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You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. 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. 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. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. 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 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! Three Perfect Days on Sanibel and Captiva Island - Tampa Bay Date Night The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. Sanibel-Captiva islands have been an idyllic destination for tourists from Florida and the world over. Strollers, wagons, and the like are a lot harder to maneuver on Captivas beaches than on Sanibel. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. But honestly, zero impact. The two were once a single island, along with North Captiva Island, until separated by a storm at Blind Pass. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. Handicapped parking is free.Further up Captiva Drive, at the end of the main road on Captiva, there is another public beach adjacent to the entrance of South Seas Resort. And share my account with your travel loving friends! Just within the past two weeks, we've seen Billy's Rentals and Tarpon Bay Explorers reopen, along with Doc Ford's, Timbers and the Great White Grill. Amelia Island. Just off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida lie the twin barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva, coastal jewels of the Lee County coast. What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in beauty and other features. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. 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 $$). Are Sanibel Island Beaches Open? - Coastal Conservatory Several restaurants are within walking distance on Sanibel Island, including The Lazy Flamingo, Sunset Cafe and The Mad Hatter. Sanibel, Captiva residents await news of Ian's destruction | Miami Herald The J. N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a scenic drive, boating rentals and tours, hiking paths and a visitor educational center. With endless skies and treasured beach walks, Captiva Beach will surely captivate you and the whole family. 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. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts Team Relief Fund For many who visit Fort Myers, Sanibel is . 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. "DING" DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. This beach is a popular spot for fishing. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. Elsewhere the beautiful green canopy that was destroyed by Hurricane Charley is getting replaced by trees planted in 2006 and extensive landscaping is once again beautifying Periwinkle Way. A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. LUNCH AT THE ISLAND COW. Are there still restaurant's and shops that are closed due to Hurricane Irma? This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. Its a great way to explore and enjoy the island. Other prohibitions are streetlights and traffic lights (Sanibel police with white gloves move traffic along at peak times). Florida Winter Shorebird Survey takes place on islands Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. . Enjoy your visit. Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. At these islands, you get 15 miles of coastline, 25 miles of biking, and fifty different species of fish! Sundial Beach Resort & Spa has secured its spot as one of the best Sanibel hotels on the beach, thanks to its many amazing amenities and waterfront location. Captiva beaches vs Sanibel beaches - Sanibel Island Forum Captiva has more of a village feel. Thank you Gulfside City Park. 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. 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. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. Turner Beach is just on the other side of Blind Pass past the small bridge from Sanibel. Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. Blind Pass Beach Park. 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. Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? Its not a party town, but there are plenty of places to eat, drink and listen to live music. Were often asked and emailed questions from readers wanting to know what the difference is between Sanibel and Captiva islands. Look at the JW Marriott Marco website for options. The FDOH's fecal indicator bacteria testing results on Dec. 12 suggested low bacterial concentrations and no current advisories. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. Most of the year it feels like you are the only one on the beach. Compared to Sanibel Island, beaches in Captiva Island do not have a lot of crowds and have fewer shells to hunt. While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. The Gulf Beach is 3 minutes' walk away. Blind Pass Beach. Compared to some of the other beaches on this list, Blind Pass Beach doesnt have an endless list of amenities. Port Sanibel Marina offers marina reservations and fishing charters for you to enjoy after a great time visiting all the beaches we mentioned above! Despite a huge push from developers, the city held their ground with strong building restrictions that were intended to protect the environment (to this day, half the island is a nature preserve) and its largely what makes Sanibel so quaint. Bowmans Beach stretches for miles, and there are excellent amenities here. The 7 Best Beaches for Shelling on Sanibel Island Your email address will not be published. ago Frequent Islander is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. 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. Super crowded, but it was spring break after all. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). 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. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. Captiva island or Sanibel , best places to stay for 2-3 people , what is reopened , any suggestions? But you will The depth of beach space changes too. 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. The two island are essentially one, but they really do have subtle qualities that could make a big difference in your vacation. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are separated by a bridge over Blind Pass. McCarthy's Marina, Captiva Vessels up to 24 feet (239) 472-5200 Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 65 feet (239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com. Preferences, preferences. 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. There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. This relaxed oceanfront resort features an outdoor pool and dining with simple accommodations. Question: Clearwater Sand Key Beach vs Captiva Island-Which has a Sanibel vs Captiva? Each beach offers its own unique take on shelling and is worth a visit. Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. Hey, it even has a K-12 school, so whats stopping you? Very shelly though, youll need to wear flips flops to take a walk. While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. TravelMagmais a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Sanibel is most famous for its shelling. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). But you may not find the amount youll find on Sanibel, which means more time may be needed to hunt for them. Red tide, devastated reefs follow in the wake of Hurricane Ian Where to stay on Sanibel Island, FL - Howtobookyourtrip However, these two islands were separated by a storm at Blind Pass. These islands are perfect, providing visitors with dining, shopping, entertainment, and local hotels. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. 6 Best Waterfront Places to Stay on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 100 feet (239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go In many ways, the two islands are sisters. Home News 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNosNWLPbQ, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Youll find many public beaches on Sanibel Island, some with fishing piers, and a few private beaches, too. At the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse your stay on Sanibel Island truly is picture perfect. If youre not a strong swimmer or you have young kids, swimming should be avoided. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. Sanibels finest wearing white gloves still move traffic the old fashioned way during peak times. Is Marco prettier? Turner Beach - Lee County Southwest Florida Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. January 2, 2021 Ryan Bellino Florida Gulf Coast Islands, Sanibel and Captiva Islands 0. 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. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. 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. Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. Captiva's Tween Waters will re-open open to off-island guests Dec. 17 The Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are actually very different, and most articles you read on San-Cap fail to even acknowledge this. Sanibel & Captiva Island Beaches are well known for shelling, exotic wildlife and their beauty. With hundreds of beaches throughout Florida, you may be asking yourself why you should visit these beaches instead of all the others. Which Beach is Better Sanibel or Captiva? In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner. If you plan to stay in Captiva Island, the South seas island resort is an ideal place to stay. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . Generally, these two islands have amazing beaches and a calm, laid-back atmosphere that everyone enjoys. Bring a hammock and hang it on the palm trees for the ultimate vacation photo! Sanibel Island is a combination of a natural and touristy atmosphere with island vibes. "This light being lit . If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. Both have good shelling. Sports and Activities Insider Pagefor more information. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. 6092 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 | 39 Photos | MLS #223016359 2. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - travels-answers.com Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? Hurricane Ian in Naples and Southwest Florida: How Can You Help? 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. Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. It dwells today within the seaside Casa Ybel Resort. The South Seas island resort is a large oceanfront resort which has. Sanibel and Captiva - Southern Boating