While on Captiva Island, you’re on island time. Except for sunset. If you want to watch the sunset in its full theatrical greatness, make sure you’re in the right place at the right time. So, where’s the best place to watch the sunset on Captiva Island?
Best place to watch sunset on Captiva Island
You can catch a glimpse of the sun setting, almost anywhere on Captiva Island. But, one of the most popular spots (and our favorite) to catch the sunset is at The Mucky Duck Captiva, a neighborhood pub in the heart of Captiva’s village.
It’s where tourists bid farewell to the sun for the day. Our first few evenings on the island, we watched the sun dip below the waters of the gulf from the beach outside our rental. We were unaware of a more enhanced experience just steps down the shore.
Sunset at The Mucky Duck
At the end of Andy Rosse Lane you’ll find a restaurant with a large patio, plopped in front of the beach. String lights hang from palm trees above people dancing and laughing toward sunset. When you arrive, it feels as though the island is welcoming you to its own casual party. Live performances of easy-listening, beach music, serenade joyful vacationers. Families and retirees alike gather on the patio to grab a drink and a bite to eat.
You don’t even need to go inside the restaurant (or wear shoes) to grab a cocktail. An outdoor bar serves up tropical drinks, including their signature rum punch, Coronaritas (a margarita with a mini-Corona beer dunked in it), a handful of beer and wine options (and kiddie cocktails).
Rum punch on the beach while live music wafts through the air? That’s a restaurant after my own heart!
Several tables dot the patio but seats go fast. We’ve shared tables with complete strangers and met some of the nicest people you’d hope to come across. If you can’t snag a front row Adirondack chair, head a few steps down the sandy path to the beach. With a drink in hand, people head to the sand for a clear view of the fading sun.
Even with a big crowd, no need to worry about an obstructed view; there’s plenty of wide open beach to find a spot and take it all in. It’s about as carefree as it gets. Kick back and take in the vibrant, pastel colors that dance across the sky. And when the show is over, don’t be alarmed if the audience bursts into applause; Mother Nature earns it.
Staying past sunset
If you’re hoping to grab dinner at The Mucky Duck after sunset, get your name on the list early. The wait can be one to two hours once the sun goes down. If you want to catch the sunset during dinner at peak season (the restaurant has a wall of windows facing the beach), put your name on the list around 4 p.m. And be ready to celebrate; the staff rings a giant bell at sunset and the whole restaurant stops eating to applaud the spectacular show.
No matter what you’re doing on your island vacation, pause for sunset. We promise it’ll be one of the most beautiful sights you’ll ever see. You can watch the sun go down anywhere on the beach and you’ll take in the show stopping display of colors and beauty.
But watching from the Mucky Duck is a celebration truly unique to Captiva Island.
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