The islands of Captiva and Sanibel are located just off the coast of Fort Myers Beach. Captiva doesnt have the network of dedicated bike paths that Sanibel has, so if you were looking forward to extensive bike-riding on your vacation, Sanibel may be the better choice. 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands - Florida Trippers Brokered by US Schwarz Immobilien Real Est. Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. 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. All of the area's beaches from Lighthouse Beach to North Captiva Island are great shelling locations. Some resorts offer bikes for rent. Bringing the whole family is a must when you head to Captiva Beach, and there are plenty of beaches and places to stay along those beaches. Where to Find Shells on Sanibel Island - Port Sanibel Marina There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. There are also a few resorts, inns, and B&B's offering nightly rentals. Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. Which Beach is Better Sanibel or Captiva? Marcos beach is beautiful. Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. Captivas beaches are more of the soft sugar sand that one would typically see on an island. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. Hopefully this post helps you make a decision that puts you on the beach that will give you the most enjoyment from your island vacation. "This light being lit . Amelia Island. Taking a boat tour off the beach? It has no high-rises, just lots of greenery surrounding . Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grill 2500 Island Inn Rd, Sanibel Island OR 5400 S Seas Plantation Rd, Captiva Island That's right - Doc Ford's has two locations within the islands! The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . Many outdoor activities are also prepared to ensure you are never bored during your stay here. Best Beaches in Florida for 2019 - Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches Find your favorite paradise with the updated list of best beaches in Florida. 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. Discover the Beauty of Sanibel and Captiva Islands There is so much to find and enjoy in Southwest Florida, especially on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Sanibel public beaches & parking lots have started opening! Sanibel Island: Sanibel vs. Captiva? - Tripadvisor Turner Beach, between Sanibel and Captiva islands, is the hottest of hot spots for both fishing and surfing. While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. Purdue9394/Getty Images. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. Ever since our first trip to Captiva in 2016, Ive been impressed with the ability to find shells on Captiva. Relax on the miles of beaches surrounding the island or enjoy some fun in the water. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. 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. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. Two weeks ago, the water was cloudy but this last week with mild winds from the east, the water is crystal clear. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. You should, however note that the beach access is limited, and you can only shop at one spot. The island is a lot smaller than Sanibel (half of its taken up by the South Seas Island Resort), but it feels very much the same. Silver Key Beach. Sanibel is a unique blend of well-protected nature destination and tourist hotspot with a bit of everything for those seeking a laid-back, go at your own pace vacation. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibel's sand provides a much better surface for runners. Check the Refuge for hours of opening since recent budget cutbacks have reduced staff and forced occasional closings. 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". Strollers, wagons, and the like are a lot harder to maneuver on Captivas beaches than on Sanibel. It does. Florida Winter Shorebird Survey takes place on islands Sanibel Island vs. Marco Island: Where to Vacation - Royal Shell Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. See the Tarpon Beach. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. Also, beach access is much more limited on Captiva with just two public parking lots. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is another fun place to visit on Sanibel with interesting exhibits, interactive stations for the kids, and shell collections from all over the world. 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. If youre not a paddler you can still see a lot of the refuge by taking the guided tram tour or hiking on established trails. Has the red drift algae been a problem AT ALL on Captiva?? There's a $6 toll to get onto the island. The Gulf Beach is 3 minutes' walk away. CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go Sanibel is most famous for its shelling. Three Perfect Days on Sanibel and Captiva Island - Tampa Bay Date Night While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. 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. Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Look at the JW Marriott Marco website for options. Marco is totally surrounded by federal, state parks and preserves, the gateway to the Everglades so IMO it has more options for active adults. Because of its larger size, Sanibel has more beaches to choose from than Captiva. Add in a few art galleries and jewelry shops and you can take a break from the beach by browsing them all. The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! And share my account with your travel loving friends! Some travelers find that Captiva is a little more upscale, with fancier resorts and more eclectic dining opportunities. 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. The two island are essentially one, but they really do have subtle qualities that could make a big difference in your vacation. Get answers to your questions about Marco Island, Recommendations for condo complex with central booking site. 3 beach destination in the United States, and it is easy to see why. You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. 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. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. There are two large grocery stores and several smaller markets. The Bubble Room is family friendly and a very fun place for kids - and adults. Captiva Island Beaches 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. and they leave from Captiva, but its an easy drive from Sanibel. If the beaches ofSanibelare uncrowded by moststandards, Captiva's are even more so. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. It dwells today within the seaside Casa Ybel Resort. Theres a parking lot on the side of the saltwater bayous. The other three councilmen are Scott. 2. Turner Beach is just on the other side of Blind Pass past the small bridge from Sanibel. Re: Siesta Key vs 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). Is Marco prettier? The strong currents that make Blind Pass a . Other prohibitions are streetlights and traffic lights (Sanibel police with white gloves move traffic along at peak times). 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. Captiva Cruises is the best way to get out and explore the surrounding area (Cayo Costa State Park, Useppa Island, Cabbage Key, etc.) At these islands, you get 15 miles of coastline, 25 miles of biking, and fifty different species of fish! Trusted Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. Alternatively, you may use, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Sanibel Island, Hotels near J.N. Sanibel Island is about 40 minutes west from there. Bring a hammock and hang it on the palm trees for the ultimate vacation photo! You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures. Sanibel vs Captiva: Which Island Stay is Right for You? Sanibel-Captiva islands have been an idyllic destination for tourists from Florida and the world over. 1. . Some people simply love admiring the unrivaled views of the sunset that the unique islands provide. Located on a little barrier island just 7 miles long, Fort Myers Beach features wide beaches and beautiful views. The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Sanibel, Captiva residents await news of Ian's destruction | Miami Herald Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. This resort is probablythe most upscaleon the two islands with extensive landscaped grounds and resort facilities and a 9 hole golf course. Sanibel Island versus Destin - Trippy It does get busy understandably so as its so popular! Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. The passes at the ends and between the two islands get the attention of adventure beachgoers because of their swift-moving waters. Sanibel is a better choice if you are beachcombing and want to enjoy biking on the bike paths, birdwatching, a d being out in nature in general. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). 7/9/2016. Also, Captiva and North Captiva had medium counts and Cayo Costa's was low, a trend that continued north to Manasota Beach and south to 32 miles offshore of Wiggins Pass in Collier County. Sanibel Island is a combination of a natural and touristy atmosphere with island vibes. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. 10 Best Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches - Florida Vacationers 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. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! 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!) Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 100 feet (239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com You can take Instagram-worthy pictures and view the local wildlife from the perfect vantage point: the sand! 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 $$).