It does get busy understandably so as its so popular! This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. The beach is very wide/deep so the buildings have zero impact, but if youre not used to seeing that, it can be a disconcerting at first. While Sanibel is not busy by mainland standards, Captiva manages to be even more laid back. 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. 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. It seems like this couldnt possibly be true since they are so close, together but it absolutely is. But Captiva is even quieter and less busy than Sanibel, though theres still plenty to do. Very different experiences. The sand on Clearwater Beach is slightly nicer than the sand on Sand Key, but it is pretty close. 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. You can swim safely, walk and picnic here. 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. 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. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. Allison Hagerup Beach Park is a beautiful public beach with direct access to Captiva Beach and has a small parking lot. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. If you want to get on a personal level with nature, you can visit any of these beaches. VISIT THE HISTORIC SANIBEL LIGHTHOUSE. Sanibel is your choice if you are looking for nature, activities, choices in restaurants and shopping, are on somewhat ofa budget, biking or want to go off island fortouring or nightlife on the mainland. It is also where the Captiva restaurants are located. 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. The route is well marked with signs to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel, and Captiva. It is the first beach after you leave Sanibel Island. 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. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. Sanibel Beaches are among the most dog-friendly beaches in Florida, if not the entire country. Strollers, wagons, and the like are a lot harder to maneuver on Captivas beaches than on Sanibel. Dogs on leashes no longer than 8 feet are welcome on all Sanibel Island beaches. It has no high-rises, just lots of greenery surrounding . The kids will marvel at the sandbar and youll be able to use the restrooms and outdoor showers as you please. Fishermen also enjoy the beach. Sand Key is literally a 5 minute drive from Clearwater Beach. We are staying a week. more. Some will even deliver a kayak to where you are staying. TOLL: Unless you have a SunPass account, the Causeway toll is $6.00 per vehicle heading to Sanibel. Be sure to carry a flashlight when walking at night. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. If clear water is your absolute priority Tina, I don't think either Sanibel or Marco are for you. If youre not a paddler you can still see a lot of the refuge by taking the guided tram tour or hiking on established trails. 1725 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904. Sanibel Island is about 40 minutes west from there. Theyre smaller here, so beautiful to collect! Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Captiva, on the other hand, is much, much smaller: five miles long and 1.64 square miles in size. 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! All great points. Best for Kids: Located right on the beach, . Shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the light began shining as bright as ever. Question: Clearwater Sand Key Beach vs Captiva Island-Which has a 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. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. 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 YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. The other three councilmen are Scott. Compared to Sanibel Island, beaches on Captiva Island do not have a lot of crowds and have a few shells to hunt. 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. You wont be able to take them home, but you may get to see some awesome new creatures. Sanibel is a bike island. Bowman's Beach. Two weeks ago, the water was cloudy but this last week with mild winds from the east, the water is crystal clear. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are called sister islands, but there are some obvious differences between them. Does Marco Island have prettier & clearer water and beaches than Sanibel/Captiva? So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! Haven't been to either. The Keys would probably be your best bet for clear water, without traveling out of the country. This inn provides very colorful and extremely comfortable cottages for you. 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 . 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. Perwinkle Way is the main business street but you will note that large sections are still devoid of parking lots and buildings where it traverses natural areas. Sanibel is known for its beaches some of the best beaches in southwest Florida but even more so for the millions of shells that wash up on its shores by the hour. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! There are also great sunsets at Turner Beach if you find yourself there later in the day! Read about each one below to decide which ones will complete your dream beach getaway. Marco is further from the Caloosatchee river so generally it will have cleaner water. The beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. There's a year-round outdoor pool, and free use of their bicycles included. You can reach Blind Pass by heading to Sanibel's western tip where the gorgeous white sand flanks the channel between Sanibel and Captiva islands. With picnic areas for all, you can take a bike ride to the park and the beach, as there are bike racks to use, too. Rent a bike! Preferences, preferences. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. 11 Gorgeous Sanibel And Captiva Island Beaches To Visit The same gradual sloping shoreline that collects millions of shells on the beaches of Sanibel also prevent it from having bright clear blue water most of the year. Where to Eat. There are other differences between the islands, too. Super crowded, but it was spring break after all. Enjoy your visit. Both families and groups alike will love this beach, as you can swim, sunbathe, enjoy a picnic, build epic sandcastles, and play beach games. A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. 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! However, that doesnt quite hold true. With a shell bag in hand, they scour the beaches for hours looking for unbroken treasures. Powerful Send help right to the people and causes you care about. We hope this clears things up a bit to help you plan your trip to either island! Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? There are several vendors on Sanibel for you to rent a kayak or a canoe if you prefer. 5721 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 | 50 Photos | MLS #223012023 McCarthy's Marina, Captiva Vessels up to 24 feet (239) 472-5200 Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 65 feet (239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. So map your walk along this route carefully and make sure that youre not trespassing along the way. Canoe and kayak rentals, even guided tours of Ding Darling by tram or kayak are available at Tarpon Bay Explorers. Gulfside City Park. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! 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. For Sale. For walkers and bikers, the admission rate is set at $1 per person. Blind Pass Beach is one of the more unique beaches on this list given the fact that it stretches to the northern tip of Sanibel Island, making it easily accessible from Captiva Island as well. Sanibel Island is known for being a natural wonderland. Sanibel and Captiva are connected to Fort Myers on the mainland by only one roadway the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Both islands are amazing and consistently get placed on must travel lists by top media outlets. You can picnic and go kayaking and canoeing, windsurfing and kiteboarding, sunbathing, and shelling. Today, Sanibel is unique from other southwest Florida towns because there are no chains or franchises (except a few grandfathered ones). Out of the 1.6 square miles of Captiva, over 300 acres essentially the entire northern tip is all owned by the South Seas Resort. Plenty of visitors love to enjoy sports here, with wading and swimming being very popular in the right places. . 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. Condos are also available on both the Gulf and the bay. Even though it sits a stones throw (literally) across from Sanibel Island, it has a totally different vibe. There are no stoplights (only a couple of four way stops and traffic directors who help move things along in congested areas at peak times) and a phenomenal network of bike trails. 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. Most of the year it feels like you are the only one on the beach. Captiva & Sanibel Island Beaches. It dwells today within the seaside Casa Ybel Resort. Lighthouse Beach. The bottom structure of the beaches have more influence on waves and water clarity than most realize. 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. It also has a small parking lot and portable toilets. 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. What's there to do I one place vs the other? Captiva is much smaller than Siesta. Captiva Island beaches on the other hand have a steeper slope in the water directly off the beach, which tends to cut down on the amount of shells that wash up on the beach. The vibe is even more relaxed than the slow-paced vacation lifestyle of Sanibel. 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 The residents, wishing to conserve the natural setting and protect the wildlife refuge atmosphere actually broke away from the county and formedSanibel's own municipal government. Fort Myers Beach vs Naples Beach - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums On Captiva, you have much more space to spread out. If you stay at South Seas Island Resort, you have the added benefit of the resorts shuttle service. The gulf water was clean and calm, but not clear. $899,000. The Keys are AMAZING in my opinion, but you do give up the nice, wide, sandy beaches when choosing to vacation in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? These islands are perfect, providing visitors with dining, shopping, entertainment, and local hotels. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. Blind Pass Beach Park. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Sanibel Island ; Hotels You can park for free here, and you can head to the park during the day for the kids to play before heading to the sand. . Sanibel isnt a cheap vacation destination (supply and demand because of development restrictions) so youre probably going to pay a premium for anything on the beach. Captiva Beach - Andy Rosse Lane. 45+ LEISURELY THINGS TO DO ON SANIBEL ISLAND (beyond shelling) 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. Captiva island and Sanibel - Sanibel Island Forum - Tripadvisor If youre visiting during season, a bike will allow you to get around traffic when it slows to a crawl. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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.