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    Turner Beach

    4.3 (25 reviews)

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    Turner Beach
    Maggie H.

    Such a pretty beach with a lot of opportunity for shelling. I highly recommend going during low tide so you can walk further out into the water. I liked this beach because of how little seaweed and algae exist there, which is a huge plus when out in the water. The only downfall is how rough the sand is to walk on because of the high volume of broken shells up on the shore. As far as parking goes, it is $5.00/hour and there is limited parking. In the evening, many people park in the Lazy Flamingo's overflow lot and walk across to the beach, which is hit or miss depending on the day. Overall, great experience and definitely a beach I recommend hitting up if you're staying in Captiva!

    Sunrise
    Tamara W.

    My favorite place for relaxation and recharging your batteries. The beach is pristine and covered with shells. No busy traffic sounds just the sounds of the waves and birds. Every time we go we see dolphins. One time we were swimming and a dolphin swam around my daughter. This morning we went at sunrise, there was a small group of people there all shelling or fishing. I found some beautiful shells and then just sat and watched the dolphins and pelicans. If you're looking for peace and serenity, look no further. No commercialized setting here, just pure beach, sun and water. Parking is limited so car pool, go early or go late after the morning group leaves. There are a couple beaches very close by if there is no parking.

    Manish C.

    Turner Beach is the first beach you encounter on Captiva Island crossing over from Sanibel. The beach wasn't crowded at all when I visited. The highlight of my visit was all the little shells washed ashore on the beach. I've been to many beaches around the world, but haven't been to one with so many shells...definitely unique! The ocean breeze was perfect for a short viisit. The only downside is that there is limited parking at the lot.

    Michele D.

    Another premier shelling spot. This has the best of both worlds, great shells but the current is less strong than Blind Pass. There's nothing better than bobbing up and down in the water and scooping shells all day. So relaxing! Shell therapy! Protip: buy a $5 shell net stick at Publix instead of paying $30 for one on the island. Also, sunscreen and visor because Florida sun will burn you before you know it, no matter your skin color. The best thing is to just get a thin shirt to cover up. You can get it wet to cool yourself but also block the sun. I wear a huge Indian cotton print, that super thin cotton that dries quickly. It looks cute and you can still see the bathing suit underneath. Look at NOAA tides and currents to plan ahead for low tide. There is usual a shell line, layers of sand with shells underneath just like a layer cake. Just chip away and mine for shells! Alternatively, hang out in the water and scoop up and pick through shells. If you're too hot, just walk over to Blind Pass and set up underneath the overpass. This is a great place to ensconce elders prone to overheating, or the Irish (just writing the word sun gives them a burn, sorry guys). The fishermen cast here, but you can shell near them and not many people are there. Another protip: the parking is $5 an hour and sometimes the machine can be tricky. Put credit card in, then out, then use #1 to increase the time. If you just leave the card in waiting for directions, nothing will happen. Parking enforcement does come by occasionally so be mindful of the time.

    Sky

    Great for shells, water was great, great view, quite beach, the island was seriously damaged by hurricane Ian but they've worked quick to restore it to its former glory. Must see

    Dave O.

    So you want to experience Captiva, and not familiar with the area this beach is a great place to start. We all know that shelling is a part of the attraction to the island, but that's just a small part of what's available here. Although I prefer to come here in the winter months there's really never a bad time to make this a part of your destination when you have few days to get away. We usually stay on the island but this trip we decided to stay in Fort Myers on the riverfront district, it's a short drive across the causeway and it takes no time to get here. The sand, sun and water here makes for a wonderful relaxing day especially if you really have no agenda and of course if you're here for the shells you won't be disappointed...

    Tyler R.

    A hike from most places (unless you live on Sanibel) - Turner beach is at the very beginning of Captiva. Come here for: beach scenes, water, sand, shells. Unlike some of the other nearby beaches, parking here is extremely limited and is a crapshoot, at best. If you have the time to roll the dice, go for it. Alternatively, you can head here in the middle of August (sound familiar?) while everyone else is hiding from the heat. The water is moderately clear, and there is plenty of sand to choose from to find that nice spot for the day. Tips: - Bring food and drinks. Around 4:15 I was craving an iced coffee...and I should have known better. There are no convenience stores close by, so what you bring is what you will eat / drink. Plus, with such limited parking...if you actually found a space, it would be ridiculous to move your car, find food on Sanibel, and expect your space to be there when you get back. - Pay the parking. At $2/hr, its basically free. - Bring extra towels and soap. There is a foot shower (and real shower) behind the bathrooms so you can clean up before you head out. Very nice after a day of salt and sand. - Bring home shells. This is a very shelly beach, so you won't have to look hard. If you are too good for the shells that have already washed up, dig around. Just watch out for the sea animals that will nom your fingers for disturbing their home. - Stay for the sunset. It is a completely unobstructed view westward, and you'll get every last second the sun has to offer on any given day. Turner is far enough from the mainland that it really shouldn't be very crowded, at least during the off season...but you can go back in January and completely prove me wrong.

    It is a Fishing Pier. Also, it has strong waves, enough for some surfing.
    Jennyce L.

    My husband catches a big fish on the bridge. Friendly environment. Beautiful view of the rocks. You easily get shell after 6pm. You can observed the sunset. Easy parking close to the beach but there is not enough. Just be careful for the big waves. I see people come to surf.

    Anrana S.

    Turner beach is the first beach once you cross the bridge from Sanibel on to Captiva. Ad with all beaches you pay for parking by the hour at a nearby kiosk. Though all beaches on both Sanibel and Captiva allow public access, the reality is that you cannot stop or park on the roadside. So, on Captiva in particular, there is limited beach access. Only a few parking lots. We didn't cross under the bridge to see the bay side, but we had the quintessential tropical view - palm trees, setting sun, Palm trees. The bathrooms were surprisingly immaculate.

    Beach
    Toni L.

    Beautiful beach.! Limited parking g so not too crowded great for finding shells! I highly recommend stopping here.

    Brandy T.

    Had a lot of fun at turner beach! There's limited parking, so get there early. We arrived at 7:40am to the beach and paid $5 an hour for parking. It was nice seeing the rest of the sun rise and collecting sea shells while the tide was lower. We went here in March and I was wading through the water in my bathing suit by 8:30am with no issues. The water was a little chilly at first but eventually warmed up. This is NOT an entire sandy beach for adults to swim. The tide is strong along the main part of the beach and some people are fishing, but its great for wading through the water, collecting sea shells. There's some shallow waters to the side that younger kids can swim in, but I wouldn't suggest going out into the water past torso height (I'm 5'7). We collected so many seashells though and I found a live snail that was super cool to watch! The waters were beautiful and it was enjoyable just walking along the beach and watching other visitors collecting seashells with their nets. I would recommend getting a net for seashells as it makes it a lot easier, but it will likely be much cheaper bought off island. (I saw some for $44, on island, but that wasn't worth it to me). Overall fun experience!

    Lilly Mae enjoying a day at Turner Beach during Labor Day weekend with "Hurricane Dorian" on the way to Florida.
    Tammy B.

    Turner Beach is a beautiful area, low tide makes it a great beach for shelling. Mega shells every where! This is not a beach for swimming, Turner Beach is known for its riptides. Be cautious!

    First fish of the day! Snapper!
    Suzi B.

    Beautiful beaches, lots of shells and great fishing. Bring the whole family, please everyone.

    Had a great time it was Clean and sand was perfect and the rocks were a great touch

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    Turner Beach was well worth it. Kids loved it, dolphins swam a few feet from us. It was a great time.

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    Ask the Community - Turner Beach

    Review Highlights - Turner Beach

    A year ago, this area had been hit by Hurricane Ian and is still being built back up.

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    Captiva Beach

    Captiva Beach

    4.1(20 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    About a half hour drive on the causeway from Ft Myers to this remote but lovely beach. Enjoy the…read morescenic drive with blue-green gulf waters and lovely private homes hidden behind palm trees and lush tropical vegetation. Sea shells all over- so much fun! You see folks absorbed in finding one after the next pretty ones! But when you get to this paradise, be ready to pay a more for public beach parking. If you can find a spot! Not easy. Patience is a virtue! As of today, late August 2021, the price is $25/2 hours or $40/day. Nothing in between, like 1 hour or by the half hour. Pay by cash or credit card and display your receipt on the dashboard. I saw park services vehicle in the area. Don't get a ticket. There are no public restrooms, showers or food service. Prices are meant to keep out most ordinary citizens. Captiva is pricey, the playground for the wealthy for the most part. Private landowners enjoy private beach access. We enjoyed the shell-laden beach for two hours. It really is a beautiful stretch of beach. We drove back through Sanibel Island to the other area beaches, checking each one along the way. Most beaches on Sanibel offer parking at $5 /hour. Good for the common folk like us lol!

    Beautiful beaches on Captiva near South Seas. You'll get an amazing sunset here for sure. Parking…read moreis a tad easier up here because of the shops and restaurants. They filmed parts of sweet home Alabama up here as well. Because it's beautiful.

    Photos
    Captiva Beach - It's kinda like paradise here

    It's kinda like paradise here

    Captiva Beach
    Captiva Beach

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    Bowman's Beach - I'm pretty sure my birthstone is a seashell.

    Bowman's Beach

    4.0(166 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    We drove from Lakeland--about 2 hours and 40 minutes, mostly straight highway--and it was totally…read moreworth it for a perfect day trip. Even if you're a few hours away, don't hesitate. If you love shells, beach walks, wildlife, or sunsets--this place is magic. Arrival & Parking: We arrived around 10 AM on a Tuesday in November and had no problem finding parking. The lot is bigger than some reviews claimed--easily fits 40-50 cars--and I noticed there was also a secondary parking lot nearby. At the entrance, there's a pay station where you can pay by the hour (card or phone). Super easy, and you can extend your time right from your phone. You even get a 15-minute alert before your time is up--so helpful! There are clean restrooms and outdoor showers right near the parking area. From there, you follow a walking path toward the beach, and you cross a bridge over a little river. Look in the water--there were manatees swimming! We also saw turtles, pelicans, and other birds along the trail. Such a beautiful start. On the Beach: Once you step onto the sand, it feels like you're in a shell collector's dream. Just like all the YouTube videos and blog posts--you really do find beautiful shells everywhere, especially medium and small ones. The beach is large--both in width and length--so even though there were a lot of people, it never felt crowded. Everyone had plenty of space to relax. Dogs are allowed on leash (we brought ours), and we saw several other friendly dogs too. Bring water for them--it gets hot fast. There is no natural shade on the beach. Trust me--bring a pop-up tent or canopy and a rolling beach cart if you have one. We had a big lay-down tent and it made a huge difference. If I go again, I'd definitely bring a rolling cart for our gear. Things You Absolutely Want To Bring (Mandatory): -Zinc sunscreen (Florida sun is no joke--even in November). -Water shoes or sturdy sandals (shells in the water can be sharp). -Bug spray (my friend got sand flea bites, I didn't--but it's possible). -Lots of water and snacks for you and your dog (heat + humidity = quick dehydration). -A spray mister bottle to spray my dog. I was worried about heat exhaustion. So glad I brought him, though! He had the best beach day EVER. -Tent or shade structure. The sun and humidity was intense, even for November. I wouldn't ever go with a tent. -Blanket to sit on -Wet wipes for hands -Rolling beach cart if you're carrying gear. Would have been helpful. -Cooler, food, towels, sunglasses. Facilities & Environment: The property is very well maintained--clean bathrooms, multiple shower areas to rinse off sand, trash cans everywhere (please use them--everyone else seemed to be doing a great job keeping the beach clean, which I appreciated). Everything felt thoughtfully designed. Departure & Sunset Experience: After spending the day shelling, walking, and relaxing at Bowman's Beach, we drove all the way to the end of the island (about 15-20 minutes) to watch the sunset--and I HIGHLY recommend doing the same. The sunset looked just like California (I'm from the Pacific coast)--gold, peach, purple, pink, and soft cotton candy blues, all reflecting on the water. You can literally watch the sun melt straight into the ocean. It was breathtaking. Final Thoughts: Bowman's Beach is peaceful, beautiful, full of shells, wildlife, and space to breathe. It felt like a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Whether you're there for a day trip or a full vacation--go prepared, bring shade, water, sunscreen, and let the day work its magic. 110% worth the drive. DREAM SHELL TRIP!

    Bowman's Beach is a beautiful beach on the tip of Sanibel Island that's left greatly untouched by…read morehuman hand. You'll also definitely get your steps in here as the parking lot of property ~.5 miles to the actual beachfront & water, disclosing walking around to stake out a spot. The biggest reason to come here is for the shelling, which can be fortuitous during the right time of year and even the right area on the shoreline. Honestly, were it not for the shelling it probably wouldn't be a beach I'd come back to. It's nice, of course, but doesn't have that gorgeous cerulean water and ultra soft sand that some of the gulf coast beaches are known for. It does have a lot of amenities on the walk between the parking lot & beach shore, such as bathrooms & changing rooms, rinse stations, a picnic area, educational signs, and even a playground. You also have to pay for parking- and the lot has quite a lot of parking, but if you don't get there early enough on the wrong weekend it could still be tough to find a spot.

    Photos
    Bowman's Beach - Beach line

    Beach line

    Bowman's Beach - Looking for dinner

    Looking for dinner

    Bowman's Beach

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    Turner Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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