Ok Sanibel and Captiva Island, theres enough beach for you to have a great time. You can even rent golf carts. Sanibels beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. Look at the JW Marriott Marco website for options. And. That is a personal decision. Everyone is differentI much prefer Sanibel to Marco by a wide margin, but if you want a more elegant experience with groomed beaches than Marco might be a better fit for you. Both islands are breathtaking. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. 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. 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. 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. Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel and Captiva Islands meet. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Likewise, Ive heard from people who stayed on Captiva and were disappointed in the lack of shells. 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. 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. In many ways, the two islands are sisters. 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. Sanibel is most famous for its shelling. 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. Captiva Beach - Andy Rosse Lane. For people who are enthusiastic about shell hunting, there are better shells on Sanibel beaches. Sanibel is known to be the top shelling destination in North America. There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. The island is a lot smaller than Sanibel (half of its taken up by the South Seas Island Resort), but it feels very much the same. Some people are put off by higrises on the beach. Because of its larger size, Sanibel has more beaches to choose from than Captiva. While you're likely to find many shells at any of Sanibel's 6 public beaches, a couple that stand out include: Gulfside City Park Beach- This beautiful sandy beach is covered with countless shells to collect. At this point, the combined preserved/ protected conservation land owned by the National Refuge, private foundations and the City of Sanibel extends to about 70% of the island. But I have never seen brown water hitting Marco Island. There are bird sanctuaries, modern childrens playgrounds, and RV parking for road trippers looking to get out and do something new. Both families and groups alike will love this beach, as you can swim, sunbathe, enjoy a picnic, build epic sandcastles, and play beach games. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. No Wal-Mart, McDonalds, or Ben & Jerry's (sigh). 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. Theres a $6 toll to get onto the island. No issue of traffic concerns. And anything called a resort is actually a condo with more resort-like amenities. The geography of each island makes it unique. It's a quiet beach, but it's not really the best place for swimming. . 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. Located along the channel between Sanibel and Captiva island, the Blind pass beach is famous amongst sunbathers and . We are staying a week. People who visit the island mostly have plans of hanging out on the beach, as it is the main attraction. Fort Myers is blue collar means that Ft Myers is more lower . On the other hand, if you intend to drive, the admission rate is $5 per car. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. 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. There is a sandbar at low tide which gives you room to see live seashells. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! There are many homes and historic cottages that rent privately as well. Does anyone have recommendations if sunset views would be better from Lovers Key or Sanibel/Captiva (in July)? ;-). Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Sanibel has a wide variety of accommodations from resorts, condos, inns, cottages and B&B's. Sanibel's beaches are actually made up more of ground up shells than sand, which can be somewhat uncomfortable for bare feet. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Many are gulf front and the rates vary greatly. Its a pristine beautiful beach, great for privacy, sunning ,and fishing, but offers limited shelling. Note: there is a parking fee for those coming in with their cars. Amelia Island. 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 . Lets start with the first island youll arrive at from the mainland Sanibel Island. The gulf water was clean and calm, but not clear. the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. 3 beach destination in the United States, and it is easy to see why. Some of the fish that can be caught here include: As noted above, the currents here can sometimes be intense and unpredictable. Your email address will not be published. When we were at Marco last month, the beaches were pretty. Absolutely. Tarpon Beach. Bowman's Beach is very quiet and pristine. Water clarity varies day to day mostly depending on storm activity in the Gulf. The other three councilmen are Scott. 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). A second dining room and outdoor patio are poolside, with a gulf backdrop. Some resorts offer bikes for rent. 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. Plan to book early as they fill up quickly year round (and especially in the winter). Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are called sister islands, but there are some obvious differences between them. Two weeks ago, the water was cloudy but this last week with mild winds from the east, the water is crystal clear. Or is there another better spot? Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort, an IHG Hotel. 1. 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. If I wanted to snorkel I would head to the keys. Both islands have the same great beaches, but if youre coming for the day or youre not staying right on the beach, parking at the beaches on Captiva is much more limited and more expensive than on Sanibel. It had the same color/clarity as the ocean here in NC. There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. $5 per hour for parking. Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are separated by a bridge over Blind Pass. Go on a dolphin tour on a waverunner, or enjoy a chartered fishing trip. Many visitors are amazed at the amount of shells that theyre able to find here. Within the developed sections are things common to towns anywhere- schools, neighborhoods, supermarkets, and stores. There are 76 general parking spaces. Aside from Bowman and Blind Pass beach areas, Sanibels beaches are far more narrow than Captivas. Before we delve into whats unique about each island, let us just say that both islands have these things in common: Gorgeous beaches and a laid back, islandy atmosphere, There are NO: high-rise hotels and condos, big box stores, chain restaurants or traffic signals. 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. Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. There are 23 general parking spaces. Captiva Island and Sanibel Island were formerly single islands located along North Captiva Island. $5 per hour for public parking. 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. Drop us a line. All great points. Captivas beach is far better for simply lounging on the powdery sand. The strong currents that make Blind Pass a . On the left side of Captiva Drive there are three short side streets. While you can walk to bars and restaurants from some vacation rentals it is not that easy from most. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. The biggest difference is the number of beaches. When you cross the Sanibel Causeway and visit the island from the mainland, youll likely immediately notice the beauty of nature around you. As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. The best shelling on the two islands is around the Blind Pass Bridge and theres parking on both the Sanibel and Captiva sides. 2023TravelMagma All rights reserved. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. Captiva, on the other hand, isn't close to anything. 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. There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. Thirteen miles of beaches plus luxury resorts and golf courses sprinkled across untouched acreage make Amelia Island a must-visit Florida island destination . Locations to go shelling include: Causeway Beaches; Gulfside City Park; Bowman's Beach; Blind . YUCATAN SHRIMP AT Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. If youre not a strong swimmer or you have young kids, swimming should be avoided. The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. Without a doubt, Sanibel is the larger of the two islands, and more touristed since its the first island off the Causeway.