With Sanibel's unique orientation as a primarily East-West island, the shelling is great AND the beaches at either end (Lighthouse, East end) Blind Pass (west end) offer a variety of beach conditions to explore on the same day. 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. 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. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. But you will 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. Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. Because its the only way on and off the island, as you can imagine, traffic can be insane given the popularity of the islands as a tourist destination especially at the height of season from December through March. As you approach the northern part of Captiva, you come to the small and very quaintvillage areawhere you will find an assortment of restaurants and shops, as well as the post office, a bank and a small library. Turner Beach. Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? Captiva Island beaches on the other hand have a steeper slope in the water directly off the beach, which tends to cut down on the amount of shells that wash up on the beach. See the Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. Since then, Sanibel has followed a path of creating a balance for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of the island while at the same time proactively and aggressively controlling development and sprawl. 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. In the early '70's Sanibel was slated to become the next Marco Island with the building of the bridge. Captiva Island and Sanibel Island were formerly single islands located along North Captiva Island. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! Honestly I cant imagine living on the island if I had to go to work off-island everyday, or just do a quick run to Target. But I digress. Fort Myers is blue collar means that Ft Myers is more lower . One of the questions we get asked a lot is, what are the differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island?. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. Preferences, preferences. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. 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. Just cut into 3/4 wide sections. 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. Are there still restaurant's and shops that are closed due to Hurricane Irma? For Sale: Single Family home, $1,795,000, 3 Bd, 5 Ba, 3,516 Sqft, $511/Sqft, at 5721 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 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. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. At the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse your stay on Sanibel Island truly is picture perfect. You can even rent golf carts. The intimate 10-day festival starts off in Captiva Island and Sanibel Island, then moves on to downtown Fort Myers and wraps up at Fort Myers Beach. "This light being lit . 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. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. Fishermen also enjoy the beach. Sand Key is literally a 5 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. 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. Sanibel and Captiva are connected to Fort Myers on the mainland by only one roadway the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Sports and Activities Insider Pagefor more information. My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. 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. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. This Island has several restaurants and stores for shopping. When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, dont forget to make a boating reservation too! If at South Seas add extensive resort amenitiesand an upscale atmosphere. Captiva Island, the South seas island resort, Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva, Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches. This relaxed oceanfront resort features an outdoor pool and dining with simple accommodations. That said, however, since most visitors seem to hit the beaches closest to the Sanibel Causeway (the only road on and off the island), youll find that the closer you get to the Causeway, the more crowded the beaches are. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. Captiva does not have a bike path, but rather, a 3 foot "safety shoulder" that runs along each side of Captiva Rd, so inexperienced bicyclists and children should use extra caution. 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. For many who visit Fort Myers, Sanibel is . The two island are essentially one, but they really do have subtle qualities that could make a big difference in your vacation. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. Perwinkle Way is the main business street but you will note that large sections are still devoid of parking lots and buildings where it traverses natural areas. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. Once you check into this inn, you get a complimentary breakfast. 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 . Which is never a bad thing. Compared to some of the other beaches on this list, Blind Pass Beach doesnt have an endless list of amenities. Sanibel Island is a combination of a natural and touristy atmosphere with island vibes. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. 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. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. It was warm and pleasant. With a shell bag in hand, they scour the beaches for hours looking for unbroken treasures. 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. Powered by Mai Theme, Tips For Honeymoon Island State Park: A Florida Gem. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. Turner Beach is a beautiful day out for the whole family, and with enough amenities to do it all, youll enjoy your time there immensely! Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. No Wal-Mart, McDonalds, or Ben & Jerry's (sigh). The same gradual sloping shoreline that collects millions of shells on the beaches of Sanibel also prevent it from having bright clear blue water most of the year. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. The only vegetation around is the natural one that grows, which opens up the scenery. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. The islands of Captiva and Sanibel are located just off the coast of Fort Myers Beach. 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. And. In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Lots of visitor parking available on Sanibel but it costs $5.00 per hour. If you enjoy hunting for shells, you should pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. All great points. With surging currents depositing an exotic array of shells, Blind Pass Beach is one of the best beaches on Sanibel Island for shelling. Sanibel is most famous for its shelling. Most of the island is very narrow- you can see both the Gulf and Pine Island Sound from many spots. For walkers and bikers, the admission rate is set at $1 per person. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. Purdue9394/Getty Images. Check the Refuge for hours of opening since recent budget cutbacks have reduced staff and forced occasional closings. 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. (read about the brown water discharges from Lake O). The sand quality is good. However, these two islands were separated by a storm at Blind Pass. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. Tarpon Tale Inn is one of the smaller Sanibel Island inns, but that just makes the place to stay on Sanibel Island more homey. 7/9/2016. Two weeks ago, the water was cloudy but this last week with mild winds from the east, the water is crystal clear. If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. That is until we stayed at the Island Inn on Sanibel. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. Home News 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit. 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. 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. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . The Seaside Inn is another laid-back beachfront inn. Both have soft white sand and clear blue-green water. A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. . The depth of beach space changes too. Add in a few art galleries and jewelry shops and you can take a break from the beach by browsing them all. Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. Captiva Island Beaches have a more laid back, island-y vibe. the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. 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. Like Blind Pass Beach, Turner Beach is best for shelling and fishing, but not swimming as the currents can get very strong! Silver Key Beach. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Hotels near The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Hotels near Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, Hotels near Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), Hotels near Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, Hotels near Sanibel Moorings Botanical Garden Tours. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. 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. There are free taxis to many restaurants/bars but paid transport is $6 anywhere on the island. And share my account with your travel loving friends! As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. Once you visit, its easy to see what we mean when we call them twins. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). Captiva Cruises is the best way to get out and explore the surrounding area (Cayo Costa State Park, Useppa Island, Cabbage Key, etc.) Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. Go on a dolphin tour on a waverunner, or enjoy a chartered fishing trip. Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. Located along the channel between Sanibel and Captiva island, the Blind pass beach is famous amongst sunbathers and . Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. We hope this clears things up a bit to help you plan your trip to either island! Youll find shady areas with picnic tables and grills to enjoy your own BBQ! 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. Sep 26, 2020 1451 Middle Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island. While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. Is this really a true statement? Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? There is a parking lot available and its a few minutes to walk to the beach from there. Sanibel is crisscrossed by an extensive multi-use path system that gives bicyclists and walkers access to most of the destinations on the island including the wildlife refuge and most of the beaches. If you arent into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. The currents flush fish out into the gulf and help build waves. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. Blind Pass Beach. Youll love watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico from either island and both destinations truly boast something for everyone. Its a pristine beautiful beach, great for privacy, sunning ,and fishing, but offers limited shelling. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys.
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