facebook

How to Prepare for a Captiva Island Cottages Trip

Up your Southwest Florida vacation relaxation experience by booking Captiva Island cottages for rent. We can help you find the perfect Captiva cottage.

By Brand Ambassador | April 9, 2021

Is there anything more relaxing than heading to Florida for a vacation to get some sand, surf and sun time? There is, actually. Up your Southwest Florida vacation relaxation experience by booking Captiva Island cottages for rent. We can help you find the perfect Captiva cottage. 

The best decisions for booking Captiva Island cottages for rent while you are on vacation in Florida is to enjoy the full island-life experience. Staying in a Captiva cottage includes perks like staying close to boat rentals, being steps from nearby docks and beaches and having great waterfront views from your rental cottage. 

We have the tips you need to experience Captiva cottage life on your next Florida vacation. 

Captiva Island Cottages Tips and Tricks

captiva island cottages tips and tricks

Once you visit Captiva Island you never want to leave. So don’t leave. The best tip we can give you is to find Captiva Island cottages for rent so you can stay on the island and immerse yourself in relaxation with all of Florida’s natural beauty surrounding you. We have some answers to your Captiva questions below so you can plan for a trip and stay awhile!

What Should I Pack for Captiva Island?

It’s time to pack for Captiva Island. Here’s a list of everything you need to bring to this gorgeous barrier island: 

  • Snacks
  • Beverages
  • A cooler
  • Games
  • Books
  • Casual and dinner outfit clothes
  • A jacket for cooler nights
  • Pajamas
  • Socks
  • Accessories and underwear for each day 
  • Lots of bathing suits
  • Sandals
  • Dress shoes
  • Hats to protect your face from the sun
  • Sunscreen
  • A beach bag
  • Toiletries
  • A beach umbrella
  • Beach chairs

What Should I Bring to Captiva Island Cottages?

It’s important to check with your rental agent or cottage rental desk to see what is included in your rental and what you might want to bring with you so you are comfortable throughout your stay. To be safe, consider packing or checking to see if the following items are included in your Captiva cottage: 

  • Cottages are cleaned before arrival but any cleaning products you might want for a longer stay
  • Paper napkins
  • Paper plates for easy cleanup
  • ANything you need to cook with like spices, olive oil, etc. 
  • Pots and pans
  • Dish soap
  • Laundry detergent
  • A flashlight
  • Groceries you can pick up before you check in

How to Prepare for a Beach Cottage

There are some tips you might not think about until after you arrive on your trip. Utilize these tips to plan ahead: 

  • Arrive with food and items from the mainland. Some items may be a little more expensive to purchase on an island. 
  • Don’t pack too much and leave space in the car for souvenirs. 
  • BringZiploc baggies for leftover food and collecting shells. 
  • Bring as many waterproof containers as you can. 
  • Don’t forget your favorite coffee.
  • Vacationers always forget their cell phone chargers. Don’t be that person. 
  • Notepads and pens to keep score during game night. 
  • Bring a good book for the beach.

What Can You Do at a Cottage With Friends?

Looking for some ideas to have fun with your friends in a vacation cottage and the surrounding area? We recommend: 

  • Barbecuing your fishing catch and other meals
  • Stargazing
  • Share fishing tales
  • Going kayaking
  • Go shopping 
  • Make s’mores outside
  • Go out to dinner and enjoy fresh island fare
  • Go hiking at Cayo Costa State Park

What Are Some Things I Should Know About Captiva Island? 

To really impress your friends and family while on vacation on Captiva Island, drop these fun facts throughout your vacation: 

  • A hurricane in 1921 separated North Captiva from Captiva Island
  • There are no cars on North Captiva, only golf carts and it’s only accessible by boat
  • Cayo Costa is the island to visit by boat to explore the state park 
  • Captiva Island and its sister island, Sanibel Island, are famous for shelling. Read on to learn more. 

What is Shelling?

Shelling is what you call the pastime of looking for shells and sand dollars. This is a world renowned activity on Sanibel Island but can be done on any beach! The Southwest Florida area alone has more than 250 species of seashells to look for, including sand dollars, coquinas and the highly desirable junonia shell. 

Here are some tips for shelling first timers: 

  • Try shelling at low tide, during a strong current or after a storm has brought more shells to shore
  • Leave creatures in live shells alone
  • Bring a bucket or bag to hold your shells
  • Enjoy the activity before sunrise or sunset
  • Bring a hat, sunscreen and other beach items

What is the Best Month for Shelling? 

Shell collectors like to converge on Southwest Florida any time of the year. Those looking for the best time to go shelling, though, should circle anytime from October through November for optimum shelling. Why? During these months, the tides are at their lowest levels, which means more shells rising to the surface of the shoreline for you to find!

Are There Sharks in Captiva Island? 

Sharks live throughout the Gulf waters but there is good news! There has never been a documented incident of a shark attack on Captiva Island. You can feel confident being in the water and enjoying the shoreline any time of year here.

Captiva Island Bungalows Versus Cottages

Cottages, houses, bungalows. What‘s the difference? We have you covered below. 

What Makes a House a Cottage?

A bungalow is typically a house that’s low to the ground with a large front porch that usually has no upper floor. A cottage is a quaint smaller in stature home with a porch or patio that typically sits near the beach or lake. 

Is a Cottage Bigger than a Bungalow?

A cottage is usually labeled as a small house that is often labeled historic. The definition of a “cottage home” even is typically labeled as a vacation home in some countries, including England. 

A bungalow is typically a detached house that might contain a small loft. It has a single story or might include a second-story with a sloping roof and dormer windows. 

Cottages are typically bigger than bungalows. 

What Does Cottage Mean? 

Years ago, a cottage was a term for a small residence for a former or land laborer. Today a cottage could mean anything from a cute vacation home to a cute historical home or a mother-in-law suite that sits as another single family detached dwelling on a property. 

What is Another Word for Cottage? 

Other words for a cottage include: 

  • Retreats
  • Abodes
  • Villas
  • Chalets
  • Huts
  • Lodge
  • Camp
  • Guesthouse
  • Alley flats

Captiva Beach Tips

captiva beach tips

It’s important to have the beach necessities for your Captiva Island beach trip. We recommend the following: 

  • Beach mats or blankets
  • Buckets and shovels for the kids
  • No-see-um spray and bug spray
  • A wagon to hold your beach supplies to and from your cottage
  • Fitted sheets turned upside down with coolers and other items holding down the corners help create a sand-free zone. 

What are the Perks of a Marina Cottage?

We can’t stress enough what a pleasure it is to rent a cottage that is just steps away from a marina with access to boats, kayaks, docks for fishing and more. 

At Jensen’s Twin Palm Marina and Cottages™, we offer all those Captiva watersports options and more. These include: 

  • Florida boat rentals that include pontoon, center console and Boston Whaler options
  • 35 wet slips for visitors
  • Docks for guest fishing
  • Kayak rentals that include one-person and tandem boats
  • Ability to schedule a sunset tour or water taxi trip

Jensen’s Marina™ Captiva Services

At Jensen’s Marina™ on Captiva Island, we offer other services at the marina and on the water with your family and friends. This includes:

  • Impromptu live music events in the evenings
  • Bait
  • Tackle
  • A quaint museum that shows you the history of fishing on Captiva Island
  • Ice
  • Gas
  • Coolers
  • T-Shirts, hats and more at the Ship Store 
  • Free WiFi
  • Fishing off our private dock for cottage guests
  • Close to nearby restaurants, galleries and shops

Jensen’s Marina™ Boat Offerings

Boston Whalers

Rent an 18” Boston Whaler with a 150-horsepower Yamaha four-stroke motor that holds up to six people and has a 1,000-pound weight capacity for your fishing crew and your gear. 

Center Console Boats

A center console boat is ideal for boating excursions. Enjoy an 18-foot center console boat that holds up to five people for a fun fishing getaway in Pine Island Sound and other great spots.

Pontoon Fishing Boats

Pontoon boats with bimini tops to shade you from the Florida sun are in high demand. Luckily for you, Jensen’s Marina™ has pontoon boat options with more on the way. These boats are perfect for families and friends cruising the Gulf of Mexico or Intracoastal Waterway. Pontoon boats with livewell pumps to hold your bait make for a great fishing boat party option too. 

Our 24-foot pontoon boats with 115-horsepower motors can accommodate up to 12 people. 

Where Should I Stay on Captiva or Sanibel Island? 

where should I stay on captiva or sanibel island

You know so much about Captiva Island cottages for rent now. By this time we hope you agree that Captiva Island cottages for rent is the best place you can be to experience real Florida in all its coastal splendor. 

Jensen’s Twin Palm Marina and Cottages™ offers the best of both worlds. You can experience all that Jensen’s Marina™ has to offer in the form of rental boats, Captiva kayak rentals, fishing trips and more, combined with a Captiva Island cottage for rent right on the marina property just steps from the dock!

Read on to find out how you can experience Captiva Island cottages for rent on Captiva Island today. 

Captiva Cottages for Rent

captiva cottages for rent

Here at Jensen’s Marina™, we offer 14 historic cottages for you to enjoy Old Florida at its finest. Whether you decide to stay for a long weekend or for a week or more, Jensen’s Marina™ has a wide variety of quaint cottages near the water to choose from. 

These cottages include: 

Studio Cottages

Our studio cottages  that sleeps up to two guests at Jensen’s Marina™ include:

  • A king size bed
  • Sitting area
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • A dining table and chairs
  • A bathroom with a full shower
  • Screened porch with patio furniture

Cottage Suites

Our cottage suites for up to two guests includes: 

  • A queen size bed
  • A sitting area with a television
  • Full service kitchen
  • Separate dining room
  • Enclosed porch includes a patio table and chairs
  • A bathroom with a shower

Balcony Suites

Take in panoramic views of Jensen’s Marina™ with a balcony suite that sleeps up to two guests that includes:

  • Second-floor balconies
  • A queen bedroom suite
  • Living area and television
  • Full kitchen
  • Dining table and chairs
  • A bathroom with a shower

King Suites

Enjoy full-king suites that sleep up to two people and include: 

  • First-floor access
  • Closest proximity to the marina
  • Living and dining area
  • Television
  • Full-service kitchen
  • A full-bath
  • A patio

Two-Bedroom/One Bathroom Cottages

Our two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottages sleep up to four people and include:

  • An open concept floor plan
  • Living room and dining room spaces
  • A queen bed main bedroom
  • Second bedroom with two twin beds
  • An enclosed patio
  • Just steps from the marina

Two Bedroom/Two Bathroom Cottages

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage option also sleeps up to four people but offers: 

  • Additional space
  • A second bathroom
  • Living room and dining room
  • A main bedroom with a king bed and in-suite bathroom
  • A second bedroom with two twin beds
  • Access to a second bathroom off a hallway
  • An enclosed patio

Book the Best Cottages on Captiva Island Today!

Jensen’s Marina™ offers the best cottages on Captiva Island. Visitors have access to to the marina and all on-site amenities, which include: 

  • A private fishing dock
  • A picnic area
  • Barbecue grills
  • Tiki huts
  • A Marina Store
  • A Fishing Museum full of local history
  • Wi-Fi
  • Just a short walk away from the beach
  • Close proximity to Captiva restaurants

We can’t wait for you to experience Captiva Island cottages for rent with all the charm and casual laid-back elegance that the island has to offer. It’s so easy. Book your cottage today by just calling us up and reserving a Captiva cottage for the weekend, a fishing trip or just a relaxing getaway to the barrier islands. 

Jensen’s Twin Palm
Marina and Cottages™

15107 Captiva Drive
Captiva, FL 33924

(833) 668-7768
© Copyright 2023 | Royal Shell ® | All Rights Reserved