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The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Like Blind Pass Beach, Turner Beach is best for shelling and fishing, but not swimming as the currents can get very strong! The lack of multi-unit condos on Captiva makes the beaches far less crowded. In fact, some folks think of the islands as being interchangeable. There are 76 general parking spaces. The majority of Captivas accommodations are at South Seas Island Resort, and its a lovely stay perfect also for destination weddings and other family gathering as they have a variety of accommodation types from studios to 3 and 4 bedroom homes. The beach is very wide/deep so the buildings have zero impact, but if youre not used to seeing that, it can be a disconcerting at first. The Bubble Room is family friendly and a very fun place for kids - and adults. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are but two small vacation spots on the Gulf Coast. How to Rent a Beachfront House on Isla Mujeres, Ultimate Guide to Florida Keys Vacation Rentals. $5 per hour for parking. There are also two semi-public 18 hole golf courses on the island. The gulf water was clean and calm, but not clear. If youre looking for a smaller beach, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is an excellent option. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. From Sanibel, this distillery is only about 40 minutes away. 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. LUNCH AT THE ISLAND COW. At the end of the lane is one of Captivas most popular restaurants, The Mucky Duck, a laid-back place thats great for a cold drink and watching the sunset.On the opposite side of Captiva Drive is a popular favorite, the Bubble Room complete with year-round Christmas decorations and a very funky decor. 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 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. 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. As you approach the northern part of Captiva, you come to the small and very quaintvillage areawhere you will find an assortment of restaurants and shops, as well as the post office, a bank and a small library. You could easily sell your home, move here and never miss a thing. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. 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. In fact, theres an eclectic variety of Sanibel retaurants serving great breakfasts, casual lunch, and upscale restaurants for dinner. Just cut into 3/4 wide sections. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. 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. Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. it's one of the best parts but cut off and discard the tail. The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. 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. 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. Haven't been to either. Blind Pass Beach Park. If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. There is so much you can do and see with your time, so why not go exploring now? Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. VISIT THE HISTORIC SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE. Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. If you plan to stay in Captiva Island, the South seas island resort is an ideal place to stay. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. 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. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. So if you score a parking space, you can walk along the beach as far as youd like. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. This resort is probablythe most upscaleon the two islands with extensive landscaped grounds and resort facilities and a 9 hole golf course. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are unique for many reasons. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? What's there to do I one place vs the other? Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. That is a personal decision. . 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. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Jensen's Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, Captiva Vessels up to 40 feet (239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com. Several restaurants are within walking distance on Sanibel Island, including The Lazy Flamingo, Sunset Cafe and The Mad Hatter. Captiva sits just north of Sanibel and its accessed via a very short bridge over Blind Pass. It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. 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 bike island. 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. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). . Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. The two island are essentially one, but they really do have subtle qualities that could make a big difference in your vacation. Captiva has only a limited number of properties with nightly rentals and they are very popular. Our guide below gives you an in-depth look at what you can expect at each of Sanibel Island's popular shelling beaches. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. ago The combination of strong currents and fish travelling between the two islands mean that fish will often be biting. 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. This laid-back beachfront inn allows you to get comfortable in a suite or cottage while relaxing by the poolside. Sanibel Island might be better for you if youre looking for active family vacations, great shelling beaches, more shopping and dining amenities, being closer to nature preserves and off-island driving adventures to Fort Myers and beyond to the Everglades or Charlotte Harbor. Don't take this the wrong way, the beaches of Captiva Island are still better for shelling than most places in the entire world, it's just that Sanibel is truly the best there is. The pristine beaches, with plentiful seashells for collectors, proved popular with. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. Parking costs $5 per hour, but is well worth it once you leave with loads of shells. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. That is until we stayed at the Island Inn on Sanibel. Some resorts offer bikes for rent. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. There are 23 general parking spaces. Amelia Island. 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 Fishermen also enjoy the beach. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. Sep 26, 2020 You can even rent golf carts. Captiva has more of a village feel. Captiva island or Sanibel , best places to stay for 2-3 people , what is reopened , any suggestions? Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. At 33 square miles, (12 miles end-to-end), walking may not always be convenient, depending on your plans. Captiva Cruises is the best way to get out and explore the surrounding area (Cayo Costa State Park, Useppa Island, Cabbage Key, etc.) If you enjoy hunting for shells, you should pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. Whats the difference between Sanibel and Captiva? The grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. 1. Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. Ok Sanibel and Captiva Island, theres enough beach for you to have a great time. Hi , we are trying to book vacation end of March . Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! We did some . It was warm and pleasant. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. We hope this clears things up a bit to help you plan your trip to either island! It does get busy understandably so as its so popular! It is connected to Fort Myers by the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. 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. If youre staying on Sanibel, running up to Captiva to eat dinner or shop isnt a big deal and vice versa. They contain thousands of shells you can find. 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.But Captiva is even quieter and less busy than Sanibel, though there's still plenty to do.. Once you cross over the bridge at Blind Pass, you'll immediately notice how the road narrows and . 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. Please check directly with businesses regarding their operating status as the islands continue to rebuild. The Souvenir shopping experience in both islands is quite similar, and you can get beautiful handmade items to take home with you. Both islands have these things in common: Beautiful beaches, lack of high-rise hotels and condos, mostly low density development, and a laid back atmosphere. 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.