Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. The islands of Captiva and Sanibel are located just off the coast of Fort Myers Beach. There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. The best news is that if youre a Florida resident who is exploring, youre going to be able to do that for free! There is no fee for Florida residents. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. The building restrictions here are whats part of the charm. 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. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are a must-see for a variety of reasons. And. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are called sister islands, but there are some obvious differences between them. 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. Very shelly though, youll need to wear flips flops to take a walk. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We are staying a week. Silver Key Beach. The FDOH's fecal indicator bacteria testing results on Dec. 12 suggested low bacterial concentrations and no current advisories. There is public access and the smaller resorts are on the West. Most of the island is very narrow- you can see both the Gulf and Pine Island Sound from many spots. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. During your stay, you should indulge in shell hunting. Since the water off Sanibel is shallower than Captiva, this causes bigger waves and murkier water. 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. The geography of each island makes it unique. Don't take this the wrong way, the beaches of Captiva Island are still better for shelling than most places in the entire world, it's just that Sanibel is truly the best there is. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. This video shows what I consider to be the best public beaches on Sanibel Island. They'll need water and power restored and repairs, but "uninhabitable" is a massive exaggeration. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. Biking is our favorite way to get around the islands . Ive always found the best shells in the water on Captiva. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. You cant access Captiva without going through Sanibel and these two islands have such a different vibe than pretty much every other place in the area so theyre often compared. 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 . Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts Holly Monroe Beneficiary Created October 5, 2022 Emergencies Report fundraiser Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help Easy Donate quickly and easily. So many reviews have said that guests left sanibel's beaches when they were bad to go to captiva where they we great! Dont take this the wrong way, the beaches of Captiva Island are still better for shelling than most places in the entire world, its just that Sanibel is truly the best there is. In many ways, the two islands are sisters. 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. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is much larger than Captiva and is the first island off the mainland of Ft. Myers. The beach itself is clean, with shaded areas and restrooms, covered cabanas, and picnic areas to enjoy. 7 Best Beaches on Sanibel And Captiva Islands Turner Beach (Blind Pass Beach) Just a stone's throw from the bridge from Sanibel to Captiva lies Turner Beach, aka Blind Pass Beach. Do You Need a Boating License in Florida? I will say, depending on the types of places youre used to staying in Florida (or on vacation in general)I find that 95% of whats offered on Sanibel leaves a lot to be desired (especially for the $$). Youll also find a good selection of family-friendly beachfront resorts, condos, B&B's and Airbnbs. Just within the past two weeks, we've seen Billy's Rentals and Tarpon Bay Explorers reopen, along with Doc Ford's, Timbers and the Great White Grill. Marco has a modern infrastructure of bridges, streets, and street lights. The "Sanibel Spirit" is indeed alive, strong and resilient, and remarkable signs of recovery continue throughout our "repairadise.". On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. Fishers in particular love it here, as there is a lighted pier for them to enjoy and fish from. That is a personal decision. Both islands have a good selection of mom and pop restaurants and shops, although Sanibel definitely has more (its a much larger island though). The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. Captiva Island. They contain thousands of shells you can find. "This light being lit . As you approach the northern part of Captiva, you come to the small and very quaintvillage areawhere you will find an assortment of restaurants and shops, as well as the post office, a bank and a small library. The water moves fast, and the resorts and rentals are well-placed for a day of fun at the beach. Before traveling to any vacation destination, one of the most important things to consider is where you are to stay on your arrival. There are also two semi-public 18 hole golf courses on the island. The pristine beaches, with plentiful seashells for collectors, proved popular with. Gulfside City Park. 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. 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. The beach connecting Sanibel to Captive is probably the best known public beach and it is very well known for its shelling. On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Sanibel is a wonderful overall vacation experience if you like beachcombing and non chain restaurants and nature in general, but the water clarity varies with the tides and winds and currents. Re: Siesta Key vs Captiva Island. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. 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. 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. The waters off the beaches of Sanibel have a gradual slope that allows shells to be washed up onto the beach extremely easily. Were happy to answer trip-planning questions! You can even rent golf carts. Even some private homes that are rented to guests on the resort have limitations on the useof facilities. Also, beach access is much more limited on Captiva with just two public parking lots. Local grocery stores like Jerrys and Baileys General Store are good for sandwiches, prepared foods, good picnic food for the beach, and stocking your own kitchenette or vacation rental. If the beaches ofSanibelare uncrowded by moststandards, Captiva's are even more so. As you ride your bike to cruise the 4-mile Wildlife Drive, get ready to discover different trails. 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. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. 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. Before you reach the South Seas Island resort theres the quaint village of Captiva with a few shops and eateries. When I bought my vacation house 25 years ago I compared both Marco and Sanibel. These islands are perfect, providing visitors with dining, shopping, entertainment, and local hotels. A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. The beach here is backed by swaying palm trees, and a few benches, ideal for soaking up the scene, are nearby. 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. Because of the more remote location furthest from the Sanibel Causeway, what few public beaches there are on Captiva Island tend to be much less-crowded compared with the beaches on Sanibel. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Super crowded, but it was spring break after all. DINNER AT TIMBERS RESTAURANT. No matter what brings people to the beaches, its undeniable that theyre simply magnificent. The currents flush fish out into the gulf and help build waves. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. Sanibels beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. Privacy Policy | 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. Bowmans Beach is one of many beaches on Sanibel Island, and on the western portion of the island.Its a protected site, with no developments going on, which leaves a pure and natural landscape to enjoy for all. You will actually find this beach both on Sanibel and Captiva Island. Captiva and Sanibel Islands have also earned a reputation for some of the best shelling in the world. 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. Early morning is the best time to find unusual shells and especially after a rain or storm. Sanibel has 25 miles of safe designated bike paths making it possible to literally pedal or walk the length and breadth of the island. Gather some refreshments and enjoy a picnic on the beach, its one of the most beautiful places you will ever have the pleasure of visiting. 1. Marcos beach is beautiful. Other prohibitions are streetlights and traffic lights (Sanibel police with white gloves move traffic along at peak times). Gulfside City Beach is also known as Algiers Beach, and the park itself has beach access and a nature trail to enjoy. The biggest difference is the number of beaches. 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. Captiva island or Sanibel , best places to stay for 2-3 people , what is reopened , any suggestions? But both islands have their own unique personality.