Captiva Island at a glance
Captiva Island is its own island north of Sanibel. A bridge over Blind Pass joins the two, so you can drive from Sanibel to Captiva without a boat. Captiva is not a district of the City of Sanibel. It is part of unincorporated Lee County, and that matters for rules and parking, which are not the same on both islands.
North Captiva is a separate island again. It has no bridge from Captiva and can only be reached by boat. When a guide says "Captiva", check whether it means the island you can drive to or a boat trip to one of its neighbors.
Our pick: e-bike to Captiva
This rental runs four to eight hours, which is enough time to ride from Sanibel over the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Captiva tours and boat trips
Cruises, shelling trips and wildlife tours around Captiva, Sanibel and the Pine Island Sound, with live prices and availability.
Captiva beaches and parking
Two beaches matter most. Their parking rules differ.
| Beach | Parking price | Hours and facilities | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captiva Beach (Alison Hagerup) | $25 for 2 hours, $40 all day, plus taxes and fees | Open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; portable toilets | Paid through the Oobeo system. Paid time here does not count at the city of Sanibel parks. |
| Turner Beach | $5 per hour | 28 spaces; toilets and showers | No dogs. Strong current near the bridge, so take care in the water. |
Captiva Beach is the one to name when you mean the beach on Captiva proper, and it is not the same place as Turner Beach. Turner Beach lies on the Captiva side but is run by the City of Sanibel on land owned by Lee County. For most visitors who want an evening at the water, Captiva Beach is the better fit, since it stays open until 30 minutes after sunset.
Boat trips from Captiva
Cabbage Key, North Captiva and Cayo Costa.
Cabbage Key and North Captiva
Both are boat destinations from Captiva. A fixed daily schedule is not something to count on, so confirm the departure point and time for the exact trip you book.
Cayo Costa
Cayo Costa State Park is reached by boat. Ferries and overnight stays are not available there, and access is for private boats. Some operators offer boat trips, but do not assume a regular ferry, and check before you plan around it.
Day trips from Sanibel →Departure points
Excursion boats leave from Captiva and from other places. Match each booking to its stated meeting point.
Boat-only shelling
Cayo Costa and North Captiva are the boat-only places for shelling. Access can change, so check the current situation first.
Shelling tours →Swimming near Blind Pass
The pass is not a swimming place.
Swimming at Blind Pass is banned because of dangerous current. The Sanibel-side beach park there has 29 spaces at $5 per hour. If you want to swim, choose a Gulf beach away from the pass and read the posted signs. See the Sanibel beaches page for the full parking comparison.
After the storms of 2022 and 2024, debris can still sit hidden in sand and water, so shoes are a good idea. The hurricanes page explains the recovery.
Plan your Captiva day
Link it with the rest of the islands.
Captiva Island: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Sanibel to Captiva?
Drive north over the Blind Pass bridge. The two islands are connected by road, so you do not need a boat.
Is Captiva part of Sanibel?
No. Captiva is a separate island in unincorporated Lee County, not a district of the City of Sanibel.
How much is parking at Captiva Beach?
In 2026 it is $25 for 2 hours or $40 for the day, plus taxes and fees, paid through the Oobeo system.
Can I swim at Blind Pass?
No. Swimming there is banned because of dangerous current.
Can I drive to North Captiva?
No. North Captiva has no bridge from Captiva and can only be reached by boat.
Is there a regular ferry to Cayo Costa?
Do not count on one. Ferries are not available at the park, though some operators offer boat trips. Check the current situation before you book.