Sanibel Captiva Island Message Board

[codeofficial]

Does anyone know if you are allowed to drive a rental boat right up onto the beach and literally anchor it right there in 2 feet of water OR do you have to find a dock and tie up there ? This would apply to any section of beach: sanibel, captiva , Cayo.

Is the water even deep enough to get close to the beach in a boat ?

[Kim]

When you rent a boat they will specifically tell you that you may NOT take it into the Gulf. If you do, you have violated the rental agreement and their insurance will not cover you, your passengers or the boat. Any accidents, injuries, need to tow, etc. become your responsibility and come out of your pocket. You're also likely to be added to the 'never rent to again' list.

On the Bay side of Sanibel and Captiva there are very few places you would be able to pull up.

On Cayo Costa, as far as I know, you can pull up and beach your boat. Keep an eye on the tides or you'll be spending much more time there than you planned.

When you rent the boat, they will tell you specifically what you can and can't do.

[Beachcomber 2]

If you want to rent a boat to take out yourself, are there any special requirements or can just anyone rent a boat???

[Kim]

Welcome to the Board!

To rent a center console or cruiser you must be at least 21 years old, have a valid drivers license and a basic understanding of how to handle a boat (docking, safety, channels, passing, etc.).

If you want to rent a pontoon, canoe, kayak you must be at least 18. No experience necessary.

[Beachcomber 2]

Thank you!!!!!! We just thought that would be a great way to find some cool shells!!!!! So how do you learn all that stuff, would we need some sort of certificate???

[Kim]

At this time a certificate isn't required, though there are still rumblings that in the future the state will require one.

If you're interested in personal lessons, there are some available down here. An excellent one is Boat Savvy.

If you're looking to go shelling, you would be better off hiring a captain and boat to take you to the out islands. Captiva Cruises has a very good trip. Its a half day trip and while the shelling isn't better than Sanibel and Captiva, the lack of competition for the shells usually lets you get some good finds. Rule of thumb is that if the shelling is great on Sanibel, it will be good on the out islands. Sanibel and Captiva catch many of the shells before they make it as far as the out islands.

[Beachcomber 2]

Thanks for the info!!!!! I've been going to Sanibel/captiva for many years. We took a half day trip last year and didn't really get anything very good. Just thought if you had boat access you could go to sand bars and islands and get really cool stuff!!!!! I love this place and hope to get to spend alot of time on here!!!!!! I am defintely a sanibel/captiva junkie,my dream as I'm sure is many others is to live there!!!!!!!!!!

[luvSanibel]

Beachcomber 2 ~ luv luv the way you think! Outside the box, for optimum shelling conditions!

[Neptunesmuse]

Plus - most of the shells and critters on the sandbars and tidal pools are still alive and it is illegal to take live shells.

[Beachcomber 2]

Very true!!!!!!!!!!

[Beachcomber 2]

[Kim]

Just remember that most of those little islands in the Sound are rookery islands and protected land. Signs are posted letting you know not to come within so many feet of them.

[Beachcomber 2]

[James]

My wife and I try to make it to Lover's Key every trip. We have never found any huge shells but we usually find a lot of sand dollars.

[Beachcomber 2]