Captiva Island, on the other hand, is perfect for quiet family vacations, romantic getaways, privacy and exclusivity, and easy access to off-island boat adventures to out islands. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. The Sanibel Spirit 45135 | Ocean's Reach ago Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? On the other hand, if you intend to drive, the admission rate is $5 per car. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. Shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the light began shining as bright as ever. You want to find a slice of paradise when you go to the beach, and Captiva Beach is the most authentic piece of heaven there is. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. Getting the Most Out of Your Florida Fishing Trips, 2023 Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. There are several reasons for this, partly because Captiva lacks the number of activities and attractions that Sanibel has, and partly because it is almost entirely private property with very high-end homes. A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. This laid-back beachfront inn allows you to get comfortable in a suite or cottage while relaxing by the poolside. The beaches shown in the video are: Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, Bowman's. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures. 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. Captiva island and Sanibel - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Marco is highly developed and channelized with high rises and wide groomed beaches. Bring a hammock and hang it on the palm trees for the ultimate vacation photo! Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. No matter which island you choose, be prepared to pay for parking. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. Captiva Island. 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 J.N. There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. 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. Silver Key Beach. With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. These two barrier islands are nestled just of the Southwest Florida coast, within a short drive from Fort Myers. "This light being lit . Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. 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. Welcome to Capturing Captiva, your online vacation guide to Captiva Island, Florida, and the surrounding area. 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. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. Best for Kids: Located right on the beach, . The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. This is an okay convenience store that carries a little bit of everything, including cigars. Hey, it even has a K-12 school, so whats stopping you? 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. When visiting Sanibel and Captiva Island, there are 8 beaches that stand out above the rest as must visit. Before traveling to any vacation destination, one of the most important things to consider is where you are to stay on your arrival. Captiva sits just north of Sanibel and its accessed via a very short bridge over Blind Pass. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? 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. You wont get much shelling done here, but that doesnt mean that you cant find any at all! Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. 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. My 9 Favorite Restaurants On Sanibel And Captiva Islands - TravelAwaits Please note, the majority of our content was posted and shared prior to Hurricane Ian. In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. 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. There are no high-rise accommodations on Sanibel, only two story hotels, one-story retro motels, and lovely quaint cottages. Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. With surging currents depositing an exotic array of shells, Blind Pass Beach is one of the best beaches on Sanibel Island for shelling. You should, however note that the beach access is limited, and you can only shop at one spot. Sanibel vs Captiva? 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! Lighthouse Beach. 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. If youre trying to decide which island to stay on, its really going to come down to your budget and what exactly youre looking for. At stake in Sanibel's nonpartisan Tuesday city council election: the seats now filled by the island's mayor and vice-mayor, Holly Smith and Richard Johnson. Just cut into 3/4 wide sections. The sand quality is good. But its far from chaotic. But you may not find the amount youll find on Sanibel, which means more time may be needed to hunt for them. Ok Sanibel and Captiva Island, theres enough beach for you to have a great time. Best Florida Gulf Coast Airbnb for Shell . The waters off the beaches of Sanibel have a gradual slope that allows shells to be washed up onto the beach extremely easily. . . Your support really helps me keep this blog running! If youre looking for the best tropical getaway on Floridas Gulf Coast, Sanibel and Captiva are always going to be in the conversation. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. 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. 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. . It dwells today within the seaside Casa Ybel Resort. You can swim safely, walk and picnic here. Now that I am retired and live here full-time I really appreciate the laid-back atmosphere and natural, ungroomed beaches, and of course the shelling. Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. Very shelly though, youll need to wear flips flops to take a walk. We found it while cycling around Sanible and Captiva. There is so much you can do and see with your time, so why not go exploring now? They contain thousands of shells you can find. Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva. If at South Seas add extensive resort amenitiesand an upscale atmosphere. 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. more. You'll find it on the western edge of Captiva Island. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. Biking is our favorite way to get around the 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. Sanibel is a better choice if you are beachcombing and want to enjoy biking on the bike paths, birdwatching, a d being out in nature in general. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. Purdue9394/Getty Images. Get answers to your questions about Marco Island, Recommendations for condo complex with central booking site. 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. While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. Walking and biking can get you around most of the island. Some resorts offer bikes for rent. Sanibel Island vs Marco Island: An Honest Comparison to Help You Choose Captiva and Sanibel Island Shelling Tips - Capturing Captiva This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. Which Beach is Better Sanibel or Captiva? Nearby is the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and two private conservation centers. Sometimes they are even joined when the narrow waterway of Blind Pass that separates them fills in and the two islands actually connect, though a concerted effort is underway to keep the pass open to improve the health of the bayous on the bay side. A popular destination for visitors, Turner Beach is one of the best beaches on Captiva. Captivas beaches are more of the soft sugar sand that one would typically see on an island. 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. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. Sanibel Island versus Destin - Trippy Go on a dolphin tour on a waverunner, or enjoy a chartered fishing trip. Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. The passes at the ends and between the two islands get the attention of adventure beachgoers because of their swift-moving waters. Make your Florida boat rental reservation today and call us today at (239) 437-1660 to make some boating memories today. Captiva also allows the use of golf carts on the roads within the village limits during daylight hours only. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. The 8 Best Beaches on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island, Florida
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