Since 2023, we’ve made five trips to Sanibel and Captiva, and every single time, the progress is real and noticeable.
If you haven’t visited since 2022, here’s the good news: heading into the 2026 peak season, Captiva is stepping confidently into its next chapter with more open doors, more momentum, and more reasons to plan your trip.
RSW Improvements
Travel changes begin before you get to the islands. The first thing you’ll notice when deplaning at Southwest Florida International Airport is the improvements, which include a new concourse under construction, eventually adding up to 19 gates, allowing 10,000–15,000 more daily passengers.
New Dining Options:
- Fort Myers Brewing Company (Concourse D)
- Keylime Bistro (Consource D)
- Shula Burger (Concourse B)
Security will eventually be streamlined into one larger TSA checkpoint with 14 lanes, which is great news for those who want to snag one last slice of Keylime Bistro’s Key Lime Pie and aren’t flying out of Concourse D. For up-to-date information, including temporary closures related to construction, visit flycpa.com.
A Bit of Bailey’s Is Open
While work on the new Bailey’s complex has not yet begun, you can visit the iconic Sanibel grocer at its temporary location off Rabbit Road. For longtime Captiva guests, A Bit of Bailey’s feels like The Island Store has been added to Sanibel.
A bit of Baileys offers dry goods, fresh produce, fresh meat and seafood, souvenirs, beer, wine, and frozen foods. Don’t worry, those classic Bailey’s jams and sauces are also available.
Stop in and support their team. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A Bit of Bailey’s
975 Rabbit Road
Sanibel Island
Captiva Island Beach
If you missed the news, a major change to the island happened post-Hurricane Milton. Last year, a 12-foot-high sand dune was built across the length of Captiva Island on the gulf-facing side.
This has impacted sunset views at two popular dining spots: The Mucky Duck and Sunset Beach at South Seas Island Resort.
South Seas Improvements
After years of work, South Seas Island Resort has seen major improvements.
The big story is Captiva Landing, the new water park situated near the resort’s south end. Captiva landing includes a Lazy River, a pool, and a waterpark featuring six water slides and a chance for the kids (and adults) to get soaked under a giant bucket of water.
New Dining Options:
- Flippers: Located at Captiva Landing, this pool bar features a limited menu catering to the family crowd. Burgers, hot dogs, appetizers, and ice cream are available, along with limited selections of beer, wine, and cocktails. Note, the alcohol menu is not as expansive as the Tarpon Bar in the Bayview Pool on the northern point.
- Beach House: Located at the resort’s northern point, Beach House is a new Gulf-side restaurant open for lunch and dinner. Like Redfish Grille on the bayside, Beach House has a white nautical feel with impressive water views.
New Shops At South Seas:
- South Seas Spirits: If you ever visited Provisions and wished there was an expanded beer, wine, and liquor selection, you’re in luck. South Seas Spirits has opened next to Provisions and offers a wide array of wine, beer and spirits. If you time your visit right, you may get to try a tasting.
- South Seas Outfitters: Located in the former spa location in the Shops at South Seas, South Seas Outfitters offers a selection of premium wearables and souvenirs across two levels of shopping.
Other Improvements:
- Registration Desk Relocation: The registration desk has relocated to the former conference center, across from the Shops at South Seas (Captiva Landing sits on the former site of the registration desk). Before driving through the gate, be sure to take a right into the parking lot to check-in.
- Fitness Center: A new fitness center has opened adjacent to the registration desk where the arcade used to be located.
- Tennis and Pickleball: While the former Blackwoods Tennis facility has been replaced by Captiva Landing, that doesn’t mean there’s no more tennis. Several courts are available in two different locations near the Beach Villas. Pickleball lines have also been added to the tennis courts throughout the resort.
We’ll be breaking down all the South Seas improvements in a future post.
Captiva Dining: Everything is Open Except Mucky Duck
Almost all your favorite dining options on Captiva are open. We say almost because the Mucky Duck has not yet reopened after the damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Don’t worry, the Duck is making progress and still looks as good as you remember.
The number one question we get asked is When is the Mucky Duck Reopening? The answer is: we still don’t know. Be sure to follow Capturing Captiva on X, Instagram, and Facebook for updates.
Sanibel Island Board Game
At just about every shop on the island, you can find the all-new Sanibel board game available for purchase. More information is available at Adventures in Paradise.
