​

​Beach, Beach, Beach

North Captiva has over 5 miles of beautiful white sand beaches for beach combing, sand castle building, swimming, and relaxing. 

 

Shelling 

Find your own souvenirs at the beach!  Use the field guides at the house to identify your treasures.  (Please remember - do not take live shells or other sea creatures like sea stars and sand dollars.)

​

Ice Cream

Use Gumbo Limbo’s ice cream maker and make your own ice cream or healthier frozen treat.  Ask us to send you some recipes so you can add the ingredients to your grocery list.  (You can also visit the Ice Cream Shop at the Island Club Market for hand-dipped ice cream and shakes.)

​

Pickle Ball & Tennis

Balls and racquets are at Gumbo Limbo and the courts are behind the house by the Safety Harbor pool.

​​

Sunsets & Sunrises

Offered daily. Head down to the beach to take in the amazing beauty of sunrises and sunsets. 

​​

Pools, Pools, Pools 

There are 3 pools you can enjoy.  Two are at The Island Club and one is located in Safety Harbor Club.

​

Basketball

The Island Club has a half-court and it is super close to Gumbo Limbo.  There is a basketball at the house you can use.

​

Cornhole

There are boards and beanbags at Gumbo Limbo for your Cornhole Contests.

​

Kayaking

The Island Club has kayaks you can check out and use to explore the waters around North Captiva.

​

Bike Rides  

You can also check out bicycles from The Island Club and use them to explore the island.

​

Island Beach Trek

Hike to the southern tip of North Captiva.  See the map with suggestions of how to find the State Park Trail or hike the beach during low tide.  Remember to bring water and bags for shelling.  From Gumbo Limbo it is 3.75 miles to the southern end of the island, but you can take a golf cart to the State Park and the walk the beach (or trails) from there.  If you walk the beach it will be a 3-mile hike to the end, so it is 6 miles round trip.

​​

Walk Over Water

​​Check out to the Safety Harbor Club wharf with its long boardwalk, docks and look-out tower.  It is a great place to fish, watch a moon rise or sunrise, look for dolphins and birds or catch a breeze. 

​

Stargazing

Take a flashlight beach walk at night or turn off your torch and walk the beach under the stars. (Please do not use flashlights on the beach during sea turtle nesting season May 1 - October 31).

​

Manatees and Dolphins

See our map of favorite places on the island to look for these incredible marine mammals.

​

Gopher Tortoises

How many will you encounter?  There are 3 resident tortoises that live in Gumbo Limbo’s yard, but you will probably encounter lots of other tortoises on the island.  There are books at the house you can read to learn about these endangered turtles.

​​

Family Game Night

Gumbo Limbo has lots of games and you can find even more at the Safety Harbor Library located by the pool.

​

Family Movie Night 

Stream one of your favorites or choose a DVD from our house collection.  (Our Island Favorites are: Hoot, Cast Away, Gilligan’s Island and Pirates of the Caribbean.)  Use the Air Popper to pop up some popcorn and enjoy with your homemade ice cream!

​​​

“Golden Hour” Photo Session  

The last hour before sunset or the first hour after sunrise are known to photographers as the “Golden Hours”.  Visit the beach for photos during these times and you are sure to capture some special memories.

​

Golf Cart or Boat 

Though not required, most guests choose to rent a golf cart to easily enjoy and explore the island.  Some guests will also rent a boat for a few days or a week.  See the FAQs page for contact information regarding golf cart and boat rental.

​

Relax

Don’t forget to do some of this!

​​

​

​

​

​

​