which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

Before choosing the island youd like to visit, it is important to know the differences as this can influence your choice. Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. Along Andy Rosse Lane is Captiva Island Pizza, casual RC Otters, and the very delicious Key Lime Bistro. There are kayak launch sites here, and you can bring yours with you for a fun afternoon floating in the water. 1. Dolphins make their appearance daily and often a manatee or two are spotted. January 2, 2021 Ryan Bellino Florida Gulf Coast Islands, Sanibel and Captiva Islands 0. 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. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). 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. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. They contain thousands of shells you can find. 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. During your stay, you should indulge in shell hunting. The lack of multi-unit condos on Captiva makes the beaches far less crowded. The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach. Do You Need a Boating License in Florida? Turner Beach. Rent a bike! Golf cart renters must be 21 years old and have a vaild driver's license. One of the questions we get asked a lot is, what are the differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island?. Blind Pass Beach. If you want to get on a personal level with nature, you can visit any of these beaches. For the whole family, Causeway Beach & Park is the perfect day out. Two Sanibel incumbents face challengers in Tuesday elections Super crowded, but it was spring break after all. It doesn't have lots of stuff inside, but we found a few things for a quick lunch, including . Your support really helps me keep this blog running! The intimate 10-day festival starts off in Captiva Island and Sanibel Island, then moves on to downtown Fort Myers and wraps up at Fort Myers Beach. A popular destination for visitors, Turner Beach is one of the best beaches on Captiva. 8 Great Places to Go Kayaking in Fort Myers, 50 Things to Do in Southwest Florida: The Ultimate Bucket List, 10 Fun and Easy Day Trips from Naples Florida, 15 Fun Things To Do on Sanibel Island, Florida, 6 Best Waterfront Places to Stay on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, Castaway to 7 Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Islands Reachable Only By Boat, The 7 Best Beaches in Fort Myers Florida (Plus 5 More Nearby), 9 Sanibel Restaurants for Tropical Island Dining at Its Best. Mostly boutique shopping. Sanibels sideways stretch makes in an excellent destination for shelling and beachcombing; Captivas lengthy reach gives its beaches fine sand. Captiva beaches vs Sanibel beaches - Sanibel Island Forum Captiva Island, on the other hand, is perfect for quiet family vacations, romantic getaways, privacy and exclusivity, and easy access to off-island boat adventures to out islands. 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. Shelling and fishing is very popular at this beach. 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. Captiva, on the other hand, is much, much smaller: five miles long and 1.64 square miles in size. Captiva Island. You will find miles of pristine beaches to enjoy, and you can island hop to the north of the beaches, and then go fishing when youre on your way! Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! $5 per hour for parking. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. 5 tips to help you catch more fish around Sanibel & Captiva Sanibel City leaders said their beaches fared better than Captiva's in the erosion department following Eta, although isolated erosion was spotted on some public beaches. You can download an app with tons of info on it. 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. If youre not a strong swimmer or you have young kids, swimming should be avoided. Where to stay on Sanibel Island, FL - Howtobookyourtrip Is this really a true statement? On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. Sanibel won, hands down. South Capers, Sanibel Real Estate & Homes for Sale Haven't been to either. the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - Rattleinnaustin.com Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. With endless skies and treasured beach walks, Captiva Beach will surely captivate you and the whole family. Like neat little boutiques for shopping. 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. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. 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. But thats not the only reason Sanibel is busier than Captiva theres just more things to see and do on Sanibel. If you enjoy hunting for shells, you should pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. The J. N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a scenic drive, boating rentals and tours, hiking paths and a visitor educational center. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . While we initially stayed on and fell in love with Captiva Island, both islands are perfect for rest and relaxation. Sometimes they are even joined when the narrow waterway of Blind Pass that separates them fills in and the two islands actually connect, though a concerted effort is underway to keep the pass open to improve the health of the bayous on the bay side. The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. Exit 21 is the best exit off of I-75 for the beaches. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. A lot of the island itself is privately owned. Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. What's there to do I one place vs the other? Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. Lets see what sets the islands apart and explore some of the best beaches on both islands. If youre looking for a smaller beach, Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is an excellent option. There are several vendors on Sanibel for you to rent a kayak or a canoe if you prefer. This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is home to relaxing beaches, great dining, fishing . In addition, if you enjoy hunting for shells, you should definitely pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. Read about each one below to decide which ones will complete your dream beach getaway. Since then, Sanibel has followed a path of creating a balance for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of the island while at the same time proactively and aggressively controlling development and sprawl. . The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Its the place you go to unplug and unwind. 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. Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 100 feet (239) 215-2445 sanibelmarina.com Here are the most noticeable difference between the islands to help you pick your island destination: One of the biggest distinguishing factors between Sanibel and Captiva lies beneath your toes: their sand. In many ways, the two islands are sisters. Located in the middle of the island, there is more than enough space to enjoy the sunshine or relax in the shade should you want to take a moment to rest. No, Siesta Key Village is not like Captiva. 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. However, that doesnt quite hold true. The depth of beach space changes too. Blind Pass Beach. Fishers in particular love it here, as there is a lighted pier for them to enjoy and fish from. On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches Sanibel Island shelling is considered the best shelling spot in the world according to Travel and Leisure Magazine. It was warm and pleasant.

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