FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Q: Since North Captiva is a bridge-less island, how do we get there?
A: Most of our guests take a water taxi to get to the island. Boats and Fun (boatsandfun.com) will deliver guests directly to Sea Urchins’ dock which is super easy, and convenient and Island Girl Charters (islandgirlcharters.com), will deliver guests to Barnacles’ dock which is only a few minutes from the house. A third water taxi option is Just for Fun Ferry (northcaptiva.com). All these options have parking areas, where you can leave your car on the mainland. All these water taxis have crews who are accustomed to large groups traveling with a week’s worth of gear and groceries. So, don’t worry that you will sink the boat—they are prepared to handle your vacation cargo.
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Q: Can we bring our own boat?
A: Absolutely! Sea Urchins has a private boat dock located on the property. The dock is situated in Safety Harbor, which means it is very sheltered from wind and waves. The dock can accommodate two boats and has deep water (over 4 feet).
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Q: If we are flying in to Fort Myers (RSW), how do we get to the marina to catch our water taxi?
A: We recommend Pine Island Taxi (pineislandtaxi.com). They are pros at picking up folks and helping them meet their boat. They will even make a stop so you can pick up groceries. Go to their website for helpful information and travel advice.
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Q: What about groceries? Is there a store on the island?
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A: You will need to get groceries from the mainland because there is only a small store on the island that has very limited stock. Most guests pick up their groceries on the way to the marina to meet their water taxi. Publix grocery store has an app (instacart.com/publix) where you can shop online for your groceries. Since you pay for the groceries with a credit card when you order them, Publix staff will bring your packed groceries right to your car when you get to their parking lot. You can also stop at nearby liquor stores or seafood markets on your way to the marina. Before your visit, we will send you a list of grocery options/ideas and you can figure out what plan works best for your scenario. If you are interested in grocery delivery, we can let you know what options are currently available.
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Q: Are there any restaurants on North Captiva?
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A: Yes, there are 4 delicious restaurant options: Mainstay (formerly Barnacle’s), Mango’s, The Boat House, and the Island Club’s Pool Bar and Grill. You can also boat over to historic Cabbage Key and enjoy dining in their open-air restaurant situated on top of a 38’ high Calusa shell mound.
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Q: Is there a pool?
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A: Yes, several. Sea Urchins has a private beachside pool on the property. There are also 2 large pools (Olympic and Lap size), located at North Captiva Island Club that our guests can use.
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Q: Can we swim at the beach in front of the house?
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A: Absolutely! It is shallow, usually very calm, and the shoreline is gently sloping. The local dolphins love swimming there too. There are kayaks and paddle boards at the house that can also be used. Many guests have had dolphins swim right up to them as they paddled along the shore in front of the house.
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Q: What about fishing?
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A: The waters in and around North Captiva offer “world-class” fishing opportunities. You can hire a local guide or venture out on your own. Sea Urchins provides a few poles and some limited gear, but if you are a serious fisherman, you may want to bring your own. Go online to myfwc.com to learn about local fishing regulations. They also have information on Fish ID and Fishing Tips and Facts.
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Q: Do you have a grill?
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A: Yes, we have both a gas grill and a charcoal Weber grill. LP gas is provided for the gas grill, but you will need to bring your own charcoal and lighter fluid if you plan to use the Weber.
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Q: We were thinking about renting a boat? Can we do that?
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A: Sure, and if you rent a boat, you can keep it at Sea Urchins’ dock! Here are a few local businesses you may want to contact for more information: Boats and Fun (located on North Captiva) boatsandfun.com, Jensen’s Marina (located on Captiva) gocaptiva.com and Four Winds Marina (located on Bokeelia) fourwindsmarina.com. Make your reservations early, or you might miss the boat (boat rental reservations fill up fast during peak vacation times).
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Q: Do we need to rent a golf cart?
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A: Sea Urchins will provide you with a voucher that can be redeemed for the use of a 4 person golf cart from Sunshine Cart Rental during your stay. If you more than 4 guests, a second cart will need to be rented in order for the voucher to be redeemed.
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