which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

Sanibel Island vs Marco Island: An Honest Comparison to Help You Choose Is there much of a difference between beaches on Sanibel and those on Captiva? 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. It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. From the bay to the Gulf of Mexico, the islands are surrounded by water and beauty. With picnic areas for all, you can take a bike ride to the park and the beach, as there are bike racks to use, too. Sanibel Island vs. Marco Island: Where to Vacation - Royal Shell Compared to some of the other beaches on this list, Blind Pass Beach doesnt have an endless list of amenities. This resort is probablythe most upscaleon the two islands with extensive landscaped grounds and resort facilities and a 9 hole golf course. 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. Does the lack of chain restaurants mean Sanibel has no casual restaurants for quick and cheap in-and-out service? Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! Amelia Island, Vero Beach or Sanibel? - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Best Florida Gulf Coast Airbnb for Shell . Some of the features of the beach that youll find here include: Whether youre by yourself, with a loved one, or bringing the whole family, Bowmans Beach is a great option. Taking a boat tour off the beach? 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. 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. The 5 Best Islands Near Fort Myers Florida - Live and Let's Fly Captiva Island Beaches have a more laid back, island-y vibe. In fact, some folks think of the islands as being interchangeable. Both have soft white sand and clear blue-green water. Which Beach is Better Sanibel or Captiva? One of the questions we get asked a lot is, what are the differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island?. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. Once you check into this inn, you get a complimentary breakfast. 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. Beach access is strictly limited and there are only two small paid public lots for beach parking. On the end of Captiva near Blind Pass Captiva is typically pretty busy but the reast of the 5 miles of beach is some of the quietest you will find. It feels like youre walking on a fluffy cloud. 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. The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. Youll love watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico from either island and both destinations truly boast something for everyone. 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. 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. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. 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. The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. The deep channel of water of what is now Blind Pass was formed, forever separating the two (though barely) by a narrow two-lane bridge thats small enough to walk across in under a minute. Alternatively, you may use, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Sanibel Island, Hotels near J.N. 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! If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. The future of Sanibel and Captiva : r/florida Marco Island vs Sanibel/Captiva - Marco Island Forum - Tripadvisor If at South Seas add extensive resort amenitiesand an upscale atmosphere. Not at all. Is Marco prettier? Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts | Choose Your Island. Choose Your Beach. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. With endless skies and treasured beach walks, Captiva Beach will surely captivate you and the whole family. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units. 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. 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. Sanibel isnt a cheap vacation destination (supply and demand because of development restrictions) so youre probably going to pay a premium for anything on the beach. Silver Key Beach. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. 10 Best Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches - Florida Vacationers Almost 7,400 residents live there in just over 16 square miles. 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. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Located on a little barrier island just 7 miles long, Fort Myers Beach features wide beaches and beautiful views. Touring the Beaches on Sanibel Island - YouTube Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. Sanibel Beaches are among the most dog-friendly beaches in Florida, if not the entire country. I love Fort Myers Beach, Florida | Does anyone have recommendations if YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. Very different experiences. 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. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/local-things-to-do/mrkfl-jw-marriott-marco-island-beach-resort/. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. A popular destination for visitors, Turner Beach is one of the best beaches on Captiva. 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. As you head for the tip of Captiva, the island gets very narrow allowing you to see the Gulf on one side and Pine Island Sound on the other. SHELLING AT BOWMAN'S 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! Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. Gulfside City Park. There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. If you arent into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. 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 travel down Sanibel Captiva Road and make the trek over the Blind Pass bridge, youll find yourself on Captiva Island. Below its elegant main dining room windows spreads a green lawn begging for a wedding party and ends at the beach. Can anyone give us advice. There is a parking lot available and its a few minutes to walk to the beach from there. Three Perfect Days on Sanibel and Captiva Island - Tampa Bay Date Night And. Blind Pass Beach. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. Sanibel Island versus Destin - Trippy The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Florida Winter Shorebird Survey takes place on islands There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. Since the water off Sanibel is shallower than Captiva, this causes bigger waves and murkier water. There are 76 general parking spaces. It does. Sanibel is a bike island. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. As for Captiva Islands beaches, the sand is much more like a pillow-top mattress. The currents that bring abundant shells to sanibel and the 10K islands do result in some turbulence and suspended sand in the water at times even when there are no water releases. Cruise to Key West from Marco or Naples?? While Sanibel is larger and offers more shops, hotels and sights, Captiva is quaint with powder soft beaches and Old Florida charm. Both islands are breathtaking. The combination of strong currents and fish travelling between the two islands mean that fish will often be biting. Sanibel Island: Sanibel vs. Captiva? - Tripadvisor Eight Sanibel and Captiva beaches you have to visit include: For many people, the massive amount and variety of shells that can be found is what brings them Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches. ;-). Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. 13 Incredible Airbnbs in Sanibel Island, Florida (2021 Edition) There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! Tarpon Bay Road Beach. (read about the brown water discharges from Lake O). Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. The Southwest Florida water currents play into a sheller's hands . Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort, an IHG Hotel. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. Theres even a lovely campground on Sanibel! The irony of this is, one of the best beaches on Sanibel is located closest to the Causeway. Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. 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. Realizing the differences in the two islands is important, Ive heard from people who stayed on Sanibel expecting the clear water and soft sand and were disappointed. In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. 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. Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. 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. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? 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. 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. . Ladyfish - free-lined or cut into chunks is one of the best baits out there and readily available to Sanibel & Captiva Beach Fishermen. Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. 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. It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. Captiva, on the other hand, is much, much smaller: five miles long and 1.64 square miles in size.