Getting to North Captiva Island ● Vacation Rentals ● Manatees ● Private Airstrip ● Seashell Capital of the World ● Food and Island Restaurants ● Fishing
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Islands in Florida are numerous and wonderful. One of the best islands to stay on for a summer vacation is North Captiva Island.
Vacation on North Captiva Island but come prepared. While there is a snack bar, a few souvenir shops, and a handful of restaurant, there are no grocery stores. No Target, Walmart, Starbucks, or McDonalds. Matter of fact, there are not even any cars on the island.
Getting There…
Let’s back up… how does one get to North Captiva Island?
The most popular way is flying into Fort Myers, Florida…
From here you will want to rent a car/car service. If you choose a car service you can get them to stop by the grocery store to stock up on provisions before heading to North Captiva Island. If you choose to rent a car, it will have to wait at the ferry port for you to get back – as you cannot bring it to the island.
After getting what you need from the main land, you will catch the North Captiva Island ferry and travel across the bay and to the island.
Once you arrive at North Captiva Island, the awesome island crew will transport your luggage to your rented residence.
Vacation Home Rentals
Many of the vacation rentals on North Captive Island are large, family style accommodations with many bedrooms, bathrooms, and full kitchens. If you are not bringing your family on vacation to North Captiva Island with you, plan on getting together a group of friends to tag along!
The rental homes on North Captive Island often come with their own golf cart (or golf carts) as transportation to and from the white sandy beaches and as transportation to the restaurants and souvenir shop. Taking a golf cart around the island is the only option besides walking as there are NO CARS on the island of North Captiva. Most of our spare time was spent exploring the island by golf cart… it is a unique experience as you many find the land tortoise, rabbits, coconut palm trees, see a plane land on the private air strip, and have a chance to meet the neighborhood.
Swimming pools are a popular feature of the vacation rentals on North Captive Island, too. After a day swimming in the salty ocean water you might not expect to enjoy swimming, more, but the fresh water of the pools can be a very nice way to relax.
To reserve one of the homes on North Captive Island head over to the island’s website. Here you will find the available homes, prices, and be able to book.
https://www.northcaptiva.com/north-captiva-island-rentals
Manatees
During the warmer months there is a good chance you’ll see migratory manatees on North Captiva Island.
These sea cows are a magnificent sight! One of the larger creatures of the ocean, the manatees are often threatened by boats. In each group, at least one of the manatees had cuts on its back from boat motor propellers that passed overhead of the manatee at some point in time and clipped them.
Originally from Asia, the Manatees are one of few invasive species that have been “welcomed” into their new habitats by the local humans and in many cases are now a tourist attraction. Most invasive species severely hurt the native species.
Private Airstrip
On the island of North Captiva, there is a private airstrip. One of the fun, laid-back activities is watching the private planes fly in and land. If you are a private pilot looking to fly their own plane, get with The Island Club of North Captiva for more information.
Seashell Capital of the World
The beaches of North Captiva are beautiful. Popularly known as a seashell capital, some of the beaches on North Captiva Island are appropriately covered in sells. Most of the beaches with bordering homes are clear of massive groups of shells and feature instead your typical, white-sand beaches. As you explore down the trails and away from the most heavily-trafficked areas, you will witness beaches that are more similar to their natural state with seaweed, driftwood, and shells galore.
Food – Restaurants of North Captiva
It is highly suggested that you purchase some food to take to your rented house on North Captiva Island. This will allow your vacation crew to take full advantage of the kitchen in your rental house and save you from having to eat out every meal… or at least have some snacks on hand to enjoy after spending the afternoon on the beaches of North Captiva Island.
The few restaurants located on North Captiva Island are delicious! Even if you do bring food, plan to eat out at least once. During our week long adventure on North Captiva Island, we ate at Over the Water, Barnacles Bar, and Mango’s Grill (we did not try The Boathouse).
Mango’s Grill and Barnacles Bar
Mango’s Grill and Barnacles Bar were the more laid back options. This is where we showed up in swimsuits and cover ups to enjoy and adult beverage and delicious bar/snack foods.
Over the Water
Over the Water is a nice restaurant and our “treat” for the week. I can’t recommend this food enough! It is expensive but you get the fresh, quality food and you consume it over the water. Walk the plank to get to this delicious restaurant. If you plan to visit Over the Water on North Captiva Island, reservations required for dinner and suggested for lunch.
Fishing
The avid angler will want to be sure and bring their fishing tackle and gear to North Captiva Island. There are many fish to be caught or speared here on the island.
From big game fish like Tarpon to reef fish like Spadefish to ‘annoying’ fish such as Gafftopsail Catfish, many opportunities for the fisherman exist on North Captiva Island.
Fishing North Captiva Island is a great past time even for those who aren’t avid fishermen.
In North Captive Island you can surf fish, spearfish the obstacles in the water, night fish or take a boat out to deeper waters.
For those not keen on catching the fish, there are many chances to see fish and the occasional shark whist snorkeling the waters off the beaches of North Captiva Island.
All in all, North Captiva Island is the perfect, laid-back, beach vacation of your dreams.
Bring some food, bring your booze, and plan to have a great time!
Griseta Travels 