Named so after the pirate captain José Gaspar (Gasparilla) held his female prisoners captive on the island for ransom (or worse), Captiva Island is a beautiful coastal paradise close to the Gulf of Mexico. Boasting some of the most stunning white sand beaches, enchanting corals, lagoons and the scenic vistas of the surrounding landscape, this island town is truly a photographer’s delight and heaven for beach lovers.
Turner Beach, Captiva Beach, Tarpon Beach, and Bowman’s Beach are among the top spots to indulge in numerous water sports such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and swimming. For an avid food lover, the island has a classic range of authentic cuisines and traditional gastronomic delights at its famous restaurants including Hurricane Hideout and The Mucky Duck. Farmer’s markets and flea bazaars like Cape Coral Farmer’s Market, Pine Island’s Farmers’ Island and Beach Farmers Market are best places for keen shoppers.
Sanibel Island
Famed for its sunsets, seashell beaches and wildlife refuges, Sanibel Island is a beautiful holiday destination in Florida. Featuring an expansive coastline, the city offers its visitors a chance to enjoy a wide range of water sports and adventure activities including swimming, kayaking and snorkelling. Also, shelling and diving at the artificial reefs and wrecks are among the popular activities on the island. The Causeway Beach is the hub for water sports here. The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, Bowman's Beach and USS Mohawk CGC Veterans Memorial Reef are the must visit attractions in the city. The nearby restaurants and shacks serve fabulous local delicacies as well as a range of other delights. Home of Sanibel's only wood fired pizza oven, Matzaluna's is the place to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine along with traditional favourites.
