which beach is better sanibel or captiva?

You can walk for miles on the beach here, and you can find soft white sand with plenty of intricate shells to enjoy. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. Sanibel and Captiva - Southern Boating Eight Sanibel and Captiva beaches you have to visit include: Bowman's Beach Lighthouse Beach Blind Pass Beach Captiva Beach Turner Beach Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach Causeway Beach Park Tarpon Bay Beach Captiva Island Beaches Sanibel Island vs Marco Island for a vacation?Sanibel and Marco islands are both tropical gems of Southwest Florida, attracting thousands of visitors each year for a family vacation, a weekend getaway, or a honeymoon. You'll find it on the western edge of Captiva Island. Narrow beaches mixed with more beachgoers creates a recipe for crowded beaches. If you enjoy hunting for shells, you should pick Sanibel Island, as it is the top shelling destination in North America. 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. 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. 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). We couldn't have had better customer | Island Vacations of Sanibel It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! Very shelly though, youll need to wear flips flops to take a walk. 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. It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. Sanibel and Captiva remain very much in recovery mode, but some business leaders urged city management to open back up, so visitors can once again eat, shop and stay at the iconic barrier islands . Compared to some of the other beaches on this list, Blind Pass Beach doesnt have an endless list of amenities. These islands are perfect, providing visitors with dining, shopping, entertainment, and local hotels. That said, however, since most visitors seem to hit the beaches closest to the Sanibel Causeway (the only road on and off the island), youll find that the closer you get to the Causeway, the more crowded the beaches are. But honestly, zero impact. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. 19 THINGS TO DO IN FORT MYERS FOR FUN IN THE SUN - 365 Atlanta Traveler ago This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Go on a dolphin tour on a waverunner, or enjoy a chartered fishing trip. Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. 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. Are Sanibel Island Beaches Open? - Coastal Conservatory There are free taxis to many restaurants/bars but paid transport is $6 anywhere on the island. Within the developed sections are things common to towns anywhere- schools, neighborhoods, supermarkets, and stores. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. The gulf water was clean and calm, but not clear. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are but two small vacation spots on the Gulf Coast. 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. Fishers in particular love it here, as there is a lighted pier for them to enjoy and fish from. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. 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. Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. 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. 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. Turner Beach. Hi , we are trying to book vacation end of March . The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach. My 9 Favorite Restaurants On Sanibel And Captiva Islands - TravelAwaits Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. While the intention is to rebuild, the causeway has been fixed, and the island is expected to begin opening to tourism in January 2023, things are not back to normal and likely wont be for a long time. If you are really into fantastic shelling then the obvious choice is Sanibel. Thats a must! 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. Youll love watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico from either island and both destinations truly boast something for everyone. 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. 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. Alternatively, you may use, Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Sanibel Island, Hotels near J.N. It does. During your stay, you should indulge in shell hunting. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. Before choosing the island youd like to visit, it is important to know the differences as this can influence your choice. $899,000. While Sanibel is filled with people scouring the beach for beautiful shells, the beaches of Captiva are generally very quiet and laid back. 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands - Florida Trippers In fact, Sanibel and Captiva have some of the most fun and unique bars in Southwest Florida. Sanibels beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. 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. 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. 8 Sanibel and Captiva Island Beaches You Have to Visit . 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. 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. Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. Captiva Island Beaches: 3 Best Access Points | PlanetWare But they are worth the extra drive to the north end of the island. Locations to go shelling include: Causeway Beaches; Gulfside City Park; Bowman's Beach; Blind . 6 Best Waterfront Places to Stay on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Purdue9394/Getty Images. 11 Gorgeous Sanibel And Captiva Island Beaches To Visit Marco is further from the Caloosatchee river so generally it will have cleaner water. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. 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. The two island are essentially one, but they really do have subtle qualities that could make a big difference in your vacation. Port Sanibel Marina offers marina reservations and fishing charters for you to enjoy after a great time visiting all the beaches we mentioned above! 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! Our guide below gives you an in-depth look at what you can expect at each of Sanibel Island's popular shelling beaches. Both families and groups alike will love this beach, as you can swim, sunbathe, enjoy a picnic, build epic sandcastles, and play beach games. 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. Schedule launch times and see the status of your reservation anytime, anywhere with the BoatCloud Launch App. Is Marco prettier? Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? - travels-answers.com Youll find shady areas with picnic tables and grills to enjoy your own BBQ! That is a personal decision. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. Turner Beach, between Sanibel and Captiva islands, is the hottest of hot spots for both fishing and surfing. It seems like this couldnt possibly be true since they are so close, together but it absolutely is. Sanibel has all the bells and whistles compared to Captiva. 5 tips to help you catch more fish around Sanibel & Captiva Dogs on leashes no longer than 8 feet are welcome on all Sanibel Island beaches. 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. Its smarter to go further down the beach here for swimming, but with the nearby bars and beachside restaurants, you may decide that sitting on the sand and watching the waves move is a safer option for you. Drop us a line. Captiva beaches vs Sanibel beaches - Sanibel Island Forum Theres a reason that Sanibel is consistently named as one of the best shelling beaches on the planet. There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! Captiva and Sanibel Island Shelling Tips - Capturing Captiva In Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. Sanibel is crisscrossed by an extensive multi-use path system that gives bicyclists and walkers access to most of the destinations on the island including the wildlife refuge and most of the beaches. For a romantic getaway with your partner, you can choose to stay in the Love shack. TIP: Toll is $6 into Sanibel Island. Bringing the whole family is a must when you head to Captiva Beach, and there are plenty of beaches and places to stay along those beaches.

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