You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. Answer 1 of 5: Hi all! Which of these twin islands in southwest Florida is right for you? Most of accommodations on Captiva are at South Seas, but there are a few resorts, inns, and B&B's. The J. N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a scenic drive, boating rentals and tours, hiking paths and a visitor educational center. More island businesses are re-opening every week. Sanibel is most famous for its shelling. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. 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. Are there still restaurant's and shops that are closed due to Hurricane Irma? Bowmans Beach stretches for miles, and there are excellent amenities here. This Island has several restaurants and stores for shopping. However, that doesnt quite hold true. In the early '70's Sanibel was slated to become the next Marco Island with the building of the bridge. On Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Im not saying any of this to put you off, because Sanibel and Captiva are GREAT islands and one of my favorite places in Florida, but if youre used to staying at more high end beach resorts in other parts of Florida, what that money gets you on Sanibel and Captiva is a lotless. Sep 26, 2020 BOAT RIDE AROUND J.N. Island Vacations of Sanibel and Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way #108 Sanibel, FL 33957 888-451-7277 On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. The Sanibel Spirit 45135 | Ocean's Reach Compared to Sanibel Island, beaches in Captiva Island do not have a lot of crowds and have fewer shells to hunt. Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. Dont take this the wrong way, the beaches of Captiva Island are still better for shelling than most places in the entire world, its just that Sanibel is truly the best there is. The pristine beaches, with plentiful seashells for collectors, proved popular with. Eight Sanibel and Captiva beaches you have to visit include: For many people, the massive amount and variety of shells that can be found is what brings them Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches. Nearby is the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and two private conservation centers. Has the red drift algae been a problem AT ALL on Captiva?? It reported that the agencies responsible for declaring public safety for the beaches and waters in Lee County are Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Florida Department of Health's Healthy Beaches program. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. 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. Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. If you enjoy hunting for shells, you should pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. . If you are really into fantastic shelling then the obvious choice is Sanibel. Sanibel Island is about 40 minutes west from there. Dolphins make their appearance daily and often a manatee or two are spotted. More questions about Sanibel vs Captiva? The paths are well marked and almost flat. 7/9/2016. But both islands have their own unique personality. 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands Turner Beach (Blind Pass Beach) Just a stone's throw from the bridge from Sanibel to Captiva lies Turner Beach, aka Blind Pass Beach. 11 Gorgeous Sanibel And Captiva Island Beaches To Visit If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. As far as "clear water" is concerned - no matter WHERE you are, the local conditions depend on the direction and strength of the winds, and the currents which vary from day to day, AND from one section of beach to the next. 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. It has no high-rises, just lots of greenery surrounding . Sanibel Island vs. Captiva Island [2023] - Jam Travel Tips This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. Is Marco prettier? This beach is a popular spot for fishing. Sanibel Island is known for being a natural wonderland. 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. Not at all. It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. There are 23 general parking spaces. Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. These islands are perfect, providing visitors with dining, shopping, entertainment, and local hotels. If youre not a strong swimmer or you have young kids, swimming should be avoided. You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. Are Sanibel Island Beaches Open? - Coastal Conservatory Since the water off Sanibel is shallower than Captiva, this causes bigger waves and murkier water. Realizing the differences in the two islands is important, Ive heard from people who stayed on Sanibel expecting the clear water and soft sand and were disappointed. 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. 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 | 39 Photos | MLS #223016359 Enjoy your visit. Tarpon Beach. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts boasts more than 50 years of hospitality marketing and management success all based on the delivery of our mission, by each team member, to each of you, our guests: deliver a warm, friendly and memorable island resort experience that provides value to you so exceptional, you'll want to return . It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. If Sanibel is rough and murky you can often drive a few miles to Captiva and find calm and clear water. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. But you may not find the amount youll find on Sanibel, which means more time may be needed to hunt for them. Cruise to Key West from Marco or Naples?? 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. 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. 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. Before you reach the South Seas Island resort theres the quaint village of Captiva with a few shops and eateries. There are bars and restaurants just back across the bridge. The SanCap area is reminiscent of the differences between a smaller community versus the regional center; Sanibel is a smaller town that provides basic services to the broader area. All great points. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Ever since our first trip to Captiva in 2016, Ive been impressed with the ability to find shells on Captiva. Captiva Island and Sanibel Island were formerly single islands located along North Captiva Island. 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. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island Trip Report - TripSavvy The other three councilmen are Scott. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. Bowman's Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. "This light being lit . 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. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. Because of its larger size, Sanibel has more beaches to choose from than Captiva. 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. And share my account with your travel loving friends! Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! 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. Once you check into this inn, you get a complimentary breakfast. And the standards of the condos arent the highest. The Souvenir shopping experience in both islands is quite similar, and you can get beautiful handmade items to take home with you. The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. Bring a hammock and hang it on the palm trees for the ultimate vacation photo! Ladyfish - free-lined or cut into chunks is one of the best baits out there and readily available to Sanibel & Captiva Beach Fishermen. 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. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. Alternatively, you may use, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Sanibel Island, Hotels near J.N. 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. 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. Siesta Key vs Captiva Island - Siesta Key Forum - Tripadvisor To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. 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. No matter what brings people to the beaches, its undeniable that theyre simply magnificent. And anything called a resort is actually a condo with more resort-like amenities. Sanibel won, hands down. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. Theres a parking lot on the side of the saltwater bayous. Sanibels sideways stretch makes in an excellent destination for shelling and beachcombing; Captivas lengthy reach gives its beaches fine sand. And we totally get it when youre planning a trip, understanding whats unique about one or the other can be so confusing, especially if youve never been here before. 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. If you aren't into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Sanibel Island Florida Vacation Rentals | Breakaway Vacation Properties The beach here is backed by swaying palm trees, and a few benches, ideal for soaking up the scene, are nearby. 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. Then it takes about 20 minutes (without traffic) to travel the length of Sanibel to the small bridge at Blind Pass that brings you to Captiva. Dogs are welcome at Turner Beach- they must be kept on a leash no longer than 8 ft. We please ask that you remember to clean up after your dog. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. Captiva Beach - Andy Rosse Lane. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. There are other differences between the islands, too. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. The Captiva Island Inn is also another wonderful place you can stay especially if youre searching for something more unique and quaint. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures. 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. If youre looking for the best tropical getaway on Floridas Gulf Coast, Sanibel and Captiva are always going to be in the conversation. These barrier islands off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida are inextricably linked because, welltheyre linked. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. Once you visit, its easy to see what we mean when we call them twins. While Sanibel is not busy by mainland standards, Captiva manages to be even more laid back. Despite a huge push from developers, the city held their ground with strong building restrictions that were intended to protect the environment (to this day, half the island is a nature preserve) and its largely what makes Sanibel so quaint. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The city-island has several banks and shopping centers, even a single-screen movie theatre. Captiva, on the other hand, is much, much smaller: five miles long and 1.64 square miles in size. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Sanibel Island is home to relaxing beaches, great dining, fishing . The only vegetation around is the natural one that grows, which opens up the scenery. Theres even a lovely campground on Sanibel! 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. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. The gentle slope of the beach means more spread-out shells. 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. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. But youre going to have to dig around more than youd think and its probably not going to be a bargain. Blind Pass Beach Park. Can anyone give us advice. Hurricane Ian in Naples and Southwest Florida: How Can You Help? Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Captiva island and Sanibel - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor Parking costs $5 per hour, but is well worth it once you leave with loads of shells. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. You wont get much shelling done here, but that doesnt mean that you cant find any at all! One of the best spots on Sanibel to go kayaking is the J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Captiva Road. $899,000. For many who visit Fort Myers, Sanibel is . My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. Captiva island or Sanibel , best places to stay for 2-3 people , what is reopened , any suggestions? For walkers and bikers, the admission rate is set at $1 per person. Great Licks is the perfect place to help you cool off from Florida heat and pamper your taste buds for amazing and mouthwatering homemade ice cream. So if you score a parking space, you can walk along the beach as far as youd like. Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! Each beach offers its own unique take on shelling and is worth a visit. If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. Shopping plazas along the main drag known as Periwinkle Way are small independent boutiques selling everything from souvenirs and beachwear to clothing and higher end designer apparel. As far as recommendations on where to stay on each island: On Captiva: South Seas Island Resort or Tween Waters Island Resort, On Sanibel: Casa Ybel Resort, Tortuga Beach Club Resort, the Inns of Sanibel, Sanibel Restaurant Recommendations: What I Liked & What I Didnt, Shopping on Sanibel: A Must Visit Bookstore & Cute Boutiques, A Visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Cayo Costa Shelling Tours with Captiva Cruises, Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Luminary Hotel & Co in Downtown Fort Myers Review, Matlacha Isles & Pine Island: A Great Fort Myers Day Trips. In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Sanibel-Captiva islands have been an idyllic destination for tourists from Florida and the world over. Captiva has only a limited number of properties with nightly rentals and they are very popular. But its far from chaotic. 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. On the end of Captiva near Blind Pass Captiva is typically pretty busy but the reast of the 5 miles of beach is some of the quietest you will find. If you plan to stay in Captiva Island, the South seas island resort is an ideal place to stay. 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. 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. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. Captiva sits just north of Sanibel and its accessed via a very short bridge over Blind Pass. Your email address will not be published. A popular destination for visitors, Turner Beach is one of the best beaches on Captiva. This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. For the whole family, Causeway Beach & Park is the perfect day out. P.S. Tarpon Beach - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor Amelia Island. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. 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. Add in a few art galleries and jewelry shops and you can take a break from the beach by browsing them all. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. 45+ LEISURELY THINGS TO DO ON SANIBEL ISLAND (beyond shelling) But they are worth the extra drive to the north end of the island. Beach access is strictly limited and there are only two small paid public lots for beach parking. Lighthouse Beach. Here is our best explanation about Sanibel vs. Captiva in a nutshell. 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. Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Marco has a modern infrastructure of bridges, streets, and street lights. Sanibel is your choice if you are looking for nature, activities, choices in restaurants and shopping, are on somewhat ofa budget, biking or want to go off island fortouring or nightlife on the mainland. 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. 10 Best Islands in Florida for Beautiful Beaches, Laid-back Vibes, and 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. and they leave from Captiva, but its an easy drive from Sanibel. Without a doubt, Sanibel has better shelling than Captiva. Before traveling to any vacation destination, one of the most important things to consider is where you are to stay on your arrival.