Updated January 2022
If you’re planning your 2022 trip to Captiva Island and missed out this year due to COVID, much of the island is as you remembered. The drinks are still cold, the sand soft as ever, the seafood as fresh as can be and the sunsets still perfect.
But, there’s a few spiffy updates that enhance the island’s Old Florida charm.
Captiva Island Changes – 2021 and Early 2022
There are several notable changes on Captiva Island since the COVID pandemic hit during the 2020 peak season. The island has seen the return of a longtime Captiva establishment, the expansion of another, and erosion and repair to the beaches.
Sanibel Causeway Toll
Cash payments are no longer an option at the Sanibel Causeway Toll. Each car crossing the bridge will automatically get charged electronically. Which means you no longer wait in line to pay at the booth in cash. Now, you keep driving straight to paradise and pay later.
What does this mean for you? Quicker access to the island, at a slightly higher price. Read more in our Sanibel Island Toll post.
The Island Store Reopened
The Island Store reopened in October 2020. After an extensive rebuild, the iconic store is back and better than ever. Bailey’s General Store of Sanibel, which took over the building lease, has created a mini-replica of its flagship store inside. The gorgeous interior is noticeably brighter and offers more provisions than the previous version of the store.
Read more: The Island Store – Captiva
Tropical Storm Eta Erosion And Captiva Beach Restoration
In November 2020, Tropical Storm Eta ravaged Captiva Island. The moment we arrived on the beach in April 2021, the damage to the dunes and beach erosion was a surprising sight.
Thanks to the Captiva Island Erosion Prevention District, a massive beach restoration project was completed in Fall 2021. The damage has been repaired and the beach looks better than it did pre-pandemic.
Read more: Erosion on Captiva Island’s Beach, Captiva Island Beach Restoration Project
Boop’s By The Bubble Room Opened
The Bubble Room is leaning into its greatest asset with the opening of Boop’s by the Bubble Room. This dessert bar is located inside the old Emporium, between the Bubble Room restaurant and Captiva Island Fire Department.
If you’re used to getting your favorite Bubble Room cake to-go, the old cake counter inside the Bubble Room has been discontinued. Now you can head straight to Boop’s by the Bubble Room to satisfy your sweet tooth. This new sweet shop is handling all dessert orders aside from table service inside the restaurant.
Since the dessert bar offers a lot more than just cake, be prepared to stand in line. Those in front of you may be getting a drink from the coffee bar, a milkshake or specialty ice cream from the soda fountain. We checked it out without our kids and can’t wait to bring them here on our next visit.
Related: Boop’s By The Bubble Room
Molly Malone Seafood Stays With Santiva General Store
The best seafood on Captiva and Sanibel found a permanent home at the Santiva General Store.
Molly Malone Seafood was previously located at The Island Store on Captiva, until it closed for its massive rebuild a few years ago. During our spring 2021 trip, the co-owner confirmed they will be staying at the Santiva General Store.
Related: The Best Seafood on Captiva and Sanibel Island: Molly Malone Seafood
New menu items at Doc Fords
Good news for Doc’s Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille lovers: the restaurant has added several new items to the menu. Next time you’re at the Doc Ford’s Captiva location you can try their new achiote redfish bowl, Yucatan baked oysters or Danish baby back ribs.
For photos of these mouthwatering new items, read “New menu items debut at Doc Ford’s.”
