The islands of Sanibel and Captiva offer myriad opportunities for sailing. These islands sit off of Fort Myers in the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel sailing adventures can take visitors on short journeys around the islands or on long excursions out into the Gulf of Mexico. Tarpon Bay, one of the most striking areas on the island, is famous for being a place where ocean life is found in abundance. Plying these waters in a sailboat is one of the best ways to explore the sea and to get an appreciation for these magnificent islands.

Before engaging in any Sanibel sailing or Captiva sailing, one needs the proper instruction. There are schools on Sanibel that will provide visitors with the requisite training that will enable them to venture out onto the high seas. Some of these Sanibel sailing schools are recognized as among the best in the nation. The Gulf of Mexico waters offer a calm place to learn one’s basic skills and, when one is truly ready to take on the seas, they can head toward the much larger waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Learning to sail on Sanibel is very popular among the various activities.

Maginificent sailing adventures await you around sanibel and Captiva!

Captiva Island sail enthusiasts have much to explore. Captiva is separated from Sanibel by a narrow strait of water called Blind Pass. The two islands are practically within a stone’s throw of one another but they still offer their distinct sailing opportunities. The site of Millionaire’s Row from offshore is quite striking. Both of the islands are essentially ringed by beaches which make them equally attractive from the sea or from the shore. The amount of ocean wildlife that one can encounter on their maritime adventures makes attending offshore sailing schools on Captiva Island or Sanibel Island an even more attractive proposition.

These offshore sailing schools have graduated literally hundreds of thousands of budding sailors. Sanibel sailing and Captiva sailing both provide a challenge that can hone one’s skills without pushing one too hard from the start. Exploring natural wonders such as Tarpon Bay allows those just learning the craft of sailing to immediately enjoy one of the principal benefits: getting to see some of the most exotic creatures on the planet. Whether one intends to become a captain or simply intends to charter a boat with a captain, a Captiva Island sail excursion or a Sanibel Island sailing adventure can provide a lifetime of memories.

Sanibel Island water sports start with getting the right equipment. For those who enjoy yachting and sailing, the Sanibel Marina and Port Sanibel Marina will both provide facilities for pleasure craft. For those who like a more personal relationship between themselves and the water, there are businesses on the islands that will rent equipment such as jet skis, waverunners and other small motor craft. Exploring the islands and Sanibel water sports from the ocean is one of the most popular and gratifying activities in the area. The island’s pristine waterways ensure that the experience is always the most exciting and beautiful possible.

Sanibel Marina is more welcoming than the average slip facility. While many such marinas are very exclusive affairs, the Sanibel Marina welcomes all, whether they arrive on a 50 foot yacht or a wave runner. Port Sanibel Marina is off-island but is a great starting point to make their way to the islands or to engage in water sports. The marinas monitor radio traffic on specific frequencies during certain hours so be sure to check ahead before making one’s way to any of the island’s docking facilities.

Water Sports Fun for the entire family on Sanibel and Captiva!

Captiva Island is famous for the environmental-consciousness of its residents. To that end, Yolo Watersports offers visitors modes of transportation that are both fun and friendly to the island environs. One can rent wave runners, paddle boards, sailboats, surfboards, skimboards, bodyboards to the excitement of parasailing adventures. The company devotes a lot of its time to keeping the island clean, volunteering for the various trash pick-ups and beautification projects that bring many of the islanders together. The company also rents land transportation including scooters and scooter coupes. The former require motorcycle experience on the part of the customer.

Anyone visiting the various Sanibel and Captiva marina facilities or renting water sports equipment on the island should be aware of local concerns and regulations. Harassing dolphins or manatees is specifically prohibited by the law and carries heavy penalties. There are areas of water where speed is limited by law. This is to protect the manatee population. These ocean herbivores graze in shallow waters, close to the surface. The local businesses and marinas will have information on how to enjoy Sanibel and Captiva water sports and the environment while helping to keep the wildlife safe and healthy.