Updated June 2026
If you’re searching for a Florida beach vacation that combines beautiful beaches, a water park, family activities, and a laid-back island atmosphere, South Seas Resort on Captiva Island deserves a spot on your list.
Our family recently spent several days exploring this newly renovated resort, and while I typically focus on accessible and inclusive travel destinations, South Seas offered enough family-friendly amenities and surprising accessibility features that I felt it was worth sharing.
Whether you’re planning a couples getaway, a family vacation with young kids, or a multi-generational trip with grandparents, here’s everything you should know before booking.
South Seas Resort at a Glance
Location: Captiva Island, Florida
Nearest Airport: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers
Best For:
- Families with kids of all ages
- Multi-generational family vacations
- Beach lovers
- Water park enthusiasts
- Couples looking for a relaxing island escape
Helpful Local Resources:
- Sanibel Baby Rentals (wagons, baby gear, beach toys, tents, cribs)
- Billy’s Rentals (bikes, beach wheelchairs, umbrellas, chairs)
- Jerry’s Supermarket (grocery pickup before arriving at the resort)
Why We Chose South Seas Resort
This trip was actually inspired by Instagram.
As renovations at Captiva Landing were being completed earlier this year, photos and videos of the new South Seas Resort kept appearing in my feed. The water park, beach access, and family-friendly amenities immediately caught my attention.
Captiva Island often flies under the radar compared to destinations like Destin, 30A, or Naples, but that’s part of its charm. It feels like a hidden Florida getaway where families can slow down and enjoy island life without the crowds.
What We Loved About South Seas Resort
1. The Water Park is Worth the Hype
For our kids, this was the biggest highlight of the trip.
The new Captiva Landing area features:
- A large family pool
- Lazy river
- Splash areas
- Waterslides
- Beach-entry access points
During the hottest hours of the day, the water park became our favorite place to cool off before heading back to the beach.
Bonus: It was also the perfect way to wear the kids out before our flight home.
2. There’s Something for Everyone
One of the biggest strengths of South Seas is the variety of activities.
Across the resort’s 300+ acres, guests can enjoy:
- Multiple pools
- Beaches
- Fishing
- Charter boats
- Water sports
- Kids Camptiva
- Restaurants
- Fitness center
- Walking paths
- Golf course
- Golf cart transportation
Unlike many beach vacations where everyone wants something different, we found activities that appealed to every member of our family.
3. The Golf Cart Lifestyle
One of our favorite surprises? We barely touched our car.
The resort feels like its own little island community. We rented a golf cart and used it for nearly everything. By the end of the trip, we had forgotten where we parked our vehicle.
If you’re visiting South Seas Resort, renting a golf cart is one recommendation I wouldn’t skip.
4. Exceptional Staff and Service
Several team members helped make our stay memorable.
Special thanks to:
- Knox at Harborside Restaurant
- Captain Ghassan for an unforgettable boat ride
- Chyann at Kids Camptiva
Our boys are still talking about the boat ride, which our six-year-old declared was “the BEST day ever.”
Kids Camp Review: Worth It for Parents
One of the unexpected highlights was Kids Camptiva.
The program included:
- Dinner
- Arts and crafts
- Arcade games
- A plush souvenir
Most importantly? It gave mom and dad a rare three-hour date night.
Parents of young children understand how valuable that can be on vacation.
Accessibility at South Seas Resort
As an occupational therapist and accessibility advocate, I always evaluate destinations through an inclusion lens.
Because South Seas includes privately owned villas and condos, accommodations may vary significantly. Unlike a traditional hotel, not every unit is required to offer ADA-compliant features.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by several accessibility features throughout the resort and learned that accommodations can be available upon request from units with grab bars, a beach wheelchair, shower chair, and more.
Small Trade-Offs to Consider
For us, the incredible amenities and family experiences far outweighed these minor inconveniences.
Laundry
We almost always choose vacation rentals with an in-unit washer and dryer, especially when traveling with kids. Our villa didn’t include one, though shared coin-operated laundry is available on the property. For our stay, it was a small trade-off we were happy to make.
Elevators
Because many of the beach villas and cottages are elevated due to Florida flood regulations, elevator access varies by building. We were fortunate to stay on the first floor (which is still elevated above ground level), making it easier to come and go. If mobility is a consideration for your group, I recommend confirming your building’s layout and request a unit with elevator access before booking.
Accessible Features We Noticed
Captiva Landing
This newly renovated area was the most accessible section of the resort.
Features included:
- Beach-entry water park access
- Beach-entry lazy river access
- Ramped restaurant entrances
- Wide pathways
- ADA compliant restrooms with baby changing table
Pool Accessibility
The main pool includes:
- Pool lift access
- Wheelchair lift access to the island feature within the lazy river
During our visit, I met a wheelchair user enjoying the waterpark with family members, which was encouraging to see.
Important Accessibility Considerations
If mobility is a concern, carefully research accommodations before booking.
Many beach villas and cottages:
- Are elevated due to flood requirements
- May require stairs
- Do not include elevators
Some buildings do offer elevator access, and accessible features such as a step-in shower, grab bars, shower chair, and beach wheelchair are availability by request.
I strongly recommend calling the resort directly to discuss specific accessibility needs before reserving.
Things to Know Before You Go
Bring Your Own Beach Towels
This one surprised us.
Depending on where your villa is located, beach towel service may not be included.
Beach service areas provide towels, but pool towels cannot leave the pool area.
Stop at Jerry’s Supermarket First
Before arriving at the resort, stop at Jerry’s Supermarket.
The process is incredibly convenient:
- Order groceries
- Pull underneath the building
- Staff bring groceries directly to your vehicle
It was one of the easiest grocery pickup experiences we’ve had while traveling.
Rent a Wagon
If you’re staying in the villa areas, a wagon is incredibly helpful for transporting:
- Beach toys
- Towels
- Snacks
- Shell collections
- Tired kids
I wish we had rented one sooner.
Pack a Lightweight Beach Bag
If your flight leaves later in the day, you’ll appreciate having a compact bag for:
- Swimsuits
- Change of clothes
- Beach essentials
We checked our luggage with the front desk and spent one final afternoon enjoying the resort before heading to the airport.
Save Your Grocery Bags
A simple travel hack: Don’t throw away your grocery bags.
They’re perfect for:
- Wet swimsuits
- Dirty clothes
- Shell collections
- Sandy beach gear
Is South Seas Resort Worth It?
For families who love the water, absolutely.
Between the beaches, water park, fishing opportunities, boat excursions, and family-friendly atmosphere, South Seas Resort offers enough variety to keep both kids and adults happy.
Our four-year-old’s favorite part was the water park.
Our six-year-old loved fishing from the docks and our last-minute boat adventure.
For us, South Seas delivered exactly what a family vacation should: time together, plenty of outdoor adventure, and memories we’ll still be talking about years from now.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Florida beach resort on Captiva Island, South Seas Resort is definitely worth considering.
Travel Essentials
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