Here is something to do with your family and places to see from Tampa. The map below will show you several of the major cities and places inside of a 100 mile radius of Tampa. Take time to with your family and make an adventure for this day trip.
Things to do in Tampa this summer with your family
Captiva Island, Florida is immediately north of Sanibel Island just west of Fort Myers. It fronts the Gulf of Mexico on the west and Pine Island Sound on the east.Captiva and Sanibel used to be joined until a severe hurricane in 1926 separated them by creating a new channel to the Gulf referred to as Blind Pass.
The old legends say that Captiva is named because the pirate José Gaspar, also referred to as Gasparilla, held his female prisoners on the island. Historians can’t confirm that Gaspar really existed, but it makes for a colorful story.
Another interesting story is the history of the Tween Waters Inn, a resort that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.Wilbert Herbert Binder first homesteaded Captiva in 1888. His grave is in a small cemetery beside the Chapel By The Sea. The chapel is actually a small white wooden sided little church on the beach. It welcomes people of all the spiritual beliefs, and is open from Thanksgiving to Easter each and every year. That’s the time of year everybody on this island calls “season”.
Captiva is accessed from Sanibel by way of a small bridge over Blind Pass. Sanibel is reached using a toll bridge connected to the mainland west of Fort Myers. Until this bridge was constructed in the 1960’s, access was by car ferry from the mainland.
Captiva Road heads north from Sanibel to the very northern end of Captiva Island. It’s a canopied trail with occasional views of the beautiful blue Gulf and pristine beaches.
The luxury homes along Captiva Road are referred to as “Millionaire’s Row”. These homes are both on the Gulf of Mexico and the bay to the east.
The small area often known as Captiva Village is at the north end on this road just before it enters the South Seas Island Resort and Yacht Club.
The Village is the heart of local life on the island. You will discover art galleries and boutiques, a small library and the chapel mentioned earlier. There are various restaurants, and quaint homes hidden away among bright tropic flowers and palm trees.
Captiva Drive runs east-west in the Village and connects the boat docks of Pine Island Sound with the Gulf of Mexico white sand beach.Captiva Island Florida has gotten its share of hurricane damage over the years. The most recent was Hurricane Charley in 2004 that damaged or destroyed in excess of 300 buildings on it’s way to smashing into Punta Gorda on the mainland.
The South Seas Island Resort and Yacht Harbor occupies the northern two miles of Captiva Island. It was built on the site of a giant key lime plantation several years ago and suffered extreme damage from Hurricane Charley in 2004. It is now completely restored after a $140 million renovation, and is a mainstay of the island economy.
Things you can do ON CAPTIVA ISLAND FLORIDA
There are several small establishments on Captiva that offer a wide range of adventures for you and your family. Among these are kayak eco tours, day sails and boat trips to nearby Useppa Island and Cabbage Key where Jimmy Buffett got the inspiration for “Cheeseburger In Paradise”. A few of these businesses operate out of South Seas Resort, Tween Waters Inn and Captiva Village.
Shelling both on Capitva and nearby Sanibel is yet another favorite thing for many visitors.
LODGING ON CAPTIVA ISLAND FLORIDA
Vacation Rentals By Owner along with other rental agencies have listings for privately owned houses and condos on Captiva Island. There are also a few fine lodging establishments on the island.
Captiva Island Inn Bed & Breakfast, 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Island Florida 33924. Captiva Island Inn is unique with several small cottages scattered around the Captiva Village area. Each one is close to the restaurants, entertainment and shops in the heart of the Village, and is an easy walk towards the beach. Average rates $135-$207.
Jensen’s On The Gulf”, 15300 Captiva Dr, Captiva Island Florida 33924. This is a small luxurious facility with several small cottages and condos on the beach in Captiva Village. It has no pool or any other resort amenties, but it is next to an awesome beach and is a quick walk from all of the restaurants along with attractions in the Village. They also have Jensens Twim Palms Cottages and Marina on nearby Pine Island Sound with cottages, boat rentals along with a charter fleet. Average rates at Gulfside $175-$700, at Twim Palms $120-$200.
South Seas Island Resort and Yacht Harbor, 5400 Plantation Road, Captiva Island Florida 33924. South Seas is on the far north end of the island and is a self-sufficient vacation destination. It is a gated resort with rooms, villas, private homes and condos readily available for rent. The resort has several swimming pools, a marina, restaurants, tennis courts and a 9 holes golf course, the only golf course on the island. The resort has car rental facilities, a grocery market and deli and a fitness club. Average rates $161-$389.
Tween Waters Inn, 15951 Captiva Road, Captiva Island, FL 33924. This inn is located within the skinniest section of Captiva Island about a mile south of the village area of Captiva. It offers several vintage rooms, cottages and efficiencies with views of the bay and the Gulf. It also has a swimming pool and tennis courts, a marina and a restaurant known as the Capiva House. The Gulf beach across from the inn is one of the best on the island. The entire resort was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 15, 2011. Average rates $130-$222. .
RESTAURANTS ON CAPTIVA ISLAND
Green Flash, 15183 Captiva Dr, Captiva Island, FL 33924. Tel: 239-472-3337. A great place for fresh seafood. They’ve got swordfish, shrimp, grouper, sea bass as well as other specialities when available. Great view, and the sunsets are special. You might even view the famous “green flash” when the sun sets over the Gulf.
Old Captiva House, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva Island, FL 33924. Tel: 239-472-5161. This restaurant can be found at the Tween Waters Inn. Upscale dining on a laid back island, but very good food. Waiters in tuxedo shirts, entrees pretty expensive. Seafood delicious and well prepared. Great place to catch a sunset with your family.
Sunshine Seafood Cafe, 14900 Captiva Dr, Captiva Island, FL. Tel:239-472-6200. Good local seafood nicely prepared. Excellent sea bass and paella. A fantastic wine list, and a place where the locals love to eat.
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