FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
Q: Since North Captiva is a bridgeless island, how do we get there?
A: Most guests take a water taxi to get to the island. We recommend Just for Fun Water Taxi (northcaptiva.com) which docks at The Island Club. (This is only about a 200-yard walk or golf cart ride from Gumbo Limbo.) This ferry service has a “luggage assist program” and for a small fee (approximately $20) you can have your luggage and groceries brought right to the house. When booking, tell them the house Island Club membership number is 262.
Another option is Island Girl Charters (islandgirlcharters.com), which drops off at the Safety Harbor Club (SHC) ferry landing by the SHC’s townhouses. A third option is scheduling Boats and Fun (boatsandfun.com) to bring you to the island. They can either drop you off at their dock (very close to The Island Club and Gumbo Limbo) or at the Safety Harbor Club wharf or ferry landing. (Boats and Fun also rents boats and golf carts.) Just for Fun Water Taxi and Island Girl Charters both run on regular schedules, and you can reserve passage on Boats and Fun for a specific time that suits your travel itinerary. All three options have parking areas, where you can leave your car on the mainland. (See our “Getting There” attachment for more information on water taxi logistics.)
Q: Can we bring our own boat?
A: Sure! The Safety Harbor Club wharf is a great place to dock your boat and we will include it with your rental of Gumbo Limbo. We will need to provide Safety Harbor Club’s office with copies of your boat’s registration and insurance so please provide those if you would like to use a dock space during your stay.
Q: If we are flying in to Fort Myers (RSW), how do we get to the marina to catch our water taxi?
A: We recommend Pine Island Taxi (pineislandtaxi.com). They are pros at picking up folks and helping them meet their boat. They will even make a stop so you can pick up groceries. Go to their website for helpful information and travel advice. Other options include Sanibel-Captiva Airport Shuttle (800) 833- 4473, Apple Transportation (239) 482-1200, and Uber uber.com.
Q: What about groceries? Is there a store on the island?
A: You will need to get groceries from the mainland because there is only a small store on the island that has limited stock (Mango’s Store at The Island Club). Most guests pick up their groceries on the way to the marina where they meet their water taxi. Publix grocery store has an app (instacart.com/publix) where you can shop online for your groceries. You will pay by credit card online, and Publix staff will bring your groceries to your car when you call in from their parking lot. You can also stop at nearby liquor stores or seafood markets on your way to the marina. If you would like to have a grocery delivery service take care of your groceries, a recommendation is to contact Debbie at Fresh Pick Grocery Service freshpickgroceryservice.com.
Q: Are there restaurants on North Captiva?
A: Yes, there are currently 2 delicious restaurant options on the island: Safety Harbor Club’s Over the Waterfront restaurant (call for reservations 239-472-4762), and The Island Club’s Mango’s Bar and Grill (go to northcaptiva.com for their menu) are two delicious options. If you have your own boat, you can venture to historic Cabbage Key (go to cabbagekey.com for their menu) and enjoy dining in their open-air restaurant situated on top of a 38’ high shell mound built by the Calusa people; archaeological evidence shows they lived in this coastal area until the mid-1700’s (the current historic residence and inn were established in 1936).
Q: Is there a pool?
A: Yes, there are 3 pool options. Gumbo Limbo guests may use the Safety Harbor Club pool (next to their clubhouse and tennis courts) or The Island Club’s 2 large heated pools (Olympic and Lap size) and their hot tub.
Q: Can guests use Safety Harbor Club and The Island Club amenities? What is included?
A: Yes, as guests of Gumbo Limbo, you will be registered at both The Island Club and Safety Harbor Club and you will be able to use their amenities. Safety Harbor Club amenities include: pool, tennis and pickle ball courts, private beach access, fishing dock/wharf area, clubhouse library and Over The Waterfront restaurant. (To keep a boat at Safety Harbor Club docks you will need to provide copies of your boat’s registration and insurance. We will use them to get you a Safety Harbor Club boat dock pass to display on your boat). Safety Harbor Club also has a commercial ice maker that Gumbo Limbo guests can use to fill their coolers. Ask us for the current key and ice machine location. The Island Club amenities include 2 heated pools, hot tub and poolside bar and grill, tennis courts (currently under repair), sea kayaks and bicycles (can be checked out and used with no charge).
Q: Is there beach access?
A: Yes, there is a private beach access in Safety Harbor Club and many public access points throughout the island. We have map at Gumbo Limbo that will direct you to all our favorite North Captiva beaches!
Q: What about fishing?
A: The waters in and around North Captiva offer many fishing opportunities. You can hire a local guide or venture out on your own. The Safety Harbor Club wharf and dock are also a great place to fish or enjoy the harbor views. Go to myfwc.com to learn about local fishing regulations. They also have information on Fish ID and Fishing Tips and Facts.
Q: Do you have a grill?
A: Yes, we a charcoal Weber grill. Please bring your own charcoal and lighter fluid if you would like to use it.
Q: We were thinking about renting a boat? Can we do that?
A: Sure! Here are a few local businesses you may want to contact for more information: Boats and Fun (located on North Captiva) boatsandfun.com, Jensen’s Marina (located on Captiva) gocaptiva.com and Four Winds Marina (located on Bokeelia) fourwindsmarina.com. Make your reservations early, or you might miss the boat (rentals fill up fast during peak vacation times). Note: If you rent from Boats and Fun, you will be able to keep your boat at their dock. If you would like to keep your boat rental at the SHC docks, we will need to register you for a SHC boat pass (boat registration and insurance information will be needed).
Q: Do we need to rent a golf cart?
A: Gumbo Limbo is centrally located on the island and you will be able to easily walk to most places. However, most guests enjoy having a golf cart for convenience and extra fun, so we highly recommend it. Currently there are 3 golf cart options: You can contact Barrier Island Cart at (239)464-9961 or offshorehomewatch@gmail.com. They charge $450 per rental for up to 7 days and rentals longer than 7 days can be accommodated for an additional cost. You can also rent from Boats and Fun for $79 per day or $499 per week. They can be reached at (800) 991-3259 or boatsandfun.com. Remember to reserve your rental golf cart early since demand for golf carts often exceeds supply. The Island Club has also starting renting golf carts again and their phone number and website are: (239)395-1001 (northcaptiva.com)
Q: Can we rent bicycles? Are there Island Club bikes available for us to use at no charge?
A: Yes, if you want bicycles for your use at all times during your stay, you can rent them from Island Bikeworks (located on Pine Island). Or you can check out The Island Club’s bikes periodically during your stay for a few hours at a time, for no charge (located on North Captiva). Island Bikeworks (located on Pine Island) rents nice, fat-tire beach bikes and they can be reached at (239) 560-0302. They are closed Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, so keep that in mind when you call. You can rent from them, and they will meet you at your water taxi/ferry with your rental bikes. You will bring them across to North Captiva and then back with you when you return. As Gumbo Limbo guests, you will be registered guests at The Island Club, so you can use their bikes on a first come, first serve basis. Club staff arrives to work at about 8:30 – 8:45am, and you can check their bikes after they arrive. You will be able to use the Club bikes for a few hours at a time.