Why South Seas Resort Is Florida’s Best-Kept Secret for Family Escapes
Think you need a passport and a boarding pass to disappear for a while? Think again.
Just follow the coast until the mainland gives way to mangroves and the rest of the world shrinks behind you, and you’ll find it: 330 acres of barefoot luxury, where the breeze smells like lime and sunscreen and the only plan…is not having one.
From Miami or Tampa, it’s a smooth coastal drive. From Orlando—four hours of changing skies and salty anticipation. And if you’re arriving by water? All the better. Two full marinas welcome vessels up to 130 feet—and once you’re tied off, you’re in. The beach, the bars, the breeze—and every amenity the resort has to offer: yours. Simply park the car, pocket the phone, and let go.
Roll in, exhale. Your pre-reserved resort cart is waiting. Wander to the shore with a Provisions picnic. Watch the gulls loop above the dunes. Let the mainland fall off your shoulders. Toast your escape at Tarpon Bar, then sink your toes into the sand at Sunset Beach, where the sky does its best work after hours.
By Monica Vanover on October 17, 2025
Sponsored by
Would you rather have easier access to…
Question 1
Golf course
Mostly A's
Del Webb & National Golf & Country Club
Start Over
Swing by The Clutch Clubhouse for a bacon-stacked sandwich and espresso or grab fresh fruit and cold brew from the Provisions Counter. Mornings come with options—and no pressure to choose.
When the sky turns to coral, Harborside knows exactly what to do. Bone-in steaks still crackling, pasta tangled with citrus and brine, and seafood towers stacked like edible architecture. The marina glimmers nearby as you raise a glass to island time. And coming in Fall 2025, The Beach House will open its doors to Gulf views and barefoot elegance, where the sunset shares the spotlight with whatever’s on your plate.
Craving something easy? Redfish Grill keeps it casual with Gulf-to-table plates and sunset-ready wines.
Of course, the island doesn’t stop at South Seas. If you’ve got the itch to roam, you’ll find crab shacks with crooked signs, date-night spots strung in twinkle lights, and surprise gems hiding behind palmettos and side streets. Or stay put, throw something easy on the stove, and dine in your bathing suit. No dress codes. No debates. No notes.
What's Your Vibe?
Start Quiz
Take the South Seas Staycation Quiz
Neighborhood Restaurants
Town center
Schools
What kind of home are you looking for?
Question 2
Single-family (one story)
Single-family (two story)
Condo or Multifamily
Villa
Homes from the 500's
Homes from the 300’s or 400’s
Homes from the 300’s
Homes from the high 200’s
What is your ideal price range?
Question 3
I want fun events I can go to at the clubhouse
I want to see kids riding their bikes down the sidewalks
Active/golf lifestyle, with access to recreational activities
55+ retirement community with active events calendar
What kind of community are you looking for?
Question 4
Easy access to the downtown area
Sense of community, kids playing nearby
A neighborhood amenity center
A full events calendar
What is most important to you when choosing your neighborhood.
Question 5
Start Over
Maple Ridge & Avalon Park
Mostly C's
Visit the Door to Door mainpage today to register online, and get ready to experience the world of possibilities that Ave Maria has to offer!
Visit the Door to Door mainpage today to register online, and get ready to experience the world of possibilities that Ave Maria has to offer!
Mornings at the Villas at South Seas start slow—think lazy pancake flips in a sun-drenched kitchen—and wrap up with wine on the balcony while the sky turns every shade of sherbet.
Each accommodation offers its own kind of magic: Beach Villas steps from the sand, or Bayside retreats that greet the sunrise, Marina Villas with a front-row view of boats and manatees, and Land’s End hideaways built for golden-hour glory. And if you’re bringing the whole crew, the ultra-private Homes of Distinction have room to sprawl in style.
South Seas, at the quiet edge of Captiva Island, is more than a staycation—it’s an island state of mind. Guests who book directly unlock exclusive access to everything that makes the resort feel like a whole new world: elegant dining, Gulfside golf, boat-in marinas, and cabana-lined pools overlooking Pine Island Sound.
**Client's Name**
Easy access to the downtown area
Sense of community, kids playing nearby
A neighborhood amenity center
A full events calendar
What type of home are you interested in?
Question 5
I want fun events I can go to at the clubhouse
I want to see kids riding their bikes down the sidewalks
Active/golf lifestyle, with access to recreational activities
55+ retirement community with active events calendar
What sort of amenities are important to you?
Question 4
Homes from the 500's
Homes from the 300’s or 400’s
Homes from the 300’s
Homes from the high 200’s
What’s your budget?
Question 3
Villa
Condo or Multifamily
Single-family (two story)
Single-family (one story)
What are you looking for in a neighborhood?
Question 2
Start Over
Maple Ridge & Avalon Park
Visit the Door to Door mainpage today to register online, and get ready to experience the world of possibilities that Ave Maria has to offer!
Mostly C's
Start Over
Del Webb & National Golf & Country Club
Visit the Door to Door mainpage today to register online, and get ready to experience the world of possibilities that Ave Maria has to offer!
Mostly A's
Del Webb & National Golf & Country Club
Visit the Door to Door mainpage today to register online, and get ready to experience the world of possibilities that Ave Maria has to offer!
Mostly B's
Start Over
Start Over
Maple Ridge & Avalon Park
Visit the Door to Door mainpage today to register online, and get ready to experience the world of possibilities that Ave Maria has to offer!
Mostly D's
Start Over
Del Webb & National Golf & Country Club
Visit the Door to Door mainpage today to register online, and get ready to experience the world of possibilities that Ave Maria has to offer!
Mostly A's
Start Over
Maple Ridge & Avalon Park
Visit the Door to Door mainpage today to register online, and get ready to experience the world of possibilities that Ave Maria has to offer!
Mostly C's
Home Comforts, Upgraded for Island Life
Whether you’re after a design-forward escape or a laid-back base close to the action, South Seas makes it easy to choose your vibe. All villas include Wi-Fi, smart TVs, full kitchens, plush linens, and housekeeping—plus new Standard, Deluxe, and Premier tiers to help you fine-tune your stay.
Once you’re settled, hit the Bayview Pools, swing through the fitness center, or just melt into your beach chair. Everything’s a short walk, a quick trolley ride, or a scenic cruise in your resort cart or bike. Island time runs on your schedule now.
There’s no fixed agenda here—just a palm-lined playground and a breezy invitation to do absolutely everything…or blissfully nothing at all.
No To-Do List. Just Want-To-Do Lists
Day 1
Start the day with tee time at The Clutch—a short course by top designer Beau Welling that mixes Gulf views with low-stress swings. Then later, you’ve got a cabana with your name on it. Drop the kids at Camp-tiva, where tidepools become treasure hunts. You? You’ve got a spa appointment or a cabana with your name on it. Later, it’s burgers and hot fries in a basket from Shell City and a victory float down the Gulfstream river at Captiva Landing (opening late 2025). Before the day’s done, join the island tradition: a ceremonial shell toss at dusk—part tradition, part magic, and a memory in the making.
Day 2
Let the mornings sneak up on you at Bayside, coffee in hand. Slip into the day by kayak, where the water’s still glassy and the rest of the world isn’t up yet. Take an afternoon to wander on Andy Rosse Lane. Window shop, grab a bite, stay happily sidetracked. Or post up at Bayview Pier, cast a line, and wait for the tug that earns you a Challenge Coin and a story worth retelling.
Everywhere you look, there's something waiting—shells to collect, birds to spot, or hammocks that ambush you with a nap. And if your wildest adventure is a sleepy pool day with a paperback? That counts, too.
Day 3
(Or days 4,5, and 6—come on, you know you want to stay)
Barefoot Dining, Beachside Bites, and Everything In Between
At South Seas, nature is part of the program. It’s in the quiet tug of tide pulling you toward the water. Guided eco-tours and early morning paddles reveal a wild world, as ospreys soar overhead, spoonbills sweep low, and manatees glide silently past your kayak.
At first light, Bayview Pier puts on its own kind of quiet theater. Dolphins arc just beyond the breakers, shadows sliding through golden surf. From May to October, sea turtles nest in the dunes with practiced grace, carving crescents into the sand. This isn’t background noise—it’s the main event.
Prefer horsepower to paddles? Jet Skis, pontoon
and center console boating, private charters await
at Captiva Landing Marina, or book a boat excursion
to the untouched shores of Cayo Costa—where yours might be the only footprints.
Nature, Unfiltered
Explore special offers and start your stay at SouthSeas.com or call 866-565-5089.
Whether it’s your first time or your favorite tradition, South Seas is waiting—beach chairs fluffed, porch lights on, island mode engaged. And somewhere between the cabana and the lazy river, someone’s going to say it:
Let’s do this every year.
It’s perfect for families who travel in packs. For couples trading chaos for quiet, starlight, and barefoot dinners. For anyone chasing that rarest luxury: time well spent.
And the only way in? Book direct. That’s how you unlock everything Club Captiva has tucked away: tee times with a breeze, splash zones without a line, and secret spots that feel like yours from day one. No guesswork. No missing out. Just the good stuff, all in one place.
Unlock Club Captiva Benefits—
Only When You Book Direct
South Seas is always shifting—new menus, fresh adventures, a better spot to watch an unfiltered sky. Since reopening with upgraded villas, refreshed pools, and the splash-happy sprawl of Captiva Landing, it’s more irresistible than ever.
Think you need a passport and a boarding pass to disappear for a while? Think again.
Just follow the coast until the mainland gives way to mangroves and the rest of the world shrinks behind you, and you’ll find it: 330 acres of barefoot luxury, where the breeze smells like ocean and sunscreen and the only plan…is not having one.
Mornings at the Villas at South Seas start slow—think lazy pancake flips in a sun-drenched kitchen—and wrap up with wine on the balcony while the sky turns every shade of sherbet.
Each accommodation offers its own kind of magic: Beach Villas steps from the sand, or Bayside retreats that greet the sunrise, Marina Villas with a front-row view of boats and manatees, and Land’s End hideaways built for golden-hour glory. And if you’re bringing the whole crew, the ultra-private Homes of Distinction have room to sprawl in style.
Bayview Pool
Harborside
The Clutch
Yacht Harbor Marina
Scoops and Slices
Redfish Grill
Beach Villas
Marina Villas
Bayside Villas
The Shops at South Seas
Resort Map
Hover to explore where accommodations, pools, restaurants, beaches, marinas, golf course, and more are located!
Bayview Pools Bayview Pools offers three family-friendly pools, winding waterslides, inviting chaise lounges, private poolside cabanas, and tropical drinks.
Harbourside Harbourside offers Italian steakhouse-inspired cuisine alongside spectacular views of the Yacht Harbour Marina.
The Clutch The Clutch is as enjoyable for the most advanced golfers honing their skills to beginners just starting out.
Yacht Harbour Marina Yacht Harbour offers 2,400 feet of alongside berthing for yachts up to 120 feet in length.
Scoops and Slices This beloved family favorite features pizza, ice cream and sweet treats.
Redfish Grill Redfish Grill offers a contemporary atmosphere and locally sourced seafood to be enjoyed outdoors and indoors.
Beach Villas Treasure views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Island’s 2.5 miles of sugary sand beaches from your screened balcony.
Marina Villas From your scenic perch overlooking the Marina or the Bay,
watch boats coming and going from your large screened balcony.
Bayside Villas Revel in tranquil views of the bays and mangrove bushes, all within walking distance to the beach and shopping.
The Shops at South Seas Bring the spirit of South Seas home with exclusive apparel, accessories, and gifts available at our online shop — your connection to island-inspired style.
Bayview Pools Bayview Pools offers three family-friendly pools, winding waterslides, inviting chaise lounges, daybeds, private poolside cabanas, and tropical drinks.
Harborside Harborside offers Italian steakhouse-inspired cuisine alongside spectacular views of the Yacht Harbor Marina.
The Clutch The Clutch is as enjoyable for the most advanced golfers honing their skills to beginners just starting out.
Yacht Harbor Marina Yacht Harbor offers 2,400 feet of alongside berthing for yachts up to 120 feet in length.
Scoops and Slices This beloved family favorite features pizza, ice cream and sweet treats.
Redfish Grill Redfish Grill offers a contemporary atmosphere and locally sourced seafood to be enjoyed outdoors and indoors.
Beach Villas Treasure views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Island’s 2.5 miles of sugary sand beaches from your screened balcony.
Marina Villas From your scenic perch overlooking the Marina or the Bay,
watch boats coming and going from your large screened balcony.
Bayside Villas Revel in tranquil views of the bays and mangrove bushes, all within walking distance to the beach and shopping.
The Shops at South Seas Bring the spirit of South Seas home with exclusive apparel, accessories, and gifts — your connection to island-inspired style.
Harbourside Harbourside offers Italian steakhouse-inspired cuisine alongside spectacular views of the Yacht Harbour Marina.
The island just got splashier. Captiva Landing, South Seas’ newest waterfront zone, brings a wave of fresh energy, now open on December 22nd. At Bottlenose Bay, six slides twist and splash pads erupt, while the Gulfstream lazy river promises loops of sun-drenched drift. Views at the top of Bottlenose Bay provide a different perspective of Captiva to all guests.
Nearby, Flippers keeps everyone fueled with burgers, soft-serve, and grab-and-go bites perfect for beachy hands and pool-wet towels. Competitive? Head to the arcade for some friendly competitive with the whole family with nostalgic favorites, including Whac-a-mole, Skeeball, Avengers and Wave Riders. 1950s murals surround Captiva Landing, bringing even more nostalgia and the “Old Florida” vibe.
Camp-tiva blends hands-on crafts, eco-education, and wildlife discovery into an unforgettable journey for every camper. Explore the wonders of Camp-tiva as campers learn about the island’s unique ecosystem, fascinating wildlife, and the delicate habitats that make this paradise thrive. Inside our vibrant camp space, a stunning underwater-themed mural by a celebrated local artist sets the scene—brought to life with 3D elements that invite exploration and play. An imagination stage inspires dress-up, storytelling, and theatrical fun, where campers can transform into ocean explorers, sea creatures, or island heroes! From seashell art to recycled creations, every project connects campers to the island’s natural beauty while sparking creativity and environmental awareness.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, December rolls in—with lights, music, and a whole new reason to fall in love with the island: South Seas Festive Celebration. From twinkle-lit golf cart parades to fire dancers on the beach, December unfolds as a monthlong celebration. Picture hot cocoa under the stars, Santa arriving by Jet Ski, and bingo with a Gulf breeze. Each weekend brings a new reason to gather, laugh, and create island-style traditions.
The Festive Stroll transforms the marina into a holiday wonderland, complete with carolers, snowfall from a giant snowman, ornament-making, cookie decorating, and a glowing “Happy Holidays” backdrop for Santa’s custom South Seas chair. Families can craft keepsakes, send letters to the North Pole, and step inside a giant inflatable snow globe for the ultimate photo op.
Boats in Lights weekends light up the harbor with decorated vessels, live music, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, s’mores by the firepit, and glowing corn hole matches beneath the stars. On New Year’s Eve, the party moves beachside with a DJ, fire pits, inflatable games, blacklight décor, a photo booth, and a fireworks finale. And once January rolls in, the festivities keep going—sand art, poolside karaoke, and glow-in-the-dark golf all offer new ways to play.
Holiday Magic, Island Style
What’s New at South Seas?
Introducing Captiva Landing, opening
December 22nd!
What’s New at South Seas?
Introducing Captiva Landing,
opening December 22nd!