If you’re looking for a location that is beautiful, upscale, and romantic, Captiva Island is one of the best destinations you could choose. Though Captiva and Sanibel Islands are very close, they are very different places, and visitors to the area should take advantage of all that both barrier islands have to offer.

Captiva is home to some very affluent people. Some celebrities and other wealthy individuals own private vacation or permanent residences here. Some of these beautiful homes make up what is known as “Millionaire’s Row.” Of course there are more modest homes on the island, but there are restrictions that keep them in the traditional, charming style of the island. If you are considering buying a home in Captiva, you have many options from charming island homes to luxurious mansions.

Experience the beauty and charm of captiva island!

If you are visiting for a shorter period of time, there are plenty of options to choose from. The South Seas Island Resort is one of the oldest places on the island. It’s a luxurious resort where you can rent a villa or cottage and spend a romantic week. Tween Waters Inn Resort is another popular resort. It features the Old Captiva House, which is known for fine dining. While you are visiting Captiva, make sure you make trip to the Mucky Duck. This restaurant is known for its amazing view of the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.

There are lots of historical places to visit in Captiva. If nature is your thing, there are plenty of opportunities for biking, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. You can charter a boat to take you out for a few hours, for the day, or maybe for just a sunset cruise. There are many high end shops along with fun boutiques and art galleries to choose from if shopping is more your speed.

If you want to simply relax on a gorgeous beach for an entire week, Captiva is the perfect place for it. The Gulf keeps the weather nice enough to not be too awfully hot in the summers, and pretty mild in the winter. Although the weather might not necessarily be suitable for swimming during the winter months, you can still enjoy shelling and sightseeing anytime.

There are many options for exploring the environs around these islands via watercraft. The Tarpon Bay Explorers offer tours that traverse the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge and which are representative of the variety of activities in which visitors can engage. The tours pass through this mangrove ecosystem via various means. One may choose to take a kayak tour, a canoe tour or a tour on a pontoon boat. These methods all have one thing in common: They allow a very quiet means of exploring. The Tarpon Bay Explorers offer guests the opportunity to see the environment at its finest and most serene.

Of course, there are those who will wish to do some Sanibel and Captiva fishing rather than touring the reserves. There are few better places for which one could wish. Some of the common fish caught in this area include redfish, snook and sea trout. The waters around Sanibel Island and Captiva Island have more than just game fish beneath their surfaces, however. The Sanibel and Captiva waters around these islands boast the largest population of bottlenose dolphins anywhere. They are also home to Florida’s famously gentle and curious Manatees.

Fantastic fishing, boating and tours await you on Sanibel and Captiva!

Finding a boat rental on Sanibel Island is not difficult, but one should consider a guided tour such as those offered by Tarpon Bay Explorers if they have no experience with the sea. Making use of a guided tour service ensures that one sees all that the island has to offer. For instance, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is famous for being the seasonal home of many migratory birds. If one doesn’t know where to look, one may well miss out on the egrets, ibis, pelicans and roseate spoonbills that live in this reserve. Sanibel fishing is very popular, but boats have many more uses in this environment.

Finding a boat rental on Captiva Island is also quite easy. There are several different businesses that offer the service. The options range from skiffs to pontoon boats and beyond. These boats are suitable for Sanibel and Captiva fishing or in any other area surrounding either of the islands, depending upon the type. Remember that some areas are restricted speed zones. The reason for this is usually that manatees forage in those specific areas.

Many of the adventures in the paradise of Sanibel involve exploring the extensive wildlife refuges. A full half of this island is set aside as a national wildlife refuge. The most famous of these protected areas is the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Kayaking Sanibel and Captiva oftentimes means starting out in this area. There are several advantages to taking a quiet mode of transportation, such as a canoe or a kayak, though this and other areas. There is a huge population of birds in this area and numerous water-dwelling creatures. A quiet passage ensures the closest possible contact with them.

Kayaking Sanibel and Captiva Islands is best done with the assistance of a guide. Guides may be contracted privately or one may make use of the various organizations that offer educational excursions through the island’s various natural areas. Either way, one is ensured a much more substantial experience than would be had if one were to simply venture out on their own. Many individuals dedicate their lives to studying the various wildlife and plants that inhabit the island environs and are more than happy to share that knowledge with those who choose to vacation on the islands of Sanibel and Captiva.

Fantastic ECO Adventures await you on Sanibel and Captiva!

Tarpon Bay Explorers on Sanibel offers several different Sanibel kayaking packages for getting out and exploring the natural environs and kayaking Sanibel. The company offers several different styles of watercraft for hire and, provided with proper safety training, adventurers can set out to explore some of the most wild and exciting environments to be found anywhere. The company has enough watercraft to ensure that just about everyone will be able to find something suitable for their needs. These quiet and easy to use crafts ensure that one can get into sensitive environments without disturbing the wildlife that calls it home. Of course, they also offer great guided tours of mangrove trails and Tarpon Bay. They even have a guided sunset Sanibel kayaking trip perfect for observing all the birds as they come to roost for the night.

The Adventure Sea Kayak & SUP takes adventurers out into both the interior waterways and the coastal waters to explore some of the fascinating life forms to be found in both. The population of bottlenose dolphins around Sanibel and Captiva is the largest anywhere and travelers will delight in getting up close and personal with these curious and astoundingly-intelligent mammals. Manatees also ply these waters and their peaceful and friendly nature makes them a favorite with tourists. Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding Captiva Island ensures that tourists leave the island with something far more precious than pictures: an appreciation for the environment.