South Seas

South Seas Resort, Captiva Island- Family Review

South Seas Resort has been on my radar for a while, and when they officially reopened in May 2025 after years of rebuilding following Hurricane Ian, I knew it was time to finally check it out and share the full picture with you all.

For those who aren't familiar, South Seas has long been one of the most iconic family resorts on the Gulf Coast. It sits on 330 acres at the very tip of Captiva Island and has always had a reputation as the kind of place families return to year after year. After Hurricane Ian devastated the island in September 2022, the resort spent the past few years completely rebuilding and restoring the property. The result is a refreshed, updated version of itself that still holds onto all the classic Captiva charm that made it special in the first place.

Big Trolley Fan

The Property

The first thing you notice when you arrive is that this place does not feel like a traditional hotel. It feels like its own little island community. Golf carts are everywhere, kids are biking around, and the property is massive enough that grandparents, parents, teenagers, and younger kids can all enjoy the trip in completely different ways without anyone feeling like they are compromising. That multigenerational and large group appeal is honestly one of South Seas' biggest strengths, and I saw it everywhere during our visit.

Accommodations

Accommodations range from traditional hotel style rooms to spacious one, two, three, and larger bedroom villas and private homes. Many of the villa style options come with full kitchens, living rooms, in unit laundry, and screened patios, which makes a longer stay feel much more relaxed and manageable, especially with young kids in tow.

One thing worth knowing when you are choosing where to stay is that the location of your accommodation within the resort makes a real difference in your day to day experience. The Lands Inn, Seabreeze, and Marina Villas are the closest options to the main pool area and most of the restaurants, making them the most convenient if you want to be right in the middle of everything. The Beachside and Bayside accommodations sit more toward the entrance of the resort, so they are a bit of a walk or golf cart ride to get to the main amenities, but they have their own charm and easy beach access that a lot of families love.

We stayed in a three bedroom Bayside Villa and were really happy with it. It was clean, well decorated with a classic coastal feel, and had everything we needed. Being in the Bayside area meant we were a little further from the main pool and restaurants, but we were within easy walking distance of the water park, arcade, shops, and about five minutes from the beach. Honestly the best way to get around the property is by golf cart, which you can also take off property into Captiva town, and I would highly recommend renting one. If not, bikes work great and the resort trolley is surprisingly efficient. We had a large group so we used the trolley almost exclusively and never waited more than five to eight minutes.

It’s also important for guests to note that many of the accommodations are privately owned residences managed through the resort’s rental program. Because of this, décor, furnishings, finishes, and other details may vary slightly from one unit to another.

Bayview Pool

The Pools

The main pool area is really lovely. There are chairs right along the Intracoastal with beautiful water views, and both pools have walk in entries which is perfect for young kids and toddlers. There is also a second pool area tucked away with two slides that is a great setup for families, though they are fairly strict about the 48 inch height requirement so just keep that in mind if you have younger ones. The Tarpon Bar at the pool was a great bonus and they even had a mimosa bar set up in the mornings, which was a very welcome touch.

Captiva Landing Waterpark

Captiva Landing Water Park

One of the most exciting additions during the rebuild is Captiva Landing, the brand new family water park that opened in late 2025. It has water slides, splash zones, a lazy river, pools, cabanas, and casual dining options, with areas designed for both younger kids and adults who want to relax nearby. What I really appreciated is that it still feels very Captiva and island inspired rather than loud or theme park-y. It was the perfect size too. Big enough for older kids to have some independence and run off with friends, but not so overwhelming that you lose track of little ones. One thing worth knowing as a parent: there are attendants at the top of the slides but no lifeguards stationed throughout the park, so just keep that in mind depending on the ages of your kids.

The water park closes at 5pm which honestly worked out perfectly for us. We would head over to the beach afterward and play as the sun went down. Our typical day ended up being the main pool in the morning, beach for a few hours, water park in the afternoon, and then back to the beach to watch the sunset. There was always something to do and it never felt rushed.

The Beach House Sunsets

Dining

South Seas added several new dining options as part of the reopening, and Beach House has quickly become the standout. We had dinner there one evening sitting outside on the beach and it was one of those nights that just works. There were probably 40 kids running around playing cornhole and soccer while the parents actually got to sit, eat, and enjoy a proper meal together. The food was solid and the sunset views are hard to beat. My one wish would be a better wine selection, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it. We brought a metal detector that evening and my five year old spent two full hours making friends on the beach and hunting for treasure while we finished our drinks. That is a parenting win right there.

Redfish is the more elevated dining option on property and worth a visit if you want something a little more special one evening.

The Bubble Room

For off property dining, Captiva Island itself is genuinely making a comeback. The Bubble Room reopened last summer after being closed for three years following the hurricane and it is an absolute must. It is completely one of a kind with the most wonderfully over the top whimsical vintage holiday décor you have ever seen. Kids are obsessed with it. Order the flaming cheese, no exceptions. The Mucky Duck is another great local option right on the beach and one of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset over the Gulf.

Kids Fishing Tournament, Liam caught a fish!

Activities

Beyond the pools and water park, the resort has a nine hole golf course, a marina, tennis and pickleball courts, beach rentals, bike rentals, fishing charters, and shelling excursions, along with direct access to one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on Captiva Island. The scheduled resort activities throughout the week were a really nice bonus that I did not expect. During our Memorial Day weekend visit there were squirt gun and inflatable games on the lawn, a nighttime silent disco and glow stick party at the golf course, and what ended up being the absolute highlight of the trip for my kids: the annual Memorial Weekend fishing tournament. The resort had about five staff members helping kids with rods, bait, and technique, and my son Liam was over the moon when he caught a jack fish. That kind of moment is exactly what a trip like this is all about.

Silent Disco, glow stick party

What's Coming

South Seas is still evolving, and there are some really exciting additions in the works. The resort is currently building a full spa and a larger fitness center over by the marina, which is going to be a fantastic addition and honestly fills one of the few gaps the property has right now. It will make South Seas an even more well-rounded destination, especially for adults who want a little more on the wellness side of things. Worth keeping an eye on as those open.

The Verdict

The overall vibe at South Seas is pure relaxed Florida island life. Barefoot kids after the pool, biking to get ice cream at sunset, collecting shells on the beach, slow evenings watching the Gulf turn pink. It is not an ultra luxury polished resort experience and it does not try to be, but that is actually part of what makes it so great. For families wanting an easy, activity filled beach vacation with room for everyone, it genuinely delivers on every level.

The boys had an absolute blast and are already asking when we can go back. If you are planning a multigenerational trip, a large group getaway, or just a classic Gulf Coast family vacation that works for every age, South Seas belongs on your list. It is one I will be recommending without hesitation.

Questions about planning a trip to South Seas or exploring Captiva Island? I am always happy to help. Reach out anytime.

Leslie Sand, Luxe Latitudes Travel Co.