Sanibel and Captiva - Southern Boating Not really. 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. Bowman's Beach. One of the biggest attractions on Sanibel Island is the J.N. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. Port Sanibel Marina | 24-Hour Guide To Sanibel Island Things To Do | A Taste of Koko The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. To give you an accurate perspective, Sanibel is downright sleepy compared with other southwest Florida towns like Fort Myers, Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs even Punta Gorda. The irony of this is, one of the best beaches on Sanibel is located closest to the Causeway. Touring the Beaches on Sanibel Island - YouTube Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? Sanibel Island vs. Marco Island: Where to Vacation - Royal Shell There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. See the Bring a hammock and hang it on the palm trees for the ultimate vacation photo! 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 has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. You could easily sell your home, move here and never miss a thing. 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. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. 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. 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. Sanibel has all the bells and whistles compared to Captiva. . The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . Best Florida Gulf Coast Airbnb for Shell . Its a beautiful resort and one we highly recommend staying at for its resort facilities including a 9-hole golf course, and the variety of accommodations that will suit everyone. 0.25 acre lot. In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. Jensen's Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, Captiva Vessels up to 40 feet (239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com. Is there much of a difference between beaches on Sanibel and those on Captiva? Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. The 5 Best Islands Near Fort Myers Florida - Live and Let's Fly Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. Fishers in particular love it here, as there is a lighted pier for them to enjoy and fish from. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. Powerful Send help right to the people and causes you care about. While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. Hopefully this post helps you make a decision that puts you on the beach that will give you the most enjoyment from your island vacation. 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands - Florida Trippers jesseaknight 5 mo. Purdue9394/Getty Images. In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. From the bay to the Gulf of Mexico, the islands are surrounded by water and beauty. it's one of the best parts but cut off and discard the tail. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. We couldn't have had better customer | Island Vacations of Sanibel Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches 1451 Middle Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island. Do You Need a Boating License in Florida? 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! Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. 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. What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in beauty and other features. Some of the features of the beach that youll find here include: Whether youre by yourself, with a loved one, or bringing the whole family, Bowmans Beach is a great option. Preferences, preferences. Please note, the majority of our content was posted and shared prior to Hurricane Ian. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. Also, Captiva and North Captiva had medium counts and Cayo Costa's was low, a trend that continued north to Manasota Beach and south to 32 miles offshore of Wiggins Pass in Collier County. These islands are more alike than they are different. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. . Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels There are also a few resorts, inns, and B&B's offering nightly rentals. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Hotels near The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Hotels near Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, Hotels near Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), Hotels near Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, Hotels near Sanibel Moorings Botanical Garden Tours. Sanibels sideways stretch makes in an excellent destination for shelling and beachcombing; Captivas lengthy reach gives its beaches fine sand. Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. The Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are actually very different, and most articles you read on San-Cap fail to even acknowledge this. 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. Likewise, Ive heard from people who stayed on Captiva and were disappointed in the lack of shells. Captiva and Sanibel Island Shelling Tips - Capturing Captiva Both have soft white sand and clear blue-green water. Island Vacations of Sanibel and Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way #108 Sanibel, FL 33957 888-451-7277 We found it while cycling around Sanible and Captiva. Sanibel is most famous for its shelling. Sanibel's lighthouse shining bright again five months after Hurricane Ian Very shelly though, youll need to wear flips flops to take a walk. If the beaches ofSanibelare uncrowded by moststandards, Captiva's are even more so. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. Is Sanibel Or Captiva Better For Shells? - Home Be sure to use the head. Some popular activities on Turner Beach include: If you have a Saltwater Fishing License, you can saltwater fish from the shore. But both islands have their own unique personality. The residents, wishing to conserve the natural setting and protect the wildlife refuge atmosphere actually broke away from the county and formedSanibel's own municipal government. 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. Captiva Island, the South seas island resort, Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva, Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches. Sanibel Island Florida Vacation Rentals | Breakaway Vacation Properties Your email address will not be published. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. $5 per hour for parking. 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 $$). As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. But eachisland has its own distinctive personality: Sanibelis a eclectic mix of nature, wildlife conservation land, tourist destination,island home, andshopping/ restaurant districts. VISIT THE HISTORIC SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE. 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. Blind Pass Beach Park. This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. The city-island has several banks and shopping centers, even a single-screen movie theatre. They contain thousands of shells you can find. For many who visit Fort Myers, Sanibel is . Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. 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.

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