If you’re planning your first trip to Captiva Island and want to know what to expect, you’ve come to the right place. Your vacation shouldn’t be work, and neither should planning it. Follow these insider tips to make the most out of your trip.
Accommodations
Where you stay on Captiva Island depends on several factors: Length of stay, group size, and budget.
Most vacation rental homes, including the private rental condos at South Seas Island Resort, offer stays by the week, Saturday-Saturday. Many vacation homes come with a private pool and outdoor space, in addition to ample indoor space.
For those looking for indoor and outdoor private space and can commit to a week-long vacation, you’ll want to get a rental home. If proximity to the beach is more important than privacy, a beach-front condo is up your alley.
If you’re looking for flexible dates and onsite activity, then resorts are your best bet. Be sure to check out ‘Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa, South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island Inn, Jenson’s on the Gulf, and Jenson’s Twin Palm Resort to see which one suits your needs.
Insider Tip: You’re never far from the beach on Captiva. The bayside villas at South Seas Island Resort are as far from the beach as you can get on Captiva Island, and even then, it’s about a 10 or 15 minute walk to the beach. Most rentals and resort units are much, much closer.
Travel
The closest airport to Captiva is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Ft. Myers. With direct flights to RSW from more than 40 airports during peak season, chances are you can easily get here from where you live.
Once you land at RSW, getting to Captiva Island is simple and quick. Make your way to Sanibel via the Sanibel Causeway (30 minutes from RSW). Once on Sanibel, turn right onto Periwinkle Way, another right at Tarpon Bay Road and a left onto Sanibel Captiva Road. This takes you straight to Captiva island. Ground transportation options from RSW include rentals cars and car services.
Related: Getting Around Captiva Island
Renting a car vs. ride-sharing apps
Fair warning; while we have never tried to use Lyft or Uber to reach the island, other visitors have shared their difficulties in doing so. These drivers rarely go to Sanibel and Captiva; it’s too remote and far from the airport. There’s also no guarantee they can pick up a return fare on their way off the island; too big of a financial gamble.
But there’s another option. Island Taxi is a popular choice among island visitors who don’t want to deal with a rental car. It’s a taxi service dedicated specifically to Sanibel and Captiva Island transports. While we’ve always had a rental car, we’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from users.
The Beach
The best part of Captiva is the beach. There’s no better way to enjoy vacation than simply relaxing and listening to the waves wash ashore. Start your morning with a walk or run along the breathtaking beach; it’s the perfect way for a scenic start to your day.
Getting to the beach is easy; each street has its own path leading directly to the beach. The resorts also offer several beach paths, with some connected to gulf-facing buildings. We generally head out to the beach by 10 a.m. and don’t return to our rental until late afternoon when we let the kids swim in the pool before sunset.
Whether you spend the day at the beach or not, be sure to make it to the island’s gulf-side before sunset. All along the shore, vacation goers line up to watch the sun go down. One of the most popular places to gather at sunset is the Mucky Duck, where you can listen to live music and grab a drink only steps from the sand.
Dining
Come to Captiva Island hungry as the restaurants offer something for everyone. Our list of all the Captiva Island restaurants breaks down the options. A majority of the island restaurants are on or near the heart of the village, Andy Rosse Lane.
Most rentals also come with a basic kitchen, stocked with enough cookware to get you through your stay.
If you want to eat in, don’t miss Molly Malone’s Seafood. The seafood from Molly Malone’s is incredibly fresh, caught by local fishers and crabbers in the waters near Sanibel and Captiva. Molly Malone’s offers not only fresh seafood, but mouth-watering, ready-to-eat seafood including my personal favorite, lobster salad. You can pick up all the goods at the very end of Sanibel Island inside the Santiva General Store; mere steps from Captiva.
Parents fear not. Kids menus are available at most Captiva Island restaurants. R.C. Otters and the Bubble Room are geared toward family dining. There’s also Captiva Island Pizza, serving up New York-style pies, which is perfect for those nights when you don’t want to wait for a table or cook.
No matter where you eat, be sure to leave room for pie. THE tastiest key lime pie we’ve ever sunk our teeth into is at the aptly named, Keylime Bistro. Stay for dinner or stop in to satisfy your sweet tooth for a huge slice, bursting with key lime goodness. It’s like a tropical vacation in your mouth!
Excursions and Activities
Getting out on the water or exploring the greater San-Cap area is a must.
Yolo Watersports, Sunny Island Adventures, and ‘Tween Waters Island Resort all offer a variety of water-based activities. Flyboarding on Captiva Island and parasailing are both highly recommended. Parasailing on Captiva Island provides you with the best view of the island, as you soar above the Gulf of Mexico.
If you’re looking to explore other islands near Captiva, you’re in luck. Our family’s favorite is the cruise to Cayo Costa, a nearly deserted island that has amazing shelling. Private fishing charters are also available. Your kids will go wild for the dolphin cruise offered by Captiva Cruises.
Nature lovers won’t want to miss the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel. The 6,400-acre refuge offers you a look at what the area was like before the islands were settled.
Golf is available on South Seas Island Resort, and tennis is available at both ‘Tween Waters and South Seas for those looking to unwind away from the beach. Baseball fans can catch Grapefruit League Spring Training games at the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins facilities in Ft. Myers.
On-Island Basic Needs
Captiva Provisions Company and the Island Store provide you with basic groceries to help you get through your stay. Both stores also offer beer, wine, and spirits. There’s even a farmers market, open to the public, at South Seas on Tuesdays (November-April).
Insider Tip: There are two Captiva Island online grocery delivery options. Placing an order at Jerry’s Foods or Bailey’s General Store is a total time saver. After spending the morning traveling, why spend the afternoon grocery shopping? We wish we would have known about this option for out first trip to Captiva Island.
There is one must-have item you can find virtually anywhere on the island: sunscreen. Nearly every store, including the souvenir and clothing shops, sell sunscreen. Snowbirds looking to avoid sunburn will want to be sure to grab a bottle.
Beach Items and Other Rentals
Depending on where you’re staying, you may need to rent a few beach items. Umbrellas, beach chairs, beach toys for kids, and wagons to haul your gear back and forth are available to rent. Bikes, golf carts, and even beach-friendly strollers can get you around the island with greater ease. Yolo Water Sports and Sunny Island Adventures have plenty in stock for rent.
No matter what your beach rental needs are, book early. During the busiest weeks of peak season, some rental places may book popular items up to six months in advance (golf carts, we’re looking at you). This is a lesson that even long-time Captiva Islanders sometimes forget.
Insider Tip for Parents With Young Children: Take it from someone who travels to Captiva with two young children; pushing a stroller on the Captiva Island beach is an exercise in futility. You can rent a beach stroller, but these are a bit unwieldy so we usually opt for a wagon.
Relax and Make The Most of your First Trip to Captiva Island
The final and most important tip for your first trip to Captiva Island is to enjoy yourself. You are on island time, after all. Whether you plan to lay on the beach or park yourself near the pool, you’re bound to love all the island has to offer; especially the jaw-dropping scenery.
Have questions about how to make the most of your first trip to Captiva Island? Connect with us on one of our social media channels.
