Things to Do in Captiva and the Out Islands
A sliver of an island, and the islands beyond it that have no bridge.
See top-rated activities »About Captiva
Captiva is about five miles long and in places only a few hundred yards wide, with the Gulf on one side and Pine Island Sound on the other. Across Blind Pass from Sanibel, a single road winds under arching sea grape and banyan trees to the village, a few blocks of restaurants, galleries and shops painted in bright colors. The Gulf beach runs the length of the island, and the sunsets here, watched from the beach behind the Mucky Duck or the end of Andy Rosse Lane, are part of the best of Sanibel Captiva for most visitors.
At the north end, South Seas Island Resort occupies the tip of the island with a marina, beaches and a family water park; it reopened in 2025 after a long rebuild. The resort and nearby marinas are the jumping-off points for the out islands, which you can reach only by boat. Captiva Cruises and other operators run shelling, dolphin and sunset trips and ferries to the islands of Pine Island Sound.
Cabbage Key, a 100-acre island with an old inn and a restaurant whose walls are papered with signed dollar bills, is said to have inspired a well-known song about a cheeseburger; boaters stop for lunch and a walk up its water tower. Cayo Costa State Park, a largely undeveloped barrier island to the north, has nine miles of beach, excellent shelling and primitive camping. North Captiva, separated from Captiva by a hurricane in 1921, is a quiet island of private homes reached by water taxi.
Don’t Miss
Colorful restaurants, galleries and shops a short walk from the Gulf beach.
The resort at Captiva's northern tip, with a marina for boat trips to the out islands.
Shelling, dolphin and sunset cruises and trips to Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa.
An old island inn and restaurant reached only by boat, its walls covered in signed dollar bills.
A wild barrier island with miles of beach, shelling and camping, reached by boat.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Captiva
Viator
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Viator
Viator
Viator
ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best of Sanibel Island may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in Captiva
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Get free trip quotes »Captiva — FAQ
Can you drive to Captiva?
Yes. Captiva is connected to Sanibel by a short bridge over Blind Pass, so you drive across the Sanibel Causeway and then the length of Sanibel to reach it.
How do you get to Cabbage Key?
Only by boat: on a scheduled cruise from Captiva or Pine Island, by water taxi, or in your own or a rented boat.
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