Captiva Island is the true definition of a beach escape. On the palm-dotted island in Southwest Florida, you’re far away from the mainland hustle and bustle. But where to stay on Captiva Island for the best experience?
A Captiva Island resort takes up the entire northern portion of Captiva. In addition, you on the central and southern parts of the small island find more Captiva Island hotels and resorts.
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Table of contents
- Northern tip – South Seas Resort
- Captiva Village – Central lodging
- South Captiva – Closer Sanibel
Northern tip
The roughly 5 miles (8 km) long Captiva Island offers a solitude that it’s hard to find anywhere else in Florida. No matter where you stay on Captiva Island, you find a peaceful atmosphere.
But the options for where to stay on Captiva Island differ greatly from each other. A unique Captiva Island feature is that its entire northern portion is privately owned.
The luxury South Seas Island Resort, perched on Captiva’s northern tip, occupies almost half of the 5 miles (8 km) long island. It’s by a wide margin the biggest resort on Captiva Island; by size.
With a stay at the uniquely located Captiva beachfront resort comes exclusive access to the northern part of the island. To access the roads and facilities up north, you simply need to stay at the South Seas Island Resort.
So if you want a secluded resort stay on Captiva Island, it’s incredibly hard to look past what South Seas Island Resort offers. The private oceanfront location on the northern part of the island is nothing less than stunning.
But with both exclusive beachfront location and resort facilities comes steeper rates. So for Captiva Island on a budget, you should look towards the other options for where to stay when visiting the island.
In short, the luxurious South Seas Island Resort offers awe-inspiring serenity — this is a great pick. But if you prefer something else than an upscale resort, there’s more accommodation to choose from a stone’s throw south.
Pick the northern tip for: A secluded Captiva Island resort stay.
Favorite location: Among the resorts on Captiva Island, the South Seas Island Resort is the most striking. No other resort on Captiva Island comes close to its seclusion and open space.
The only northern-tip Captiva resort
South Seas Island Resort
At the northern tip of Captiva Island, you find South Seas Island Resort. This beachfront Captiva Island resort occupies the entire northern part of the island — it’s like an oasis within an oasis.
On top of the exceptional oceanfront location, South Seas Island Resort also has all the facilities to create the finest island experience. The Captiva Island resort offers beaches, pools, restaurants, bars, seaside golf, tennis and much more. It’s in other words a place to stay on Captiva Island where you have it all.
Captiva Village
Just before the gate to South Seas Island Resort, the cute Captiva Village area is situated. It’s a great option for where to stay when visiting Captiva Island if you like the idea of a more varied scene.
Captiva Village is the island’s heart and soul. In this area most of the island’s restaurants, cafes and stores are located.
A local favorite, the Mucky Duck serves tasty island fare and refreshing drinks. Facing Captiva Beach and the Gulf of Mexico, colorful sunsets are included in the price.
The convenience of Captiva Village is incredibly appreciated. But keep in mind that Captiva Village reflects the small size of Captiva Island very well: The island’s hub is lovely, but it’s also tiny.
In conclusion, Captiva Village is the best option for where to stay on Captiva Island if you want a central location. From hotels in Captiva Village, it’s just steps to most eateries, cafes and shops on the island.
Pick Captiva Village for: Central Captiva Island lodging.
Favorite location: If you don’t want a resort stay, the Captiva Island hotels in and around Captiva Village offer the perfect location. In the area, you within steps have all you need for a dreamy time in Southwest Florida.
Recommended hotels in Captiva Village
Captiva Island Inn
At Captiva Island Inn, you’re literally surrounded by everything you need when visiting Captiva. At the Captiva accommodation, you have the island’s selection of places to eat, drink and shop as close as it gets. In addition, you also have Captiva Beach just down the road when you stay at Captiva Island Inn. It’s not a luxury Captiva Island hotel, but you can’t beat its central location.
South Captiva
When you decide where to stay on Captiva Island, it’s important to remember that the island is only about 5 miles (8 km) long. Therefore it’s easy to get around regardless of where on Captiva Island you stay.
As Captiva also is less than a half mile wide, it’s never far from a Captiva Island hotel to a beach. In other words, Captiva Island has the perfect holiday size.
Still, the further south you stay on Captiva Island, the further you’re from Captiva Village. So if you prefer to have walking distance to the island’s heart, it’s better to stay at Captiva Island hotels further north.
But further south also means that you base yourself closer to the Sanibel Island connection. At the southern tip of Captiva Island, you just need to cross Blind Pass Bridge to get to the neighboring island.
Far away from the mainland hustle and bustle, South Captiva offers the same peaceful charm that you find everywhere on the island. No matter where you stay on Captiva Island, you find that relaxing island vibe.
All in all, South Captiva means away from the island’s heart of activity. But if you don’t mind being a ride rather than a walk away from restaurants and shops, it’s a great option for where to stay on Captiva Island.
Pick South Captiva for: A Captiva stay away from the village.
Where to stay on Captiva Island FAQ
Here you find the answers to some frequently asked questions about where to stay on Captiva Island, Florida.
There are both resorts and other lodging options on Captiva Island. It’s a small island, but it has the places to stay that you need for the best of times in Southwest Florida.
The northern tip of Captiva is the perfect place to stay on Captiva if you look for the most secluded island getaway. But the central Captiva Village and the southern part of the island are also great options for where to stay when visiting Captiva Island.
Captiva Island has its Captiva Village. Central on the island, the small village is like a tiny downtown area with a few restaurants, cafes and shops. It’s not big, but it’s the appreciated heart of Captiva Island.
If you look for a quiet place to stay, you don’t need to look further. Captiva Island is a secluded island where you always have beautiful nature around the corner. But if you look for liveliness and non-beach activities, you should look towards other destinations.
Both Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are peaceful and popular island destinations. But good or bad, Captiva Island is smaller, more secluded and offers fewer things to do than the places to stay on Sanibel Island.
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