The first question almost every guest asks is how you actually get to North Captiva. The short answer is by boat, every time. There is no bridge to the island and no way to drive on. That is mildly inconvenient for about ninety minutes, and then it becomes the whole reason the island feels the way it does.
Option 1: The North Captiva Island Club ferry
The club ferry departs the mainland dock at 5576 Doug Taylor Circle. A ten-minute shuttle takes you to the boat, then it is roughly thirty minutes across the sound. It runs several times a day rather than around the clock, and reservations are required. Call 239-283-1001 or book through northcaptiva.com.
Because a stay at Dream Catcher includes North Captiva Island Club membership for the length of your visit, the club ferry is the route most of our guests take.
Option 2: The Island Girl Charters water taxi
Island Girl Charters runs a daily water taxi connecting Pine Island, North Captiva and Cabbage Key, out of 13921 Waterfront Drive in Bokeelia. Book about twenty-four hours ahead: 239-633-8142, islandgirlcharters.com. It is the useful option when your travel day does not line up with a ferry departure.
Option 3: Bringing your own boat
Slips are available at the island marina through the Island Club. If you are bringing your own boat, tell us when you send your inquiry and we will point you to the right dock and the current slip arrangements.
Book the crossing before anything else
Both the ferry and the water taxi run on a schedule and need a reservation, so book at least twenty-four hours ahead, and earlier in high season. It is the one part of the trip that cannot be improvised, and it is worth calling to confirm rather than assuming a posted time still holds.
Time your arrival around the house
Check-in at Dream Catcher is 4:00pm and check-out is 9:00am. The early check-out is not arbitrary: morning boats leave early, and the day works better when your crossing and your departure are planned together.
What happens when you land
Once you land you are met at the dock and taken to the house. Two golf carts come with your stay, which is how you get around, because there are no cars anywhere on the island. Dream Catcher sits on the south side, on the last street before the 350-acre nature preserve, about five minutes from the Gulf beach.
One thing worth arranging early
Everything you bring crosses on a boat. Island Market delivers on-island, and groceries can be arranged and waiting when you walk in. Ask when you send your inquiry and skip the first-night supply run entirely.
Once your dates are set we send exact arrival details. If you are still working through the logistics, Plan Your Stay covers the rest, and you can always just ask us.
Blogs
