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Lee County · FL

Moving to Captiva Island, Florida

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Captiva Island, Florida is a small barrier island you can reach only through Sanibel. It is unincorporated, which means it is not a city. It has Gulf beaches, a tiny village center and the South Seas property at its north end. Lee County runs Captiva, so county plans, permits and flood rules shape what you can buy and build.

At a glance

County
Lee County (unincorporated)
Population, Captiva CDP (2020 Census)
318[1]
Land area, Captiva CDP
1.18 sq mi[1]
Road access
Via Sanibel and the Blind Pass bridge[1]
Causeway toll (2-axle, with transponder)
$6.00[12]
Water
Island Water Association[10]
Electric
LCEC[11]
Beach management
Captiva Erosion Prevention District[4]
Library
Captiva Memorial Library (11560 Chapin Lane)[7]

What is it like to live on Captiva Island?

Captiva is a narrow barrier island north of Sanibel. The Captiva census area had 318 residents in 2020. It is not a city, so Lee County handles planning, permits and most services. The Captiva Community Plan is part of the county's Lee Plan. It aims to keep the island's historic low-density pattern and to protect the beaches, mangroves and dark skies.

Tourism is the main business, and the South Seas property fills the northern two miles of the island. Daily errands and health care mean a drive through Sanibel and across the causeway. Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Helene and Milton in 2024 damaged the island. Rebuilding follows Lee County's flood rules. Most groceries, drugstores and larger stores are on Sanibel or the mainland.

Which parts of Captiva should I look at?

The village area sits around Andy Rosse Lane and Chapin Lane. It holds the library, the beach district office and the island's small shopping core. Captiva Drive runs the length of the island. Gulf-front homes line one side, and bayside homes line the other.

South Seas, at the north end, has resort lodging, private homes and vacation rentals. The south end sits by Blind Pass and Turner Beach, closest to Sanibel. If you want more services nearby, compare with Sanibel.

How do I get to and from Captiva?

The only road route runs through Sanibel. First you cross the Sanibel Causeway. The toll is $6.00 per two-axle vehicle with a transponder. Then you drive Sanibel-Captiva Road and cross the small bridge over Blind Pass. Captiva is about 13 miles from the causeway and 31 miles from Fort Myers.

After Ian, the causeway reopened to all traffic in October 2022. Lasting repairs were done in 2024. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is on the mainland and has nonstop flights to more than 75 places.

How do schools work for Captiva?

The School District of Lee County serves Captiva. The nearest public school is The Sanibel School, a K–8 school on Sanibel. Any Lee County student may ask to attend, but the district does not run buses there. There are no high schools on the barrier islands, so high school students go to mainland schools.

Check the school for any address directly with the district. Official grades are on the FLDOE school grades site.

What is there to do outdoors on Captiva?

Beaches come first. Alison Hagerup Beach Park is at the end of Captiva Drive near South Seas, and the Captiva Erosion Prevention District takes care of it. Turner Beach at Blind Pass is known for fishing and sunsets.

Next door on Sanibel, the Ding Darling refuge and SCCF preserves are a short drive away. So are more than 26 miles of shared paths for bikes and walkers. Boating, paddling and fishing in Pine Island Sound fill many days. The Captiva Memorial Library on Chapin Lane hosts programs through the Lee County Library System.

What costs should I plan for on Captiva?

Flood and wind insurance, home height and the FEMA 50% rule drive your costs. Lee County uses the Property Appraiser's building value to test the 50% rule. New work in high-risk zones must sit one foot above the base flood elevation. That is the height floodwater is expected to reach in a major flood. Also add causeway tolls, beach parking and any condo or resort fees.

Is Captiva your full-time home by January 1? Then file for the homestead exemption with the Lee County Property Appraiser by March 1.

What are the next steps to move to Captiva?

Browse homes for sale on Captiva. Also read the Sanibel guide, since daily life runs through Sanibel.

Use the mortgage calculator with insurance included. Check what your current home is worth. Then contact Mariela to plan a visit.

Parts of town to know: Captiva

  • The village: Andy Rosse Lane and Chapin LaneCaptiva's small center, with the Captiva Memorial Library, the CEPD office and the island's shops and restaurants.
  • South Seas at the north endThe northern two miles of the island, with resort buildings, private homes, vacation rentals and marinas.
  • Captiva Drive, gulf-front and baysideHomes along Captiva Drive, with Gulf beaches on one side and bayside waterfront on the other.
  • South end near Blind PassThe Sanibel end of Captiva, next to the Blind Pass bridge and Turner Beach.

School assignment can change and differs by address. Verify with the school district, and see official ratings at FLDOE School Grades. School District of Lee County.

Homes for sale now — Captiva

Search all homes in Captiva

Common questions

Is Captiva part of Sanibel?

No. Captiva is an unincorporated island run by Lee County, while Sanibel is its own city. You reach Captiva by driving through Sanibel and over the Blind Pass bridge. Sanibel's city rules do not apply on Captiva. But Sanibel does give hurricane re-entry permits to Captiva residents.

How does the 50% rule work on Captiva?

Captiva follows Lee County's rule. Say repair or remodel costs equal or pass 50% of the building's value. Then the building must meet current flood rules. The county uses the Property Appraiser's value for the building. Or you can send in a licensed appraisal of its value after wear and age. New work in high-risk zones must sit one foot above the base flood elevation.

Can I rent out a home on Captiva?

Florida law generally bars local governments from banning vacation rentals. They also cannot limit how long a rental lasts. The exception is a rule from June 1, 2011 or earlier. Association rules, such as those at South Seas or in condos, often set their own terms. Confirm Lee County rules and state DBPR licensing before you buy.

Who takes care of Captiva's beaches?

The Captiva Erosion Prevention District does. This special district adds new sand to the beaches and works on dunes and wildlife habitat. It finished its latest sand project as of January 7, 2026. Parking fees at Alison Hagerup Beach Park help pay for beach sand and wildlife habitat.

Do Captiva residents need a hurricane re-entry pass?

Yes. The City of Sanibel gives green re-entry permits to residents and owners on Sanibel or Captiva. The only road to Captiva crosses Sanibel, so keep the permit in your car. Permits issued in 2024 are still good for 2026.

Where do Captiva students go to school?

The nearest public school is The Sanibel School. It serves kindergarten through eighth grade. There are no high schools on the barrier islands, so high school students go to mainland schools. Check the school for any address directly with the district.

Sources

  1. Captiva, Florida (2020 Census population, geography, access), Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  2. CPA2026-00005 – Captiva Community Plan Changes (Lee Plan Goal 23), Lee County Department of Community Development (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Understanding the 50% Rule – Substantial Improvement & Substantial Damage, Lee County Department of Community Development (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Captiva Erosion Prevention District, CEPD (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Alison Hagerup Beach Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Turner Beach, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Library Branch Locations (Captiva Memorial Library), Lee County Library System (read 2026-09-24)
  8. South Seas, South Seas (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Hurricane Re-Entry Passes (Sanibel and Captiva), City of Sanibel (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Island Water Association, Island Water Association (read 2026-09-24)
  11. About LCEC (service area), LCEC (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Tolls (LeeWay) – Lee County Standard Toll Fares, Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Sanibel Causeway, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Bike or Hike on the Shared Use Path, City of Sanibel (read 2026-09-24)
  15. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, SCCF (read 2026-09-24)
  17. HealthPark Medical Center, Lee Health (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Southwest Florida International Airport, Lee County Port Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Evacuation (zones, clearance times, evacuation transportation), Lee County Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Notifications & Resources (AlertLee, LeePrepares), Lee County Emergency Management (read 2026-09-24)
  21. General Exemption Information, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  22. New Resident – Welcome to Florida, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (read 2026-09-24)
  23. New Florida Resident, Lee County Tax Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  24. How Do I Register to Vote?, Lee County Supervisor of Elections (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Student Enrollment Plan 2026-2027, School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Florida Statutes 509.032 (vacation rentals), Florida Legislature (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Disaster and Flood Related Frequently Asked Questions (NFIP waiting period and limits), Village of Estero (read 2026-09-24)
  28. New Residents' Guide, Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Lee County Planning – Lee Plan amendments list (CPA2026-00005, North Captiva, Captiva, Greater Pine Island), Lee County Department of Community Development (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.

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