For many years and generations the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands as well as Gasparrilla and Cayo Costa Islands have been Fla Beach vacation stars. They are located in Lee County which is also home to Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach & Bonita Springs. Lee is the most populous county in Southwest Florida, although you would never know it once you cross the bridge to Sanibel and Captiva and Gasparilla or ferry over to Cayo Costa. The feel on the Fla beach islands is so much different than the mainland; it's as if you are in the middle of the Caribbean.
If you are spending more than the day, Captiva Island hotels include the 'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort with its fabulous fine dining restaurant, the Old Captiva House. And, no visit is complete without going to the Captiva restaurant, The Mucky Duck for sunset watching, island music and great food. The Mad Hatter is a Sanibel restaurant fine dining tradition and a must visit!
On to the beaches! We're featuring 6 of 12 in this article.
Natural Florida beach sand and warm waters invite you to relax, read or partake in a favorite beach activity - shelling. Each beach has a personality all its own. Families will find soft, white sand great for kids. Couples can experience solitude and exceptional sunsets. And active types can enjoy volleyball, picnicking, shelling, cycling and skim boarding.
Causeway Islands
Location: SR/CR 867, from mainland traveling to Sanibel, pass through the Toll Booth, cross over "sky" bridge to first island. Continue over "flat" bridge to second island.
Hours: sunrise to ½ hour past sunset
Parking: free
Amenities: accessible from water, restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables
Activities: fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing, kite boarding, shelling
Pets: yes, on 6' leashes
Lighthouse Beach Park
Location: 112 Periwinkle Way, east end of Sanibel Island
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: $2/hour, 195 spaces
Amenities: restrooms, handicapped accessible, shell display, drinking fountains, bike racks, fishing pier on bayside
Activities: sunbathing, shelling, fishing, walking
Pets: yes, on 8' leashes
Of Special Interest: 32 acres on eastern tip of island. Strong currents make swimming inadvisable, especially for children.
Tarpon Bay Road Park
If you are spending more than the day, Captiva Island hotels include the 'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort with its fabulous fine dining restaurant, the Old Captiva House. And, no visit is complete without going to the Captiva restaurant, The Mucky Duck for sunset watching, island music and great food. The Mad Hatter is a Sanibel restaurant fine dining tradition and a must visit!
On to the beaches! We're featuring 6 of 12 in this article.
Natural Florida beach sand and warm waters invite you to relax, read or partake in a favorite beach activity - shelling. Each beach has a personality all its own. Families will find soft, white sand great for kids. Couples can experience solitude and exceptional sunsets. And active types can enjoy volleyball, picnicking, shelling, cycling and skim boarding.
Causeway Islands
Location: SR/CR 867, from mainland traveling to Sanibel, pass through the Toll Booth, cross over "sky" bridge to first island. Continue over "flat" bridge to second island.
Hours: sunrise to ½ hour past sunset
Parking: free
Amenities: accessible from water, restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables
Activities: fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing, kite boarding, shelling
Pets: yes, on 6' leashes
Lighthouse Beach Park
Location: 112 Periwinkle Way, east end of Sanibel Island
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: $2/hour, 195 spaces
Amenities: restrooms, handicapped accessible, shell display, drinking fountains, bike racks, fishing pier on bayside
Activities: sunbathing, shelling, fishing, walking
Pets: yes, on 8' leashes
Of Special Interest: 32 acres on eastern tip of island. Strong currents make swimming inadvisable, especially for children.
Tarpon Bay Road Park
Location: East End of Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: $2/hour, 75 spaces (use Trost Parking Lot)
Amenities: restrooms, outside showers, handicapped accessible
Activities: swimming, sunbathing, shelling, walking, fishing
Pets: yes, on 8' leashes
Of Special Interest: .9 acres on midsection of island
Bowman's Beach
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: $2/hour, 75 spaces (use Trost Parking Lot)
Amenities: restrooms, outside showers, handicapped accessible
Activities: swimming, sunbathing, shelling, walking, fishing
Pets: yes, on 8' leashes
Of Special Interest: .9 acres on midsection of island
Bowman's Beach
Location: 1700 Bowman's Beach Road, off San-Cap Road, Sanibel Island
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: $2/hour, 214 spaces
Amenities: changing room, showers, drinking fountains, soda machine, grills, restrooms, picnic tables, handicapped accessible
Activities: swimming, fishing, known for great shelling, walking, sunbathing
Pets: yes, on 8' leashes
Of Special Interest: One of the best beaches in Florida, it's a quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the beach (over a bridge) through beach grasses and wetlands. Bowman's is located on the west end of the island and is the most remote of the beaches on Sanibel.
Cayo Costa State Park
Location: directly south of Boca Grande and West of Pine Island, Cayo Costa Island
Hours: 8 AM to sunset
Parking: Accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat. Ferry departs from Pine Island; 239-283-0015 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 239-283-0015 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Park fees: $2/person
Amenities: bike rentals, day boat slips, cabins, campfire circles, kayak and canoe rentals, restrooms, interpretive programs, nature trails, pavilions, tent camping sites, picnic tables and grills, showers
Activities: biking, swimming, boating, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, walking, hiking, scuba, snorkeling, wildlife viewing, campfire programs
Pets: Yes, on 6' leashes. State parks do not permit pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities.
Of Special Interest: The island is 7 miles long and has 9.5 miles of pristine beach on the Gulf. Its 256 acres look much like they did 500 years ago, when the first Europeans arrived here.
Gasparilla Island State Park
Location: a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast, access is via Boca Grande Causeway at C.R. 775 and Placida
Hours: 8 AM to sunset
Parking: $3/vehicle
Amenities: 2 miles of beach, hiking/nature trails, restrooms, interpretive exhibits, picnic areas, showers, visitors center
Activities: swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, shelling, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing
Pets: Yes, on 6' leashes. State parks do not permit pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities.
Of Special Interest: The beaches are the Park's greatest asset. They end at Boca Grande Pass, famous for its deep waters and tarpon fishing. The circa-1890 lighthouse once marked the pass for mariners. It is now a museum that explores the island's fishing and railroad heritage.
You can't go wrong choosing shining Fla beach stars like Captiva or Sanibel for your next Fla beach vacation. Gift certificates for the Captiva restaurants, the Mucky Duck and Old Captiva House, as well as the Sanibel restaurant, the Mad Hatter, can be found in The Florida Beach Book.
Article Source: EzineArticles
Hours: sunrise to sunset
Parking: $2/hour, 214 spaces
Amenities: changing room, showers, drinking fountains, soda machine, grills, restrooms, picnic tables, handicapped accessible
Activities: swimming, fishing, known for great shelling, walking, sunbathing
Pets: yes, on 8' leashes
Of Special Interest: One of the best beaches in Florida, it's a quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the beach (over a bridge) through beach grasses and wetlands. Bowman's is located on the west end of the island and is the most remote of the beaches on Sanibel.
Cayo Costa State Park
Location: directly south of Boca Grande and West of Pine Island, Cayo Costa Island
Hours: 8 AM to sunset
Parking: Accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat. Ferry departs from Pine Island; 239-283-0015 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 239-283-0015 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Park fees: $2/person
Amenities: bike rentals, day boat slips, cabins, campfire circles, kayak and canoe rentals, restrooms, interpretive programs, nature trails, pavilions, tent camping sites, picnic tables and grills, showers
Activities: biking, swimming, boating, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, walking, hiking, scuba, snorkeling, wildlife viewing, campfire programs
Pets: Yes, on 6' leashes. State parks do not permit pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities.
Of Special Interest: The island is 7 miles long and has 9.5 miles of pristine beach on the Gulf. Its 256 acres look much like they did 500 years ago, when the first Europeans arrived here.
Gasparilla Island State Park
Location: a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast, access is via Boca Grande Causeway at C.R. 775 and Placida
Hours: 8 AM to sunset
Parking: $3/vehicle
Amenities: 2 miles of beach, hiking/nature trails, restrooms, interpretive exhibits, picnic areas, showers, visitors center
Activities: swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, shelling, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing
Pets: Yes, on 6' leashes. State parks do not permit pets on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities.
Of Special Interest: The beaches are the Park's greatest asset. They end at Boca Grande Pass, famous for its deep waters and tarpon fishing. The circa-1890 lighthouse once marked the pass for mariners. It is now a museum that explores the island's fishing and railroad heritage.
You can't go wrong choosing shining Fla beach stars like Captiva or Sanibel for your next Fla beach vacation. Gift certificates for the Captiva restaurants, the Mucky Duck and Old Captiva House, as well as the Sanibel restaurant, the Mad Hatter, can be found in The Florida Beach Book.
Article Source: EzineArticles
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