You wont get much shelling done here, but that doesnt mean that you cant find any at all! It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. There are no high-rise accommodations on Sanibel, only two story hotels, one-story retro motels, and lovely quaint cottages. Bowmans Beach stretches for miles, and there are excellent amenities here. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. It dwells today within the seaside Casa Ybel Resort. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. The water is frequently greenish and less than clear due to fine sediments stirred up by currents / wave action and significant drainage from the land, particularly after a storm. These barrier islands off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida are inextricably linked because, welltheyre linked. It feels like youre walking on a fluffy cloud. P.S. We did some . If youre not a strong swimmer or you have young kids, swimming should be avoided. For many who visit Fort Myers, Sanibel is . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNosNWLPbQ, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. But eachisland has its own distinctive personality: Sanibelis a eclectic mix of nature, wildlife conservation land, tourist destination,island home, andshopping/ restaurant districts. Captiva sits just north of Sanibel and its accessed via a very short bridge over Blind Pass. This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. U.S. News & World Report ranks Sanibel Island as the No. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. We are staying a week. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures. 2. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities. 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. 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. The passes at the ends and between the two islands get the attention of adventure beachgoers because of their swift-moving waters. Can anyone give us advice. While you can walk to bars and restaurants from some vacation rentals it is not that easy from most. Along Andy Rosse Lane is Captiva Island Pizza, casual RC Otters, and the very delicious Key Lime Bistro. Just cut into 3/4 wide sections. Strollers, wagons, and the like are a lot harder to maneuver on Captivas beaches than on Sanibel. Please check directly with businesses regarding their operating status as the islands continue to rebuild. Captiva Island. The Atlantic with its steep continental dropoff has stronger surf than the Gulf coast which is relatively shallow (there is actually a shallows area many miles off-shore). You will find miles of pristine beaches to enjoy, and you can island hop to the north of the beaches, and then go fishing when youre on your way! But Captiva is even quieter and less busy than Sanibel, though theres still plenty to do. It is connected to Fort Myers by the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Sanibel and Captiva - Southern Boating For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. The gentle slope of the beach means more spread-out shells. Drop us a line. The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida | Does anyone have recommendations if Captiva beaches vs Sanibel beaches - Sanibel Island Forum It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. On Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. Sanibel, Captiva residents await news of Ian's destruction | Miami Herald Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. You can rent wave runners and go parasailing and as well as canoe and kayak rentals. Check the Refuge for hours of opening since recent budget cutbacks have reduced staff and forced occasional closings. If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? Our guide below gives you an in-depth look at what you can expect at each of Sanibel Island's popular shelling beaches. 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. The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. 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. Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? jesseaknight 5 mo. When visiting Sanibel and Captiva Island, there are 8 beaches that stand out above the rest as must visit. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. The Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are actually very different, and most articles you read on San-Cap fail to even acknowledge this. Marco is further from the Caloosatchee river so generally it will have cleaner water. The J.N. 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. 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. Here and on adjacent roads you will find a wide selection of restaurants, galleries, shops, food markets, a live theater company, a movie theaterand severalsmall shopping centers. The kids will love the park, and you can take a moment to explore the shoreline and find as many shells as you like (not live ones!) There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. However, these two islands were separated by a storm at Blind Pass. 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. Theyre smaller here, so beautiful to collect! $5 per hour for public parking. Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort, an IHG Hotel. If you are really into fantastic shelling then the obvious choice is Sanibel. Captiva Island Beaches: 3 Best Access Points | PlanetWare Is this really a true statement? These islands are more alike than they are different. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. Captiva, on the other hand, is much, much smaller: five miles long and 1.64 square miles in size. There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. Parking costs $5 per hour, but is well worth it once you leave with loads of shells. The Seaside Inn is another laid-back beachfront inn. the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. Its not a party town, but there are plenty of places to eat, drink and listen to live music. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? The two were once a single island, along with North Captiva Island, until separated by a storm at Blind Pass. It's a quiet beach, but it's not really the best place for swimming. Marco is highly developed and channelized with high rises and wide groomed beaches. Each beach offers its own unique take on shelling and is worth a visit. McCarthy's Marina, Captiva Vessels up to 24 feet (239) 472-5200 Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 65 feet (239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com. If you enjoy hunting for shells, you should pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. 11 Gorgeous Sanibel And Captiva Island Beaches To Visit Marco has more nightlife, more shopping, and more roads. Both have good shelling. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. Differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. Best for Kids: Located right on the beach, . 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. This is an okay convenience store that carries a little bit of everything, including cigars. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. Your email address will not be published. Everyone is differentI much prefer Sanibel to Marco by a wide margin, but if you want a more elegant experience with groomed beaches than Marco might be a better fit for you. Make your Florida boat rental reservation today and call us today at (239) 437-1660 to make some boating memories today. There is a parking lot available and its a few minutes to walk to the beach from there. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. Sanibel and Captiva islands offer tourists at least fifteen miles of stunning beaches, and boost over 250 kinds of seashells from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean regions.. You see why I said that Sanibel and Captiva have what I cherish. 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. 1451 Middle Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island. The 5 Best Islands Near Fort Myers Florida - Live and Let's Fly Hi , we are trying to book vacation end of March . YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. Captiva Island Beaches have a more laid back, island-y vibe. It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. What Makes Sanibel and Captiva Island Special? - Jensen's Marina "This light being lit . Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 100 feet (239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. 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! We aren't big nightlife people, but enjoy good "non-chain" restaurants. 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! If Sanibel is rough and murky you can often drive a few miles to Captiva and find calm and clear water. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. One of the questions we get asked a lot is, what are the differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island?. Most of the island is very narrow- you can see both the Gulf and Pine Island Sound from many spots. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. Before you reach the South Seas Island resort theres the quaint village of Captiva with a few shops and eateries. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Not really. Other prohibitions are streetlights and traffic lights (Sanibel police with white gloves move traffic along at peak times). Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. Youll find restrooms here quickly, and while the beach wont allow your dog or any open fires, you can still have a great time here. 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. Marcos beach is beautiful. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. $899,000. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? For Sale. I agree completely with the response from Hawkowl (#3 above). The depth of beach space changes too. On my sheller's bucket list, I have found more rare shells that I proudly show off to friends after every visit. Nearly 70% of the island is devoted to conservation and wildlife refuges. Sanibels sideways stretch makes in an excellent destination for shelling and beachcombing; Captivas lengthy reach gives its beaches fine sand. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. 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. Add in a few art galleries and jewelry shops and you can take a break from the beach by browsing them all. On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. 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. CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . But one thing that's very important is CLEAR water and pretty beaches. This is simply due to the offshore geography and Sanibels unique curvature of land it really does get the lions share of great shells! See the We couldn't have had better customer | Island Vacations of Sanibel Sanibel vs Captiva? Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibel's sand provides a much better surface for runners. Very different experiences. Locations to go shelling include: Causeway Beaches; Gulfside City Park; Bowman's Beach; Blind . The gulf water was clean and calm, but not clear. Sanibel beaches are renowned for the shells that wash up every day - it's the top shelling destination in North America and residents and visitors bending over to examine the shells is the source of the posture known as the 'Sanibel Stoop". Powerful Send help right to the people and causes you care about. 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. What's there to do I one place vs the other? Which Beach Is Better Sanibel Or Captiva? - TravelMagma Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. 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. Sanibel vs Captiva: Which Island Stay is Right for You? As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. 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. Almost every building still standing, only a few roofs damaged and some flooding around Andy Rosse Lane and the entrance to south seas (but not nearly as bad as on Sanibel). And there are no golf carts on Siesta. Thats a must! Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. 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. For the whole family, Causeway Beach & Park is the perfect day out. At these islands, you get 15 miles of coastline, 25 miles of biking, and fifty different species of fish! There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. Which Beach is Better Sanibel or Captiva? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. It seems like this couldnt possibly be true since they are so close, together but it absolutely is. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. For Sale: Single Family home, $899,000, 2 Bd, 2 Ba, 1,291 Sqft, $696/Sqft, at 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 Sand Key is literally a 5 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. 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. 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. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island Trip Report - TripSavvy While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. Thats the right question! 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. Some people simply love admiring the unrivaled views of the sunset that the unique islands provide. The "Sanibel Spirit" is indeed alive, strong and resilient, and remarkable signs of recovery continue throughout our "repairadise.". If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation.