Good morning from South Seas Marina on Captiva Island. Since the last post, we spent a rainy day in Punta Gorda, saw some great friends we have made on the loop, and had the best travel day yet!

While we were in Punta Gorda we received almost 9″ of rain. The boat gets small when you sit inside for 8 hours and can’t go explore. We did meet some loopers in the marina for lunch and had some great friends come over and join us for dinner.

It is a large marina with a huge in and out service for small boats.

Not sure I would want my boat on the top shelf with the winds we have been having!

Pano view from the back of our boat showing about 1/2 the harbor. This was Burnt Store Marina.

Great dinner with fantastic loop friends. Two just crossed their wake and the other two will continue looping until SC.

It was a very well protected marina and we enjoyed spending two nights there with the storms that hit FL. We were safe and slept really well with the high winds.

Wednesday morning we waited until 11am to let some of the waves calm down before heading toward Captiva Island. We only had 27 miles to travel so we were not worried about timing for arrival.

Leaving Burnt Store. The marina is actually tucked in behind all those condos.

Heading out into Port Charlotte Harbor. The waves calmed down nicely! And we have sun!!

Approaching the ICW again and the run by Cayo Casto, Useppa Island, and down toward Captiva.

Oh yeah, we also had to pass by Cabbage Key. When we were young and spending time on Sanibel Island, we would rent a small boat and run up to Cabbage Key to have lunch at the famous dollar bill restaurant. That is not the name, but what our family called it.

We called ahead and the harbormaster said they had enough depth for us to bring the big boat in!

The turn in off the ICW into Cabbage Key.

The dock is straight ahead for the big boats.

Once again had to tie up in an unusual manner! Love only have having posts out to mid ship.

We had plenty of depth, and we are now a little boat in this area. Welcome to FL!

It has changed a lot since we were here almost 20 years ago. They now have cottages for rent as well as a marina house, gift shop, and the restaurant has been expanded a lot.

This is why we call it the dollar bill restaurant. You can sign a dollar and they have tape for you to stick it up anywhere in the original area of the facility. They estimate almost $100,000 fill the walls and ceiling. They take down and donate $10,000 to a charity annually.

Being tall, I was able to find a clean spot and put up a Who Dat marker! If you are ever there, you will have to look for it!

They also have the turtles still. Our boys played with these when they were young.

After a great lunch, and even better memories, we headed south another 12 miles to Captiva Island. It was an easy run on the ICW and we arrived at South Seas Marina at 3PM.

This is another well protected harbor and has been completely rebuilt after Ian damaged the area.

The very well marked and narrow channel into the marina.

Safely in our slip and ready to explore Captiva and Sanibel for a of couple days.

Some of our old watering holes are rebuilt and back open.

They have recently opened: The Bubble Room (dessert room only), The Green Flash, Tween Waters full facility, and most of the village on Captiva. We will head down to Sanibel today, which was hit much harder. By the way, South Seas also got hit hard and is in the process of rebuilding. They have the marina, three pools, and two food trucks here on property as they are rebuilding the condos around the area.

After doing a little exploring, we were back to the harbor to relax. They have new grills, a fire pit, and a sun set for us to enjoy!

There were five other boats here last night, but as I write this, three are leaving. We have the harbor almost completely to ourselves. Two other boats that belong to one local and a fellow looper that has a house here on the island. We will do dinner with the loopers tonight!

Had a very relaxing evening and are looking forward to exploring today. Tomorrow we will head south to Naples and are looking forward to meeting up with some DC friends!

The travel log for the day.

Until the next post, have a great rest of your week and stay warm.