Sanibel and Captiva Island Beach Weddings
One of Florida’s best kept secrets is Sanibel and Captiva Island. With Florida being world renowned for its incredible weather, diverse attractions, and highly sought-after destination beach weddings, the 663 miles of beaches in the state there is no shortage of options for saying your vows. Even for Florida natives, it’s difficult to be familiar with every beautiful beach location in the state. Despite Florida’s popularity, there are still hidden gems to be discovered. Sanibel and Captiva Island are one of Florida’s best kept secrets for gulf beach weddings and honeymoons and here’s why.
Privacy of Sanibel and Captiva Island
With breathtaking golden sunsets, white, sugary sand beaches, and the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island sound just like every other gorgeous beach in Florida. The difference though is astounding. With many Florida beaches boasting the characteristic landscape features you would expect to find in the Sunshine State, Sanibel Island is a world in its own unlike any other. With miles of untouched natural landscape, the further you head North on the island, the more sparsely populated it becomes. Unlike many Florida beaches where patrons arrive in hordes to claim their small space in the sand along the shore, many parts of Sanibel Island and Captiva island have relatively light foot traffic. Green lush canopies of trees adorn the island offering shade to sleepy white shell covered roads. In fact, part of Captiva Island is so private that it is only accessible by boat. North Captiva Island is separated from its Southern neighbor by Red Fish Pass. Hourly ferry services are offered to this remote destination for those looking to discover the islands abundant wildlife including migrant birds, manatees, sea turtles, otters, dolphins, and gopher tortoises. North Captiva also offers multiple restaurants and over 20 miles of trails for biking.
Simple Pleasures
It’s well known that some beaches in Florida consist of giant high-rise condos, new construction businesses, souvenir shops marketing neon color t-shirts, and cheesy gimmicks everywhere you look, but not Sanibel and Captiva Island. Typical commercial businesses and generic structures are replaced with small local shops and restaurants, with petite inns and cottages for accommodations that take you to a place of simplicity and tranquility. Beaming with charm, color and charisma, each unique destination makes you leave your cares behind. Welcome to a Leisurely bicycle rides, walks to the island’s lighthouse, ice cream in hand as you walk along wooden bridges surrounded by nature, quaint yet elegant accommodations and dining and most of all romance, romance, romance!!!! Sanibel and Captiva Island are ideal for your Florida gulf beach wedding and honeymoon location all in one!
Did you say seashells?
Unique geographic features and ocean currents are the perfect pair to deliver millions of intact shells onto Sanibel’s beaches. Known for the colorfully diverse, robust and plentiful seashells that accumulate on its shores, Sanibel’s beaches offer a treasure trove for seashell hunters with some of the finest collections of shells in the world! From lightning whelks to conches, and cockles to scallops, over 250 different species of shells can be found on this incredible island. Sanibel’s seashells are such an important feature of the island that many resorts offer specialized sinks and workstations for guests to explore and clean their gems from the shoreline. Along with the Islands lush landscape and natural beauty, the abundant seashells and accompanying sea life give the island an almost magical feel.
Things to do on Sanibel & Captiva Island
Along with all of the natural beauty of the island, there are a myriad of recreational activities to enjoy in the fresh open air, including bicycling, golfing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, bird watching, cruises, paddle boarding, boating, and fishing. Sightseers enjoy the Historic Sanibel Lighthouse and pier, nature tours, and museum hopping. For those looking to venture indoors, Sanibel and Captiva offer yoga, health clubs, spas, salons and beauty services, antiques, and art, science and nature center, and a vibrant calendar of nightlife with music. With luxurious resorts, fine dining, and ample shopping, Sanibel and Captiva island have it all. On your special day let Seas the Day Weddings guide the way with our All-Inclusive Wedding Packages or Design Your Own Custom Wedding Options.
Ease of travel to Florida
For those considering a flight in, Sanibel is a short distance from the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) located in the city of Fort Myers, (a gem in its own right), which makes the island not only a convenient location, but also a hot spot for all of the many amenities that Fort Myers has to offer! If RSW airport isn’t your first choice, consider Naples Municipal for a smaller regional flight access just 47miles away, or Punta Gorda Airport for budget airlines located just 50 miles North of the Island. If you are looking for enjoy the island without a vehicle, Sanibel and Captiva offer a historic trolly that stops at over 40 major hotels and landmarks throughout the island. Bicycles, Segway’s, and golfcart rentals are also popular modes of transportation.