which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

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. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Along Andy Rosse Lane is Captiva Island Pizza, casual RC Otters, and the very delicious Key Lime Bistro. 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. 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. Sanibel Island is about 40 minutes west from there. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. jesseaknight 5 mo. Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. Within the developed sections are things common to towns anywhere- schools, neighborhoods, supermarkets, and stores. 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. You could easily sell your home, move here and never miss a thing. You can rent wave runners and go parasailing and as well as canoe and kayak rentals. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. BOAT RIDE AROUND J.N. If you plan to stay in Captiva Island, the South seas island resort is an ideal place to stay. 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. Turner Beach is located at Blind Pass right across the bridge from Sanibel. BREAKFAST AT Lighthouse Caf. Fishers in particular love it here, as there is a lighted pier for them to enjoy and fish from. Both islands are breathtaking. Look at the JW Marriott Marco website for options. Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. But eachisland has its own distinctive personality: Sanibelis a eclectic mix of nature, wildlife conservation land, tourist destination,island home, andshopping/ restaurant districts. Answer 1 of 5: Hi all! Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? The only vegetation around is the natural one that grows, which opens up the scenery. Sanibels beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. 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. Sanibels finest wearing white gloves still move traffic the old fashioned way during peak times. The paths are well marked and almost flat. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. P.S. It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. 2. 2. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. 2,950 feet from Sanibel Lighthouse. Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. Here is our best explanation of the main differences between Sanibel vs Captiva islands, to help you decide which island stay is right for you. Sep 26, 2020 There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. 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. It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including . 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). not find chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. LUNCH AT THE ISLAND COW. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are called sister islands, but there are some obvious differences between them. The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. 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. No issue of traffic concerns. 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. Its a pristine beautiful beach, great for privacy, sunning ,and fishing, but offers limited shelling. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? Before traveling to any vacation destination, one of the most important things to consider is where you are to stay on your arrival. The best comparison is to a mattress. 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. The beach itself is clean, with shaded areas and restrooms, covered cabanas, and picnic areas to enjoy. Be sure to use the head. 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 pristine beaches, with plentiful seashells for collectors, proved popular with. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Turner Beach. 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. Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. 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. On the other hand, if you intend to drive, the admission rate is $5 per car. The waters off the beaches of Sanibel have a gradual slope that allows shells to be washed up onto the beach extremely easily. Although you may not be able to climb to the top of the historic Sanibel Lighthouse, you are allowed to visit the surrounding areas for a lighthouse photo-op. Blind Pass Beach. A popular destination for visitors, Turner Beach is one of the best beaches on Captiva. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. 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. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. 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. You can swim safely, walk and picnic here. more. The Souvenir shopping experience in both islands is quite similar, and you can get beautiful handmade items to take home with you. At stake in Sanibel's nonpartisan Tuesday city council election: the seats now filled by the island's mayor and vice-mayor, Holly Smith and Richard Johnson. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. There are also two semi-public 18 hole golf courses on the 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). Hurricane Ian in Naples and Southwest Florida: How Can You Help? While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva were still closed due to Hurricane Ian w hen we visited, but we marveled at the huge, powerful, beautiful waves we saw from the road. This Island has several restaurants and stores for shopping. Captiva Island. 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. 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. Like neat little boutiques for shopping. On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. See the With surging currents depositing an exotic array of shells, Blind Pass Beach is one of the best beaches on Sanibel Island for shelling. 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. . Both have good shelling. We did some . Nearly 70% of the island is devoted to conservation and wildlife refuges. Without a doubt, Sanibel is the larger of the two islands, and more touristed since its the first island off the Causeway. If at South Seas add extensive resort amenitiesand an upscale atmosphere. You can park for free here, and you can head to the park during the day for the kids to play before heading to the sand. Can you find a nice place to stay? From Sanibel, this distillery is only about 40 minutes away. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. You can download an app with tons of info on it. That is until we stayed at the Island Inn on Sanibel. 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! Port Sanibel Marina offers marina reservations and fishing charters for you to enjoy after a great time visiting all the beaches we mentioned above! But its far from chaotic. The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. 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! The grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. Sanibel City leaders said their beaches fared better than Captiva's in the erosion department following Eta, although isolated erosion was spotted on some public beaches. There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. 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 strong currents that make Blind Pass a . You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. For Sale. The J.N. Sanibel and Captiva Island are amazing islands that welcome people searching for a great spot to have family time. Theres nothing better than a relaxing day at the beach, and Lighthouse Beach has some of the best spaces to let your worries float away. Mostly boutique shopping. In addition, if you enjoy hunting for shells, you should definitely pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. 1725 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. 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. Other than day trips to Sanibel, we dont usually use our rental car on Captiva. Privacy Policy | Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. Driving Directions Take I-75 South to Fort Myers. Make your Florida boat rental reservation today and call us today at (239) 437-1660 to make some boating memories today. 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. What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in beauty and other features. Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? We aren't big nightlife people, but enjoy good "non-chain" restaurants. Blind Pass Beach. There are two large grocery stores and several smaller markets. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibel's sand provides a much better surface for runners. As for Captiva Island, the shelling is still spectacular. Even though there are not many places for beach access, when you step onto the beach youre on public property. Email agent. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. Thats the right question! Bowman's Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. Most of accommodations on Captiva are at South Seas, but there are a few resorts, inns, and B&B's. Best Florida Gulf Coast Airbnb for Shell . Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. 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. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. . The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. But I digress. The way it juts out into the gulf (its situated more east/west than north/south) means its a treasure trove when winter storms stir up the billions of shells sitting out deeper in the Gulf of Mexico. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. Purdue9394/Getty Images. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. One of the biggest attractions on Sanibel Island is the J.N. Strollers, wagons, and the like are a lot harder to maneuver on Captivas beaches than on Sanibel. 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. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Bowmans Beach is one of many beaches on Sanibel Island, and on the western portion of the island.Its a protected site, with no developments going on, which leaves a pure and natural landscape to enjoy for all. Please note, the majority of our content was posted and shared prior to Hurricane Ian. But you will The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. Theres even a lovely campground on Sanibel! Rich with wildlife and first class amenities, Captiva and Sanibel are considered two of the most captivating barrier islands in the country. 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. 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! Compared to some of the other beaches on this list, Blind Pass Beach doesnt have an endless list of amenities. While you're likely to find many shells at any of Sanibel's 6 public beaches, a couple that stand out include: Gulfside City Park Beach- This beautiful sandy beach is covered with countless shells to collect. "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. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. 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. The "Sanibel Spirit" is indeed alive, strong and resilient, and remarkable signs of recovery continue throughout our "repairadise.". If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. 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 It has no high-rises, just lots of greenery surrounding . 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. Powerful Send help right to the people and causes you care about. Hey, it even has a K-12 school, so whats stopping you? At 33 square miles, (12 miles end-to-end), walking may not always be convenient, depending on your plans. It is connected to Fort Myers by the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Can anyone give us advice. This means you and your pup can frolic in the waves at Algiers Beach in Gulfside City Park, Bowman's Beach, and other Sanibel waterfronts. Best Beaches in Florida for 2019 - Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches Find your favorite paradise with the updated list of best beaches in Florida. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. I agree completely with the response from Hawkowl (#3 above). 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!) Mostly boutique shopping. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. Spotting aquatic wildlife including dolphins and manatees. There are no high-rise accommodations on Sanibel, only two story hotels, one-story retro motels, and lovely quaint cottages. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. Here is our best explanation about Sanibel vs. Captiva in a nutshell. Dating back to August 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse is over hundred years old and of historic importance. Parking costs $5 per hour, but is well worth it once you leave with loads of shells. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. The building restrictions here are whats part of the charm. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. But I have never seen brown water hitting Marco Island. Almost 7,400 residents live there in just over 16 square miles. Also Ding Darling Bird Sanctuary is best visited early in the day. 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. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. 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. 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. It depends on the direction of the wind and tides. The sand on Clearwater Beach is slightly nicer than the sand on Sand Key, but it is pretty close. 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 and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. And there are no golf carts on Siesta. Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. Likewise, Ive heard from people who stayed on Captiva and were disappointed in the lack of shells. Located along the channel between Sanibel and Captiva island, the Blind pass beach is famous amongst sunbathers and . 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. Is this really a true statement? Hi , we are trying to book vacation end of March . 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. Captiva has only a limited number of properties with nightly rentals and they are very popular. This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. 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. Sanibel has all the bells and whistles compared to Captiva. You wont find any high rises (buildings are only allowed to be as tall as the tallest native tree on the island), any chains (except for the cutest little Dairy Queen thats been grandfathered in), and pretty much everything is a mom and pop shop or restaurant. Taking a boat tour off the beach? Some people simply love admiring the unrivaled views of the sunset that the unique islands provide. Marco has more nightlife, more shopping, and more roads. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. 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. Before choosing the island youd like to visit, it is important to know the differences as this can influence your choice. YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. There are several vendors for bike rentals or check with your hotel to find out if they offer bike rentals. Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. But its all about your expectations. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. Sanibel and Captiva are connected to Fort Myers on the mainland by only one roadway the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. . 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.