Thinking of South Seas for next summer. For those who used a shuttle service from the airport to the resort, did you bring a carseat or did the service provide it? How necessary is it to have a car while we're there? Can we just get around on the little trolley or whatever they have there? Also, for those who booked through the resort, did you have nice units? Spoke with someone there today who told me they are individually owned, so not consistent as far as updates, furniture, kitchen supplies, etc. Any information would be greatly appreciated as we're hoping to book soon. It would be two families, each with a 2- and 5-year-old. We're hoping to each rent a 2-bedroom cottage or villa. Thanks!

We took Mark's Sedan Service, and were very pleased with the service. They drive Lincoln towncars, which can accomondate up to 4 people. They will stop for groceries, for an additional fee, which saved us from the island prices, and there was a liquor store, right next door to the Publix, before the Sanibel bridge. There number is 239 292 3623, or email mark9398@live.com

Just want to mention that you do not have to stay at South Seas for a great time on Captiva. Lots of nice vacation homes are available on the island. Recommend the boat trip to Cayo Costa for a desert island experience. Also the Green Flash was nice for lunch & frozen drinks.

To add, as wacky as this sounds, they offer great drinks and bites right on the beach. But even wackier: a guy lands on the beach on a pontoon boat, grilling hot dogs, etc. He gets a huge line. The rooms were also fantastic. Everything was new. Completely clean. For us it was essentially free-for our friends, I think a 2BR cost well over $500 per night. It is very difficult to get into. We were there during Spring. Weather was perfect. I think it does get hotter in summer. I remember the Publix or whatever being like a good 45 minutes away, so we purchased a ton before we got on the island. You need to drive thru Sanibel to get to Captiva. Sanibel may have groceries, but we never found them. The island itself is so narrow in spots - at time maybe 100 yards from bay to Gulf.

We went to Captiva via timeshare. I am also not a big Florida fan, but it was possibly our best timeshare vacation ever. Very secure and safe. You can let your kids go anywhere. The island was raked with 4 hurricanes I think back in, maybe, 2007. Damage was extensive, but then they rebuilt everything, trucked in new trees. The beach is very clean, great shelling. It is the Gulf, so don't expect to surf. Fantastic for pre-schooolers. a great pool complex. In terms of fun, they will rent you anything and everything: Hobie Cats, kayaks, etc etc. They have a game room, where they have the most insane video games: you pay by the hour. yup, you fly in to Ft Myers, don't know if there is a shuttle. We rented a car. What is great-the resort has this little bus, which you can take into the town. The town is like 2 streets, but has a few restaurants. It is very secluded. There is a sailing school for kids. Lots of manatees. And no sharks I saw.

Anonymous wrote:We did Captiva with young kids last year for spring break. Loved it. Reserve your golf cart way in advance-they sell out quickly. We stayed on property the whole time. Had our shuttle driver stop at publix for us on the way for breakfast and lunch and snacks. Island is large and there is a shuttle.

Can you elaborate? I didn't quite understand what you mean - did you have a golf cart to get around the resort, is that? What if you rent a car - do you still need to rent a golf cart?

And what about the shuttle? When do you need the shuttle? And what is publix? The shuttle is from where to where? Is from the resort to other parts of the island?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And there are sharks.....all around the dock.

Are you serious? What kind? How close to the beach? How big? Any reported incidents? Do they try to attack people?

Gosh!

Sharks?? Do you mean dolphins and manatees? I've been to Captiva every year from when I was 12- 22 and then probably every 2-3 years since then and I've never seen a shark or heard of a shark there.

I love Captiva and have fond childhood memories. My parents own weeks at Plantation Beach club so we go most years for Thanksgiving. There's a lot to do for a preschooler at South Seas - we're planning a trip for this fall with our 3 and 5 year old. My kids love the Mucky Duck and the Bubble Room for nights out. Definitely get a car. Shop in Fort Myers or on Sanibel. The hurricane a few years ago really did a number to the islands (a lot of the trees came down) but it's really making a comeback. Yes, Fort Myers is the closest airport but I have flown into Tampa before (but be careful of the Florida state troopers- got a nice ticket when racing to get the airport one year after a delay getting off the island (the bridge was up).

We did Captiva with young kids last year for spring break. Loved it. Reserve your golf cart way in advance-they sell out quickly. We stayed on property the whole time. Had our shuttle driver stop at publix for us on the way for breakfast and lunch and snacks. Island is large and there is a shuttle.

Anonymous wrote:And there are sharks.....all around the dock.

Are you serious? What kind? How close to the beach? How big? Any reported incidents? Do they try to attack people?

Gosh!

Anonymous wrote:We love Captiva! That caribbean blue water, white sand and shells on the beach, palm trees and tropical foliage, nature walks at Ding Darling, boat trips to Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key, Useppa Key, the outdoor restaurants on Andy Rosse Lane. Get a bunch of groceries on the way in Ft. Myer before you cross the bridge to Sanibel, to save $. Sanibel Bean and the swimsuit shop at Periwinkle plaza. Very clean. Only problem is the Gulf waves are so teeny.

Was that supposed to be ironic? ARe the waves huge or something? I am asking because it it is TRUE they are teeny and the waters are more like a "pool", that, TO ME, it is a hUGE PLUS! Calm, no waves, warm water - bliss! I hate waves, especially with little kids.

And there are sharks.....all around the dock.

We love Captiva! That caribbean blue water, white sand and shells on the beach, palm trees and tropical foliage, nature walks at Ding Darling, boat trips to Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key, Useppa Key, the outdoor restaurants on Andy Rosse Lane. Get a bunch of groceries on the way in Ft. Myer before you cross the bridge to Sanibel, to save $. Sanibel Bean and the swimsuit shop at Periwinkle plaza. Very clean. Only problem is the Gulf waves are so teeny.

We went in 2011 and loved it. Lots of nature and great for preschoolers (toy room, resort pool, and a nature center). We were there in April, and it was OK for adults to swim. My toddler was to young to go in the sea, but I imagine a preschooler could go in up to the knees. the beach was a pristine private beach -- we couldn't ask for more. Nice shells to collect. I saw lots of birds. We saw dolphins and manatees daily in the harbor.

It was an hour drive from Ft Myers (closest airport) to South Seas. We rented a car, which was good for going to restaurants in Captiva and Sanibel. Highly recommend the Sanibel farmer's market.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34616-d2525870-Reviews-Sanibel_Island_Farmer_s_Market-Sanibel_Island_Florida.html

We rented a Plantation Beach Club condo from a private owner on the resort. Much cheaper than resort rates, and it was a 2 BR beachfront apartment. We used the resort amenities for a daily fee (still cheaper than going through the resort.) Some rentals include use of the resort.

http://plantationbeachssp.hgvc.com/
http://southseastimeshares.com/modules.php?name=Classifieds
http://www.redweek.com/resort/P720-plantation-beach-club-at-south-seas

My sister got married there-it's nice. It's a fair drive from the airport (I want to say at least 45 min), and renting a car would be a benefit so you can stock up on groceries-many of the rooms are similar to condos, where you have a full kitchen, which I vastly prefer with young kids rather than staying in a hotel-type place and having to eat all meals from room service or restaurants (but they do have that option too, I believe). I don't know if there is a shuttle. Once you are on resort property, you drive around in a golf cart or walk everywhere, so the car wouldn't really be used much, but it is pretty crucial if you want to go anywhere off the resort.

The beach is clean and very nice, water is clear and pretty, you can wade pretty far out to a sandbar (at least when we were there), although a preschooler would need help to get past what little waves there were. There are lots of manatees in the harbor, which is a large charge for kids (and adults!). The restaurants are pretty good, and if you or DH are into it, the golf course is nice. If I were going to south FL for vacation, I would stay there hands down. I didn't see a ton of little kids, but we were also there in November, and I was pretty busy with wedding stuff, so there could be quite a few kids running around that I missed.

GL!

How did you like it? Was it pleasant and relaxing? Clean? How is the beach? How is the water (sea)? Calm and warm or cold? Suitable for preschoolers?

Also, how do we get there? Is the Fort Myer the closest airport? And from the airport to the resort - is there a shuttle? Is it close enough to get a cab?

Thanks!