Captiva Island Activities

Captiva Island, Florida, has plenty of fun activities for guests of all ages and all interests.

If you're staying near Captiva's Village Center, you can easily walk to any of the shops, restaurants, merchants, and even our own Captiva Library.

Of course, there are many outdoor activities that can make each visit to Captiva uniquely memorable:

• collecting the amazing shells on the water's edge (best early in the morning),
• watching the sea birds and listening to song birds in the tropical forests,
• enjoying water sports like kayaking, power boating, sailing, water skiing, fishing, and of course
• having a great game of golf or tennis then relaxing by the pool and soaking up that glorious Florida sunshine.

Locations of these activities may be obtained from the Captiva Map. Just click the black & white name symbols next to each title and find that same symbol on the Map. For more information, telephone the activities directly (area code is 239) or call American Realty of Captiva at 800-547-0127 (local 472-0564).

See our separate page on Fishing and Boating!

Fun Events, Ceremonies, and Decorations Join Captiva residents and visitors for a delightful celebration of the holidays! Here is the 2011 Schedule of Events! The local businesses get together to provide all kinds of fun, including music like professional Junkanoo parade along Andy Rosse Lane, opera performances on the beach, drums and fire dancing exhibitions, and of course all-out holiday decorations. It all kicked off with the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Tween Waters in November, with evens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday up to holiday week in December.

AMRC Golf Cart wins the Trophy!

Move over, Macy's parade, this is the Captiva Golf Cart Parade! Preparations were secret, the competition was intense, and the crowds were all smiles. The golf carts were decked out like parade floats - tropical style! Don't miss it this year... here's the golf cart parade flyer. We're very proud that American Realty took home the first ever Captiva Golf Cart Parade trophy! See home video of the golf cart parade... WOW, what fun! There will be another lighted Boat Parade up Roosevelt Channel, starting at twilight - sail boats, power boats, and cruise boats, all decorated bow to stern with seemingly a million points of light. See our Boat Parade Slide Show from 2010 (watch fullscreen in 1080 HD!).

Best Romantic Beach

The Beach

Captiva's beach is among the best anywhere, according to many visitors. Even the world's leading expert, Dr. Beach, rated Captiva in the top five winners of his Best Romantic Beaches survey. This distinction was based on 50 criteria including natural beauty, privacy, good sand and water quality, and amenities such as easy access and places to walk along the shore. All of the beaches on Captiva are available to visitors, but they are mostly used only by the relatively few residents. There are only a couple of small public parking areas, so the remaining six miles of beach tend to be sparsely used. At sunset, however, there is a very informal gathering all along the beach to enjoy the display and the company of friends and neighbors. See our Beach page for more photos.

The Island Store

Pick up virtually anything you need right here on the island. Conveniently located in the Village Center, this quaint store is well-stocked with all of the necessities and has been serving residents and visitors for decades. Fresh produce and deli counter add to the charm of this old-timey grocery. Parking never seems to be a problem, maybe because those staying in the Village Center can just as easily walk. Regardless of what you might need, chances are the Captiva Island Store has it... this is where the "locals" shop! Open 7 days a week until 11:00 pm. 239-472-2374

Jim's Rentals

Jim's Rentals offers bicycles, scooters, floats, in-line skates, snorkling gear, waverunners (in proper season), and just about anything else you could want to have a fun-filled day on Captiva. Plus they have basic necessities for more passive enjoyment, like beach umbrellas and chairs. Stop by to see all the cool activities and toys. Located in the Village Center on Andy Rosse Lane near American Realty. 239-472-9656

	Jungle Drums Art Gallery

A popular photo op is the gigantic chair in the garden at Jungle Drums (right side of the photo). But the real attraction is inside the art gallery. Come on in and browse the exhibits and sales. It's a great way to find treasures and keepsakes for yourself, unique gifts, or just to wait out the noon-time sun or a passing shower. Have your items professionally packed and shipped home to avoid airline luggage hassles and possible breakage. Jungle Drums is located in the Village Center on Andy Rosse Lane next to American Realty. 239-395-2266

View from the Parasail

Yolo Watersports (same building as Jim's Rentals) offers parasail rides in the Gulf of Mexico or in the Pine Island Sound (depending on wind and sea conditions). If you've never done this, you're missing a great adventure! The top-of-the-line parasail boat and equipment makes this experience is as easy as sitting in a swing, but a whole lot more thrilling. It's safe and comfortable, perfectly dry (if you want), remarkably silent (you can't even hear the boat below), and affords breathtaking views from as much as 1200 feet over the water. Yolo Watersports is located in the Village Center on Andy Rosse Lane near American Realty. 239-472-9656

	Guided Tour of the Mangrove Ecosystem

Captiva and Sanibel Islands are renown for their wild life, shells, nature santuaries, and unique ecology. Join us for an "EcoTour" to enjoy and learn about the natural beauty of the islands. AMRC facilitate your nature-oriented visit by arranging for the necessary passes and providing information about where to go, what to see and who to talk with. See our Ecotours page for more information.

Barrier Island Group for the Arts is BIG ARTS, with galleries, a concert hall, classes and workshops, and exhibits. Established in 1979 to provide cultural enrichment to residents and visitors, BIG ARTS is located at 900 Dunlop Road on Sanibel Island, between the City Hall and the Historical Museum. Patrons may enjoy a wide spectrum of performing and visual arts events, and participate in more than 170 educational courses and workshops each year. The lovely Schein Performance Hall seats 400. The Phillips Gallery and Founders Gallery feature local as well as visiting exhibits. More than 250 volunteers have helped to make BIG ARTS a prominent cultural institution in Florida's southwest region. 239-395-0900

	Shirley Allen

One of the newest shops in Captiva is Shirley Allen, "Traditional Arts in Modern Avant-garde Expression." Gallery of wearable and contemporary fine art by recognized artists. Avant-garde art from previous generations such as Paul Jacoulet woodblock prints is also an interest as are contemporary and antique decorative arts. See the extensive on-line catalog, or better yet drop by the impressive Captiva location for a visit - in the Captiva Village area. 239-472-3506