Mike Hammond
A good friend who paddles and travels throughout North and Central America proclaims Blind Pass as his favorite place to paddle and fish. He explains, “It is the convergence of the islands and bodies of water that make it so special.” I agree. Blind Pass separates Sanibel Island from Captiva Island and allows water to exchange from the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound. Not to mention Roosevelt Channel, Wulfert Channel and Dinkin Bayou all meet in this small area. A lot of water flushes though here creating some amazing angling and wildlife observation opportunities.
Two parking lots straddle Blind Pass. One is the Blind Pass Beach parking lot on Sanibel and the other is the Turner Beach Parking lot on Captiva. Both offer public access to the water. Depending on the weight of your rig and the tides, these may be a challenging option though. You may also have to negotiate waves and the lines of anglers fishing from the bridge. My favorite option when it is available is launching from the privately-owned Castaways Marina. You can back up to the ramp and launch into protected water. It is easy to stay out of the wind if you choose to launch from here. Paddlers can tuck into Dinkin Bayou or hide behind Albright and Runyan Keys. If the wind and tides cooperate, you may want to paddle out to Buck Key, the Wulfert Keys or the many oyster bars in the area. Parking can be limited at Castaways Marina though and launch fees vary based on availability. I strongly advise calling ahead and using Tarpon Bay on Sanibel as a backup plan.
Many of the small islands in the area are protected by the nearby J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Management Area. These islands are a haven for wading birds. Between the variety of birds actively hunting and the resident dolphin I see almost every time, this is a fun paddle for wildlife enthusiasts and kids. (Be sure to stay a good distance away from the islands so as not to disturb the birds.) There are also shallow flats where a variety of conchs and other sea creatures can be discovered.
After your paddle, there are a lot of nearby options for food and beverages with friends. If I’m with my family, a stop at Santivas General Store for post-paddle ice cream is almost a must.
While Sanibel and Captiva may have some of the best beaches in Florida, right behind them are amazing angling and paddling opportunities with Blind Pass connecting them all.