Last Updated on March 22, 2018 by Marybeth
You hear about Sanibel all the time. Sanibel, Sanibel, Sanibel. (Yes, it does bring to mind poor middle child Jan on The Brady Bunch.) Captiva even has to share the Chamber of Commerce, and in the title they come second. Also, other tourism sites don’t mention Captiva until you click around on their site for a bit.
Of course no one is trying to leave Captiva out of the fun. Captiva is the smaller sister but just as pretty as Sanibel, and has her own distinct personality.
Related: This Small Island is Florida’s Cottage Motel Capital!
Sanibel is larger, wider and boasts large swaths of wildlife conservation land. The residential areas, shopping and restaurants are spread out and an extensive bike/walking path winds through the island including the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The plenitude of lodging choices here range from resorts to condos, inns to cottages, with no chains or big looming ritzy snooty anything. The shelling here is supposed to be more epic than in Captiva, but we think it depends on who you ask.
Captiva is skinnier (take that, Marcia Brady) and while much of the island is populated with swanky beach mansions, what makes this town the perfect walkable vacation is the sweet little main street filled with tall shade palms, shops and restaurants. You can stroll to the end of the lane to the beach and go shelling, drift around in the clear placid water, and watch the sunset.
If you go in the summer, like we did, you may have the entire beach to yourself!
Places to stay are fewer here than on Sanibel, but you still have various choices.
Captiva Island Inn, a Bed and Breakfast
At the northern tip of – and taking up just about half of – the island is the South Seas Island Resort. With several swimming pools, water slides, interactive learning center, a bunch of restaurants onsite and two marinas this resort is well suited to families with kids. Multiple lodging options include a hotel, villas, cottages, and Homes of Distinction, so there is something for everyone – if you enjoy a large resort and are ready to shell out some money. (Their website says “from $263/night” but in season the rates are much higher.)
For those of us who prefer to stay in a place that has that independently owned old-Florida feel to it, there are Jensen’s On the Gulf, Jensen’s Twin Palm Historic Cottages and Marina, Captiva Island Bed and Breakfast, and ‘Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa. While ‘Tween Waters is just under a mile from the downtown main street – Andy Rosse Lane – the two Jensens’ are a tiny stroll, and Captiva Island B & B is smack in the middle of all the fun. And by fun we mean the beach, the charming shops and restaurants, boating and kayaking, not partying-all-night-call-the-cops fun (and why would that be fun, anyway?)
The best part of the accommodations on Captiva is that they all have BUNGALOW-style options, so instead of recommending just one we’ll tell you about how cool they all are.
Jensen’s Twin Palm Historic Cottages and Marina
15107 Captiva Dr.
Captiva Island
239-472-5800
- The word “historic” gets us every time, and these cottages are the perfect blend of back-in-the-day fish camp feel with updated comforts and plenty of room to spread out.
- Choose from studio cottages, 2 bedroom 1 bath cottages, 2 bedroom 2 bath cottages, or 1 bedroom suites – your choice of upstairs or down. All have fully equipped kitchens, table and chairs, living areas or living rooms, screened porches or patios.
- This peaceful complex has a huge outdoor seating/grilling/picnic-ing/watching the boats come and go area where you can enjoy the shade of tiki huts or stretch out in a lounge chair in the sun.
- Cast a line off the dock, fish from your boat or rent one at the Marina office. Jensen’s Marina also offers boat rides and water taxis for lunch, shelling, dolphin watching etc. For more boating options click here.
Don’t let the plain exterior fool you; inside are all the comforts of home and then some!
Jensen’s on the Gulf
15300 Captiva Dr.
Captiva Island
239-472-4684
- Jensen’s on the Gulf provides 5 Gulf view suites: 3 of the suites accommodate 2 people, 2 suites are large enough for 4 people. What we found intriguing are the Post Office Sweets – Captiva’s original Post Office was preserved by the Jensen’s after the new P.O. was built, and now provides two suites (Sweets!) with secluded garden views.
- The Post Office Sweet #6 has a full kitchen, and P.O. Box #7 has a microwave, mini fridge, coffee maker and toaster. All suites provide beach towels, and beach chairs, beach toys and umbrellas are located for guests at the Jensen Building. Outdoor showers, BBQ grills and picnic tables under tiki umbrellas will give you that ‘life is good at the beach’ feeling.
Captiva Island Inn
11508 Andy Rosse Ln.
Captiva Island
800-454-9898
We just had to show you the adorable Love Shack, Captiva Inn’s smallest – and perhaps most storied* – accommodation!
- Captiva Island Inn offers 1 and 2 bedroom cottages, 1 and 2 bedroom suites, a 2 bedroom penthouse suite or en-suite rooms in a 5,000 square foot home – or, rent that entire home if you need the space.
- Some units offer a full kitchen while others provide microwaves and mini fridges; check their website for which accommodation will suit you.
- Breakfast vouchers are provided for Keylime Bistro or RC Otter’s Eats.
- The beauty of the location is Captiva Island Inn is steps away from shops, restaurants, the beach and the bay.
‘Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa
15951 Captiva Dr.
Captiva Island
239-472-5161
- Starting in 1931 as a collection of fishing cottages (just those words! ‘Fishing cottages.’ So reminiscent of old-Florida perfection) ‘Tween Waters now offers 138 units ranging from standard guest rooms, studios and suites to two- and three-bedroom historic cottages. Famous guest in the past included Anne Morrow Lindbergh, J.N. “Ding” Darling, and Theodore Roosevelt.
- With 13 acres stretching between the Gulf and Pine Island Sound, an Olympic sized pool, spa, fitness center and two restaurants, ‘Tween Waters may sound like a large sprawling resort but actually has an intimate, nostalgic feel.
- Check their site by clicking their name, above, for full amenities. Leaf through their online interactive brochure (you can even hear the pages turning!)
Around this delightful town:
The Mucky Duck, the perfect place to watch the sunset
We’d love to hear from you – are you a bigger fan of Sanibel, or Captiva? Or are they equally as enchanting, and each holds its own spot in your heart for its own charms? Kind of like the several best friends we all have, who we love for the uniqueness each brings to the table (some bring wine, some bring beer… 🙂
*We can’t find it anymore, but we’re pretty sure we read somewhere that The Love Shack may have been just that – rentable by the hour perhaps? Or did we just dream it… Either way, if you choose to stay in the larger Inn, the luxury house, or a cottage, you’ll have a great time at the Captiva Island Inn.
Captiva Island is on Florida’s Gulf coast, 25 miles northwest of Fort Myers Beach, and 116 miles south of Sarasota.
