Visitors Impressions of

Captiva Island, Florida

Rating: Super

What we liked: For the third year in a row, we lucked out on weather in Florida the week before Christmas. This year in Captiva, it was no exception. 80 degrees. We stayed at South Seas Plantation on the end of the island, an easy drive from Ft. Myers airport.

It is a sprawling community including tennis, golf, laundramat, condos & homes & marinas. Very safe. We stayed in a regular hotel room overlooking the marina-where we were delighted by the price of $131/night and the dolphins and manatee who ambled over to the dock underneath our deck!

While confusing at first glance, the layout becomes clear. There is a partial kids' program, jitney around the resort, bike rentals with no locks needed (tip: rent the day before for early morning rides), no tipping, some bugs outside during dinner, easy convenience stores, an ice cream parlor, a nature center, a fitness center, several beaches & warm pools.

Go for complimentary morning coffee at Capt. Al's, try a family buffet dinner at Chadwick's (entertainers visited each table with a child and put on a magic/juggling show afterwards). Grilled food at poolside cafe and at Capt. Al's is fine.

We wore shorts the entire time.

Outlets nearby. Good restaurants off resort, but we didn't go to any. Sanibel is close by. Birds are beautiful. Shells are plentiful.

What the kids liked: Family Bingo.

What It Cost: $3000 all-inclusive for a full week at high season.

When did you go: December 1999

How we got there: Air & rental car.

What we didn't like: Not a thing.

Rating: Super

What we liked: Fantastic vacation. We rented a private home through a realtor, but it was easy and well worth it. Almost everything is private, no hotels or motels like on Sanibel. Everything was taken care of for us. Our house, the beach, the whole island really, was clean. The sand is soft except for a band of shells near the water. Played on the beach, swam in the Gulf and saw dolphins right among us several times (surprising at first). Saw big conchs very much alive on the shallow bottom... lots of other fish and birds, tropical wildlife. Collected so many shells we couldn't carry any more, and ended up only bringing home the extra nice ones. Arranged golf at the private club (scenic course, and beautiful surroundings). There are lots of restaurants, good but not too pricey, and more down on Sanibel. We had a nice kitchen but I don't think we cooked anything, just some snacks. Even the stores are surprisingly good and not overpriced, friendly just plain nice people. Went everywhere on the island on our bikes, just enjoying the outdoors and sunshine. Actually our favorite thing was eating breakfast outdoors at the little cafe down the lane.

What the kids liked: Our children are grown, but we saw a few youngsters enjoying the sand and shallow water.

Coolest souvenir: Shells.

How we got there: Flew into Ft. Myers, drove out in a rent-a-car.

What we didn't like: Leaving.

Rating: Super

What we liked: I love Captiva. It is a real "paradise." I go every other weekend or any time I can. The people are incredibly friendly and help you any time you need it. This island has great things to do like fishing until the evening, watching an incredible sunset, then with the great catch going to Barnacle Phills, an island restaurant, and listening to the reggae band until 10:00 P.M., sharing many laughs with friends and dancing away. Then if you get up early enough the next morning, you will see a beautiful sunrise leading you into another gorgeous day. For breakfast, Mango Island Cafe has a delicious breakfast, then for lunch great spots are Over the Water Front, and its great sandwiches; Buds restaraunt, with its famous, great tasting Bud burgers; and last but not least, Barnacle Phills for its fantastic chicken burgers and black beans and rice. But for dinner if you want to try some great deals, on Friday nights Mango Island Cafe has some great-tasting lobster. YUMMY. This island is a place I recommend people to see because it is surely a home away from home.

What the kids liked: Watching the reggae band on Saturday nights, the great food and the dolphins

Coolest souvenir: Memories of this fun and beautiful island are enough.

When did you go: Every weekend or time I can

How we got there: We take our own boat, the Marietta, or we take the wave runners if it's a nice day out, which most of the time it is.

What we didn't like: There is nothing possible to dislike!