Hi everyone! Thinking of visiting North Captiva Island? Then this post is for you. North Captiva is beautiful island located in the Gulf of Mexico. It is truly a hidden gem. I have been visiting the island for over 15 years, and it is the ideal relaxing, island vacation destination. Sound like the vacation spot for you? Keep reading for all of my best tips and advice for visiting North Captiva Island, Florida!
The island is remote and only accessible by boat or small plane. Because of this, there is some planning required for a North Captiva vacation, but don’t worry, this guide will provide you with all of the information you need for an amazing trip!
Background Information – North Captiva Island:
North Captiva Island was originally part of Captiva Island, but a hurricane in 1921 separated the two. North Captiva is now the more rural, quiet and relaxing island of the pair.
North Captiva is less visited, and less mainstream, than the neighboring islands of Captiva and Sanibel, and this really makes it the ideal place for people who enjoy quiet, relaxing destinations.
We love that there are no cars on North Captiva – golf carts only! Since you can only access the island by boat (or small, private plane) it is extremely low-key.
There are also no hotels on the island. Instead, visitors rent (or own) homes for their stay.
The island is truly a natural paradise and it is so much fun to walk on the beach and explore the undeveloped nature preserve.
North Captiva is truly the perfect destination for families – it is super safe and tons of fun!
Information about Island Clubs
There are two “clubs” on the island that most home owners belong to – North Captiva Island Club and Safety Harbor Club.
These clubs have “club houses” with swimming pools for renters to use. They also coordinate golf cart rentals, luggage drop-off and other island needs. When renting, I recommending booking through North Captiva Island Club, it’s more family friendly and the vibes are much more fun and relaxed.
Safety Harbor is targeted towards an older population, and I recommend booking these properties if you’re looking for a quieter island experience and if you’re not traveling with kids.
Click here to browse and book rental properties with North Captiva Island Club, and click here to book with Safety Harbor on VRBO.
This all being said, if your rental property has a pool you likely won’t be spending too much time at the clubs, besides for the bars and restaurants. Therefore, I recommend choosing the house that you think is most suitable for your family – regardless of which club it belongs to.
Rental Homes + Packing Tips
All Rental Properties Have Beach Access
When booking a rental property you will see that many are beach front, and of course, these will be more expensive. Don’t worry if the property you book is not right on the beach, you will still have beach access and it will be a maximum of a five minute golf-cart ride from your home. The beach is public, and although there are private access points, there are also public access points for homes that are in the interior of the island.
Many of the homes also have pools, but some do not, so be sure to check the rental listing carefully. Having a pool is a really nice addition, as you will be able to spend more time at your rental house with your family and less time at the communal club pool.
Pack Light
North Captiva is a super casual island – and when vacationing there all you’ll need is comfy clothes and shoes. Additionally, all rental properties come with washers and dryers, so it’s easy to wash and re-wear clothes.
That being said, don’t forget to pack sweaters! If you’re coming in the fall/winter it will likely be nice during the day (70s-80s) but it gets a little cooler at night (60s), so be sure to bring a couple sweatshirts and pairs of long pants if you get cold easily.
For more information on packing, check out my North Captiva Packing Guide!
Transportation to the Island
Check out Punta Gorda Airport
The most convenient airports to get to North Captiva are Fort Myers and Punta Gorda.
Fort Myers offers the most flights from all major airlines and it is relatively convenient (about an hour drive) to get to the ferries. I have always flown into Fort Myers, and it’s usually easy.
However, Allegiant Air flies into Punta Gorda which is also about an hour drive from the island. Punta Gorda is a small airport that services many other small airports across the country, and often the flights are quite cheap!
From both Punta Gorda Airport and Fort Myers, you can pick up the Pine Island Taxi to the ferry (explained below), for around $75.
Take Pine Island Taxi
You can book convenient airport pick-ups/drop offs through Pine Island Taxi.
Pine Island Taxi has always been great. They meet you at the airport and drive you to the ferry dock. They will also take you back to the airport for your return trip – no rental car needed.
A Pine Island Taxi car from RSW (Fort Myers Airport) to the dock is $75 – and the car can fit up to four people, depending on the amount of luggage. If you’re traveling with a larger group, Pine Island Taxi also has vans that can accommodate more travelers.
If you preorder groceries, the taxi driver will also stop at Publix for you to pick them up. The trip, without stops, is around one hour. Click here to learn more and to book.
Book Your Ferries in Advance
Ferries go to and from North Captiva quite regularly with North Captiva Island Club Ferry and Island Girl Ferry.
The first North Captiva Island Club Ferry to the island leaves at 8am and the last boat off the island is at 7:15pm. There are also boats later in the evening, but there will be a surcharge. The price for a one way ferry ticket is $24 for adults and $21.50 for children ages 2-12. Children under 2 ride free. Click here for the ferry schedule and to book!
There is also parking at the NCIC ferry dock for $10 a day – this is great if you’re coming in a car/rental car.
Island Girl ferries leave from the Pineland Marina. Click here for their ferry schedule – the high season and low season have different hours. Island Girl will also arrange off-hour ferries for fees beginning at $150 one-way.
Food and Drinks
Bring Lots of Food and Drinks
Before coming over to the island, you’ll need to go grocery shopping for everything you will need during your stay.
Many grocery stores, like Publix, allow you to order online and they will “boat-pack” all of your groceries in coolers and paper bags to be easily transported to the island. On your way to the dock you’ll just stop, either in a taxi or your rental car, and pick up your groceries that will be all packed and ready to go.
If you want to pick out your own groceries, that’s fine too. However, you’ll most likely need to rent a car in order to shop so that your taxi/Uber driver isn’t waiting for hours in the parking lot.
Finally, you can download the Instacart app and order groceries for pick up from a bunch of stores near the ferry dock – just put in the zip code for North Captiva (33924) and the stores nearby will pop up. Double check to make sure that the store you pick isn’t out of the way.
You Can Order Groceries to be Delivered to Your Rental House or to the Ferry
Another option for grocery delivery, if you don’t want the hassle of stopping at the grocery store, is an island grocery delivery service. Fresh Pick Grocery Service will work with you to have all of your items picked up and delivered to your rental home upon your arrival. This way, you won’t need to worry about stopping at a supermarket and then rushing to the ferry after your flight.
The charge for this service is 25% of of the total grocery bill. Although this does seem high, it is a very convenient and stress-free option.
Additionally, Tibball’s provides a services where they will stock your rental home with groceries, or have your groceries picked up and delivered to the ferry dock. The fees for these services are between 25%-40% of the total grocery bill, but, again, they are very convenient options.
There is Only One Tiny Store on the Island
Be sure to bring enough food – this is my biggest North Captiva Island tip.
There are a few restaurants on the island that serve great food, but there is only one grocery store with extremely limited options (beer, pasta, eggs, etc.) Don’t rely on the on-island grocery store. It’s good for essentials if you’re in a pinch, but you cannot buy groceries to feed a family for a lengthy amount of time.
Check Out the Four Restaurants!
There are four restaurants on the island and one ice cream shop! I’ve eaten at all of these restaurants many times and they all have great food! Although some of the restaurants are within island clubs, you do not need to be a member of the club to eat at the restaurants.
Mangos
At North Captiva Island Club you will find the pool bar, Mangos. Mangos serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with all outdoor seating. I highly recommend the fish tacos – they are so good!!
The Boathouse
Also within North Captiva Island Club you’ll find the Boathouse. The Boathouse is only open for dinner, and is a little “fancier” (by North Captiva standards). They also require reservations. Be sure to try their key lime pie, it is amazing!
Over the Water
In Safety Harbor Club be sure to try Over the Water; it has great views of the ocean. They are open for lunch and dinner and their menu is delicious. We highly recommend that you try the shrimp scampi and the brownie sundaes, they are both so good! There is limited seating so be sure to make a reservation by calling (239) 472-4762.
Mainstay (Barnacles) + Ice Cream
Finally, check out Mainstay North Captiva (also called Barnacles). Barnacles has indoor seating and also outdoor seating under tiki huts. This is the perfect location to enjoy a casual lunch or dinner.
They also have a bar where you can relax and enjoy drinks while looking out at the water.
Note: As of 2023, Mainstay is closed. If it re-opens, or if a new restaurant opens in its place, I will post updates.
Above Barnacles there is also an ice cream shop, which is great for an afternoon or post lunch treat!
Things to do on North Captiva Island
Kayaks, Bikes and Beach Chairs are Free to Use
If you’re renting through NCIC, you have complementary access to kayaks, beach chairs and bikes! This is great, as it is so much fun to bike and kayak around the island! You can get all of these items from Mangos (store and pool bar.)
Rent Jet Skis, Paddle Boards and Boats
Through Boats and Fun, located near Mangos, you can rent paddle boards and different types of boats.
The staff at Boats and Fun is super helpful, and you’re sure to have a great time no matter which activity you choose. Click here for more information about the different rentals and activities, as well as for rental and charter rates.
Boats and Fun is also a gift shop – and they have tons of items that you can use while on the island, or buy as fun souvenirs to remember your vacation.
Take Day Trips + Fishing Trips
Through Boats and Fun you can also book day trips to go dolphin/manatee watching, fishing, do water sports, and even visit nearby islands!
We love hiring a boat to visit Cabbage Key for lunch. It’s about 30 minutes away from North Captiva and makes a great day trip. Click here for rates.
You Can Walk the Entire Length of the Island
North Captiva is only about 4 miles long, and half a mile wide at its widest point. Because of its small size, it’s relatively easy to walk the entire length of the island – either along the beach at low tide or through the nature preserve.
The entire southern portion of the island is a nature preserve/Florida State Park, and at this point there are no longer any homes or construction, just beautiful paths through a tropical forest. The southern portion of the island has amazing shelling, and it is a great place to bring a picnic and watch the dolphins jump.
Note: depending on the weather and tides, sometimes it’s not possible to walk on the beach the entire length of the island. When this happens, simply walk through the nature preserve to reach the beach on the Southern tip of the island.
Take Golf Cart Rides
This is one of the most popular activities on the island, and you’re bound to see tons of families driving around on golf carts and admiring the beautiful island scenery.
Most rental homes come with a golf cart (or 2), but if not, they are available to rent through NCIC. Everyone on the island is super friendly, and you’ll see vacationers and home owners driving around waving to all the guests they pass.
What to Bring to North Captiva
Besides your personal items, most of the rental properties will have everything you need for your stay!
However, there are a few items we recommend you bring in order to make your stay as fun and eco-friendly as possible.
Reusable straws
In my opinion, way too many straws are used by the bars and restaurants – bring your own to avoid extra waste, especially being so close to the ocean. Click here and here for some cute options – the big size is perfect for frozen drinks!
Reusable Zip-Lock Bags
These are perfect for packing a picnic or taking snacks to the beach! You can also use them for toiletries when going through airport security. Click here for a 10 pack.
Books
Although there is a “leave a book, take a book” mailbox on the island, there is nowhere to buy books.
Some homes have books that other travelers left behind, but I recommend bringing your own. I’ve been obsessed with Liane Moriarty books recently – check out Nine Perfect Strangers for a fun read! You can also bring a Kindle or iPad for easy book downloads!
Games
Again, many rental houses will have board games available for use, but there’s no guarantee. I recommend bringing a few of your favorites, or at least a deck of cards, for family game nights! Since the island is so low-key there isn’t a ton to do at night, so your board games will get a lot of use! My favorite games are Taboo and Sequence.
Recycling Note
Finally, I find it important, and unfortunate, that at this point there is no recycling on the island through NCIC. This is a huge downfall, and after talking to the island club owners I learned that the lack of recycling facilities is related to a lack of funding from the county. Currently, NCIC island staff are working on implementing a recycling system, and Safety Harbor already has one in place! I’m looking forward to recycling coming to the island soon, and for more eco-friendly programs – like no plastic straws at the bars!
In Conclusion
I hope our tips and advice for visiting North Captiva Island will help you have an amazing vacation!
North Captiva is such a wonderful place that you’ll want to return to time and time again. If you have any questions, please reach out or let us know in the comments below!
Lastly, we always appreciate you sharing our posts with others♡.
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More North Captiva Posts to Plan Your Trip:
- What to Bring to North Captiva Island
- North Captiva Island Year Round Packing Guide
- 10 Amazing Reasons to Visit North Captiva Island
♡Kate
Note: this post includes affiliate links, read our disclosure here.
Well done Ladies
Geez! This is everything to a “T”. Thank you for putting this together with all the webpages. We hopefully will be planning a trip for 2020…..
The Layn’s
Thanks so much for all this information. We are planning our first trip in March. Do you know if any sunset cruises are offfered? Again, thanks!
Hi Cathy! I’m so happy you found the tips to be helpful, and I hope you have an amazing stay on North Captiva!
There are opportunities for private sunset cruises through Island Girl Ferry Charters. For more information you can use this link http://www.northcaptivaislandgirl.com/faq/private-tour-private-charter, and you can also call 239-633-8142 for pricing and additional info. I’ve never done a sunset cruise with Island Girl, but I often take their ferries over to the island and they are always great! If you have any other questions please let me know!
Native Floridian. Vacation on NoCap at least once a year for most of my life. Travel planner for my entire extended family. Have rented over 20 houses on the island. This is by far the best travel site I’ve read about Upper Captiva. Only would add that I first try and rent directly from the home owner through the house’s website, then I call Sarah at beachvactionsforme.com, then the island club, vrbo is a last resort( fees ). Find Uncle Jesse and buy him a cold one. Hire the captiva fishing lady & bring the ingredients to make blackened fish tacos. Bow to the king(the silver one). Look up for ospreys and down for gopher tortoises. Lie to work and say there is no cell signal then turn off your phone. And the best way to and from Nocap is by kayak.
Thank you so much, Ryan!! North Captiva truly is an amazing place!
How do you get the contact information to rent privately through the owners?
I went to Captiva Island once as a kid with my family and I so hope to move back to Florida so that I can go (and hopefully drag my sister with me!) Also, I’ve had female friends bring that size suitcase for a weekend trip so I’m impressed that’s for 6 days!
This site has a ton of helpful information. I’m curious…
How made are the bugs there? How hot in July? What is the water clarity like?
Hi Nikki! Thanks so much 🙂 The summer is not my favorite time to visit North Captiva because it is very hot and humid – however, since you have the beach so close by, and most houses have pools, it can be a nice time to visit! The county sprays for mosquitos regularly, so they’re usually not a huge issue, but in the summer there can be a lot of no-see-ums. If you stay in a house right on the beach, the bugs will be less of an issue because of the ocean breeze. The water is usually super, super clear. It’s definitely beautiful!
Hi, we’ve been traveling to Captiva for years, but this will be our first North Captiva stay. Our rental house says it has two smart TVs. Did yours? And did you find the signal worked to stream Netflix and such? Also, do you remember whether the small grocery/convenience store sells gallon sized bottled water or just the small bottles? Trying to plan in advance on enough water for a family of 4 who generally drinks a lot of water. We usually buy the multi gallon jugs at Publix. Thanks!
Hi Vanessa! Thanks so much for your message. The house we stay in has smart TVs as well, and they work great! Sometimes a Netflix account will already be signed in, or you can simply sign in with your own personal account. In terms of water, the grocery store may have gallon sized bottle water, but it’s not always super reliable and I definitely wouldn’t count on it. To make sure you have enough, it’s better, and cheaper, to order water from Publix! If you don’t want to bring so many gallons with you, the tap water in the rental houses is also safe to drink! Especially if the house has a filter or Brita – this is a great, free option as well.
This may be a stupid question, but how do you get from the ferry to your rental? I know we could walk but I’d hate to have to walk and carry all luggage and groceries!
Hi! That’s a great question! You’ll take a golf cart 🙂 If you’re renting through North Captiva Island Club, your rental home will come with 1 or 2 golf carts that will be waiting for you at the ferry drop off point. If you’re renting through AirBnb, just send a message to your host to confirm where you’ll pick up your golf cart. You’ll use golf carts to get all around they island, it’s so much fun!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your quick answer! And this post was very helpful.
Hi Kate, we will be visiting friends who have rented North Point house March 27th. We have a sailboat ⛵️ that draws 3’8” that we need advice on where we anchor, as well we will be traveling back and forth in a dingy. We will need to beach our dingy safely while visiting. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you 🙏, heather
Hi Heather! Thanks so much for checking out our post! North Pointe is our favorite house on the island! We just checked in with the North Captiva Island Club and North Pointe (property 064) has access to the marina for a small fee. If you are looking for beach access for a boat, we have never seen it done this way, but we aren’t sure it’s impossible! We recommend contacting the club to discuss options, find their contact information here: Contact NCIC. There is also boat dockage information & how to request a boat slip here: Boat Dockage on North Captiva. Enjoy your time on North Captiva & let us know if you have any other questions!
♡Kate and Maggie
Hi Kate and Maggie, thankyou for your quick response, we will contact NCIC to see what our options are.
Kindest regards, Heather
Once you arrive to the island with luggage and groceries. How do you get it all to your house ? I know they said a golf cart will be waiting for us but I can’t figure out how to get food, luggage for four and 4 people on a golf cart LOL .
Hi Holly! Thanks for your message 🙂 If you’re renting through North Captiva Island Club, they will deliver your luggage and groceries to the rental home for you! If you are using AirBnb or VRBO, you may need to take multiple trips from the ferry dock. I have always used the Club, and everything is dropped of pretty quickly at the rental!
Thank you for a quick response . We will be using the club for our house reservation. Now I can relax a little, never have been here I am nervous about figuring this out so last minute .
Espresso on the island?
Hi Nick! Unfortunately, there isn’t a coffee shop on the island. Select houses may have espresso machines, but I’ve never seen one in any of the homes. You may want to bring a small stove top espresso maker along with you, if you have space in your luggage!
Great post! Taking a trip with girlfriends in May & loved your helpful info & I’m even more excited to explore this island & relax!
Thank you so much, Rhonda! We hope you have an amazing trip to the island! Please let us know if you have any questions!
We will be in Sanibel in October. How to get from Captiva to North Captiva as they are separate???
Hi Patty! The two islands are only a couple hundred yards apart but there is no bridge. There are no cars on the island, so the only way to access it is by boat (or small plane). You can either charter a boat from Captiva to North Captiva, or drive to one of the North Captiva ferry pick up points – which will take about an hour and a half.
Hi Kate & Maggie! Great post! Does North Captiva ever get red tide in the summer months? Are the boats or ferries to get to the island just for your party (private) or are there other people sharing the trip with you? If not, are there private ferries to the island? Trying to be extra safe with COVID :)! Thanks so much!
Hi Amelie! In the 14 years we’ve been traveling to the island we’ve only experienced red tide twice. Once was very mild, but the second time it was quite unpleasant (this was about three years ago.) Although the whole gulf coast of Florida can be affected by red tide, it is very rare in North Captiva! You can monitor the status of Red Tide in Florida here (North Captiva is part of Lee County.) If you book tickets on a regularly scheduled ferry to the island from Island Girl Charters or North Captiva Island Club, you will most likely be with other travelers. Depending on the day of the week, and time of day, the number of travelers varies. You can definitely book private ferries, and they are a great option! We’ve done this frequently if we’re traveling to the island late at night or early in the morning. You can contact Island Girl Charters at 239-633-8142 to schedule a private ferry! Please let us know if you’d like any additional information or have any more questions!
Thank you so much, Kate! Do the beaches ever get crowded on the island?
They are never crowded – especially compared to major beach destinations in Florida! Sometimes during the off season I can sit on the beach for over an hour before someone else walks by, especially towards the Northern end of the island! However, even during the busier months you’ll have no problem at all finding plenty of beach space far away from other groups!
Is there a place to rent beach umbrellas and exchange propane tanks for the grills?
Hi Emily! Sometimes the rental homes will have beach umbrellas, or if you’re renting through North Captiva Island Club, sometimes they have them available for guests too. It’s not guaranteed though (they get broken/lost pretty quickly), so I do recommend picking up an inexpensive, portable beach umbrella from a store on the mainland and bringing it with you! For propane tanks, there is no official exchange location on the island, however if you’re renting through North Captiva Island Club, ask at the check-in office and they will help you exchange your tank! If you’re renting through AirBnb, I recommend checking in with your host to see what their process is! Please let us know if you have any other questions, and we hope you have a great trip to the island!
I have been trying to see if mid to late September would be a good time to visit North Captiva or not we are looking from the 10th-18th or 18th-25th. I am just trying to see about storms and everything. This will be our first time visiting the island and want it to be the best. Thank you in advance for the help.
Hi Christopher! The Fall is a nice time to visit the island, as the temperatures are more mild than in the summer. During the summer, it’s common to get afternoon showers/thunderstorms on the island. This normally starts to let up by September, but short afternoon storms are still common. Lastly, hurricane season lasts from June to November, but this isn’t a problem unless there happens to be a hurricane headed towards the island. If this were the case, you would know well in advance! Overall, mid to late September is a good time to visit the island, with the caveat that there may be occasional storms. I always prefer to visit towards the end of September and into the Fall, as I prefer Fall weather to the summer heat! October and November are also beautiful times on the island. I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions, or if we can help in any way!
Kate Toll,
Thank you so very much for your information on this. It has been very helpful on choosing a date for our vacation. Would you happen to have an email I could send more questions to if I come across some instead of filling up your comment board. Thank you again for the help.
So glad you found the information helpful! Of course! You’re welcome to email us any time at twosistersabroad@outlook.com 🙂
Very helpful! I’ve rented a home for the month of February. It will be our first stay, so I’m hungry for valuable information. Do you know if there is anywhere that you can park your car near the ferry that doesn’t charge $9 a day?
Hi Chris! Thanks for your message. Currently, there isn’t anywhere close/walkable to the North Captiva Island Club ferry dock that offers cheaper parking. Since you will be on the island for a month, it is worth reaching out to North Captiva Island Club to see if they will offer a monthly rate. You can contact them using this form on their website. If you’re flying into Fort Myers, and not driving from another location, you could also take a Pine Island Taxi. They are $75 each way from the airport to the ferry dock and that will eliminate the need for parking. However, if you need to go off the island for groceries or other day trips you would then have the added expense of additional taxis/Ubers. I hope this is helpful, and please let us know if you have any other questions!
This is so helpful! I noticed homeowners specifically referring to one of the 2 ferries over to the Island. They are both open to anyone that books, correct? It almost looks like Safety Harbor Club goes with one and NCIC goes with the other. Just curious! We’re also thinking about going down a day earlier and staying in Matlacha. I’m just afraid we’ll have too much time to kill between check out and check in since we won’t be renting a car. Any thoughts or advice for us? Thanks in advance!
Hi Keisha! I’m so happy that you found the post helpful! You can use either ferry company – we recommend picking whichever one works best with your arrival and departure schedules as they are both great! Matlacha is such an adorable town, I love visiting it when we go to the island.If you do decide to stay in Matlacha, you can definitely fill up your morning before check-in on the island. It’s a nice little area to walk around, have coffee and check out the art shops. Also, if you arrive on the island before your check-in time, you can have lunch/a drink at the pool bar at the NCIC! There’s usually lots of people to chat with, and it’s a nice place to read a book as well!
Thank you so much Kate! Again very helpful!
How are the mosquitoes in the fall or spring? What are the best months to come where the bugs are down and yet it’s still warm enough to get in the ocean and swim? We came in July last year and the bug situation was downright unbearable. It was one of our favorite places to visit but the bugs are keeping us from coming back!
Hi Sarah! Thanks for your message. Typically, the bugs are the worst on the island between June and October (but sometimes they can get bad in mid-May.) While they do spray regularly for bugs, I would recommend coming in the early Spring or later Fall in order to avoid them. While the nighttime temperatures can get a little chilly in the Fall, you can definitely still go in the ocean and the weather is usually pretty nice. Also, the bugs are always worse more inland in the island. The closer your house is to the beach, generally, the fewer bugs you’ll encounter because of the ocean breeze! The Spring and the Fall are my two favorite seasons on the island! I hope this is helpful, and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Awesome information!
We are staying on NoCap for the first time Aug 2-7 this year. We are staying in Jose’s Hideaway? Are you familiar with this home and can you tell us anything about it?
Also, in terms of wildlife, what is the snake and alligator population like on the island and do you know if it is allowed to bring a beach volleyball net to set up on the beach?
Thank you ladies for all the work you have put into this page!
Hi Tim! Thanks so much for your comment. You will love North Captiva! We have never been inside of Jose’s Hideaway, but the location is great. I found the VRBO listing, and it does seem to have some negative reviews about cleanliness and lack of updates, but since I’ve never been inside the home I can’t speak to that. We usually recommend that guests rent through North Captiva Island Club, as they are very helpful and also provide a check-in/help desk, golf carts, a club pool and other amenities. However, many guests have also had great experiences with VRBO!
In terms of wildlife, we have only heard about one alligator on the island, that lives (or lived) in the pond at Safety Harbor Club. We have never seen any alligators wandering around the island, and they are not an issue. There are big, black snakes on the island – but they are completely harmless. They’re a protected species and they eat mice and rats. You may occasionally see one, but I’m terrified of snakes and have never actually run into one during my 14+ years visiting the island!
There are lots of turtles to see on the island, and occasionally you will also see a bald eagle! You will also likely see dolphins jumping, either on the Bay side by the little airport strip, or on the Gulf side on the beach.
Lastly, there should be no issues with a volleyball net. We’ve seen lots of other nets up before! Just make sure you take it down at night.
I hope this is helpful, and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Tim,
What was your experience at joses hideaway? We are going there in march,2022..
Thanks
Sue
We stayed there last year. Needed a new roof, plumbing was messed up, and NC Island Club didn’t respond to anything. My husband and BIL fixed the plumbing and we were just on the Island last week and their plumbing “fix” is still in place. The roof has also been replaced. Otherwise the rental was fine and had a very nice porch and crows nest. We would stay there again if that’s what’s available, it really was nice overall but we were much more impressed with other rentals. But it’s NoCap! You really can’t go wrong, you’ll love it.
Thank you, Deanna! This is so helpful!
Thank you so much for your reply! We are looking forward to our trip. We notcied some of the reviews about Jose’s Hideaway as well but we actually had to book that property twice, as the home was sold after our initial booking and the new owners posted some much different pictures that makes it look even better and have renamed the property White Shell Hideaway. And it actually sits on the landing strip so dolphin watching should be great!
We are renting Jose’s hideaway in March next year. Would love to hear your review of it. Thanks.
Hi Susan! So exciting that you’re visiting North Captiva, we hope you love it! We have never personally stayed in Jose’s Hideaway, but we have spoken with other renters and reviewed the VRBO listing. While the location is great, there are some very negative reviews about the state of the home (mostly the lack of upkeep) as well as it not being very clean. However, we have also heard that Jose’s Hideaway has been purchased by new owners, and that the name has been changed to White Shell Hideaway. If this is indeed the case, White Shell Hideaway looks great! And we love that it is a rental through North Captiva Island Club, as this comes with many perks + generally the check-in/out process is easier. If you let us know whether or not you rented through NCIC, we can provide you with more specific information! We usually recommend that guests rent through North Captiva Island Club, as they are very helpful and also provide a check-in/help desk, golf carts, a club pool and other amenities.
The property has pretty good views and is also located very close to the beach – both of which are great in a NorCap home. We also love that it has a private pool! Please let us know if you have any other questions or would like more information! We hope you have the best time on North Captiva!
Love this! I am the planner of our group and this just saved me hours of planning!!
xoxo
Hi Jen! We’re so happy you enjoyed the post! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We hope you love North Captiva 🙂
We are traveling to the island for the first time in February! We are renting a home on the beach. Some of the things I’ve read recently about the no seeum bugs is making me slightly anxious …especially with 3 kiddos! Are the bugs less prevalent in February? Do you recommend wearing some type of repellent at all times or just dawn/dusk? And which ones would you recommend? Thank you so much!
Hi Sarah! So exciting that you’re visiting North Captiva!
Typically, the bugs (specifically the no seeums) are the worst on the island between June and October. February is a great time to visit, as bugs are definitely less of an issue! The island is sprayed regularly for bugs, but the no seeums tend to be the most prevalent on the interior of the island. The closer you’re staying to the water (with an ocean breeze) the fewer bugs you’ll encounter – so it’s wonderful that you have chosen a beachfront home! Overall, I would recommend bringing bug spray just in case (I prefer a natural one like this one) but because of the time of year, no seeums should not be a big issue!
Please let me know if you have any other questions, and I hope you have the best time on North Captiva!
Thank you so much!! We have loved reading your tips / advice blog on north captiva as we plan our stay!
We are considering a 2023 spring vacation to the island. Thank you for all the tips. My grandson loves to fish. Is there anywhere to fish other than chartering? Thank you
Hi Linda! Thanks so much for your message. You will love the island. Your grandson can easily fish from anywhere on the beach on the island. Many of our friends and family members have had great luck and caught tons of fish. The beach runs the entire length of the island, so there are lots of great fishing spots to check out. If you have any other questions please let us know!
Thanks for all the great info! Looking to book a trip in July. Do you know if private boats give rides over to North Captiva? Can groceries be shipped over, say via instacart, mid stay or best to try and stock up upon arrival? Seems like the ferry has limitation on luggage. Thanks!
Hi Ayla! Thanks for your message. You’re going to love North Captiva! You can definitely book a private boat transfer to the island, and this is a great option if you’re arriving late in the evening or after ferry hours. We’ve used Boats and Fun for private transfers to the island, and they are great. In terms of luggage limitations on the ferries, we’ve traveled with quite a bit of luggage (enough for a two month stay) and we’ve never had problems getting it over on the ferry. If you think the amount of bags you’re bringing could pose a problem for the ferry, definitely call them as there is also usually a small luggage boat that comes along with the main ferry that has lots of space. You can have groceries shipped over to the island during your stay (check out Fresh Pick Grocery Service), but there is a fee to have them taken over on the boat and brought to your rental house. My recommendation would be to try to stock up on everything you’ll need, as it will save you money and time. It can be a little difficult to know exactly what groceries you’ll need on a first trip to the island, but I recommend planning out all of your meals so that you can shop accordingly! After your first trip, grocery shopping and planning becomes much easier, since you’ll know exactly what you need for your family and trip length. The little on-island grocery store does have necessities (coffee, pasta, etc.) and there are also restaurants on the island for lunch and dinner! Please let me know if you have any other questions, we’re happy to help any way we can!
Hi Kate!
Are there any farmer’s markets on the island that you know of?
Hi Keri! There are, unfortunately, no farmer’s markets on the island. The only place to get groceries is Mangos store, and the fresh produce selection is extremely limited, and sometimes non-existent. When driving to the North Captiva ferry dock from Fort Myers, you’ll pass some fruit and vegetable stands that have good selections of produce – I definitely recommend stopping at those and stocking up!
Thank you!
Hello. I stumbled upon your blog post looking for info about North Captiva. My family is considering renting a property there in October, but we have never been to a no-car island. I was wondering two things: 1) Are there deep sea fishing charters available on the island? 2) Is there a place to buy household stuff, like a Dollar General or something like that – not groceries? Thanks!
Hi Lenise! You are going to love North Captiva, it is such a fantastic island. First, yes you can book deep sea fishing charters that depart from the island with Boats & Fun – you can check them out here! On the island there is nowhere to buy household items or groceries. There is just the tiny, tiny store, Mangos, that has items like beer, candy, soda, etc. Because the island is so remote and small, you’ll need to bring everything you need with you. However, there are many dollar generals in Cape Coral you can visit before getting on the ferry to the island! Please let me know if you have any other questions, we’re happy to help in any way we can!
Hey Lenise. We first vacationed here last August and are preparing for our second annual North Cap vacation this August.
There is no Dollar General type location on the island. Only restaraunts and a couple gift shops exist on the island.
You will have to bring groceries from the main land. Either by doing so yourself or hiring “shoppers” to do it for you.
Hi there, do you know how it is in the island during the end of the year holidays? Weather, anything fun to do?
And also what is the situation after the last hurricane?
Hi Kassia, thanks so much for your comment! First, to start with the hurricane, much of the island, including many rentals are still very damaged and unusable. While some people have gotten their rentals up and running, many are still waiting on insurance companies, or have large amounts of damage that will take quite a while to repair. The ferries are back up and running, as are the restaurants, but the island isn’t as “picture perfect” as it used to be – although it will be again soon! North Captiva is a fantastic place to spend the holidays! I love spending Thanksgiving on North Captiva and am sure that Christmas and New Years would be just as nice. The weather is great – usually in the mid 60s-70s, so you can spend tons of time outside. Depending on your preferences, you may find it a little too cold for the ocean, but you can definitely still go in the pools and spend time on the beach. There isn’t necessarily anything different to do on the island during the holidays that you can’t do at other times of year. It is a very low-key and relaxing place, and there aren’t usually any additional activities that pop up for the holidays. However, some people decorate their homes so it can be a lot of fun to drive around on golf carts and look at the fun decorations. I hope this is helpful, and please let me know if you have any other questions 🙂
FYI for anyone traveling – as of April 2023 Mangos General Store is still closed.