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North America United States Fort Myers Beaches & Islands Captiva Island & Turner Beach

Overview

Captiva Island & Turner Beach

The guide was updated: 2023-09-01

Pirate José Gaspar's coven and, in more recent times, the winter home of artists Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg, this narrow island north of Sanibel is also covered in shells, and its beaches give the same impression of detachment from modern life. You might start your exploration with Turner Beach — wide, lesser-known and undeveloped. Sea currents are often strong here, so swimming is not recommended.

Useful Information

Address: Captiva Island, Lee County, FL

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Bunche Beach

Bunche Beach

A good introduction to Fort Myers's beach panorama, and an easy-to-reach spot if you're based on the mainland, Bunche Beach is part of a green natural preserve south of the Fort Myers town center. The natural scenery is wonderful, and the beach offers different amenities such as kayaking and canoeing equipment.

Fort Myers Beach & Lover's Key

Fort Myers Beach & Lover's Key

The town of Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island has a relaxed summer party vibe, with its colorful Times Square and a more residential southern area. One of its best beaches is Lover's Key State Park: a bit away from the town center, it offers two miles of white sand lined by vegetation. It's great for swimming, and its shallow water is safe for children.

Lynn Hall Memorial Park

Lynn Hall Memorial Park

Right in the center of Fort Myers Beach, this beach park offers facilities for all tastes, from water sports, kayaking and sailing to fishing. Visitors with a more contemplative approach can just indulge in people-watching and sunbathe on the clean white sand.

Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island

Three miles away from the mainland, the island of Sanibel is known worldwide by conchologists for being covered in an extraordinary amount of seashells washed up by the tides: that's because of its peculiar position, stretching east to west in the middle of sea streams. While the island's beaches are some of the best in the area, the urban scene is also charmingly underdeveloped and looks frozen in time at the start of the 20th century. Inland lie the Six Cypress Slough Reserve and the Bailey-Matthews shell museum.

Lighthouse Beach

Lighthouse Beach

With its gaunt, rusty presence, Sanibel's lighthouse adds to the offbeat atmosphere of this beach, tucked away in a natural park on the eastern part of the island. With its clean and shallow water, and seashells everywhere, the beach is a good spot for children. Since there are no bars or restaurants nearby, make sure you bring your own food for lunch.

Blind Pass Beach

Blind Pass Beach

Particularly romantic at sunset, this less-crowded beach on Sanibel island is completely enveloped in nature, with no buildings in sight. It is not the best place for swimming - sea currents can be quite strong - but it's great for collecting shells and fishing, and it has a memorable atmosphere.

Captiva Island & Turner Beach

Captiva Island & Turner Beach

Pirate José Gaspar's coven and, in more recent times, the winter home of artists Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg, this narrow island north of Sanibel is also covered in shells, and its beaches give the same impression of detachment from modern life. You might start your exploration with Turner Beach — wide, lesser-known and undeveloped. Sea currents are often strong here, so swimming is not recommended.

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