Because of its larger size, Sanibel has more beaches to choose from than Captiva. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. DINNER AT TIMBERS RESTAURANT. 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. If you want to get on a personal level with nature, you can visit any of these beaches. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. Both have good shelling. 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. 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! For many who visit Fort Myers, Sanibel is . The deep channel of water of what is now Blind Pass was formed, forever separating the two (though barely) by a narrow two-lane bridge thats small enough to walk across in under a minute. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are separated by a bridge over Blind Pass. 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. 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. Add in a few art galleries and jewelry shops and you can take a break from the beach by browsing them all. Is there much of a difference between beaches on Sanibel and those on Captiva?
Captiva and Sanibel Island Shelling Tips - Capturing Captiva Blind Pass Beach Park. Its especially popular among beach and nature lovers as the beaches are pristine and the water sublime. As they are a bit less shelly, the sands are a bit softer than on Sanibel and the water is usually clearer and less sandy. Plan to book early as they fill up quickly year round (and especially in the winter). Port Sanibel Marina |
Captiva Island Beaches Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. The combination of strong currents and fish travelling between the two islands mean that fish will often be biting. Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. 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. 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. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. There are only 2 lane roads with no stoplights. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot.
Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - travels-answers.com 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. Lighthouse Beach. The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva.
Where to Find Shells on Sanibel Island - Port Sanibel Marina The J. N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a scenic drive, boating rentals and tours, hiking paths and a visitor educational center. This is simply due to the offshore geography and Sanibels unique curvature of land it really does get the lions share of great shells! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. 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. 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. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities.
24-Hour Guide To Sanibel Island Things To Do | A Taste of Koko Sanibel is a wonderful overall vacation experience if you like beachcombing and non chain restaurants and nature in general, but the water clarity varies with the tides and winds and currents. So if you score a parking space, you can walk along the beach as far as youd like. 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. Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities.
The future of Sanibel and Captiva : r/florida Sanibel Island offers very quaint inns, like the Sanibel inn. On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. The access you get to the state park beach is at the West side of Panama Shell Drive at the end of Captiva Drive, and there are just miles of empty sands and fallen trees to explore and climb. Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. We aren't big nightlife people, but enjoy good "non-chain" restaurants. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln).
SANTIVA GENERAL STORE - 16 Reviews - 6406 Sanibel Captiva Rd - Yelp For Sale. 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 Before choosing the island youd like to visit, it is important to know the differences as this can influence your choice. That is until we stayed at the Island Inn on Sanibel. Thank you for your responses.
South Capers, Sanibel Real Estate & Homes for Sale A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Tarpon Beach - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor Look at the JW Marriott Marco website for options. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. Once you visit, its easy to see what we mean when we call them twins. . The biggest difference is the number of beaches.
8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit Get answers to your questions about Marco Island, Recommendations for condo complex with central booking site. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. Most of the island is very narrow- you can see both the Gulf and Pine Island Sound from many spots. Your email address will not be published. Some travelers find that Captiva is a little more upscale, with fancier resorts and more eclectic dining opportunities. Go on a dolphin tour on a waverunner, or enjoy a chartered fishing trip.
Not really. It's a quiet beach, but it's not really the best place for swimming. Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. Trusted Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! Generally, these two islands have amazing beaches and a calm, laid-back atmosphere that everyone enjoys. There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. At this point, the combined preserved/ protected conservation land owned by the National Refuge, private foundations and the City of Sanibel extends to about 70% of the island. 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 $$). Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts | Choose Your Island. Choose Your Beach. That is a personal decision. Turner Beach. Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. The beaches shown in the video are: Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, Bowman's. The two were once a single island, along with North Captiva Island, until separated by a storm at Blind Pass. Blind Pass Beach. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. 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. I agree completely with the response from Hawkowl (#3 above). Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. We hope this clears things up a bit to help you plan your trip to either island! Like Blind Pass Beach, Turner Beach is best for shelling and fishing, but not swimming as the currents can get very strong! These barrier islands off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida are inextricably linked because, welltheyre linked. Shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the light began shining as bright as ever. Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Blind Pass Beach. But they are worth the extra drive to the north end of the island. 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. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. Where to Eat. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. Gather some refreshments and enjoy a picnic on the beach, its one of the most beautiful places you will ever have the pleasure of visiting. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. Compared to Sanibel Island, beaches on Captiva Island do not have a lot of crowds and have a few shells to hunt. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. The paths are well marked and almost flat. There is public access and the smaller resorts are on the West. Some people are put off by higrises on the beach. These islands are more alike than they are different. The Souvenir shopping experience in both islands is quite similar, and you can get beautiful handmade items to take home with you. Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. . Sanibel won, hands down. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. 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. Also Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary is best visited early in the day. For Sale: Single Family home, $899,000, 2 Bd, 2 Ba, 1,291 Sqft, $696/Sqft, at 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 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. This beach is a popular spot for fishing. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. You could easily sell your home, move here and never miss a thing. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great!