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Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches are well known for shelling, exotic wildlife and their beauty. Has the red drift algae been a problem AT ALL on Captiva?? There are two large grocery stores and several smaller markets. Nearby is the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and two private conservation centers. In the East End area Tarpon Tale Inn sits just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Lighthouse Beach Park. If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. Other prohibitions are streetlights and traffic lights (Sanibel police with white gloves move traffic along at peak times). Trusted Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. But I digress. It is connected to Fort Myers by the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Copyright Lisa Erickson, Capturing Captiva, About|Contact|Privacy Policy|Sitemap, The Mucky Duck reopens after Hurricane Ian, How To Support Sanibel and Captiva Businesses, Captiva Island Parking App Pay Via Phone. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures. The lack of multi-unit condos on Captiva makes the beaches far less crowded. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels 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. Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? If clear water is your absolute priority Tina, I don't think either Sanibel or Marco are for you. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. Check out this shortlist of my top five 'quick picks for vacation rentals in Sanibel Island. Read about each one below to decide which ones will complete your dream beach getaway. Tarpon Bay Road Beach. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. Thank you for your responses. Not really. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. ago For the whole family, Causeway Beach & Park is the perfect day out. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. 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. The South Seas island resort is a large oceanfront resort which has. Walking and biking can get you around most of the island. When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, dont forget to make a boating reservation too! Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. There are 23 general parking spaces. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities. In many ways, the two islands are sisters. Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. They contain thousands of shells you can find. However, these two islands were separated by a storm at Blind Pass. Captiva sits just north of Sanibel and its accessed via a very short bridge over Blind Pass. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. Captiva Island Beaches have a more laid back, island-y vibe. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. But Captiva is even quieter and less busy than Sanibel, though theres still plenty to do. Can anyone give us advice. Generally, these two islands have amazing beaches and a calm, laid-back atmosphere that everyone enjoys. Youll find shady areas with picnic tables and grills to enjoy your own BBQ! The Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are actually very different, and most articles you read on San-Cap fail to even acknowledge this. You will actually find this beach both on Sanibel and Captiva Island. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. While Sanibel is not busy by mainland standards, Captiva manages to be even more laid back. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. 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. Shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the light began shining as bright as ever. There isnt a full-on grocery store (The Island Store is the closest it gets), but the shops on the island can get you most, if not all, of your basic needs. 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. Theres a parking lot on the side of the saltwater bayous. Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. 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. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . 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. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. Turner Beach, between Sanibel and Captiva islands, is the hottest of hot spots for both fishing and surfing. Jensen's Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, Captiva Vessels up to 40 feet (239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com. Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. But its far from chaotic. And there are no golf carts on Siesta. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. Sanibel is a bike island. There are several vendors on Sanibel for you to rent a kayak or a canoe if you prefer. 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. Plan to book early as they fill up quickly year round (and especially in the winter). It feels like youre walking on a fluffy cloud. ;-). If you stay at South Seas Island Resort, you have the added benefit of the resorts shuttle service. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. The Seaside Inn is another laid-back beachfront inn. 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. Captiva, on the other hand, is much, much smaller: five miles long and 1.64 square miles in size. Lets see what sets the islands apart and explore some of the best beaches on both islands. There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. 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. This relaxed oceanfront resort features an outdoor pool and dining with simple accommodations. 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! 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. There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. 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. 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. 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. Most places are a little worn and just not very updated. 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! My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. 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. 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 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. Located on a little barrier island just 7 miles long, Fort Myers Beach features wide beaches and beautiful views. Its especially popular among beach and nature lovers as the beaches are pristine and the water sublime. On Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Captiva does not have a bike path, but rather, a 3 foot "safety shoulder" that runs along each side of Captiva Rd, so inexperienced bicyclists and children should use extra caution. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. You can visit: Matlacha is a small home village, which is best known for their quirky shops, and several eateries offering some of the best delicacies. Sanibel's beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). 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. $5 per hour for parking. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. Some people are put off by higrises on the beach. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Blind Pass Beach. Before traveling to any vacation destination, one of the most important things to consider is where you are to stay on your arrival. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. 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. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. Answer 1 of 5: Hi all! While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. Blind Pass Beach Park. Some people simply love admiring the unrivaled views of the sunset that the unique islands provide. Shelling and fishing is very popular at this beach. 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. With surging currents depositing an exotic array of shells, Blind Pass Beach is one of the best beaches on Sanibel Island for shelling. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are called sister islands, but there are some obvious differences between them. The other three councilmen are Scott. If at South Seas add extensive resort amenitiesand an upscale atmosphere. The bottom structure of the beaches have more influence on waves and water clarity than most realize. Lots of visitor parking available on Sanibel but it costs $5.00 per hour. Captiva Island and Sanibel Island were formerly single islands located along North Captiva Island. 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. 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. The J.N. With amenities such as bathrooms and showers, picnic tables and playgrounds, youre going to find everything you need for the perfect day at the beach. If you aren't into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Were often asked and emailed questions from readers wanting to know what the difference is between Sanibel and Captiva islands. Thirteen miles of beaches plus luxury resorts and golf courses sprinkled across untouched acreage make Amelia Island a must-visit Florida island destination . 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. You'll find it on the western edge of Captiva Island. Just cut into 3/4 wide sections. It does get busy understandably so as its so popular! The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort, an IHG Hotel. 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. While you can walk to bars and restaurants from some vacation rentals it is not that easy from most. Paddling the islands back waters is a great way to spend a day. On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. 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. If you are really into fantastic shelling then the obvious choice is Sanibel. 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. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. 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. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. The beach here is backed by swaying palm trees, and a few benches, ideal for soaking up the scene, are nearby. The islands of Captiva and Sanibel are located just off the coast of Fort Myers Beach. The beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. As for Captiva Islands beaches, the sand is much more like a pillow-top mattress. Discover the Beauty of Sanibel and Captiva Islands There is so much to find and enjoy in Southwest Florida, especially on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. 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. Once you visit, its easy to see what we mean when we call them twins. 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. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. 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. The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. 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. Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. 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. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. 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. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. It was here my friends found love and built up their romance. Does the lack of chain restaurants mean Sanibel has no casual restaurants for quick and cheap in-and-out service? Sanibel is a unique blend of well-protected nature destination and tourist hotspot with a bit of everything for those seeking a laid-back, go at your own pace vacation. 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. The depth of beach space changes too. 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. If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. Our guide below gives you an in-depth look at what you can expect at each of Sanibel Island's popular shelling beaches. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. While you're likely to find many shells at any of Sanibel's 6 public beaches, a couple that stand out include: Gulfside City Park Beach- This beautiful sandy beach is covered with countless shells to collect. So map your walk along this route carefully and make sure that youre not trespassing along the way.