The Island World Off the Coast of Southwest Florida
The island world off the coast of Southwest Florida is incredibly diverse. It ranges from tiny mangrove islands, uninhabited nature reserves, and tropical fruit plantations to fully developed tourist hotspots and private islands, where the elite gathers.
While the islands connected to the mainland by bridges are well known, there are several islands along the coast that can only be reached by water and are therefore not necessarily on the usual tourist agenda.
Each of these islands is unique in its own way. Although they are relatively close to one another, each has a distinct character.
"You won’t see anything but tropical islands today!" promises the captain of the Captiva Cruises tour boat.
A glance at the map confirms this: We are in the middle of Pine Island Sound, a paradise for boaters, with no mainland in sight. To the left is Captiva Island, to the right is Pine Island, and in between, the waters are dotted with countless small islands.
It’s no surprise that this area is one of the world's most popular boating destinations. The barrier islands provide excellent protection, making these waters calm and ideal for cruising.
For those without the luxury of owning a boat, there are plenty of ferries, water taxis, and tour boats available.
The Captiva Cruises boat departs daily from the Marina at South Seas Plantation Resort, located at the northern tip of Captiva Island.
A five-hour round trip takes visitors to either Cabbage Key or Useppa Island, both situated close to each other—so the choice is yours.
Once on the island, guests have two hours to enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant before heading back.
One of the highlights is the beautiful arrival and departure, where passengers can admire the surrounding island scenery from the upper deck.
During the ride, a crew member shares fascinating information, including:
The first stop is Cabbage Key.
As the boat docks, the small harbor is buzzing with activity—it's a sunny Sunday, and many people had the same idea: “Let’s go to Cabbage Key for lunch!”
Cabbage Key is a private island, and as the name suggests, it’s not very large. The main attractions here include:
The main house, now the heart of the Cabbage Key Inn, was built in the 1920s by author Mary Roberts Rinehart, who purchased the island for $2,500 as a winter retreat. It was later expanded into an inn.
The house features several unique architectural details, including:
Electricity was originally provided by a generator, but later, an underwater cable was installed.
The most famous attraction on Cabbage Key is its legendary bar, where thousands of signed dollar bills cover the walls, ceiling, and other surfaces.
The tradition began when local fishermen, who were regular customers, would leave a signed dollar bill whenever they had extra cash. This way, they could use it later if they ever ran out of money—a kind of credit system.
The bartender decided to pin the bills to the wall until they were redeemed. Today, it has become a tradition for visitors to leave their own signed bills, and you can find messages from travelers from all over the world.
During winter season and weekends, the restaurant gets very busy—sometimes requiring a wait of 30 minutes or more.
But waiting is not a problem: Sitting on the terrace under the shade of poinciana trees and palm trees, watching the boats come and go in the small harbor, makes for a relaxing experience.
The Cabbage Key Inn is built on a shell mound—a historic midden of discarded shells left by the Calusa Native Americans, who once ruled this region.
At 1.5 meters high, the shell mound is one of the tallest natural land elevations in Southwest Florida. Walking uphill here is a rare experience in this otherwise flat landscape.
For an even better view, visitors can climb the old water tower for a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding islands.
The boat ride from Marker 101 (after passing the Manatee Zone) takes approximately two hours at a speed of 15 mph.
Cabbage Key: Pure nature offers Pure. Cabbage Key features secluded.
Bedroom: 3 (2 King, 2 Twin )
Bathroom: 2
