Captiva Island Vacation Rentals

Florida slows down on Captiva Island

Captiva Island, located near Fort Myers off Florida's Gulf Coast, is often associated with the neighboring island of Sanibel to the south. Both are all about the outdoors – biking, sailing, birding and water activities abound. A sliver of land nestled against the state’s southwest coast, Captiva Island has a slightly off-kilter and almost magical feel. You might discover a giant frog in Captiva Island, a restaurant where it’s Christmas all year long, or even a tiny starfish.

When staying in one of our Captiva Island vacation rentals instead of a traditional hotel, you’ll have much more space and privacy, plus cost savings when booking a property for a large group. Some of our Captiva Island beach rentals even come with special amenities like a backyard pool, washer/dryer units, and bicycles. Whether you’re looking for a waterfront condo with amazing views, or a larger home for space for the entire family, you can find it on our site.

Climate

Perhaps you already know that Captiva is subtropical, that its location miles into the Gulf of Mexico moderates the climate year-round, so it’s never sweltering hot in the summer and never bitter cold in the winter. Those who live on Captiva permanently can tell you that the weather is usually perfect. But it does vary slightly with the seasons, and this page should give you some idea what to expect on your visit.

Top activities and attractions in Captiva Island

Captiva Island’s main attraction is its beautiful stretch of beaches. Walk along the fine sands of popular Captiva Beach and Turner Beach for incredible shelling. Kids can be kept busy gathering beautiful pastel-colored seashells and wading in the warm waters, while adults will enjoy swimming, sailing and snorkeling.

For adventure-seekers, fishing charters and wildlife tours provide opportunities for guided fun around the shimmering, turquoise waters of Captiva Island. Santiva Saltwater Fishing offers a variety of tours including fishing trips, snorkeling excursions and sightseeing tours. The open waters are teeming with wildlife, and you might catch Tarpon, Redfish, and Shark or spot manatees and bottlenose dolphins swimming. Birds like hawks, eagles and osprey are always present flying overhead.

Out of the water, rent bikes or switch from sandals to hiking boots to explore scenic Redfish Pass and Captiva Pass. Visit the 110-year-old Captiva Chapel-by-the-Sea to slow down and see a slice of the island’s history, or treasure some time out of the sun at the luxurious spa at Tween Waters Inn.

There is no need to go off island for great shopping as Captiva Island has a variety of quaint, unique shops clustered along Captiva Drive and Andy Rosse Lane in the Village Center. Jungle Drums Gallery is the perfect place to find a special souvenir for your stay as it has an unforgettable collection of wildlife art and handcrafted jewelry. Head to The Island Store to stock up on the essentials, or wait for the perfect purchase to jump out at you while strolling along the village paths and covered boardwalks.

Restaurants and Bars

No matter where you’re staying in Captiva Island, award-winning restaurants are always steps away. For a lavish dining experience and romantic sunset views over the Gulf, visit the historic Captiva House. Feast on fresh, local seafood and gourmet treats here. If you’re coming straight from the beach, The Mucky Duck is a happening bar where diners can enjoy live entertainment and spectacular ocean views while keeping their toes in the sand. 

Families will love the atmosphere at the legendary Bubble Room. The restaurant was one of the first on Captiva Island to introduce the cheerful and bright pastel colors commonly used on the island today, and it is elaborately decorated with toys and celebrity photos. It even has a room entirely devoted to Christmas all year-long making it a must-see on your vacation. 

Why you should book a Captiva Island rental on FloridaRentals.com

Booking a Captiva Island vacation rental on FloridaRentals.com can save you up to 20% over our competitors. Plus, we have a wide array of inventory appealing to any group size or traveler tastes. Happy planning!