from Fort Myers proper all the way across to both of the islands and back if they choose. Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. The water is frequently greenish and less than clear due to fine sediments stirred up by currents / wave action and significant drainage from the land, particularly after a storm. But they are worth the extra drive to the north end of the island. Thank you My 9 Favorite Restaurants On Sanibel And Captiva Islands - TravelAwaits Before you reach the South Seas Island resort theres the quaint village of Captiva with a few shops and eateries. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. 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. With endless skies and treasured beach walks, Captiva Beach will surely captivate you and the whole family. Marco is further from the Caloosatchee river so generally it will have cleaner water. 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. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. The other three councilmen are Scott. Golf cart renters must be 21 years old and have a vaild driver's license. The beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling.
Village Pointe Apartments Hawthorne, Can I Use Brinks System Without Service?, Articles W