Captiva Island is an idyllic setting with abundant activities & a great resort, making it the ultimate family destination.
Captiva Island is a different kind of place – the term family-friendly doesn’t even begin to capture it. This low-key island is a natural paradise; a lights-out policy at night helps the baby sea turtles safely find their way to the ocean. It’s the perfect place to power off and reconnect with your family. You’ll find yourself walking the beach, looking for shells, enjoying the warm tropical breeze, watching your littles ones frolic at the ocean’s edge, and wishing that every day was just like this one.
Where to stay on Captiva Island?
The South Seas Island Resort is the perfect family resort when choosing your next Florida getaway. As soon as you enter the beautifully-landscaped property, you will feel transported to a lush tropical island paradise. With its 2-½ miles of stunning beach, 330-acre nature preserve, oceanside golf and tennis, endless array of family activities, and world-class shelling, this resort has something for everyone.
As my family and I opened the door to our room at South Seas Island Resort, we were amazed at the size of our accommodations. Rooms are large and airy. The beach décor, local photography, and artwork was beautiful. The kitchen was modern and well-appointed. And the entire space felt quite child-safe, which is important as my 2-year old explores everything. We loved opening our patio door and looking out at the ocean.
Rooms begin at $263/night. If you need a little more room, move up to a 2- or 3-bedroom beachside villa. Villas begin at $349/night. And, for the ultimate stay, step up to a beachside vacation cottage and bring the extended family. Cottages begin at $549/night.
What to do on Captiva Island?
The beach on Captiva Island is one of my family’s favorite places in the world. With its atypical placement in relationship to the Florida coastline, this island collects huge numbers of shells, making it an internationally-known shellers’ paradise. There are over 400 varieties of shells here. Get yourself a shelling guide and see how many you can find. Our 7-year old loves the hunt.
Should the ocean prove to be just a little too chilly for your liking, try out one of South Seas Island Resort’s 20 heated pools. There’s a pool located behind every single lodging building, plus a main pool with two water slides and swim-up tiki bar.
For those looking for a little competitive recreation, South Seas Island Resort offers pristine golf and tennis facilities. Arguably one of the most scenic short courses in the world, the resort’s 9-hole, par-27 course has a water hazard on every single hole – the Gulf of Mexico! The resort also has 11 tennis courts, many of them are lighted for nigh play. And for your fledgling tennis star, the tennis professionals at South Seas offer a daily clinic for ages 10 and under and can arrange for competitive play.
If you’re traveling to Captiva Island during the summer months, sign your child up for Camp Skullywags, South Seas Island Resort’s summer camp for children ages 3 to 11. At this half- or full-day summer program, your child will make new friends, explore the ocean, conduct science experiments, and play beach sports. They’ll surely be entertained and learn a little something along the way.
A family favorite at the South Seas Island Resort is ScoutAbout. Grab your camera, a ScoutAbout map, and embark on an island adventure to discover leaping dolphins, lovable manatees, and captivating sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. In all, there are 15 points of discovery. If you can find all 15, you can join the resort’s Hall of Fame.
Head over to Skully’s Family Interactive Center for a wide range of family activities that change every day. You will find yourself coconut painting, crab racing, playing lawn games, tie dying t-shirts, and having a blast!
Register for a coveted spot in the Sanibel Sea School. Sister islands Sanibel and Captiva share a truly unique island ecosystem and marine habitat. Under the knowledgeable guidance of a marine educator, explore the shells, birds, and incredible wildlife of this special place. Cost: $15/person.
While you can admire its beauty from the beach, there is nothing like actually getting out on the water. South Seas Island Resort offers plenty of opportunities to do just that. For fishing excursions, sailing school, exhilarating water sports, paddleboards, kayaks, and even parasailing and banana boat rides, just head to the marina. Our favorite was the Dolphin Watch and Wildlife Adventure Cruise by Captiva Cruises. This 90-minute ride was the perfect length for my 2-year old, and it truly was an adventure. Just 15 minutes into our ride, we were joined by a pod of 10 dolphins, jumping and doing tricks in our wake. The louder we cheered, the higher they jumped. This cruise created some wonderful family memories. Cost: Youth (3-11) $19; Adult $27.
KidTripster Tip: If you happen to find yourself on Captiva Island during the holidays, the Holiday Stroll in Harbourside Village at the South Seas Island Resort is a must! An outdoor ice rink, s’mores station, holiday crafts, letters to Santa writing area, hot chocolate, live musical performances, and lighted boat parade will make it a holiday to remember. And it’s absolutely free!
Where to eat on Captiva Island?
Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, the Harbourside Bar and Grill is a perfect choice for family dining. We found ourselves here bright and early for breakfast every day. Everything looked spectacular and tasted exactly the same. Find yourself a seat on the outdoor deck, and the view of the boats coming and going will keep your little ones entertained, so you can enjoy your food.
Also within the confines of the resort, you’ll find Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille, a local favorite. Inspired by the main character of local author Randy Wayne White’s novels, Doc Ford’s is an ideal choice for lunch or dinner. Enjoy fresh, local Caribbean-inspired cuisine in this nautically-themed restaurant. The Yucatan shrimp is a must-order; it was truly the best shrimp that we’ve ever had. Available in a half- or full-pound portion, be sure to opt for the full pound if you’re traveling with a little 7-year-old seafood connoisseur like my son. Our server was gracious and personable. We even had the opportunity to meet with author Randy White!
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Scoops and Slices. Decorated as a 1950s diner, it’s great place to enjoy a yogurt, ice cream, sundae or banana split. Or grab dinner after watching the sun set. It offers kid-friendly diner staples like chicken tenders, hot dogs, and mozzarella sticks.
Getting to Captiva Island
South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island is located on the gulf coast of Florida, approximately 2-½ hours south of Tampa by car. Punta Gorda Airport is the nearest major airport, which is an 1-1/2-hour drive.
Greg Bailey lives in the Tampa area with his wife and two sons. Born and raised in Michigan, he has happily traded in his winter parka, snow shovel, and gloves for the beach, sunny skies, and gentle breezes of the coast of Florida.
This writer received a complimentary stay and some meals for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
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