Captiva Island

DiscoverCaptiva Island Homes For Sale

By 1830 the pirates were no longer a threat, and the U.S. government deemed Captiva and Sanibel as safe settlements. In 1923, Clarence Chadwick, who invented overlays for checks to prevent forgeries, purchased the majority of Captiva and planned to retire with his wife, Rosamond, who believed the warm weather would ease Chadwick’s arthritis. Chadwick didn’t retire for long. He built the Manor House and turned the property into a key lime plantation. His plantation soon became the largest producer of key limes in the world. Today, the property is known as South Seas Resort, a spectacular 330-acre property that offers vacation villa rentals, hotel accommodations, and, of course, delicious key lime pie.

Apart from divulging in key lime pie, residents and visitors enjoy relaxing at the beach, shelling at Blind Pass, watching the sunset at Captiva Beach, playing golf, exploring nature, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. The low-key island is laid-back, and its natural wonderment is center stage. Captiva is ideal for those who desire privacy and tranquility.

Real estate on Captiva Island includes beachfront estates, waterfront condos, golf course homes, seaside villas, and cottage-style homes. Presently, Captiva contains 18 individual neighborhoods with single family homes or bungalow style cottages, and 17 low-rise condominiums. Oceanfront properties offer panoramic views of the gentle Gulf of Mexico, and interior homes are within walking distance to the sugary white sand coastline.

Author Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote her famous novel Gift from the Sea while residing on Captiva Island. In the book, she metaphorically describes the sea’s instruction, writing “The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach — waiting for a gift from the sea.” Certainly, Captiva residents understand and appreciate the sea’s gift: the tropical island itself is the true treasure.