Anna Maria Island or Captiva Island in January?

[bessjlj]

We are making our annual January trip to Disney World and are considering breaking up the trip with a 5 day visit in either Anna Maria Island or Captiva Island. Has anyone been to one or both and make a recommendation for one over the other.

I am traveling with my family and there will be 12 of us (9 adults and 4 children ranging in age from 2-13). The primary purpose of this portion of our trip is to be together in a quieter location, but prefer to have shops, restaurants and the beach within walking distance or a short drive. In years past we've also broken up our trip with stays in Key West, St. Augustine and Vero Beach.

Any suggestions for alternate locations? Many thanks in advance.

 

[TnTWalter]

the sand on the north side is talcum white...beautiful....the sand on the south is more shell-y like captiva...great for collecting...

it's a 50's beach town...no starbucks, mcDs, etc. no high rises.

Some restaurants, minimal shopping. You are close to St. Armand's Cirlce for fine shopping and more dining....

here's my trip report blog:
http://waltersvisitami.blogspot.com/

I have a friend that goes to Captiva every single summer for 2 weeks. They LOVE it there.

I know that tripadvisor forums are fairly active.
AMI
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g635970-i11168-Anna_Maria_Island_Florida.html
CAPTIVA
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g34481-i768-Captiva_Island_Florida.html

Have fun!

Trish

 

[MomtoGKC]

I know you asked for people who have been to both and I haven't, but I had to come to say how much we LOVE Captiva. We went there every year for about 5 years in a row as a pre-teen/teen and it is one of my favorite places. We used to come down from Mass and we would also split our trip between Disney and South Seas Resort. We always did Disney first then Captiva so we could end with the relaxing part of the trip.

 

[LoriKutchey]

I have been to both LOVE either place. You are much closer driving to Anna Maria Island from disney than Captiva. That would probably be the deciding factor for me since they are equally gorgeous.
Have fun

 

[bethy]

Great thread topic! We are thinking of heading to Florida over thanksgiving next year. These are two of our potential destinations.

One thing I am wondering about is the potential weather in November. My DH was there this year for work and it was in the 80's. But how likely is that? What's the coldest it can get that time of year?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can weigh in on this.

I am sooo intrigued by AMI, Captiva and Sanibel . . . oh, and Longboat Key.

 

[Shannon G]

I've never been to Captiva, but we spent April vacation 2010 on Anna Maria Island and LOVED it - my girls were 5 and 7 at the time, and have been asking to go back ever since! We're going back again this April. While it's quieter, we like the north end of the island, in the town of Anna Maria. It has a very residential feel, and is very relaxing, yet you're only a few miles to the more populated central and southern areas of the island (the island is only about 7 miles long). There are a few restaurants on the northern end (the Sandbar restaurant is right on the beach), and there were 2 ice cream shops within walking distance of our vacation rental. I love that there are no high-rise buildings, and the restaurants and such are mainly local places, rather than your typical chain restaurants. This year we'll be in rental house a mere 99 steps to the beach!

 

[mrsklamc]

Any specific suggestions on good AMI rentals?

 

[Shannon G]

I went on homeaway.com to find rentals. There are also some agencies on the island that handle vacation rentals - I think the house that we rented directly from the owner in 2010 is listed through an agency now:

http://www.annamariaparadise.com/coastalcottage.html

This house was great - nothing fancy, but perfect for our needs. It had a small pool, and was just 2 blocks to the beach.

This year we're renting a house that is slightly bigger and closer to the beach. So far the owner has been easy to deal with - she was responsive to my inquiry and answered all my questions. And the reviews on Homeaway.com are very good. I'd be happy to report back after our stay, but it's not until April...

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p201596

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

THE place to stay on AMI is The Tortuga Inn, http://www.tortugainn.com/

It has it's own beachfront and it's in the Bradenton Beach section of AMI.

I'm from Bradenton, and when we go back home to visit it's where we stay

 

[caribear]

We went to Anna Maria Island for Thanksgiving in 2009. Had a wonderful week on the beach. The weather was not the best though.....high 70's to low 80's, but it rained several days with high winds and we were only able to go in the water 3 days out of 7. The sand is very soft and the beach was nice. We stayed in a condo across the street from the beach. I love the free trolley that goes up and down the island with stops near the local shop. There is also a playground on the main beach (a stop on the trolley route). We rented from Dina...at this link http://www.vrbo.com/193191 She was great to work with and the condo was beautiful!

We have been on day trips to Captiva and it is very pretty. A little more secluded than Anna Maria.

 

[swilshire]

I like both, but would choose Captiva, especially in January. Further south might equal a bit warmer. If you're talking about January 2012, you're very late in looking for a place. Prices will likely be high since Christmas - March is their peak season.

Sheila

 

[RumpleMom]

We have stayed on Sanibel Island which is connected to Captiva by a bridge.

It's beautiful and the seashell collecting is outstanding. You will find unusual whole seashells, some still have the living critter instead, so you return them to the ocean.

There is only one chain restaurant on the island-DQ, but many really good family friendly restaurants.

I rented a timeshare on the beach from an owner using Timeshare Users Group.

The Sanibel Island Chamber of Commerce has a nice enewsletter.

We flew in and out of Tampa.

I would love to return there.

 

[TnTWalter]

http://www.annamariaparadise.com/

 

[FINFAN]

I like both, but would choose Captiva, especially in January. Further south might equal a bit warmer. If you're talking about January 2012, you're very late in looking for a place. Prices will likely be high since Christmas - March is their peak season.

Sheila

^ this. Both spots ARE beautiful, but that hour and a half further south can make a difference.. we think Tween Water Inn is really nice on Captiva.

 

[Macprincess]

I've been to both! (I live about 2 minutes to Anna Maria.) Both are nice. I would also suggest Anna Maria over Captiva as it so much closer to Disney.

My favorite local beach is Siesta Key which is about a 20 minute longer drive (if your taking the 75) then Ann Maria and one of the best beaches anywhere. It is beautiful! Tons to do on the island but a very easy/quick drive to Sarasota, Long Boat and St. Armands. This would be the beach I would go to if I was doing a family vacation stay.

As for November weather it's really is all over the place. Last week we were on the boat in shorts and swimsuits. My boys were swimming but the water was too cold for this FL girl. My kids were wearing their shorts to school. The weather was in the 80's and beautiful. This week we have a cold snap and were are all in jeans & sweatshirts by day with warm jackets in the evenings. Our winters are often like this where it can be beautiful and in the 80's one day then in a heartbeat it goes to the 40's then two days later were back to the 80's.

I hope that helps.

 

[Kay1]

Don't rule out Sanibel. There are a lot of beachfront properties - too many to list - but it's still pretty quiet, especially at the western end ofthe island. I'd suggest spending some time looking at the options on Trip advisor.

I hope you get the vacation you're looking for.