SANIBEL ISLAND on the Gulf of Mexico, accessible by causeway from Ft. Myers area, has been listed in the top 10 Florida beaches. Entire island is a nature preserve, complete with alligators. Known for its Ding Darling Preserve.
It is beautiful, quiet, non touristy, and is one of the top shelling beaches in the world.
We always had the beach to ourselves........great for long morning/evening walks.
Everyone knows about the "Sanibel Stoop".......from picking up all the seashells.
Connecting to CAPTIVA ISLAND at its tip........Captiva is another great "step back in time" kind of empty place.........there is a resort at the tip of the island. Obviously, we always went the month of April.....not high season in the winter.......
CASPERSEN BEACH, FLORIDA:
There are numerous beaches up and down the eastern Atlantic Ocean seacoast of Florida, as well as the western Gulf of Mexico seacoast of Florida that are gently kept secrets and not touristy at all.
We have explored both coasts of Florida and found many empty pretty beaches........as well as many great "busier" beaches. Hope someday to visit the Panhandle beaches.........only part of the Florida seacoast we have not explored these past 50 years.
Caspersen Beach Florida was a pristine natural beach near Venice Beach** Florida (**a flat refurbished beach which unfortunately at times was visited by the "red tide") I still remember everyone walking on Venice beach on Christmas Day afternoon (which seemed more like Easter Sunday weather wise); it was enjoyable to join the flock after a nice brunch out at the hotel. Again, Christmas brunch seemed more like Easter (In Venice, Fl.)
Caspersen is definitely known for it's SHARKS TEETH. "SHARKEYS" IS A PLUS. Great burgers.
Once upon a time we chose Venice as our relocation destination, age 49. It was designated a Florida Main Street Community with a beautiful historical side, attractive parklike downtown leading up to the esplanade and the beaches/jetties........unfortunately, for a myriad of health reasons we had to sell our beachfront condo. Looks can be deceiving.......until you actually live in a place (as beautiful as it may seem). We visited it over half a dozen times and never once experienced the "red tide bacteria" in its most devastating form while vacationing there until we actually moved there fulltime. This is why total research is so important. Anyway, great pristine beach, right down from Venice's main beach. By the way, it was ALWAYS EMPTY when we'd walk on it........so the crowds mentioned below must have been a holiday weekend.
Note: One can check to make sure the "red tide" is not present when planning a visit.
From: Trip Advisor....re Casperson Beach, Florida
"""This is a beautiful, out of the way, natural habitat area. Great for walking, bird watching, dolphin sighting, etc. Some areas are really rugged but you can walk to an area that is good for relaxing. There are places where you will see the artist set up with canvas and easel painting. Other areas with lone sunbathers. There are bathroom facilities and water fountains. It is a great day trip and place to read a book, take a swim or just sit quietly alone. Please take the drive and enjoy. "" Reviewed May 2014.
Reviewed May 29, 2014
""One of my favorite beaches. We come here to look for Sharks teeth. Always find parking and it's always so clean and the beach is in it's natural state. On top of that Sharkey's is down the road for drinks at sunset
""
Visited May 2014
""Add this beach to the top of your bucket list of best beaches to go to find shark teeth. My wife and I started looking for shark teeth on this beach 40 years ago when I attended Ringling School of Art. Back then we were just about the only ones on the beach and found some real beauties along with a lot of fossils we found in the back fields. Over this past Memorial Day weekend we returned to the beach with my niece and her boys. Man have things changed, and not necessarily for the good. The parking lot and beach were overflowing with hundreds of people looking for shark teeth. It was bad timing on my part to pick the busiest day to go there. This is still a beautiful beach and I’m sure you can find some decent sized shark teeth if you look there after a strong storm. ""
Visited May 2014
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http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/beaches/articles/top-10-beaches-in-florida
TOP 10 BEACHES IN FLORIDA: TRAVEL CHANNEL
http://www.southseas.com/photo-and-videos-en.html
South Seas Island Resort at the tip of Captiva Island, Fl.
A bit of luxury on an otherwise "step back in time" kind of narrow strip of old Florida.
Captiva is connected to Sanibel by a short bridge which you hardly realize with all the foliage along narrow road leading from Sanibel Island to Captiva Island. Pretty drive to the BUBBLE ROOM restaurant. Very quirky place.