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South Seas, located on Captiva Island along Florida’s Gulf Coast, is welcoming back guests and celebrating the resort’s first phase of reopening following Hurricane Ian. Led by Timbers Company, a Florida-based leader in the development and operations of luxury resorts and vacation residences, South Seas is undergoing a rebuilding process slated to continue into 2024.

Guests can enjoy an array of on-property experiences and amenities including dockage at the Yacht Harbour Marina, a variety of culinary and retail experiences, and access to Sunset Beach with more than a dozen refurbished accommodations available to guests beginning in mid-July 2023.

“Hurricane Ian posed significant challenges for our beloved Captiva Island and South Seas, yet we found an opportunity to thoughtfully plan for future rejuvenation and improvement of our amenities and services,while preserving the resort’s distinctive charm and heritage,” said South Seas General Manager, Shawn Farrell. “While our closure has been challenging for everyone involved, and our rebuilding continues, we aim to further enhance the experiences our guests have cherished for generations. We are continuing to work tirelessly to bring the Captiva magic back to South Seas, and while we finish these next phases of restoration and construction, we cannot wait to share South Seas with guests.”

Resilient Restoration

This new era for the beloved island getaway is inspired by past generations of vacationers and redevelopment plans reflect a commitment to protect and enhance Captiva Island. Under Timbers’ helm, the restoration of South Seas is currently underway with the goal to build resilient accommodations and amenities designed to withstand severe weather conditions and safeguard the entire community from prolonged periods of loss and recovery.

Currently, South Seas is working with Lee County, local homeowners and community groups to address redevelopment plans. As part of Timbers’ overarching approach to stewardship, South Seas remains committed to environmental sustainability and conservation that will be reflected in its upcoming upgrades to include a more resilient golf course design, the replacement of invasive species with native plants, as well as larger community initiatives such as the restoration of the Red Fish Pass revetment and the reconstruction of the South Seas fishing pier.

Accepting Reservations

More than a dozen refurbished accommodations of varying types, each steps from the Gulf of Mexico including beach villas and beach homes are now available for reservations. By late summer the resort will have more than 50 accommodations available with the addition of marina villas, beach villas, and tennis villas.

Beach and Golf Experiences

Guests of South Seas have access to Sunset Beach, a private, pristine stretch of natural sand, with outstanding shelling, more than 250 types of seashells, and mesmerizing sunsets. The resort has a fire pit at Harborside patio for s’mores while family games and activities will be on the Marina lawn. The Yacht Club Marina is now open offering short-and long-term dockage across 2,400 linear feet with all boating essentials including fuel, electricity, bait, ice and snacks. From the Marina,

renowned fishing and boating charters are available as well as eco-cruises and nature tours. The Bayview Fishing Pier (the T-Dock) is being rebuilt and reopening soon, welcoming guests back to what is arguably the best view of Pine Island Sound, a place where countless Instagrams and wedding photos have been captured and the spot where many children over the last 75 years have caught their first fish. By mid-November, the resort will officially open the new, 12-hole, Beau Welling re-designed golf course aptly named The Clutch. The Clutch is a unique, family-friendly short course conceptualized by one of the top designers. The course will create something for everyone from beginners to avid golfers with challenging approach shots and pin placements.

The later phases of reopening will herald the introduction of new amenities and experiences for guests to enjoy. By late fall, South Seas Bayview (North Village) will open as a landscaped complex of three family-friendly pools, complete with winding water slides and reconfigured chaise lounges, new poolside private cabanas, tropical drinks at Tarpon Bar, and dive-in movie nights. South Seas Bayview will offer many experiences with breathtaking views of the bay.

“We extend our gratitude to our past guests for their outpouring of encouragement and well wishes during this time,” said Farrell. “We are thrilled to invite our guests back to create more unforgettable memories at South Seas.”

Culinary and Beverage

Starbucks is open and caffeinating Captiva while nearby, Provisions (formerly Captiva Provision Company) will open this fall with a redesigned market offering to-go grab wraps and sandwiches at the deli with fresh beverages, snacks,and gift items for all needs.Soon-to-debut throughout the resort, including on Sunset Beach, South Seas introduces two food trucks Shell City Burgers truck, featuring gourmet burgers and Island Tacos truck. Each will offer an upscale take on grab-n-go specialties with a robust beverage offering while the new resort restaurants finalize completion. The new Redfish Grille (previously The Pointe) will open in early 2024 with an abundance of outdoor seating and menu items that celebrate the essence of the Florida Gulf Coast. Patrons will enjoy cuisine such as grilled mahi tacos, seared grouper sandwich, steamed mussels, and more.

By the start of 2024, South Seas is slated to have all restaurant and pool experiences open and welcoming guests to a robust, familiar yet fresh experience.

In late September, South Seas looks forward to hosting the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and welcoming back the South Seas Farmers Market in late fall.

Destination

Half-a-mile from South Seas on Andy Rosse Lane, guests can enjoy shops and restaurants, including Mucky Duck, RC Otters,and others soon to open. Captiva and its sister island, Sanibel, are known to boast 230 species of birds, more than 20 miles of bike paths. The resort is a short drive from area attractions including J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and the spring training facilities of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.

Only 45 minutes, yet a world away, Captiva Island is connected to Florida’s mainland via Sanibel Causeway and a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” bridge over Blind Pass joining it to Sanibel Island.

Tucked away at the northern end of the five-mile long, one-half-mile wide Captiva Island, South Seas is between Pine Island Sound on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other side while situated on two-and-a-half miles of powder-white beaches lapped by turquoise tides. To learn more about South Seas, visit southseas.com or call 800-237-6000.

Source: South Seas