 The great hurricane of 1921 separated North Captiva from its sister islands: Sanibel and Captiva. The storm created another marvelous beach paradise with the same climate, natural beauty, and miles of pristine white sand beaches, yet North Captiva has not yet experienced the frantic commercial tourist development of the other islands. In fact, much of it will never be developed, because the Government has established a large Wildlife Sanctuary on North Captiva. Safely distant from the hordes of tourists who often overrun the finest vacation destinations, this "Tahiti of the U.S." is one of the nation's best kept vacation secrets in a spectacular natural setting where you can enjoy the peace and wonder of Nature, yet stay in one of the island's best-appointed luxury homes.
Escape the grind of the heavy city traffic on the mainland and explore the island to your heart's content as you travel by golf cart or on foot (no cars are allowed on the island) through the Island's peaceful lanes to its glorious beaches and wildlife locations. Why not bring a gift home from the Island Gift Shop over Barnacle Phil's Restaurant.
The Island experience is a truly unique chance for you and yours to enjoy the comfort and ease of Seawatch, a fully appointed luxury home, while residing in the midst of North Captiva's most extravagant display of natural beauty by the sea.
TRANSPORTATION
Air Travel - Florida's Southwest Regional International Airport, serving the Ft. Myers/Naples provides the latest in comfort and safety and most major airlines are represented. Upon arrival you can drive your rental car to Pineland Marina, Pine Island (travel time about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the airport via I-75 to the Marina) where you will be met by Captain Emilly of Island Girl Charters. Be sure to call ahead for reservations. Phone: 239-633-8142
Ground Travel - (from the Airport to Pineland Marina at Pineland) Use your own vehicle or one from the major rental car agencies at the Airport.
Alternative Ground Travel - is featured by Pine Island Taxi (941-283-7777 or 888-777-9653). This service will meet you at the Airport baggage claim area then take you to do your shopping (at department stores, fresh fish markets, fresh vegetable and fruit stands, supermarkets, etc.) per your request, and then deliver you to Captain Emilly of Island Girl Charters (tel 239-633-8142) Pineland Marina, Pineland, Pine Island. Always a courteous and helpful service. Call at least 2-3 days in advance for reservations.
Pineland Marina at Pine Island - Tel: 239-283-3593. Pineland Marina offers on-grounds parking for your car or rental car.
Water Taxi Direct to Seawatch - (from Pineland Marina to North Captiva Island) Run by Captain Emilly of Island Girl Charters (tel 239-633-8142), your vacation truly begins on the 20 minute boat ride from Pineland Marina as you run past other island homes for the rich and famous (Useppa Island), numerous exotic bird rookeries, and schools of dolphins which often weave in and out of the water. The inland bays are usually calm, but in the event of choppy sea or rain the large boats are prepared for wet conditions. You'll find the attentive crew courteous and helpful in assisting you with luggage, groceries, and other items, when departing and again upon arrival on North Captiva. Before making advance plans, please contact the taxi service in order to schedule your trip.
Once arriving at Seawatch Dock you can walk down the private dock to your private beach and right up to the door; the professionally cleaned home awaits your arrival. Seawatch is stocked with bed linens, towels, and almost everything you have in your home.
Golf Carts - A 4 seater golf cart included with the rental of Seawatch. Overloading 4 seater golf carts or driving in sandy areas may cause golf cart damage chargeable to the renters. Additional golf carts can generally be added to cost in advance of stay at approximately $300 per week.
SHOPPING
Groceries - Wynn-Dixie Supermarket (tel 239-283-4404 or fax 239-253-6484) on 9864 Stringfellow Rd. Pine Island Center offers a Free shopping service. In advance of your stay you can mail your detailed shopping list to: Wynn-Dixie, Customer Service, 9864 Stringfellow Rd, St. James City, Florida 33956. You can also telephone Customer Service and they will have your packaged order awaiting for you through the customer service desk upon arrival. They ask you to place an order 48 hours before pick-up, and to leave your name, home address and phone number if they need to reach you for any questions, Wynn Dixie is a large market featuring a pharmacy, a bakery, a large selection of groceries, as well as numerous non-grocery household items along with beer and wine. Alternatively there is a Publix grocery store at 3015 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33991 (239) 282-5515. Both supermarkets are only one minute off your travel route with relatively equal in pricing and in quality. Winn-Dixie however does not charge for assembling your groceries while Publix charges a 10% fee.
Other Shopping - Edison Mall on Route 41 in Ft. Myers has a variety of fine stores for your other shopping needs. Among the many stores are Burdines and J.C. Penny. Nearby shopping areas include Publix, Sears, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Walgreen's Drugs and many other stores.
RECREATION
Beaches - North Captiva is bordered on both the Bay and Gulf by some of the world's most beautiful white sand beaches. The pristine beaches show off the turquoise blue ocean and bay, which are free of pollution and comparable to the finest Caribbean beaches.
Wildlife - Since most of the Island is a Government Wildlife Sanctuary, you live amongst Florida's sea life with flocks of sea birds, many of which are now rare or extinct to the mainland. Your long beach walks take you into the heart of this extraordinary coastal ecosystem with its remarkable diversity of sea life. Many of Florida's beaches were like this 100 years ago.
Shelling - You will find the best shelling on Florida's west coast on North Captive Island. Unlike heavily-combed Sanibel beaches. North Captiva beaches present an unsurpassed abundance of shells which are consistently renewed by the ocean current along the Island.
Fishing - It is no surprise that many of the Island's inhabitants, including humans, birds, and fish, constantly focus on the island waters. Some of the West Coast's best fishing is directly off the islands beaches and docks. Sports fisherman seek their quarry in the waters immediately offshore. You can acquire rental boats, fishing charters, sea kayaks for your recreational fishing and touring needs. The Seawatch dock on the edge of a deep channel is one of the best fishing locations on the Island. (For fishing charters we reccomend Captain Dennis and Captain Gretchen of North Captiva Charters Inc. 239 707 9701)
Hiking - The northern end of the Island is honeycombed with miles of narrow shell roads both inland and along the beach just minutes from your rental -- perfect for day hiking. The Wildlife Sanctuary is bordered on the Gulf & Pine Island Sound by three miles of pristine white sand beaches draped by pines and palms.
Tennis - Safety Harbor Club offers modern courts to members and those renting Seawatch.
Swimming - The ocean and bay are unbeatable, along with a heated swimming pool at the Safety Harbor Club located only minutes away from Seawatch. Be cautious of currents around the Island.
Golf - Alden Pines (tel: 239-283-3766) is an 18 hole golf course at reasonable fees (Par 71) located two minutes from Pineland Marina at 14261 Clubhouse Drive, Bokelia, Florida 33922. It's open to the public and reachable by regularly scheduled water taxi or charter service direct to Pineland Marina's North Captiva departure location. Alden Pines will pick you up and return you to Pineland Marina by golf cart at no extra charge.
Dining - Seawatch guests generally have four restaurants available to them. All the restaurants offer fish and seafood (some gourmet) along with steaks and other turf items from inexpensive but delicious lunches to moderately priced dinners. Also you can stop in for a glass of beer or wine at one of the Island's watering holes, where you can catch up on Island folklore and gossip.
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