Why Captiva Island is Perfect for Traveling with Parents

Traveling with your parents is a lot different than traveling with your friends or significant other…well, and in my case, extremely different than traveling solo. But that’s why I’m so happy that Captiva Island made for the perfect trip with my mom. I tend to travel a bit dangerously and on my own time, but if I can take mom traveling, something I know she loves to do, I’ll adjust a bit so that we can have the best possible time.

There are some people who have identical personalities with their parents, which makes it a lot easier when it comes to traveling. Then there are people like me, who are stubborn little travel know-it-alls and adventure junkies, who have to try very hard to contain themselves from running off and climbing a tree. But I do, because the greatest and proudest thing I can do for my mom, is travel with her, so I make sure to find a balance so that we’re both happy, and a lot of that has to do with the destination.

Recently I took my mom to Captiva Island in Florida; basically the epitome of a perfect destination to travel with your parents. Here’s why:

It’s a Close Destination that Seems Miles Away

If you’re just going to a mainland beach in Florida, you’re definitely going to feel like you’re still in the United States. But even though Captiva Island isn’t a far drive from the mainland Fort Myers area, it’ll still make you feel like you’re miles away, because it’s simply just something you’ve probably never seen before.

Not only does Captiva Island have miles and miles of pristine, white sandy beaches that are packed with some of the most beautiful seashells in the world, but if you take a cruise away from its shores, you’ll feel like your sailing away through some exotic islands in Micronesia. That makes it the perfect getaway destination to take your parents, because you don’t have to travel very far to feel far away.

It Has a Homey Yet Vacationey Vibe

Sometimes family vacations can get overwhelming. I know my mom prefers to feel comfortable at home rather than go stay at a hotel most of the time, which is why Captiva Island’s South Seas Island Resort was the perfect place for us to stay. Instead of a typical hotel room, we had a two bedroom, two bathroom villa, that felt more like a homey apartment than fancy resort. It also was great because it gave us our own space and privacy, something many of us definitely need when traveling with our parents!

But as soon as we stepped outside and onto the beach of Captiva Island, it was like we were immediately transported to a tropical paradise, with no passports required.

There’s Plenty of Places to Relax

Most parents like to relax, actually, you probably do too, which is another reason why Captiva Island is perfect for traveling with your parents. Not only are there endless areas of the beach for you to lounge on, but the pools at South Seas were seriously just unreal. I’m talking infinity pool views over the ocean, and a palm tree for pretty much everyone to lounge under.

There’s Also Plenty of Adventures

Here’s where there’s usually an unbalance when I travel with my mom; I like to do insane adventures, and she likes to relax and do mini-adventures. But, as long as there’s some sort of adventure in there, I’m happy to take my adventure-ambitiousness down a notch so that we can find a happy medium…and not get her injured or overwhelmed.

The adventure I think we enjoyed the most was taking Captiva Cruises around the smaller islands, where we saw dolphins jumping in our wake, and even a manatee near the docks! They also served us snacks and drinks, including our favorite white wine (Chardonnay), which always ensures that it’s going to be a great adventure day.

We also attempted parasailing, and by “we attempted”, I mean she came with me on the boat, but after she saw me go way up in the parachute, decided that she preferred to take photos from the boat instead. It was perfect though, like I had my own personal photographer for once instead of having to use my GoPro pole!

Then there was the adventure that she enjoyed the most; kayaking through the mangrove jungle. It was a great balance of relaxing and adventure, because she got to do her slow, calm, kayaking, and I got to go in a jungle. Keeping the oars in synch is another story though.

You Can Bond Over the Food

I always say, “When in doubt, eat.” Not really, but now that I think about it, I might start. Eating is never something anyone can complain about, and with food as delicious as the options they had on Captiva Island, you really can’t go wrong.

My mom is a huge foodie, which, I’m sure most parents probably are, so she was definitely loving the island food options like coconut shrimp with mango salsa, citrus-chili lobster salad, and of course, stone crab claws. She even got to have a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” at the nearby island of Cabbage Key, where Jimmy Buffet is said to have first sang the lyrics to the famous song.

And It’s Always 5 O’Clock

It was definitely always 5 o’clock in Captiva Island when my mom and I were there! Not to sound like alcoholics or anything, but we were just always on island time, and that time means it’s always time for a mojito or rum runner. Good thing there’s a massive tiki bar by the South Seas’ double pools, complete with little cocktail umbrellas, heavy pours, and even a guy on the steel drums, singing island tunes for everyone to enjoy.

I know I already mentioned the Captiva Cruises ride, but that’s another example of it always being 5 o’clock on Captiva Island. I mean, who doesn’t love a good booze cruise with their parents around sunny, tropical islands?

Yep. Taking my mom to Captiva Island was definitely one of the best ideas I’ve ever had. Just seeing the smile on her face, and how excited she was talking about it, was enough to wash any worry I’ve ever had away. I don’t get to spend much time with her, but I can say that this little adventure definitely made up for some of the lost time.

Disclaimer: This blog post is in collaboration with the Beaches of Myers and Sanibel, however all stories, opinions, and photos are my own!