which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? When visiting Sanibel and Captiva Island, there are 8 beaches that stand out above the rest as must visit. If you arent into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Sanibel Island Shelling - World's Best Shelling Beaches No Wal-Mart, McDonalds, or Ben & Jerry's (sigh). Make your Florida boat rental reservation today and call us today at (239) 437-1660 to make some boating memories today. The Captiva Island Inn is also another wonderful place you can stay especially if youre searching for something more unique and quaint. There are two large grocery stores and several smaller markets. But both islands have their own unique personality. While Sanibel is not busy by mainland standards, Captiva manages to be even more laid back. There are several vendors for bike rentals or check with your hotel to find out if they offer bike rentals. However, these two islands were separated by a storm at Blind Pass. I only took in the Captiva Island portion of the trip but made sure to experience as much of the area as possible and not just sit on patios listening to acoustic music while drinking rum punch. 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! 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. Lots of visitor parking available on Sanibel but it costs $5.00 per hour. The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. 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. 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. Marco is further from the Caloosatchee river so generally it will have cleaner water. The irony of this is, one of the best beaches on Sanibel is located closest to the Causeway. If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. Sanibel vs Captiva: Which Island Stay is Right for You? 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. CAPTIVA BEACH (Captiva Island) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. In a place like Sanibel Island (or Captiva Island), you simply must get out on the water to truly experience the destination. day trips, Fort Myers, attractions, family fun with kids, Captiva, Captiva Island, restaurants, best restaurants, Southwest Florida, Gulf coast islands, Weird Florida: 8 Unusual Things to See and Do in Southwest Florida. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. They contain thousands of shells you can find. Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. Whats the difference between Sanibel and 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. Please check directly with businesses regarding their operating status as the islands continue to rebuild. $899,000. More questions about Sanibel vs Captiva? Fort Myers is blue collar means that Ft Myers is more lower . But if you are looking for the more traditional sugar sand beach with clear blue water the Captiva Island Beaches are the way to go. 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. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. Haven't been to either. The beaches shown in the video are: Lighthouse Beach, Gulfside City Beach, Tarpon Bay Beach, Bowman's. 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. Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. 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 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. While Sanibel and Captiva arent radically different, Ill do my best to break the two down: Sanibel is a sizable island with direct access from mainland Fort Myers via the Sanibel Causeway. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. Sanibel is the by far the larger of the two and is the first island off the mainland. Purdue9394/Getty Images. It depends on the direction of the wind and tides. Driving Directions Take I-75 South to Fort Myers. Almost 7,400 residents live there in just over 16 square miles. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. Where to stay on Sanibel Island, FL - Howtobookyourtrip I agree completely with the response from Hawkowl (#3 above). Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts | Choose Your Island. Choose Your Beach. Tarpon Bay Road Beach. Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts boasts more than 50 years of hospitality marketing and management success all based on the delivery of our mission, by each team member, to each of you, our guests: deliver a warm, friendly and memorable island resort experience that provides value to you so exceptional, you'll want to return . Sanibel Island vs. Marco Island: Where to Vacation - Royal Shell All great points. P.S. Sitemap, 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit. 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. But they are worth the extra drive to the north end of the island. Sanibel Island is known for being a natural wonderland. The Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery gives free tours and tastings for all visitors. Others appreciate the secluded and remote feeling that the island offers when compared to more crowded Florida beaches. If clear water is your absolute priority Tina, I don't think either Sanibel or Marco are for you. and they leave from Captiva, but its an easy drive from Sanibel. Some of the major differences between Sanibel Island and Captiva Island can be found on the beaches. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. Tarpon Beach. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. It's a beauty inside and out, fashioned after a historic, Victorian-style island mansion. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The pristine beaches, with plentiful seashells for collectors, proved popular with. Ladyfish - free-lined or cut into chunks is one of the best baits out there and readily available to Sanibel & Captiva Beach Fishermen. Differences between Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches 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. Along Andy Rosse Lane is Captiva Island Pizza, casual RC Otters, and the very delicious Key Lime Bistro. Some resorts offer bikes for rent. 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. 2. The beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. ago We are staying a week. Lets see what sets the islands apart and explore some of the best beaches on both islands. While you can walk to bars and restaurants from some vacation rentals it is not that easy from most. You want to find a slice of paradise when you go to the beach, and Captiva Beach is the most authentic piece of heaven there is. Which of these twin islands in southwest Florida is right for you? The Souvenir shopping experience in both islands is quite similar, and you can get beautiful handmade items to take home with you. These islands will certainly be your favorites as soon as you get here. Not at all. Marco has a 7.1 mile continuous, wide crescent beach with a long "Tigertail" beach. Theres a parking lot on the side of the saltwater bayous. Drop us a line. Red tide, devastated reefs follow in the wake of Hurricane Ian 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. The 7 Best Beaches for Shelling on Sanibel Island In fact, as Sanibel and Captiva are connected by bridges, interested cyclists can bike from Fort Myers proper all the way across to both of the islands and back if they choose. Were often asked and emailed questions from readers wanting to know what the difference is between Sanibel and Captiva islands. Strollers, wagons, and the like are a lot harder to maneuver on Captivas beaches than on Sanibel. But its all about your expectations. There are no big box stores you have to go off-island to Fort Myers for that or streetlights and traffic lights. 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. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! Jensen's Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, Captiva Vessels up to 40 feet (239) 472-5800 gocaptiva.com.

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