Captivated on Captiva!

In the world of getaway resorts – properties that you can visit and simply leave your everyday stress behind you – check out South Seas, the shining diamond of Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. 

Located at the very tip of Captiva Island and covering 330 lush acres, South Seas has been an unforgettable destination since its days as a fishing resort in the 1940s. Bordered by Pine Island Sound to the east and sparkling Gulf waters to the west, it sits nestled in the  flourishing mangroves that once again cover the island after a trio of hurricanes walloped the southwest coast in recent years. It’s fusion of charming accommodations, world-class fishing, outstanding golf, and sumptuous dining experiences positions it as a top-tier vacation destination. 

We set out to experience South Seas for ourselves. 

Our scenic 45-minute drive from Ft. Myers ended right at the entrance to the resort, where we checked in, received a map of the property, and were introduced to our very own golf cart. We had arranged beforehand to use this mode of transportation for the duration of our week-long stay, and it proved to be a great decision. Its four-passenger capacity allowed us to traverse the property quickly and quietly, making short work of open-air trips to restaurants and activities while enjoying the picturesque property’s beauty.

South Seas offers numerous unique styles of lodging on the property, from villas and condominiums with amazing views to luxury homes suitable for large families. Our multi-room condos exuded island charm and overlooked turquoise waters and unspoiled white-sand beaches. Our building was located near the newly renovated Shops at South Seas, a quaint little shopping center where guests can stock up and gear up for their vacation stay. We visited Provisions, an old-style market selling fresh seafood, groceries, snacks, and made-to-order meals for breakfast and lunch. Next up was Outfitters, which features beach essentials, high-end coolers, stylish resort wear, and outdoor attire. We also took in the Captiva Farmer’s Market, open seasonally in the Shops at South Seas parking lot every Tuesday morning. Then it was back to our rooms to prepare ourselves for an adventurous week.  (Continue reading below photos). 

After a leisurely breakfast, we hopped on our golf cart and cruised over to The Clutch golf course. Nestled snugly up into the northwest point of the island, The Clutch is a nine-hole walking golf course complete with a putting green, club rentals, and The Clutch Clubhouse - a shaded outdoor snack bar with drinks and small bites. This scenic course gets its monicker from a turtle’s nest, or “clutch,” with each individual hole name representing a part of the history, landscape, or wildlife of the island. It features strategic challenges for players of all skill levels and ages. We played all morning, reveling under the bright blue sky, stopping for a snack and a beer between rounds.

The idyllic pools of South Seas called to us in the afternoon, so we quickly changed and headed back out into the sunshine. We visited recently opened Captiva Landing, a family oriented specialty pool area replete with tipping water buckets, slippery water slides, a meandering lazy river, and private cabanas. There was even an onsite arcade for the kid in all of us. 

The Bayview Pools, a collection of three family-friendly pools overlooking the waters of Pine Island Sound, offer guests more winding waterslides, comfy chaise lounges, and shaded poolside cabanas. We soaked in some rays, hopped in the water to cool down, and then topped the afternoon off with tropical drinks at the Tarpon Bar. Not a care in the world.

Fishing in the local waters is an experience not to miss, so we teamed up with Captain Nick Fischer of Tarpon Fischer Charters. Nick is one of a network of experienced, successful fishing captains that teams up with South Seas to provide excitement on the water. We met up early one morning and set out right from Yacht Harbour Marina, making plans to reel in some of those delicious redfish that we had been hearing about since arriving. 

Having grown up on Captiva Island, Nick comes from a long line of charter captains that are experts on the area’s fishing tricks and techniques. He explained that there is an array of options for fishing throughout the year, allowing anglers to adjust their approach based on the species they are pursuing. On the Pine Island Sound side of the island, delicious varieties such as snook, mangrove snapper, redfish, and speckled trout provide the freshest of meals. In the run of Redfish Pass to the north, tarpon up to one hundred pounds roll playfully, providing anglers with great sport and challenge. And out on the Gulf waters, grouper, mackerel, and cobia provide true fishing excitement when hooked. 

We opted to chase redfish – bronze-colored beauties that are known for their fight as much as their tastiness. We did not need to go far to hit prime fishing area, so our poles were in the water in less than twenty minutes. We were soon reeling in keeper after keeper as Nick used his years of experience to help us with our technique. We caught our limit and fried it up in our condo that night. It was an incredible day of sunshine and sport on the water.

During our stay, we sampled each of the resort’s outstanding dining options.

· The Redfish Grill overlooks busy Redfish Pass, the channel between Captiva Island and its sister, Upper Captiva Island. Our waiter recommended the blackened redfish, a style of cooking unique to the South, and it was among the best we had ever tasted. We went back for another visit later that week, this time choosing to eat on the outdoor patio as we enjoyed the colorful sunset. 

· The Beach House is the newest restaurant to join the South Seas family. This beachside beauty features a mouth-watering menu, a refined casual elegance, and indoor and outdoor tables that offer stunning views of Sunset Beach. Our smiling server introduced us to the Hot Tin Can Nachos, a truly majestic stack of marinated chicken, queso fundido, black beans and more, all served out of a giant tin can. The expansive entrée menu embraces local and regional seafood options, and we enjoyed such creative entrees as Chicken-Fried Lobster and Snapper Veracruz.

· Situated in and overlooking Yacht Harbour Marina, Harborside offers Italian steakhouse-inspired cuisine and timeless cocktails with stunning island views. We took the opportunity to dig in to some mainland fare that included classic anti pasta appetizers, short rib ravioli, and wagyu beef steaks. Tiramisu desserts all around topped off the special evening. 

·  Open for lunch and dinner, Scoops and Slices in the Bayview Pool area specializes in simple classic favorites such as fresh pizza pies and grinders. The colorful restaurant features a wall with over two dozen types of specialty candy and creative ice cream sundaes made with your choice of a dozen ice cream flavors and mix-ins. We sat outdoors and took in the Gulf breezes while enjoying our sumptuous treats. 

Over the course of our week, we engaged in a myriad of onsite activities. The resort is home to almost three miles of pristine beach with world-class shelling. Watersports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and even riding Wave Runners can be arranged out of the marina. Bikes are available to guests for exploration throughout the island. Best of all, you can make all your reservations and plans easily when you download and use the free South Seas app on your phone.

If you are looking for a getaway that combines island breezes, delicious dining, and dazzling sunsets, all in a family-friendly setting, book some time at South Seas. 

South Seas Resort 

www.SouthSeas.com