Preferences, preferences. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities. The two were once a single island, along with North Captiva Island, until separated by a storm at Blind Pass. The best comparison is to a mattress. Other than day trips to Sanibel, we dont usually use our rental car on Captiva. Lighthouse Beach. But you will 1725 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904. Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 100 feet (239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. Finding seashells on either island is as easy as walking onto the beach. 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! 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. 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. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. Dating back to August 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse is over hundred years old and of historic importance. The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. 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. The beach here is backed by swaying palm trees, and a few benches, ideal for soaking up the scene, are nearby. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNosNWLPbQ, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. 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. 1451 Middle Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island. Captiva, on the other hand, is much, much smaller: five miles long and 1.64 square miles in size. Both islands are breathtaking. 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. This laid-back beachfront inn allows you to get comfortable in a suite or cottage while relaxing by the poolside. This resort is probablythe most upscaleon the two islands with extensive landscaped grounds and resort facilities and a 9 hole golf course. You will actually find this beach both on Sanibel and Captiva Island. You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. 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. Bowman's Beach. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. 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. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. Bring a hammock and hang it on the palm trees for the ultimate vacation photo! If you want to get on a personal level with nature, you can visit any of these beaches. DINNER AT TIMBERS RESTAURANT. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. 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. Not really. Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. If Sanibel is rough and murky you can often drive a few miles to Captiva and find calm and clear water. Sanibels sideways stretch makes in an excellent destination for shelling and beachcombing; Captivas lengthy reach gives its beaches fine sand. Sanibels beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. One of the biggest attractions on Sanibel Island is the J.N. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva are known for shelling, consistently ranking at the top of the best shelling beaches in the United States. The grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. The beaches shown in the video are: Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, Bowman's. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Sanibel won, hands down. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. Rent a bike! Sanibel Island is about 40 minutes west from there. There are no high-rise accommodations on Sanibel, only two story hotels, one-story retro motels, and lovely quaint cottages. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Blind Pass Beach. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibel's sand provides a much better surface for runners. Which of these twin islands in southwest Florida is right for you? 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. Sanibel is the by far the larger of the two and is the first island off the mainland. If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. (read about the brown water discharges from Lake O). The combination of strong currents and fish travelling between the two islands mean that fish will often be biting. While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. Super crowded, but it was spring break after all. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. Nearly 70% of the island is devoted to conservation and wildlife refuges. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Sanibel Island is home to relaxing beaches, great dining, fishing . Like neat little boutiques for shopping. Your email address will not be published. It feels like youre walking on a fluffy cloud. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. Fishers in particular love it here, as there is a lighted pier for them to enjoy and fish from. This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. Golf cart renters must be 21 years old and have a vaild driver's license. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. So if you score a parking space, you can walk along the beach as far as youd like. If clear water is your absolute priority Tina, I don't think either Sanibel or Marco are for you. These barrier islands off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida are inextricably linked because, welltheyre linked. You can rent wave runners and go parasailing and as well as canoe and kayak rentals. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. On my sheller's bucket list, I have found more rare shells that I proudly show off to friends after every visit. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. We found it while cycling around Sanible and Captiva. On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. Does the lack of chain restaurants mean Sanibel has no casual restaurants for quick and cheap in-and-out service? Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Can anyone give us advice. 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. Turner Beach. It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. 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. Powered by Mai Theme, Tips For Honeymoon Island State Park: A Florida Gem. . There are two large grocery stores and several smaller markets. Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. Add in a few art galleries and jewelry shops and you can take a break from the beach by browsing them all. Getting the Most Out of Your Florida Fishing Trips, 2023 Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. You can swim safely, walk and picnic here. Turner Beach. Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. Brokered by US Schwarz Immobilien Real Est. We did some . No issue of traffic concerns. It does. Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. Its not a party town, but there are plenty of places to eat, drink and listen to live music. Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. Check the Refuge for hours of opening since recent budget cutbacks have reduced staff and forced occasional closings. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. Its a great way to explore and enjoy the island. 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. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. 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. If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. But youre going to have to dig around more than youd think and its probably not going to be a bargain. The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. So map your walk along this route carefully and make sure that youre not trespassing along the way. Cruise to Key West from Marco or Naples?? . Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. Were often asked and emailed questions from readers wanting to know what the difference is between Sanibel and Captiva islands. The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . In many ways, the two islands are sisters. U.S. News & World Report ranks Sanibel Island as the No. What Does Deeded Beach Access Mean in Florida? Trusted Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee. Thats the right question! Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. 1. The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. I only took in the Captiva Island portion of the trip but made sure to experience as much of the area as possible and not just sit on patios listening to acoustic music while drinking rum punch. Youll find shady areas with picnic tables and grills to enjoy your own BBQ! The paths are well marked and almost flat. The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. 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. If youre looking for the best tropical getaway on Floridas Gulf Coast, Sanibel and Captiva are always going to be in the conversation. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. Jensen's Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, Captiva Vessels up to 40 feet (239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com. It seems like this couldnt possibly be true since they are so close, together but it absolutely is. Fishers will love the opportunity to fish and catch their day, and with amazing sunrises and sunsets, youll find somewhere to sit and marvel at the colors. Located along the channel between Sanibel and Captiva island, the Blind pass beach is famous amongst sunbathers and . Port Sanibel Marina | The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach. We are staying a week. 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. There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. 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. Are there still restaurant's and shops that are closed due to Hurricane Irma? But both islands have their own unique personality. 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. Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? For Sale: Single Family home, $899,000, 2 Bd, 2 Ba, 1,291 Sqft, $696/Sqft, at 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 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. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. The beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation. In fact, as Sanibel and Captiva are connected by bridges, interested cyclists can bike from Fort Myers proper all the way across to both of the islands and back if they choose. And. Some popular activities on Turner Beach include: If you have a Saltwater Fishing License, you can saltwater fish from the shore. BREAKFAST AT Lighthouse Caf. 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. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including .
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which beach is better sanibel or captiva?