Enjoy Paradise
Summer is a great time to explore our coastal treasures
Whether you have your own private boat or you catch a ride on one of the many vessels departing from area marinas, a trip into the Gulf of Mexico to explore Southwest Florida’s islands is a great way to truly appreciate the Sunshine State. From Captiva Island, you can travel with Captiva Cruises, which has been in operation for 34 years. Its vessels depart from McCarthy’s Marina on the edge of downtown Captiva. General Manager Brad Junghans is passionate about the seagoing adventures that await his passengers. “We lie at the end of the road, and we take our guests to what lies beyond,” he says. Pick from a menu that includes dolphin-watch and wildlife adventure trips, beach and shelling cruises, and sailing jaunts.
The most popular vessel in the Captiva Cruises fleet is the Lady Chadwick, which seats 148 people. A comfortable, slowspeed boat, it comes with a fully stocked, light bar and snacks. Along with the sizable Lady Chadwick, its fleet consists of four Coast Guard-certified craft and a handful of smaller vessels for private charters, which seat between three and 49 passengers.
Also on Captiva is Jensen’s Marina. Sightseeing excursions to the outer islands depart from here. The adventurous can rent a boat and navigate the waters on their own. If fishing is your sport, then consider going out with a guide. The marina works with local fishing guides who know the surrounding waters and where the fish are biting.
Among the islands worth exploring are: Cayo Costa, Pine Island, Useppa Island, North Captiva and Cabbage Key. Check for schedules and other details on the marinas’ websites: captivacruises. com and gocaptiva.com.
CAYO COSTA STATE PARK
White sandy beaches and mangrove shores make Cayo Costa State Park a natural beauty and a favorite with shelling enthusiasts, as well as hikers and campers. The island’s history begins with its name, Cayo Costa―which translates to “key by the coast.” The island was home to native Americans thousands of years before Europeans arrived. Situated in the Charlotte Harbor area, it was later home to fishing camps, set up mostly by Cubans. A quarantine station, in fact, was established on the northern end of Cayo Costa for immigrants entering the country through Boca Grande Pass in the late 1800s. Sanibel fi shing icon Esperanza Woodring was born on the island. The Smithsonian Institution in 1879 conducted a survey of Charlotte Harbor and found four fishing ranchos, two on Cayo Costa (then called La Costa Island).
White sandy beaches and mangrove shores make Cayo Costa State Park a natural beauty and a favorite with shelling enthusiasts, as well as hikers and campers.
PINE ISLAND
Fairly large in size, Pine Island has no sandy beaches and its coast is defined by mangroves. Like most of the region, the island was long inhabited by the Calusa. Pineland, in the northw est corner of the island, is now home to the University of Florida’s Randell Research Center, where visitors can see shell mounds, canals and other examples of Calusan life. If any place defines Old Florida, it’s Pine Island, with its mix of old and ne w―commercial fishing remains viable, while the Matlacha downtown is popular for its authentic waterfront restaurants and funky art galleries. Boaters can dock at some of the restaurants.
USEPPA ISLAND
Mostly private and a former home to the Calusa, Useppa is accessible by charter boats. Traveling along the slender island’s coast, boaters are treated to views of some of Florida’s most coveted real estate with gorgeous homes. Useppa was uninhabited until the late 19th century when tarpon fishing started becoming popular. It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and is also home to the Barbara Sumwalt Museum, which traces the region’s history.
NORTH CAPTIVA
Remote North Captiva offers lots of nature and beaches mixed with homes accessible only by water or air (the island has a small private airstrip). Much of North Cap is privately owned; however, boaters can dock at Barnacles bar and restaurant for a beer and basket of fried fish.
CABBAGE KEY
A small island that is home to the Cabbage Key Inn, it’s a great place to stop for lunch—or spend a few days. The historic lodge and cottages have an Old Florida charm, and the walls and ceilings of its bar and restaurant are covered with dollar bills, many with handwritten messages. Cabbage Key has no roads or motorized vehicles, only footpaths and a lookout tower. The Wells family owns the restaurant and lodging on the island. It’s an escape destination that advertises its serenity as a selling point. And it works.