Sanibel-Captiva Daily

Sanibel Island Shells: There Are Many Kinds Of Windows To look Through And it Doesn’t Always Have To Be Glass

Get closer and look through this window.

Beautiful view

Sanibel Island Shells:There Are Many Kinds Of Windows To look Through And it Doesn’t Always Have To Be Glass

Sanibel Island Shelling: The Sanibel StoopSanibel Island Shelling: The Sanibel Stoop

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A Great Day For Sanibel Beaches. Every day is a great day for Florida beaches, especially on Sanibel. Hope you all are out enjoying all the lovely Sanibel beaches.

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A trip to Sanibel Island lighthouse and beachPeople come from all over the world to see this, make sure to stop by Tuttle’s and the Lighthouse Cafe on your way out. See more pictures below: 

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Another Beautiful Sunset on Sanibel. Hope you all get out to see one soon.

God Bless Sanibel

Captiva Sunset Is Something To See. This is one of the Sanibel, Captiva must see activities you can’t pass up. So if your here, you must go see the sunset . If your not here, you should be here to see this wonderful  thing.

How Big’s The Shell You Found Today?

Sanibel & Captiva – The Shellacious Islands

The Sanibel “Stoop”

What you need to know about Florida Seashells on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

The Sanibel “Stoop”

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island have earned their reputation as the Shell Islands honestly. They are actually made out of shells, like some magnificent work of shell art created over thousands of years. When islanders dig gardens in their backyards, they find conchs, whelks, scallops and clam shells often perfectly intact.

The best shelling is found on the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The islands rank tops in the world for shelling because of geography. Sanibel Island does the twist as it parades along the coastline among a string of other more orderly, straight-and-narrow islands. The east-west torque of Sanibel’s south end acts like a shovel scooping up all the seashells that the Gulf imports from The Caribbean and other southern seas.

The abundance and variety of shells have made Sanibel and Captiva Islands shell-obsessed. People come from all over the world, drawn by the song of the seashell. They parade along the sands doubled over in a stance that’s been dubbed the Sanibel Stoop. Every March, they gather to compare and appreciate shell collections and shell art at the annual Sanibel Shell Fair & Show. Throughout the year, shell shops sell seashells by the seashore (and by the thousands). Shells are the dominant motif in island decor and boutique gifts. You’ll find everything from finely crafted “shell-igrams” to lucite toilet seats with seashells lacquered in. (No home should be without one!)

Where to Shell

All of the Gulf-side shelling beaches from the Lighthouse to North Captiva. For a list of public beaches, go to Sanibel Beaches.

When to Shell

At low tide when the seashells are more exposed, especially at low spring tides (at full and new moons) and after Gulf storms have driven the shells up the Gulf onto our shelling beaches.

How to Shell

Bring bucket or net bag and scoop. Wear shoes and shuffle to expose partially hidden mollusks and to scare away fish.

What to Expect

Shells of many types and sizes are found on our shelling beaches. As a general rule the smaller seashells are found on the Lighthouse end of the island chain and the larger ones nearer Captiva and North Captiva. Conch, Junonia, Lightning Whelk, Cockle, Scallops, Murex, Tulip, Olive, Coquina, are among the species you may expect to find.

Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Shelling and Seashells

Seashell Ecology

Seashells come in two major varieties. The gastropod has a single shell and includes such species as conchs and whelks. Bivalves, such as clams, cockles and scallops, live within two hinged shells. The empty seashells you find layered on the beach once were home to soft-tissued animals called mollusks. Mollusks build their shells by secreting a liquid that eventually hardens around them. As the animals grow, their shells grow with them. Special glands create color pigments just before new layers of shell harden.

Shells and their inhabitants play an important role in Sanibel and Captiva islands ecology. They help keep our sand neatly in place and restock it with more as they’re crushed by waves and other forces. They provide food for birds and fish. The scavenging and filtering performed by certain mollusks help cleanse Gulf waters.

Shelling Law & Florida Seashell Preservation

Because seashells are important to the islands’ chain of life, and because Sanibel and Captiva are refuge islands where all life is considered precious, the State of Florida has outlawed the collecting of live shells on the island. “Live shell” is defined as any specimen containing an inhabitant, whether or not the mollusk seems alive. The law also protects sand dollars, starfish and sea urchins. All shelling is prohibited in J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Sheller’s are urged to limit even their empty-shell collection. Hauling away seashells by the bucketful diminishes supplies and the value of a single shell. For, as Anne Morrow Lindbergh in Gift From the Sea wrote while visiting these islands, “One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.”

Types of Shells on Sanibel Island & Captiva Island

Info credit by: The Sanibel Captiva Chamber of commerce. http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/play/shelling_center.asp Thank you.

Blind Pass is the choice of the day  Fishing at Blind Pass and hanging out on the beach at Blind Pass is what people do to have fun on Sanibel. So if you like fishing and sunning, check out Bind Pass and make your day wonderful.

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Happy New Years Eve to all

We wish you health, wealth and happiness. May you have much gratitude.

Merry Christmas Island Style………….and here is the reality of the is islands shelling: And this is what we do on the Island during the holidays.

Merry Christmas……………85 and sunny

Coming soon. Behind the scenes of the www.SanibelCaptivadaily.com

How it started, what we do, late hours……..goofy real pictures of us working to bring it to you…………stay tuned. Almost 5 years now. Some of these pictures are old. That is what makes them so funny.  WOW! This is just a taste. LOL  (we had not much to work with then) Yes, That is me Sandy Kostick. Looking fab lol. UGH!!!!!

A Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Attitude

Sunny Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, Yup……..80 degrees today………..ahhhhh

Sanibel Sea School

Time to Change my friends to
our new Facebook Fan Page:

Go to our NEW Sanibel Captiva Daily Fan Page
and “like” us for a chance to win $250 in gift cards.

 Hurry as we are running out of time!

 click here to like us

 SPREAD THE WORD BIRD…….:)

Heavy snow hits Sanibel Captiva Islands.  (Ya right lol ) 

SANIBEL CAPTIVA LUMINARY FESTIVAL 2011

LOOK WHAT WASHED UP ON SANIBEL CAPTIVA ISLANDS FL BEACHAND IT WAS COLD! photo credit: Kevin Stahl

Ahhhh Enjoy Sanibel Captiva Islands Fl. on Vacation (photo credit: Kevin Stahl)

MEET THE PINTO FAMILY FROM PA. HERE TO VISIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

KICKED BACK AT THE BEACH FLORIDA STYLE FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY SANIBEL CAPTIVA ISLAND.

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum announces photo contest winners

The Shell Museum received 34 colorful entries for its 2nd Annual Photography Competition.
The panel of three judges selected the following photos for awards: (First Place) Eleanor Bennett, Higher
Disley, Cheshire, England; (Second Place) Lori Schroeder, Bardstown, Ky.; (Third Place) Anne DuPont,
Delray Beach, Fla.; (Fourth Place) Jeff Schroeder, Bardstown, Ky.; (Honorable Mention) Anne DuPont and
Jeff Schroeder.

Sanibel Tuttle’s Seahorse Shop offers Great Pirate gifts……….For great holiday gifts this is the place to shop. Bob made me a Pirate girl with Pink and Green! Great kids gifts, adult and super unique jewels at a great price! (notice Bob’s Bracelet, super cool)  Check out: http://www.tuttlesseahorse.com/ to learn more and check out the pictures below. ARRRR. photo credit: Kevin Stahl

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22ND ANNUAL “DING” DARLING DAYS  SANIBEL FLORIDACLICK BELOW FOR PICS: PHOTO AND VIDEO CREDIT: KEVIN STAHL

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum Accepting Entries for 2nd Annual Live Mollusk Photography Competition

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is offering amateur shutterbugs a great opportunity to capture images of live mollusks in their natural habitats during the museum’s 2nd Annual Live Mollusk Photography Competition. Anne DuPont of Lake Worth Lagoon, Fla., took second prize in last year’s Shell Museum photography contest with her picture of a Micromelo Undatus, or Sea Slug

Let’s go Sailing……….ahhhh………..New Moon Sailing on Sanibel and Captiva Islands

Your captain, Mick Gurley, brings along over 20 years of experience for your safety. From sailing yachts around the Western Hemisphere to teaching at the Offshore Sailing School, Captain Mick, a USSA Certified Sailing Instructor, has acquired the knowledge and expertise to guarantee a safe and memorable cruise.Take the wheel of the “New Moon” and share the cruise with new friends you’ve met on board, or request a private charter for you and your party. Bring along your own food and drinks; we’ll have ice and water on board, or if you’d rather, we can arrange catering for your special occasion. No matter how you decide to arrange your cruise on board the “New Moon”, you can be sure to have the best day of your vacation with us.

Let’s go Sailing……….ahhhh………..New Moon Sailing on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.  http://www.newmoonsailing.com/index.htm

P.S. : ask about the wedding package…….super cool and also shhhh he does night time sails. Super cool! Only with New Moon!

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Check out the big piece of coral.

YARD SALE:

THIS IS HIGH QUILITY STUFF!! ANIQUITE AND COLLECTABLES, UNIQUICE/NATIVE ARITFACTES, CARS, HIGH END CLOTHING, AND MISC.  SATURDAY JULY 30^th AT 918 MAIN STREET, SANIBEL ISLAND FLORIDA 33957, 7 AM.  SHARP. BE SURE TO GET THERE EARY TO GET WHAT YOU WANT. THIS WILL GO VERY FAST. Click below to some samples of items. 

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Sanibel Captiva Shelling: Go to SHELL!Sanibel Captiva Shelling: Go to SHELL!

Army soldier visits Shell Museum courtesy of Blue Star program

Army Private First Class Paden
Sturtevant stopped by the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on June 27. He
didn’t come just to visit his sister, Museum staff member Amanda
Stirn, but he, along with his mother, Susan Love, wanted to reap the
benefits of the Blue Star Museums partnership in which more than 1,300
museums around the country are offering free admission to active duty
military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor
Day.

Sturtevant, 22, who is based at Fort Hood near Killeen, Texas, until
he will be deployed to Fort Kalsu in Iraq next month, enjoyed the
exhibits. “I don’t know all the shells that are out there,” he said.
“I’ve collected a lot of random shells when I’ve visited here, and I
thought it’d be a good idea to check out what I’m missing. I knew
about the (Blue Star) program and I wanted to take advantage of it.
This is definitely appreciation for what I do.”

Susan Love lives in Cape Coral and is a lifelong shell collector, so
she was happy and proud to accompany her son to the Shell Museum. “I
wanted to put some names to some of the shells I’ve collected—all of
those hours doing the Sanibel Stoop,” she said with a laugh. “I wanted
to check out the Museum and we appreciate the fact that people are
acknowledging the soldiers and what they do for their country. More
and more people are getting on board with showing their appreciation.
With two children in the military, it’s great to have them
recognized.” Love’s daughter is currently serving in the Air Force.

Amanda Stirn was glad to step away from her desk to welcome her mother
and brother to the Museum, and she’s looking forward to August when
her son, Army Specialist Dalton Whitfield, visits the Museum before
heading to Afghanistan this fall.

“I’m really proud of this program,” said Stirn, whose father also
served in the military. “We don’t have enough services out there to
show appreciation to our soldiers…it’s just an excellent program the
Museum’s got going right now. I’m glad that not only my brother is
able to see shells he’s never seen before, but my son’s going to be
deployed shortly after my brother, so he’ll have a chance to come and
be a part of the program as well.”

The complete list of participating museums is available at
www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

SANIBEL CAPTIVA NATURE PICTURESSANIBEL CAPTIVA NATURE PICTURES

Check out these beautiful pictures by Richard Breen below.

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More Sanibel 4th of July ParadeMore Sanibel 4th of July Parade photo credit: Lynn Russell

Sanibel 4th of July ParadeSanibel 4th of July Parade

See more pics below. Photo Credit Lynn Russell

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July 4th on Sanibel Captiva ..4th of JULY PARDADE SANIBELJuly 4th on Sanibel Captiva ..4th of JULY PARDADE SANIBEL

GREAT PICTURES AND GREAT PARADE! more pictures below! photo credit: Sandy Kostick

more to come………………………..

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A day of Fishing/Boating and lunch at Cabbage Key with Venture Out ChartersA day of Fishing/Boating and lunch at Cabbage Key with Venture Out Charters

We had a great day of fishing with Capt. Les Achilles of Venture Out Charters. The fish were biting, the water was stunning and a great lunch at Cabbage key. This is a must for locals as well as visitors. See the pictures below. http://www.ventureoutcharters.com/

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Shell Museum Announces Summer Camp Schedule

The Shell Museum’s 2011 Camp Programs hold something for everyone from cartoon creation to puzzle construction and parade float design.  Registration is open for all programs. For more information or to register please call Diane Orvis Thomas, the Museum’s Public Programs Specialist, at 239.395.2233.

School Vacation Is Here!   It’s time for Summer Camp at

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

June 13-17          Cartoon Camp:  Lead the how to protect ocean creatures and their habitats

Learn to draw cartoons of your favorite mollusks or ocean creatures.  Research ways to protect their habitats.  Create billboards designed to encourage others to protect mollusks, ocean creatures, and their environments.  Design an adventure game for your favorite ocean creature.

Ages: 6-12           Cost: $65              Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

June 20-24          Mollusk Camp:  Enjoy an out of shell experience

Discover where mollusks around the world live, especially mollusks found on Sanibel.  Make hand puppets. Write your mollusk puppet play and perform it with your fellow campers. Create puzzles and crafts as you learn about the world of mollusks and their many habitats.

Ages: 6-9             Cost: $65              Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

June 27-July 1    Mollusks on Parade Camp:  Shell-e-brate Sanibel

Create a gigantic papier-mâché shell for Sanibel’s Fourth of July Parade.  Design your own mollusk costume and sandwich board outfit for the parade.  Decorate hats, t-shirts, and socks to go with your mollusk outfit.  Learn about these soft-bodied invertebrates, the original shell makers.

Ages: 7-12           Cost $65               Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Kathleen

Kathleen E. Hoover

Public Relations Manager

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum

khoover@shellmuseum.org

3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road

Sanibel, FL  33957  USA

Phone 239.395.2233

Fax       239.395.6706

Sanibel Captiva update 

Sanibel Captiva update

Sanibel Captiva update

A lot going on: Wrap it up and mark your calenders: May 14th,  Rockin In the tropics on Captiva to benifit the Hope Clubhouse call 239-267-1777 for info. SCCF: May 18th The city that almost wasn’t call: 239-472-2329 for info:  American Legion, May 15th Mexican fest, Redneck o’limpics, pool tournaments and Specials call 239-472-9979 for info, Grog shop has Big Sales on booze…(lol) call 239-472-1682.  They do special orders too. Mucky Duck now has nightly entertainment. Rotary Club is looking for speakers call: 239-337-1099. Chips Steakhouse has new GM: Jillian Kennedy……super cool. Optimists club does it again, gave $2500 to Barbara’s Friends Cancer fund. NICE!!!! Check out the Farmers Market: yummy fresh stuff. Island Cow live entertainment and super great food call 239-472-0606 for info. Sanibel Holiday is offering a great discount on vaca packages, check out our coupon page. Bait box has some great sales going on this week. Santiva Fishing is pretty booked up, but call to get in Tarpon are here! 239-472-1779. SanCap One Source Realty has insane deals for you……….call 239-472-5478. CROW has a picture on Fridays call: 239-472-3644. Captiva Island Store has huge sales on wine, The Mucky Duck is offering free sunsets. New Moon Sailing has some great deals now too, call ahead, they are getting pretty booked too: 239-3951782 and don’t forget to take care of yourself: Sanibel Day spa has all kinds of goodness!  THAT’S A WRAP! For now……………..woooo

ALSO OPT INTO US: GO TO YOUR PHONE, GO TO TEXT DIAL 303030 THEN TYPE IN SANIBELCAPTIVA(ALL ONE WORD) AND HIT SEND…………YOU UP FOR A SHOPPING SPREE………..WHO LOVES THAT!

Send your info to us……………:) love love

Annual Optimist Club 4th of July Road Rally

The 2011 Road Rally starts at noon in Timbers Restaurant parking lot.  Get your team together and pick up registration forms at Bailey’s General Store, the Sanibel Café, in the local newspaper or just after the 4th of July parade at the Timbers starting line.  Registration is $35 per vehicle.
This year’s theme is “Rallying for a Shell of a Good Time.”  The top rally finishers and the best decorated vehicle will win prizes.  Points are awarded for elapsed time closest to a “secret,” pre-established circuit time, and for correct answers to a series of questions about clues along the rally route.  An after the rally party will be held at the Sanibel Grill (Timbers).
Sponsorships, both business and individual donors are now available.  $500 and $250 donations get names on vehicles and on the rally T-shirt.  $100 sponsors get names on vehicles only.  Contact Randy Carson 239-699-8739 or Richard McCurry 239-292-4631 or Dani Howard 239-472-0836 to donate funds and/or for more information.  Registration forms and donations may be mailed to San-Cap Optimists, PO Box 1370, Sanibel, FL, 33957.  Donations are tax deductible – SanCap Optimist Club is a 501(c)3 organization.

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New Moon Sailing Sanibel Captiva

New Moon Sailing Sanibel Captiva

New Moon Sailing Sanibel Captiva. What a beautiful view from New Moon Sailing Sanibel Captiva. When you need to relax and chill. This is the way to do it! Contact Capt. Mick at:  http://www.newmoonsailing.com/ Make sure to tell them the daily sent ya………

For the Ultimate Sanibel Holiday Vacation, Check out http://www.sanibelholiday.com/For the Ultimate Sanibel Holiday Vacation

They offer tons of great rates and places to stay on your For the Ultimate Sanibel Holiday Vacation

We at www.sanibelcaptivadaily.com highly recommend this company for great service and super vacation! Don’t forget to check out the cool blog: http://www.sanibelholiday.blogspot.com/

Sanibel Shell Museum is ready for this years Oyster Eating ContestFascination with oysters began at an early age for local restaurateur Matt Asen.  While other six-year -olds were busy munching chocolate chip cookies it was visions of oysters that danced in Matt’s head. Curiosity led to challenge but in time eating oysters produced pure unadulterated pleasure.

He remembers the day it all began as if it were yesterday.   The place was Lundy’s in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn. It was the largest restaurant in the country with seating for over 2,500 and a clam and oyster bar 100 feet long housed in the middle of a concrete castle with a Middle Eastern feel. “While my Dad bellied-up I chinned-up to the oyster bar.

“My dad would order a dozen clams, finding the smallest one for me, urging me to try it. Like most 5 year olds the thought of putting a raw, chewy, smelly thing that I could find dead on the beach into my mouth was not very appealing. After much coaxing from my father and other patrons, I relented and loaded my mouth up with oyster crackers, topped it off with cocktail sauce and put it in my mouth. After much chewing and I am sure many grotesque faces, I swallowed what was stored in my mouth much to the delight of the crowd. This generated a round of applause. That got me hooked, the attention of the crowd, not the clams. When asked how I liked it, I answered honestly.  It was chewy and stinky but aside from that it was okay. It was with that response that the shucker suggested that my dad have me try an oyster. The shucker selected a small oyster as I reloaded my mouth with crackers. When it was place I topped it with the sauce and tossed it back. To my delight, it wasn’t smelly and not chewy at all. As a matter of fact it sort of just slipped down my throat. I smiled and asked for another and the crowd went wild! I don’t remember how many I ate (probably 4 or 5) but that was the start of what would become a long and glorious oyster-eating journey,” reports Asen.

Next came the realization that there was more to the world of oysters than just Blue Points.

Timber’s sponsorship of the first Edible Mollusk Festival and Oyster Eating Contest initiated a quest to save the shells of oysters eaten, carefully label the specimens and deposit them in baggies. Matt’s summer became a virtual scavenger hunt. Equipped with zip-lock bags, sharpies and an appetite, he began a voyage that kicked-off in New York. Matt was like a kid in a candy store. Visiting The Oyster Bar Restaurant, The Aqua Grill, Dock’s Oyster Bar, and The Mermaid Inn .

Maine and Massachusetts required patience as oyster purveyors were further apart but, “there is nothing like a Glidden Point oyster just as it is pulled from the Damariscotta River,” reports Matt.

September afforded a whirlwind tour with ports-of -call in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.  These whistle stops were followed by Australia, France, Ireland, and China. Matt returned to Florida with a Noah’s Ark of oyster shells, 199 different types of oysters – all pairs.  “Best of all, I had personally eaten every one of them,” Matt reported with a wide grin and genuine sense of pride.

What impact will the 2^nd Annual Edible Mollusk Festival and Oyster Eating Contest have on Matt’s Oyster journey”  Only time will tell. Stop by the Shell Museum and see Matt Asen’s oysters on display.

The 2^nd Annual Edible Mollusk Festival and Oyster Eating Contest will be held on Saturday, April 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market, 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, Florida. Admission is free. The event is sponsored by The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Timbers Restaurant, Lily & Co. Jewelry Gallery, Times of the Islands and Caloosa Tent & Rental.  All proceeds will benefit The Shell Museum exhibits and educational programs.  Activities will include face painting, games and crafts for children, cooking and mollusk workshops, food and drink vendors, oyster exhibit, raffle, and oyster eating contest.  Contestants will be given 60 seconds to eat as many oysters as possible. Contestants and sponsors must pre-register. For additional information go to www.shellmuseum.org.

Shell Museum Announces Summer Camp Schedule. Sanibel Shells

Registration is open for all of the 2011 summer camp programs. For more information or to register call Diane Orvis Thomas, the Museum’s Public Programs Specialist, at 239.395.2233.

June 13 – 17 Mollusk Cartoon Camp:  Draw mollusks and ocean creature cartoons.  Research the habitat, dangers presented by habitat loss and man using computers and library books.  Create a billboard warning of dangers to the ocean creature of the camper’s choice.

Instructors: Dave Horton and Diane Thomas

Ages:    6 – 12

Time:   M – F  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cost:   $65.00 per child

June 20 – 24 Sanibel Shells:  Camp Mollusk and “Out of Shell Experience:” Learn about mollusks. Create puzzles with your favorite mollusk and its shell. Design and construct hand puppets. Create a puppet play.

Instructor:           Diane Thomas

Ages:                     6 – 9

Time:                    M – F  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cost:                      $65.00 per child

June 27 – July 1   Fourth of July Parade Camp- Shell-e-brate Sanibel Shells. Decorate T-shirt, hat, and socks in your own mollusk design. Create and construct sandwich board costumes out of poster board. Design and create “Under the Sea” back drop. Ride on Shell Museum float in Sanibel 4th of July Parade.

Instructor:           Diane Thomas

Ages:                     7 – 11

Time:                    M – F  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cost:                      $65.00 per child

 Great Sanibel shopping at Tuttle’s Great Sanibel shopping at Tuttle’s

Check out all the super cool things the store has to offer. Very unique items and super wonderful staff and of course the famous: Bob Tuttle himself! Enjoy. Photo Credit: Trevor Borchelt and Max Soto

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Sanibel Student is Awarded 1st Place for Red Tide Science Project

Here is Amanda Podlasek, winner of the SWFL Regional Science Fair. Two consecutive time winner for her elaborate project on Red Tide. Amanda received 1st place at the Regional Science Fair and will advance to the State Science Fair. She also received a full, 4 year Scholarship to Florida Gulf Coast University. Plus, Ding Darling Wildlife Society on Sanibel Island, gave her a special award for her great work. Amanda was extremely grateful for all the honors presented for her achieved!

Amanda thanks everyone for helping her with the surveys. A special thanks to Bruce Neil from the Sanibel Sea School, Canterbury School. With out them she couldn’t done it.

We all wish you the best of luck at the State Science Fair!

Captiva Island Vacation Rentals by Owner, Vacation Home Rentals, Island Luxury Home, OurCaptiva.com, Coquina Cottage

Coquina Cottage vacation rental on Captiva Island, located on the West Coast of Florida, south of the Tampa area near Fort Myers and Sanibel Island.  Your private ½ acre sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico, surrounded by beautiful sculptures and tropical landscaping with all the beach and sun you can soak in. Our Captiva’s relaxing getaway is about a 45 minute drive from Fort Myer’s Southwest Regional International Airport, 1 hour drive from Naples and 2 hours from Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.  Reserve your stay now at Captiva’s uniquely special cottage, first on the beach. Captiva sunsets are awesome, the endless view is phenomenal and lazy days on the beach await you; just an email or phone call away.

Captiva’s dual suite Coquina Cottage is pleasingly comfortable and accommodating. There are two suites available, but many guests choose to rent the whole cottage! The top suite’s 400 square foot open floor plan can accommodate a variety of vacationers, adults, parents and children of all ages. The 20’ sliders open to a 25’x 9’ deck that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and the lush landscaping. The deck welcomes you for barbequing, relaxing or just enjoying the Gulf breezes amidst our beautiful coconut grove.

The top suite comes complete with mini kitchen with oven, 2 burner stove, and mini refrigerator with freezer, indoor and outdoor dishware, serving and cooking utensils, coffee maker all available for anything from snacks to a romantic dinner for 2. The bottom suite contains a full kitchen, complete with refrigerator and freezer, dishwasher, coffeemaker, and built-in microwave. The washer and dryer are also in the unit, next to the full bathroom.

Returning from the beach, 2 outdoor showers for rinsing and the “Shark Bar” on the downstairs deck is ready for organizing your beach treasures, relaxing with a good book or getting the umbrella ready for the day at the beach. Our sea grape canopy is always ready for your outdoor enjoyment, enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at our outdoor dining room.

Gazing at the evening stars may be on the agenda and our lighting leads the way for a nighttime beach walk or a moonlight swim.

Honeymooners want to stay in your cozy bed & lazily watch Captiva’s gorgeous sunrise or sunsets, frolicking dolphins, surfers, shorebirds, sail boats and more from the best, unobstructed western view on Captiva? All are yours before getting out of bed! Coquina offers balmy tropical breezes, barefoot shelling and unmatched sunsets to enhance this unique romantic setting.

Both suites have entertainment for after dark. Bring your favorite DvDs with you to watch movies on the large flatscreens available in both suites. We also leave some entertaining books for you to read on the bookshelves.

A short walk to Sanibel’s quaint Santiva Village and Blind Pass where the outdoor action is within easy reach! Coquina is so reasonably priced for a house right on the beach, every guest is pleasantly surprised. If shelling, body surfing, fishing, and sunbathing is too tame for your memory book; take a short walk or a minute’s drive to Sanibel’s Santiva Village offering rental boats, sightseeing & shelling charters/bait shops, sport fishing; restaurants; grocery; souvenir shops and more. Adventurous guests will find savings left over for parasailing, jet skiing and even antiquing, just a quick drive to Sanibel’s Ding Darling national wildlife refuge, and Captiva’s historic village.