which beach is better sanibel or captiva?
Island Vacations of Sanibel and Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way #108 Sanibel, FL 33957 888-451-7277 It does. The Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are actually very different, and most articles you read on San-Cap fail to even acknowledge this. 2. The sand on Clearwater Beach is slightly nicer than the sand on Sand Key, but it is pretty close. 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. 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. In the early '70's Sanibel was slated to become the next Marco Island with the building of the bridge. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. If you aren't into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. If youre planning to visit the area, make sure to do plenty of research to find out whats open, whats available and whats just not even there anymore. not find chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). Sundial Beach Resort & Spa has secured its spot as one of the best Sanibel hotels on the beach, thanks to its many amazing amenities and waterfront location. Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. Fishermen also enjoy the beach. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. Rich with wildlife and first class amenities, Captiva and Sanibel are considered two of the most captivating barrier islands in the country. In addition, if you enjoy hunting for shells, you should definitely pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. It feels like youre walking on a fluffy cloud. 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. Located along the channel between Sanibel and Captiva island, the Blind pass beach is famous amongst sunbathers and . But both islands have their own unique personality. 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. 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. So map your walk along this route carefully and make sure that youre not trespassing along the way. The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! We are staying a week. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. Brokered by MVP Realty Associates LLC. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. 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 Island and Captiva Island are separated by a bridge over Blind Pass. $899,000. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! Like neat little boutiques for shopping. There is so much you can do and see with your time, so why not go exploring now? While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. Not really. Which Beach is Better Sanibel or Captiva? Relax on the miles of beaches surrounding the island or enjoy some fun in the water. The South Seas island resort is a large oceanfront resort which has. But if you are looking for the more traditional sugar sand beach with clear blue water the Captiva Island Beaches are the way to go. . If youre looking for the best tropical getaway on Floridas Gulf Coast, Sanibel and Captiva are always going to be in the conversation. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. Dolphins make their appearance daily and often a manatee or two are spotted. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! In the East End area Tarpon Tale Inn sits just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Lighthouse Beach Park. If youre looking for a smaller beach, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is an excellent option. The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. Lots of visitor parking available on Sanibel but it costs $5.00 per hour. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. Also, beach access is much more limited on Captiva with just two public parking lots. With a shell bag in hand, they scour the beaches for hours looking for unbroken treasures. Has the red drift algae been a problem AT ALL on Captiva?? (read about the brown water discharges from Lake O). Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. You could easily sell your home, move here and never miss a thing. Visit the Islands to find great shells today! If youre not a strong swimmer or you have young kids, swimming should be avoided. You can download an app with tons of info on it. While you can walk to bars and restaurants from some vacation rentals it is not that easy from most. Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches are well known for shelling, exotic wildlife and their beauty. It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including . You can even rent golf carts. The grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the beach with a limited number of spaces, and is $5.00 per hour paid at the lot kiosk. Sand Key is literally a 5 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. It has no high-rises, just lots of greenery surrounding . No matter which island you choose, be prepared to pay for parking. Each beach offers its own unique take on shelling and is worth a visit. The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibel's sand provides a much better surface for runners. 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. At 33 square miles, (12 miles end-to-end), walking may not always be convenient, depending on your plans. 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. The sand quality is good. Marco is totally surrounded by federal, state parks and preserves, the gateway to the Everglades so IMO it has more options for active adults. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. The paths are well marked and almost flat. These islands are perfect, providing visitors with dining, shopping, entertainment, and local hotels. Hurricane Ian in Naples and Southwest Florida: How Can You Help? The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are known for shelling, consistently ranking at the top of the best shelling beaches in the United States. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. Many outdoor activities are also prepared to ensure you are never bored during your stay here. Powerful Send help right to the people and causes you care about. Captiva also allows the use of golf carts on the roads within the village limits during daylight hours only. Located on a little barrier island just 7 miles long, Fort Myers Beach features wide beaches and beautiful views. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. But its all about your expectations. There are so many different species of fish here, and with the bay on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, you can imagine how popular its been as a destination here as you can access the beach right from the water, too. The Gulf Beach is 3 minutes' walk away. But thats not the only reason Sanibel is busier than Captiva theres just more things to see and do on Sanibel. With surging currents depositing an exotic array of shells, Blind Pass Beach is one of the best beaches on Sanibel Island for shelling. At these islands, you get 15 miles of coastline, 25 miles of biking, and fifty different species of fish! Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. Sanibels finest wearing white gloves still move traffic the old fashioned way during peak times. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. For the whole family, Causeway Beach & Park is the perfect day out. Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). . Theres a parking lot on the side of the saltwater bayous. Sanibels beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. 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. 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. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. 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. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. Some popular activities on Turner Beach include: If you have a Saltwater Fishing License, you can saltwater fish from the shore. the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. 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. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures. YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. 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. Compared to some of the other beaches on this list, Blind Pass Beach doesnt have an endless list of amenities. 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. Sanibel Island offers very quaint inns, like the Sanibel inn. 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. The combination of strong currents and fish travelling between the two islands mean that fish will often be biting. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are unique for many reasons. Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. If you plan to stay in Captiva Island, the South seas island resort is an ideal place to stay. With endless skies and treasured beach walks, Captiva Beach will surely captivate you and the whole family. It was warm and pleasant. 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. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. 7/9/2016. Ok Sanibel and Captiva Island, theres enough beach for you to have a great time. And anything called a resort is actually a condo with more resort-like amenities. Last month, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation staff and volunteers participated in the 15th annual Florida Winter Shorebird Survey, documenting nearly 3,000 shorebirds and seabirds over two days. 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. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. 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 best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. Don't take this the wrong way, the beaches of Captiva Island are still better for shelling than most places in the entire world, it's just that Sanibel is truly the best there is. Not at all. 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. At the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse your stay on Sanibel Island truly is picture perfect. Captiva island or Sanibel , best places to stay for 2-3 people , what is reopened , any suggestions? While the intention is to rebuild, the causeway has been fixed, and the island is expected to begin opening to tourism in January 2023, things are not back to normal and likely wont be for a long time. The beaches shown in the video are: Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, Bowman's. In many ways, the two islands are sisters. . Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though).
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