Youll find shady areas with picnic tables and grills to enjoy your own BBQ! Before choosing the island youd like to visit, it is important to know the differences as this can influence your choice. It was here my friends found love and built up their romance. Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grill 2500 Island Inn Rd, Sanibel Island OR 5400 S Seas Plantation Rd, Captiva Island That's right - Doc Ford's has two locations within the islands! Your support really helps me keep this blog running! Make your Florida boat rental reservation today and call us today at (239) 437-1660 to make some boating memories today. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. One of the biggest attractions on Sanibel Island is the J.N. $5 per hour for public parking. 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. . 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. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! Lots of visitor parking available on Sanibel but it costs $5.00 per hour. Its especially popular among beach and nature lovers as the beaches are pristine and the water sublime. Captiva Beach, Captiva Island: See 1,385 reviews, articles, and 733 photos of Captiva Beach, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 10 attractions in Captiva Island. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. The Bubble Room is family friendly and a very fun place for kids - and adults. Hi , we are trying to book vacation end of March . The SanCap area is reminiscent of the differences between a smaller community versus the regional center; Sanibel is a smaller town that provides basic services to the broader area. With Sanibel's unique orientation as a primarily East-West island, the shelling is great AND the beaches at either end (Lighthouse, East end) Blind Pass (west end) offer a variety of beach conditions to explore on the same day. Thank you A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. You can just spend your days on Sanibel Island and occasionally go to Captiva island to experience their unique dining experience. Its a great way to explore and enjoy the island. 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. At 33 square miles, (12 miles end-to-end), walking may not always be convenient, depending on your plans. Sanibel vs Captiva? Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. Im not saying any of this to put you off, because Sanibel and Captiva are GREAT islands and one of my favorite places in Florida, but if youre used to staying at more high end beach resorts in other parts of Florida, what that money gets you on Sanibel and Captiva is a lotless. Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. But its all about your expectations. Essentially, Sanibel and Captiva islands are sister islands. However, that doesnt quite hold true. Just cut into 3/4 wide sections. Marco has a modern infrastructure of bridges, streets, and street lights. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. They contain thousands of shells you can find. Which of these twin islands in southwest Florida is right for you? Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? Captiva Island, the South seas island resort, Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva, Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches. Welcome to Capturing Captiva, your online vacation guide to Captiva Island, Florida, and the surrounding area. When you are looking to visit Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches, dont forget to make a boating reservation too! This relaxed oceanfront resort features an outdoor pool and dining with simple accommodations. 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. The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is another fun place to visit on Sanibel with interesting exhibits, interactive stations for the kids, and shell collections from all over the world. If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. 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. Other than day trips to Sanibel, we dont usually use our rental car on Captiva. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. In the village area there are a number of marinas that offer charter captains and water taxi service to the out islands of North Captiva, Cabbage Key and Useppa. Captiva Islands parent island is Sanibel. Finding seashells on either island is as easy as walking onto the beach. At the end of the lane is one of Captivas most popular restaurants, The Mucky Duck, a laid-back place thats great for a cold drink and watching the sunset.On the opposite side of Captiva Drive is a popular favorite, the Bubble Room complete with year-round Christmas decorations and a very funky decor. Bowman's Beach and Blind Pass Beach re where you will find softer sand on Sanibel Island. 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. Copyright 2023 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. For Sale: Single Family home, $1,795,000, 3 Bd, 5 Ba, 3,516 Sqft, $511/Sqft, at 5721 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 There is a parking lot available and its a few minutes to walk to the beach from there. The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. Thats a must! Whether you choose Sanibel Island or Captiva Island, these destinations are a 30 minutes car drive from each other so you can always change your mind if you want to. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. 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. What Does Deeded Beach Access Mean in Florida? The access you get to the state park beach is at the West side of Panama Shell Drive at the end of Captiva Drive, and there are just miles of empty sands and fallen trees to explore and climb. But thats not the only reason Sanibel is busier than Captiva theres just more things to see and do on Sanibel. We are staying a week. Sticking to the beach rules of no alcohol, no loud music, and tidying after yourself will ensure that you have the best adventure. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. 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. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. Golf cart renters must be 21 years old and have a vaild driver's license. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are separated by a bridge over Blind Pass. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . During your stay, you should indulge in shell hunting. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. Can you find a nice place to stay? Located along the channel between Sanibel and Captiva island, the Blind pass beach is famous amongst sunbathers and . Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. The pristine beaches of Sanibel are best in the off-season (May to September) where the beaches are empty save for the locals. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. Best for Kids: Located right on the beach, . Paddling the islands back waters is a great way to spend a day. Both families and groups alike will love this beach, as you can swim, sunbathe, enjoy a picnic, build epic sandcastles, and play beach games. Its away from the strong currents so you can confidently get in the water here. Fort Myers is blue collar means that Ft Myers is more lower . Captiva has only a limited number of properties with nightly rentals and they are very popular. You can stay, explore, dine and swim on both with a guarantee to enjoy yourself. The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. This refuge allows you to watch birds, go on tours, hike, bike and engage in other fun activities. If you aren't into shelling this is definitely something worth considering. Before traveling to any vacation destination, one of the most important things to consider is where you are to stay on your arrival. The gentle slope of the beach means more spread-out shells. When we were at Marco last month, the beaches were pretty. 0.25 acre lot. . If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). Turner Beach, between Sanibel and Captiva islands, is the hottest of hot spots for both fishing and surfing. The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. The causeway bridge to Sanibel is $6 roundtrip; there is no fee to gofrom Sanibelto Captiva. Once you cross over the bridge at Blind Pass, youll immediately notice how the road narrows and homes are shrouded by lush greenery and gates. There are no high-rise accommodations on Sanibel, only two story hotels, one-story retro motels, and lovely quaint cottages. Look at the JW Marriott Marco website for options. Within the developed sections are things common to towns anywhere- schools, neighborhoods, supermarkets, and stores. Bring a hammock and hang it on the palm trees for the ultimate vacation photo! There are 23 general parking spaces. BREAKFAST AT Lighthouse Caf. Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. 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. It takes about 20 minutes (without traffic) to travel the length of Sanibel and come to the small bridge over Blind Pass that brings you onto Captiva. There isnt a full-on grocery store (The Island Store is the closest it gets), but the shops on the island can get you most, if not all, of your basic needs. 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. Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. You get a very comfortable and relaxed oceanfront resort, which includes: Another amazing inn on this island is the Seaside inn. 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. Turner Beach. 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. While Sanibel may get the lions share of shells, thats not to say that Captiva also doesnt have good shelling. The J.N. Please check directly with businesses regarding their operating status as the islands continue to rebuild. On Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. . ;-). All of the area's beaches from Lighthouse Beach to North Captiva Island are great shelling locations. See the In all shapes, sizes, and colors, vacationers often leave Blind Pass Beach with buckets full of incredible shells. Most places are a little worn and just not very updated. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. Rent a bike! You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world.