You could easily sell your home, move here and never miss a thing. Ok Sanibel and Captiva Island, theres enough beach for you to have a great time. (read about the brown water discharges from Lake O). Captiva island and Sanibel - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation. 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 grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. 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. Marco Island vs Sanibel/Captiva - Marco Island Forum - Tripadvisor . The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva. Relax on the miles of beaches surrounding the island or enjoy some fun in the water. While Sanibel is not busy by mainland standards, Captiva manages to be even more laid back. Sanibel Island vs. Captiva Island [2023] - Jam Travel Tips Captiva and Sanibel Island Shelling Tips - Capturing Captiva Both islands are breathtaking. Port Sanibel Marina | From Sanibel, this distillery is only about 40 minutes away. Before choosing the island youd like to visit, it is important to know the differences as this can influence your choice. Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. BOAT RIDE AROUND J.N. Sanibel Island Florida Vacation Rentals | Breakaway Vacation Properties not find chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are called sister islands, but there are some obvious differences between them. And the standards of the condos arent the highest. 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. . Shelling and fishing is very popular at this beach. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. Once you check into this inn, you get a complimentary breakfast. The South Seas island resort is a large oceanfront resort which has. Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? Not really. It does get busy understandably so as its so popular! 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). Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? My 9 Favorite Restaurants On Sanibel And Captiva Islands - TravelAwaits Captiva Cruises is the best way to get out and explore the surrounding area (Cayo Costa State Park, Useppa Island, Cabbage Key, etc.) Siesta Key vs Captiva Island - Siesta Key Forum - Tripadvisor Enjoy your visit. 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. You can rent wave runners and go parasailing and as well as canoe and kayak rentals. What Does Deeded Beach Access Mean in Florida? At these islands, you get 15 miles of coastline, 25 miles of biking, and fifty different species of fish! My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. It was here my friends found love and built up their romance. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/local-things-to-do/mrkfl-jw-marriott-marco-island-beach-resort/. When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, dont forget to make a boating reservation too! Captiva beaches vs Sanibel beaches - Sanibel Island Forum The beach here is backed by swaying palm trees, and a few benches, ideal for soaking up the scene, are nearby. Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida | Does anyone have recommendations if In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Theres even a lovely campground on Sanibel! Locations to go shelling include: Causeway Beaches; Gulfside City Park; Bowman's Beach; Blind . Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. 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. One of the biggest attractions on Sanibel Island is the J.N. There is a parking lot available and its a few minutes to walk to the beach from there. Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. 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. Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. If you travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. 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. One of the best spots on Sanibel to go kayaking is the J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Captiva Road. Turner Beach. All of the area's beaches from Lighthouse Beach to North Captiva Island are great shelling locations. Both islands are home to fantastic beaches with all kinds of amenities. 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. Sanibel's lighthouse shining bright again five months after Hurricane Ian 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. Located on a little barrier island just 7 miles long, Fort Myers Beach features wide beaches and beautiful views. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. Sanibel-Captiva islands have been an idyllic destination for tourists from Florida and the world over. On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches Sanibel Island shelling is considered the best shelling spot in the world according to Travel and Leisure Magazine. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. For walkers and bikers, the admission rate is set at $1 per person. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. The gentle slope of the beach means more spread-out shells. Along Andy Rosse Lane is Captiva Island Pizza, casual RC Otters, and the very delicious Key Lime Bistro. For Sale. Is Sanibel Or Captiva Better For Shells? - Home It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including . Please check directly with businesses regarding their operating status as the islands continue to rebuild. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. Local grocery stores like Jerrys and Baileys General Store are good for sandwiches, prepared foods, good picnic food for the beach, and stocking your own kitchenette or vacation rental. 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. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. more. Preferences, preferences. The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. Taking a boat tour off the beach? The access you get to the state park beach is at the West side of Panama Shell Drive at the end of Captiva Drive, and there are just miles of empty sands and fallen trees to explore and climb. 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. Best Sanibel Island Vacation Rental with a View - Shorewood Beachfront Penthouse Sanibel Island Condo. 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. Blind Pass Beach. Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. The Bubble Room is family friendly and a very fun place for kids - and adults. These two barrier islands are nestled just of the Southwest Florida coast, within a short drive from Fort Myers. Marco has more nightlife, more shopping, and more roads. 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. The city-island has several banks and shopping centers, even a single-screen movie theatre. Thats a must! Captiva Island Beaches have a more laid back, island-y vibe. If youre staying on Sanibel, running up to Captiva to eat dinner or shop isnt a big deal and vice versa. With a shell bag in hand, they scour the beaches for hours looking for unbroken treasures. 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. In many ways, the two islands are sisters. Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes, Check VRBO Availability of Captiva Beachfront Rentals, Top 10 Tricks for Planning a Sanibel Island Vacation on a Budget, What to Look for in a Captiva or Sanibel Island Vacation Rental, The 3 Best Months to Visit Sanibel Island, The Highest Rated Captiva Island House Rentals, The 5 Highest Rated St George Island Beach House Rentals, The 5 Best Anna Maria Island Beachfront House Rentals, The 5 Biggest Florida Keys Beach House Rentals, The 6 Best Amelia Island Vacation Rentals, Top 10 Hidden Caribbean Private Island Rentals, Sanibel Island Tips & Secrets Only a Local Would Know, Complete Guide to Kayaking Sanibel Island.