FLORIDA PLACES AND DESTINATIONS - CAPTIVA
Captiva Island and its big sister, Sanibel Island, are connected to the mainland by an alluring three-mile-long causeway and, to each other, by a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bridge at Blind Pass. They are both part of the Sunshine State known as Florida’s tropical island getaway.
They have over 15 miles of beautiful Florida shelling beaches, each with its own unique character.
On the way to Captiva Island, located toward Sanibel's northern tip, the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is home to many exotic species of birds and plants. A 4-mile drive with access to walking and canoe/kayak trails offers abundant opportunities for naturalists to witness a raccoon washing up before breakfast, an alligator snatching a quick bite or long-legged wading birds stalking their prey. In all, the refuge occupies more than half the island.
The main attraction on Captiva is that there are none. Many people wile away the hours in one outdoor endeavor or another. It was here that Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of the famous aviator, wrote her best-selling book, "A Gift from the Sea."
At South Seas Island Resort in Captiva Island visitors can take sailing lessons with Steve & Doris Colgate’s Offshore Sailing School. Considered the world’s finest learning institution for sailing instruction, the Offshore Sailing School offers a full range of courses, from basic sailing through advanced cruising and racing. The South Seas Resort offers plenty of other outdoor activities as well including exploring the ecosystem on the barrier islands where the resort is located, kayaking, snorkeling, golfing, and much more.
Photo: Visit Florida
