Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. Turner Beach is just on the other side of Blind Pass past the small bridge from Sanibel. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. 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. Mostly boutique shopping. Its a great way to explore and enjoy the island. Check the Refuge for hours of opening since recent budget cutbacks have reduced staff and forced occasional closings. Captiva Island, the South seas island resort, Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva, Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches. It was here my friends found love and built up their romance. (read about the brown water discharges from Lake O). You can swim safely, walk and picnic here. Like Blind Pass Beach, Turner Beach is best for shelling and fishing, but not swimming as the currents can get very strong! Can you find a nice place to stay? 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. Drop us a line. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. Not really. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. The strong currents that make Blind Pass a . Sanibel Island is known for being a natural wonderland. 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. Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. Dogs are welcome at Turner Beach- they must be kept on a leash no longer than 8 ft. We please ask that you remember to clean up after your dog. With hundreds of beaches throughout Florida, you may be asking yourself why you should visit these beaches instead of all the others. There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. The only vegetation around is the natural one that grows, which opens up the scenery. The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? Its a popular destination for those who love to hop from Captiva Island to Sanibel Island and the kids will love the chance to comb for shells. In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). The FDOH's fecal indicator bacteria testing results on Dec. 12 suggested low bacterial concentrations and no current advisories. 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. Thank you for your responses. It is connected to Fort Myers by the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. If clear water is your absolute priority Tina, I don't think either Sanibel or Marco are for you. Enjoy your visit. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). There is a small parking lot adjacent to the beach with a limited number of spaces, and is $5.00 per hour paid at the lot kiosk. The northern tip of the island, well over 300 acres,is all owned by the South Seas Resort. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. The paths are well marked and almost flat. If youre looking for the best tropical getaway on Floridas Gulf Coast, Sanibel and Captiva are always going to be in the conversation. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. 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. 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. Locations to go shelling include: Causeway Beaches; Gulfside City Park; Bowman's Beach; Blind . 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. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. As they are a bit less shelly, the sands are a bit softer than on Sanibel and the water is usually clearer and less sandy. 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. Captiva Beach - Andy Rosse Lane. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. This is why the majority of people on the island are retired, work remotely from home, or are on vacation. Golf cart renters must be 21 years old and have a vaild driver's license. During your stay, you should indulge in shell hunting. Marco has a modern infrastructure of bridges, streets, and street lights. Sanibel vs Captiva? But if youre not staying here, access to the property is restricted. Sanibel is 60% nature reserve with low rise mostly condos and natural ungroomed beaches. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? On Sanibel, youll want a bike, possibly even a car, for your visit. Shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the light began shining as bright as ever. We hope this clears things up a bit to help you plan your trip to either island! 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands Turner Beach (Blind Pass Beach) Just a stone's throw from the bridge from Sanibel to Captiva lies Turner Beach, aka Blind Pass Beach. We did some . The J.N. 2. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. 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. 7/9/2016. Lighthouse Beach is one of the best places to watch sunset on Sanibel or Captiva because of the lighthouse it makes any sunset pic of Sanibel Instaworthy! Captiva sits just north of Sanibel and its accessed via a very short bridge over Blind Pass. Blind Pass Beach. Here is our best explanation about Sanibel vs. Captiva in a nutshell. 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. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. 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. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. not find chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. To get to the beach, its a short five minute walk through a nature trail, boardwalk bridge, hammock, and beach scrub to get where you need to be. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. "This light being lit . Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. When we were at Marco last month, the beaches were pretty. 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. Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. This is simply due to the offshore geography and Sanibels unique curvature of land it really does get the lions share of great shells! Brokered by US Schwarz Immobilien Real Est. to bring home. Is this really a true statement? 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. Turner Beach, between Sanibel and Captiva islands, is the hottest of hot spots for both fishing and surfing. Both have soft white sand and clear blue-green water. Copyright Lisa Erickson, Capturing Captiva, About|Contact|Privacy Policy|Sitemap, The Mucky Duck reopens after Hurricane Ian, How To Support Sanibel and Captiva Businesses, Captiva Island Parking App Pay Via Phone. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. For a beach that is central and safe, you want Tarpon Bay Beach. There is a parking lot available and its a few minutes to walk to the beach from there. The gulf water was clean and calm, but not clear. A collaborative effort of the Florida Shorebird Alliance, the survey of shorebirds and seabirds in Florida aims to gain a better understanding of their winter distributions, the SCCF reported. You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. . $5 per hour for parking. Do You Need a Boating License in Florida? Lighthouse Beach. But honestly, zero impact. ago Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). January 2, 2021 Ryan Bellino Florida Gulf Coast Islands, Sanibel and Captiva Islands 0. . Asides the Sanibel Lighthouse, you can join a dolphin cruise or visit other amazing spots like: If you dont plan on staying in the Island, feel free to head inland for a day trip in Cape Coral. In addition, if you enjoy hunting for shells, you should definitely pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. Blind Pass Beach Park. But they are worth the extra drive to the north end of the island. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibel's sand provides a much better surface for runners. There is no toll for leaving the island back to Fort Myers, or for crossing the small bridge from Sanibel to Captiva. However, that doesnt quite hold true. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. There are several vendors for bike rentals or check with your hotel to find out if they offer bike rentals. Captiva has more super high end vacation homes that sit on the beach whereas Sanibel is where youll find more of the condo units.
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