Top Things to do in North Captiva Island
Top 10 Things to do in North Captiva Island, United States
Discover the best top things to do in North Captiva Island, United States including Turner Beach, Useppa Island, Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens, Randell Research Center, Gasparilla Island State Park, Island Girl Charters, Promised Land Mangoes, Galt Preserve, Cayo Costa State Park, The Potter's Workshop & Gallery.
Restaurants in North Captiva Island
1. Turner Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By shellakers - st louis mo
Turner Beach is a paid beach on the Captiva side of the island. We paid only for an hour ($4) and it was PLENTY of time to sea shell hunt in the hot sunshine with a four year old! Of course, my mother and I could have stayed there forever! We couldn't STOP finding shells that couldn't be found in other spots on the island! I even found a baby star fish (intact)!
One thing I'd wished we would have come prepared with was the shell hunting gear that everyone else had but us! lol Apparently, people just know to stand in the ocean with what looks like "pooper scoopers" for dogs... but they're used to pick up the awesome shells in the ocean every time a wave comes in... which was every second that we were there. People had screens that they'd use to pan out the bad shells and pick the good ones. HUGE conch like shells were found here and evenj some people were finding sand dollars! On Sanibel and Captiva, the sand dollars are black when first found in the ocean. The only reason they'd turn white is if the sun had already bleached it. Good to know! It always helps to talk to people and find out their technique, right? In only an hour, I brought back 5 bags of the most interesting shells I found on Sanibel and Captiva! If you're coming for the shells, you HAVE to check out Turner Beach!
BUT... here's a good tip... if you have little kids like we did, it's a VERY good idea to bring an umbrella. AND, of course, plenty of sunscreen. We had the sunscreen but there's not enough sunscreen in the world for how hot the Captiva sun gets on little kids! There's no shade at all here and we're right out in the great blue sky. Again, without an umbrella, 1 hour was almost TOO much time for a four year old. Oh and you absolutely need water shoes if you're going to stand in the ocean because the shells WILL cut your feet! Flip flops won't work.
2. Useppa Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Nashna - Haymarket, Virginia
We arrived on Useppa Island on a Captiva Cruises excursion. This Island is rather small and is very quaint. We had lunch at the Barron Collier Dining Room. This restaurant is located in a beautiful building with lovely views. As most of the cruise passengers dined here, the group was separated into two dining times. The lunch was excellent. Our server was very professional and recommended the key lime pie for dessert. This was the best key lime pie we had during our stay in Florida.
3. Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens is the international headquarters for Florida artist, Leoma Lovegrove and one of the most colorful destinations in the sunshine state. The gallery showcases Lovegrove's original art and it is here where you can step into her techinicolor world of tropical artistic flair and experience the authentic island style life of an artist. Paint your own Florida souviner in her world famous botanical waterfront gardens (Paint and brushes included). Or paint your very own coconut postcard to keep or mail back home (no box needed- mails as is). You can also paint your own painting in the garden with the help of Vino's Picasso (Seasonal Nov-April). You can also enjoy homemade ( "Love Boat Ice Cream")ice-cream right out of a real coconut shell and guess what? You can keep the shell and take it back home to remind you of the happy memories you made while visiting one of Florida's most popular historic landmarks and destinations. Sunday's with Tucke, (Jim Tucke, the musical genius and Beatles historian) begin in December and her performs every Sunday through March. Hours for the live music is 2 pm - 5 pm. The event is FREE. Leoma's private studio and guest cottage is adjacet to the gallery so chances are you see Leoma busy painting a canvas or planting a flower or beating on her drum on the garden stage.
Reviewed By TRIB2 - Cape Coral, Florida
If you love bright colors and funky art, Leoma Lovegroves is a MUST on your bucket list. There is a wonderful colorful garden in back of the Art Store. Take the kids to paint a coconut or sign up for art classes. This is one of my favorite places to go in SW Florida in the small Fishing Art Town of Matlacha
4. Randell Research Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Gayle C - Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Calusa heritage days was held at the park this past Saturday. Representatives were present from all Calusa sites( including the amazing site at the Mound House,Fort Myers Beach) as well as fabulous vendors. Basket makers, Sanibel shell car, Calusa tastings, and all things Calusa were in the beautiful park like setting of the Randell Research Center. The speakers were awesome. Captiva Cruises were on hand to give harbor tours. Education with a smile!!
5. Gasparilla Island State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By FloridaVillagers - The Villages, Florida
Beach is very clean. Great place to walk, collect shells and people watch. Fun to watch the fisherman on the beach. We brought our lunch, beach chairs and sunscreen and had a perfect day. Parking is $3.00 on the honor system.
6. Island Girl Charters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Island Girl Charters at Pineland Marina is the water taxi service to North Captiva Island, Florida, docking at Safety Harbor Club, Barnacle Phil's Restaurant and North Captiva Island Club. We also offer daily trips to Cabbage Key, made famous by Jimmy Buffet's Cheese Burger in Paradise and provide service to and from Boca Grande, Captiva and Useppa Island. Our fleet consists of six vessels. We operate three USCG certified 30+ ft. Boats, including a 49 passenger Corinthian Catamaran, a 19 passenger Crusader and a 16 passenger Morgan. We also have three vessels that are used for private charters, water taxi service for 6 passengers or less, and sightseeing trips. We offer six scheduled trips daily and can also arrange private off-schedule trips at any time you prefer day or night. We also offer nature, dolphin watching, shelling, manatee and birding trips. You can combine these trips as well. The combinations are completely customizable to meet your desires. With over 10 year's experience of superior service, our philosophy is to provide you with safe, reliable transportation to the islands. Your vacation begins when you step on board! Please call us or make your reservations online and let Island Girl Charters book your passage to paradise.
Reviewed By Teresa H - Owensboro, Kentucky, United States
We booked with Island Girl Charters for a day trip and were on board with the GREATEST crew! Captain Joe and first-mate John were very careful, helpful and informative! We returned on the 5:30 pm trip back to Pineland Marina and he showed us an amazing sunset! Thanks again Island Girl and Captain Joe! It was a great experience again!
7. Promised Land Mangoes
Overall Ratings
5 based on 29 reviews
Our Florida island-grown mangoes are the best! Promised Land heirloom mangoes are better than organic, naturally delicious and available at the grove. Our family has also produced some truly wonderful Mango Preserves and Mango Grove Honey for you, available at our farm stand. The Old Pineland Mango Grove is located on 40 beautiful acres in Pineland, FL on Pine Island.
Reviewed By pweninger - St. Marys, Georgia
We stopped by Promised Land Mangoes to purchase mangoes for my husband. I also ended up purchasing 2 types of honey and some mango butter. The owners were very helpful and answered all our questions. I was concerned about leaving the mangoes in the hot car the next day as we were travelling to the beach and then home. They picked less ripe mangoes for me and told me what to do with them while at the beach. They also have samples of the mango products they sale, for you to try first.
8. Galt Preserve
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Jimberly S - Naples, Florida
We stopped in yesterday for a walk and hoping for some nature shots. Not a lot of anything happening but it was very hot and the middle of the day, so that's to be expected. Nice place to take a walk though.
9. Cayo Costa State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 353 reviews
Located just off Cape Coral, a ferry will take you to this island nature reserve known for its beautiful beaches and great collection of shells.
Reviewed By Tim D - Dittmer, Missouri
Really clean beach. Not real crowded. Lots of sea shells. Water seems deeper than most gulf coast beaches.
10. The Potter's Workshop & Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Arlene S - Saint James City, Florida
Potter's Workshop and Gallery is unique in so many ways. The pieces that Ingeborg creates are beautiful and functional. I love using my bowls, plates and serving pieces when I entertain. How fun to display such beautiful artwork while dining!!!
Remember to think of Potter's Workshop & Gallery when you are looking for that special & unique gift. The receiver will be so thankful!!!
