An aerial view of the South Seas Resort & Yacht Harbour RELATED LINKS Return to Best Beaches

Accommodations

The South Seas Resort (www.south-seas-resort.co), a posh hotel and marina complex on the northern end of Captiva, sustained heavy damage in the storm and is not due to resume normal operations until early 2006. The 'Tween Waters Inn (www.tween-waters.com), an atmospheric older resort that recovered quickly from the hurricane, occupies Captiva's narrowest point, offering a selection of rooms, suites and cottages on a 13-acre property fronting both sides of the island. Captiva also harbors an extensive inventory of private homes that are available for short-term vacation rental. Check the chamber of commerce Web site ( www.sanibel-captiva.org) for property listings and rental agents.

Dining Options

Several family-friendly restaurants in and around Captiva's tiny commercial district dish up burgers, pizza, fish and chips and other high-calorie staples of American comfort food, with the famous Bubble Room (www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com) leading the pack. Patrons line up at this gaudy, gimmicky restaurant to indulge in supersized portions of everything from potato chips covered in melted cheese to massive slices of cake, all delivered by whimsically costumed waiters in a setting stuffed to the gills with bric-a-brac and Hollywood memorabilia. Just down the road and right on the beach, the Mucky Duck is another longtime Captiva favorite, offering American and English pub food along with a decent selection of draft beers. If you're staying in a vacation rental and plan to do some of your own cooking, consider stopping for groceries before crossing the causeway to Sanibel and Captiva, as you'll generally find lower prices and a better selection at mainland supermarkets.

Insider Tip

When visitor occupancy is high, mealtimes on Captiva can test your patience as hungry patrons swamp the island's limited supply of restaurant tables. While the lack of spontaneity might go against the grain of a relaxed beach vacation, consider booking tables in advance for lunch and dinner whenever you plan to eat out. If cocktail hour comes around and you haven't made a booking anywhere, stake a claim on one of the outdoor bar tables at the Mucky Duck with a round of beers, then send a member of your party inside to order takeout food, which you can enjoy alfresco right next to the beach with an unobstructed view of the sunset. If you're dining at the Bubble Room, which accepts no advance reservations, go early or late to avoid a long wait for a table.