There are a number of places to rent bikes at reasonable daily or weekly rates. The depth of beach space changes too. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. Do You Need a Boating License in Florida? Both families and groups alike will love this beach, as you can swim, sunbathe, enjoy a picnic, build epic sandcastles, and play beach games. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. 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. 1451 Middle Gulf Dr, Sanibel Island. 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. If youre planning to visit the area, make sure to do plenty of research to find out whats open, whats available and whats just not even there anymore. Ever since our first trip to Captiva in 2016, Ive been impressed with the ability to find shells on Captiva. Its a beautiful resort and one we highly recommend staying at for its resort facilities including a 9-hole golf course, and the variety of accommodations that will suit everyone. 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. Are there still restaurant's and shops that are closed due to Hurricane Irma? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys. The Atlantic with its steep continental dropoff has stronger surf than the Gulf coast which is relatively shallow (there is actually a shallows area many miles off-shore). Get answers to your questions about Marco Island, Recommendations for condo complex with central booking site. 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. Driving Directions Take I-75 South to Fort Myers. 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. It does get busy understandably so as its so popular! Your support really helps me keep this blog running! There's a $6 toll to get onto the island. Two weeks ago, the water was cloudy but this last week with mild winds from the east, the water is crystal clear. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! Captivas beaches are more of the soft sugar sand that one would typically see on an island. 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. "This light being lit . Mostly boutique shopping. But you may not find the amount youll find on Sanibel, which means more time may be needed to hunt for them. Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. 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. . The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! 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. Its a great way to explore and enjoy the island. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. Because its the only way on and off the island, as you can imagine, traffic can be insane given the popularity of the islands as a tourist destination especially at the height of season from December through March. The currents flush fish out into the gulf and help build waves. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. We are staying a week. Best Florida Gulf Coast Airbnb for Shell . YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. Its on the Captiva side of the Blind Pass Bridge, so all swimmers need to be as cautious as possible, as there are strong currents and a swift undertow. 1725 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Check out this shortlist of my top five 'quick picks for vacation rentals in Sanibel Island. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. Sanibel Island offers very quaint inns, like the Sanibel inn. If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. Many are gulf front and the rates vary greatly. Jensens is well-known and reliable for a day of off-island sightseeing. Is Marco prettier? On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. These islands are more alike than they are different. You wont get much shelling done here, but that doesnt mean that you cant find any at all! Located along the channel between Sanibel and Captiva island, the Blind pass beach is famous amongst sunbathers and . 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. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. 2. More questions about Sanibel vs Captiva? Sanibel has all the bells and whistles compared to Captiva. Marco has more nightlife, more shopping, and more roads. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. However, that doesnt quite hold true. 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. not find chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). That is until we stayed at the Island Inn on Sanibel. Here is our best explanation about Sanibel vs. Captiva in a nutshell. Captiva Island Beaches have a more laid back, island-y vibe. The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. Sanibel Island is home to relaxing beaches, great dining, fishing . You can rent wave runners and go parasailing and as well as canoe and kayak rentals. 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. Youll find shady areas with picnic tables and grills to enjoy your own BBQ! ago There are free taxis to many restaurants/bars but paid transport is $6 anywhere on the island. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. 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 beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. Blind Pass Beach Park. Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. 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. Without a doubt, Sanibel has better shelling than Captiva. For Sale. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Captiva has more of a village feel. So if you score a parking space, you can walk along the beach as far as youd like. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! Port Sanibel Marina | You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. 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. Absolutely. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. The Gulf Beach is 3 minutes' walk away. It was here my friends found love and built up their romance. Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. Thirteen miles of beaches plus luxury resorts and golf courses sprinkled across untouched acreage make Amelia Island a must-visit Florida island destination . 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. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. Located on a little barrier island just 7 miles long, Fort Myers Beach features wide beaches and beautiful views. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. If youre looking for the best tropical getaway on Floridas Gulf Coast, Sanibel and Captiva are always going to be in the conversation. The city-island has several banks and shopping centers, even a single-screen movie theatre. What Does Deeded Beach Access Mean in Florida? Theres a parking lot on the side of the saltwater bayous. For more on what to do, check out the Marco Review website. Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. If youre looking for a smaller beach, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is an excellent option. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. I am a birder, sheller, bike rider, and photographer and it is my favorite place on earth (which is why I moved here). The grills and picnic tables can be claimed early, but you do need to start early. It will take you roughly one hour to get to Sanibel and Captiva from the Fort Myers airport Southwest Florida International (RSW) to the Sanibel Causeway. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. It's got a great location right across from the beach and the pass between the two islands. 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. No matter what brings people to the beaches, its undeniable that theyre simply magnificent. 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. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. The kids will love the park, and you can take a moment to explore the shoreline and find as many shells as you like (not live ones!) The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. Can anyone give us advice. and they leave from Captiva, but its an easy drive from Sanibel. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. Sanibel's beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. Essentially, Sanibel and Captiva islands are sister islands. So map your walk along this route carefully and make sure that youre not trespassing along the way. Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. VISIT THE HISTORIC SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE. Some popular activities on Turner Beach include: If you have a Saltwater Fishing License, you can saltwater fish from the shore. There are so many different species of fish here, and with the bay on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, you can imagine how popular its been as a destination here as you can access the beach right from the water, too. 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. Since the water off Sanibel is shallower than Captiva, this causes bigger waves and murkier water. 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. Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. There is access to the western sunset-facingpristine beaches of Captiva at Turner's Beach immediately after Blind Pass Bridge and also a small lot at the very end of Captiva Drive directly adjacent to South Seas Resort. The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures.

Genesee Hospital Rochester Ny Medical Records, Vermilion Ohio Police Scanner, Articles W