Travel Eye on Captiva Island (Florida, USA)

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Overview:

Captiva Island, located at the far end of Sanibel, is one of the most exclusive islands in North America, yet retains a casual ambiance. So narrow in spots you can see both Gulf and Bay, tiny Captiva retains its small-town feel, even amidst enormous wealth and a few world-famous residents.

Internationally renowned for superb beaches and a wide range of outstanding accommodation, Captiva Island and its bigger neighbour Sanibel are linked to the mainland by a three mile causeway. Both islands are tranquil havens, with no traffic signals, street lights or billboards to detract from their natural beauty.

Captiva's village is a quaint mix of restaurants, shops, homes and condos. The heart of Captiva, the village is lively, the place to see and be seen. Staying here, you wouldn't necessarily need a car. Services are limited, and shops are small, but the basics are available in an upgraded format: groceries, liquor, film processing, rental bikes, cars and boats, plus galleries and boutiques. It's never more than a five-minute walk to the bay, the beach, or a great meal. Captiva is also the gateway to nearby out-islands.

Locality:

Captiva Island is found at the far end of Sanibel Island, located in the SE United States, off the SW coast of Florida State, in the Gulf of Mexico. Captiva is a low-lying island connected to the mainland by a toll causeway spanning San Carlos Bay.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Popular places to visit include;

J N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge,

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Nature Center,

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum; Care and Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) facility,

Sanibel historical village and museum,

Captiva History House. Nature tours.

There are also cruises to historic upper islands (Cabbage Key, Useppa and Gasparilla) and for dolphin watching, fishing, snorkelling and shell collecting,dinner and sunset cruises.

Daytime offers activities such as beachcombing, shell collecting and all water sports, including sailing school, fishing, windsurfing Powerboat rental. Tennis, golf, cycling, kayaking and canoeing are also popular pastimes.

During the evenings there is a lack of bright nightlife might not make this a first choice for older teenagers. Good-time taverns offer big-screen TV, video games, karaoke and darts. There are also a few bars and restaurants with live music.

The primary shopping district runs the length of Periwinkle Way; Periwinkle Place offers various shops and Jerry's shopping centre is home to the main food market.

Restaurants vary from takeaway delis to casual alfresco dining to fine Mediterranean/Florida cuisine and formal award-winning restaurants.