Where
Captiva Island features several public beaches, including Turner Beach, Alison Hagerup Beach Park, and Andy Rosse Lane Park. The latter is the most popular, and is located at 11570 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, FL 33924. ’Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa and South Seas Island Resort offer private beaches.
Vibe
Upscale, hidden gem with a quirky, relaxed personality and world class shelling. Captiva Island feels like it’s out of another time, with no chain restaurants, high rises or traffic lights. In this colorful seaside escape, expect to see families, couples and groups of friends—and possibly a celebrity or two.
See, feel
As you drive down Andy Ross road to the beach that shares its name, it has a tropical mood, with lush landscaping and palms crowding the street. When you see The Mucky Duck, a British style bar that serves up crab cakes and cold beer on picnic tables just 60 feet from the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll know you’ve arrived. The beach is fairly narrow, with latte-hued sand abundant with crushed shells—and many whole shells, often piled there by Mother Nature and the tides. The water is a beautiful turquoise color, with little surf. Yolo Watersports frequently has jet skis bobbing in the waves, or a parasailing boat offering rides. Many folks on the beach will be hunched over, looking down-- in the time-honored ‘Sanibel Stoop,’ on a quest for the stunning shells that Captiva scoops up from the Gulf. While the water tends to be calm, winds and offshore systems can cause rough conditions.
On or near the beach
Shelling, swimming, fishing, and soaking up the sun are all favorite ways to enjoy the salt air. Don’t go home too early: celebrating the stunning sunsets at Andy Ross is as much a ritual as shelling, and often, a crowd will gather for the spectacle. Yolo Watersports beachfront outfitters offer adventures like parasailing and flyboarding, as well as rentals of all kinds. The Mucky Duck serves up seafood, a bar with live music in the evenings, and has indoor dining if you need to cool off. Stroll down Andy Rosse Lane to refuel at brightly painted restaurants that include the Keylime Bistro, RC Otter’s, and Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar.
Accessibility
You can rent a beach wheelchair at Billy’s Rentals on Sanibel, Captiva’s sister island.
Facilities
Paddle craft launch and landing
Lifeguards
No. Swim at your own risk.
Parking
Andy Rosse Park doesn’t have a dedicated parking lot. Alison Hagerup Beach Park, about ¼ mile north of Andy Ross (walking, on the beach) offers paid parking. Here’s info about other Captiva Island parking—but it’s limited, and always a good idea to arrive early.
