CAPTIVA, Florida— South Seas resort, located on Florida’s Captiva Island, celebrated its first phase of re-opening this summer. The property will continue to rebuild into 2024, after being closed for nearly a year due to damage from Hurricane Ian in September 2022.
The resort on the 330-acre island in Florida’s Gulf Coast began a phased reopening in July and will continue to add new amenities over the next few months “to expand our offerings to our friends and family returning to our seaside home,” according to the resort’s website.
South Seas’ reconstruction process, led by Timbers Co., is expected to continue into next year.
The resort began accepting reservations for some of its beachfront Homes of Distinction and Villa accommodations this summer. Guests have access to the resort’s 2.5 miles of white-sand beaches, known for their sunsets and seashells.
However, “while we continue to make progress on our recovery efforts, many areas of the resort remain under construction and some amenities will be more limited than you are accustomed to,” the resort said in a statement.
In addition to the resort’s private beach set-up and programming, guests have access to Starbucks, several restaurants on Andy Rosse Lane, and two new food trucks.
Guests can also take advantage of a variety of on-property experiences and amenities, including dockage and other services at Yacht Harbour Marina. Throughout the year, the resort will open a new 12-hole golf course, called The Clutch, and the South Seas Bayview (North Village), a complex with three pools that feature waterslides, private cabanas and the Tarpon Bar.
The new gourmet burger and taco food trucks will complement the resort’s dining options, including the forthcoming Redfish Grille. South Seas expects to have all restaurant and pool experiences ready in early 2024.
“Hurricane Ian posed significant challenges for our beloved Captiva Island and South Seas, yet we found an opportunity to thoughtfully plan for future rejuvenation and improvement of our amenities and services while preserving the resort’s distinctive charm and heritage,” General Manager Shawn Farrell said in a press statement.
“While our closure has been challenging for everyone involved, and our rebuilding continues, we aim to further enhance the experiences our guests have cherished for generations. We are continuing to work tirelessly to bring the Captiva magic back to South Seas, and while we finish these next phases of restoration and construction, we cannot wait to share South Seas with guests.”
The resort is working with Florida developer and designer Timbers Co. not only to restore the property but also to future-proof it, with a focus on ensuring the resort will be able to withstand severe weather events. Part of the resort’s efforts with local officials include rebuilding the South Seas fishing pier and replacing invasive plant species with native plants.
For more information, please visit southseas.com.
