Captiva Island

Captiva Island is a narrow barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico connected to its southern neighbor by a short causeway. The landmass runs several miles in length but only a few hundred feet in width, bordered by sandy beaches on the western shore and shallow bays to the east.

A settler from Indiana opened the first post office in 1888, bringing permanent residents to what had been an uninhabited landmass. The hurricane of 1921 separated the land from its larger neighbor, creating the passage at the southern tip that exists today.

The name comes from a story that pirates once held captives here while negotiating ransom. Visitors today notice the relaxed attitude of residents who live without traffic lights across the entire island, relying on hand signals and courtesy instead.

Only one main road runs the entire length, so arriving early in the morning or late afternoon helps avoid heavier traffic. Many beaches have limited parking, which is why visitors often walk or bicycle between locations.

Sea urchins and shells collect in unusually large numbers along the northern beaches after any storm. Some visitors find hundreds of sand dollar cases in a single morning there.

Location: Lee County

GPS coordinates: 26.52758,-82.19482

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:36