Recreation & Dining

Sunset Captiva is surrounded by fun and adventure. Walk a few minutes west to the beach for swimming, shelling, jet skiing, water skiing, or parasailing. Walk a few minutes north and rent a bicycle, stroller, or electric cart. Walk a few minutes east, to the marina, and charter a fishing or sailboat. Catch the water taxi or rent a power or sailboat from nearby Jensen's Marina to explore the surrounding islands of Upper Captiva, Cayo Costa, or Cabbage Key. Schedule a snorkeling / diving adventure, or reserve a kayak for individual fun or a guided nature tour. Just about the only recreation that might require a car would be golfing on nearby Sanibel Island.

Captiva Island recreation:
  • Parasailing
  • Jet Skiing
  • Shelling
  • Windsurfing
  • Sailing
  • Water Skiing
  • Boat Rentals
  • Water taxi to nearby islands
  • Fishing charters
  • Kayaking / Nature tours
  • Bicycle rentals
  • Swimming
  • Snorkeling, & Diving



Captiva Island Restaurants & Dining:

You can drive as far as you want, but the food & atmosphere just doesn't get any better than at the restaurants only a few minutes walk from our home. It's no exaggeration to state that some of the Captiva Island restaurants are world famous for food & Fun.

BUBBLE ROOM
 
The Bubble Room serves a variety of excellent everything in a "kitschy" atmosphere that defies description. They serve large portions so be very hungry when you arrive. "Bubble Bread" and sticky buns come with every dinner. Not many people can handle a dessert after their meal, but don't let that stop you from bringing one back to the house for later. If you go there for lunch, be sure to order the "Carolina Moons" with the works for an appetizer -- they only serve these for lunch and they are just too good to miss.  

 
CHADWICK'S
 
Chadwick's is associated with South Seas Plantation and has a little more formal atmosphere than most of the island restaurants. They have a large menu and have an excellent Sunday champagne brunch. They also have very impressive dinner buffets complete with ice sculpture.

 

LUNCH & DINNER CRUISES
 
Captiva cruises offers lunch and dinner cruises departing from a nearby marina located across the street from Sunset Captiva, directly north of the Sunset Captiva boat docks. Enjoy the sights, the  marine life, or a sunset as you dine.  
 

Lunch cruises are to quaint little restaurants on either nearby Cabbage Key or Useppa Island. While at Cabbage Key, stick your dollar bill on the wall with thousands of others -- 3,000 of which fall off every year and are donated to charity. Enjoy the beauty of Useppa Island and the Collier Inn.
 
KEY LIME BISTRO
 
The Key Lime Bistro is located near the Captiva Inn in Historic Captiva Island Square. It is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner and features an eclectic menu specializing in seafood, pasta, and about 10 daily specials. They have both indoor and outdoor dining and provide a wide variety of live music.
 
MAMA ROSA'S
 
Mama rosa's is the island pizza place and is located in the shopping center across from the entrance to South Seas Plantation. They have a small indoor dining area and they offer free delivery -- which can be very handy. Delivery is prompt and reliable. When we need a good pizza and don't want to leave the home, this is the place we call.
 
MUCKY DUCK
 

A well known island favorite, "The Duck" serves excellentfresh seafood -- and an outstanding roast duck -- in an English pub atmosphere. The clam chowder and key lime pie is some of the best you will find on the islands.

If you are going to have to wait for a table at any restaurant, this is the place to do it. The Mucky Duck is located on the gulf beach about 100 yards north of Sunset Captiva. There is a terrace out front near the beach which is a great place to sit and wait while downing a pint, watching the sunset, and listening to live acoustical guitar music from local artists.

The Mucky Duck is open for lunch and dinner and, like The Bubble Room, is one of our world famous restaurants. Be sure to waddle over there at least once during your visit or else be prepared to explain to every Captiva Island visitor you ever meet why you missed it when you vacationed at Captiva.
 
R. C. OTTER'S
 
R. C. Otter's is located in Historic Captiva Island Square just one block north of Sunset Captiva. "Otter's" offers very casual dining with both indoor and outdoor seating. This is our favorite island restaurant for day-to-day dining. The prices are very reasonable, the food is excellent, the atmosphere is casual and fun, and the menu is huge. We highly recommend it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dress is "right-off-the-beach" casual. Local artists provide live acoustical guitar music on the terrace.
 

SUNSHINE CAFE

 
The Sunshine Cafe specializes in a variety of steaks and daily specials prepared on a wood-fire grill. The cafe is located on Captiva drive and serves both lunch and dinner. As they have limited seating, reservations are highly recommended.
 

THE GREEN FLASH
 

The Green Flash is located at the former site of Timmy's Nook Restaurant and Marina 2/10 mile south of Sunset Captiva. It offers a good selection of fine seafood and steaks.

The east side of the restaurant is almost all glass windows and it has a wonderful view of the marina and Intracoastal Waterway.

 

'TWEEN WATERS

 
'Tween Waters is a local resort and contains several restaurants. The best known of these restaurants is probably "The Crow's Nest." It offers a very good Sunday Brunch and a fine lunch and dinner.
 

VILLAGE CAFE

 
The Village Cafe serves French cuisine prepared with an American twist. It is fine dining in a casual setting with a friendly ambiance. They have an extensive menu and a good selection of domestic and French wines to compliment your dinner. Reservations are recommended. Dress is casual.
 

VIVA

 
VIVA is a direct import art gallery / restaurant featuring American-bistro cuisine. They specialize in fine seafood, but serve a variety of entrees. VIVA is fine dining and is one of the few places on the island that a tie would not seem out of place. However, we doubt you will see one even here. VIVA is open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended.