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Explore nature’s bounty at South Seas Island Resort. Wildlife exists nearly everywhere you look. Our resort village
is a protected wildlife sanctuary—a place where natural beauty surrounds you at every turn. Our beaches are world-famous
for shelling! Captiva Island is part of a plateau that extends for miles into the Gulf of Mexico and acts as a shelf upon
which shells gather. Winds, storms and waves deliver the shells right to your feet.
The “true” residents
All wildlife residing on the island and in the waters can be observed but please don’t ever touch.
Aquatic Life
Bottle-nosed Dolphin
West Indian Manatee
Loggerhead Turtle
Horseshoe Crab
Tarpon
Snook
Redfish
Spanish Mackerel
Grouper
Snapper
Cobia
Spotted Sea Trout
Avian Life
Brown Pelicans
Commorants
Great Egrets
Heron
Osprey
Seagulls
Skimmers
Spoonbills
White Ibis
Wildlife
Cuban Anole Lizards
Gopher Tortoise
Marsh Rabbits
Mexican Green Iguanas
Raccoons
Shelling
Our beaches are world-famous for shelling! Both novice and serious collectors can find a treasure trove of shells on a visit. Warm Gulf waters and white sandy beaches bear an incredible 400 species of shells here.
Where to Look
- High tide line is where you’ll find the most shells.
- Tidal pools are the best places to find the largest shells.
Timing
- The best time for shelling is at low tide, and the lower the tide the better.
- New and full moons mean that the tide will be at its lowest, so don’t just check the tide charts, check the moon charts as well.
- After a storm, particularly a winter storm, shelling is at its best.
- Windy days in particular, are the best days for shelling!
Please note that Florida law prohibits the collection of live shells. If it is still alive, please return it to the water. Also, South Seas Island Resort is devoted to clearly marking turtle nesting areas, so please remember to steer clear of any of these markings on the beaches.
Nature Center & Tours
Nature Center (North Pointe) - The nature center is the information center for “all things natural” at South Seas. Learn about Captiva’s indigenous plants and wildlife, including sea turtles, gentle manatees and wild osprey from the naturalists on a guided walk or one of the printed hand-outs. Shelling experiences, kayak expeditions, guided night beach walks, nature talks and bird-watching walks are all offered. Please see our activities calendar for more information. 1:00pm – 5:00pm; extension 3550 or 3374
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