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Lee County · FL

Captiva homes for sale

Captiva homes for sale include gulf-front and bayside homes along Captiva Drive. You will also find properties near the village and homes within South Seas at the island's north end. Captiva is unincorporated, so Lee County's plans, permits and flood rules shape what you can buy and build. Read the Captiva community guide for daily life on the island.

Captiva homes for sale

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What kinds of homes are for sale on Captiva?

Captiva is a narrow barrier island north of Sanibel. The Captiva census area has 1.18 square miles of land. The county's Captiva Community Plan aims to keep the island's historic low-density residential pattern.

Gulf-front lots on Captiva Drive face the Gulf and the most surge exposure. Bayside lots trade beach access for calmer water and boat access. South Seas covers the northern two miles. It includes resort lodging, private homes and vacation rentals.

Where should I start looking on Captiva?

If you want to walk to the library and shops, start near Andy Rosse Lane and Chapin Lane in the village. If you want a dock, look bayside. For the shortest trip to Sanibel's stores and school, look at the south end near Blind Pass and Turner Beach.

If you want resort amenities and a managed rental program, look at South Seas. Read its association documents closely.

What buying tips are specific to Captiva?

Check the flood zone. See whether the home sits one foot above the base flood elevation, which Lee County requires for new work in high-risk zones. Ask for the Property Appraiser's structure value. It sets what the 50% rule allows for renovation.

Ask whether the home uses a septic system and when it was last inspected. Confirm association fees, rental rules and assessments, especially at South Seas.

Mariela can move fast when the right home appears. She can also give you time to compare Captiva with Sanibel. Start with the cost of living on Captiva, or schedule a call.

Common questions

Is Captiva part of Sanibel?

No. Captiva is an unincorporated island run by Lee County. Sanibel is its own city. You reach Captiva by driving through Sanibel and over the Blind Pass bridge.

Does Captiva have central sewer?

The county's Captiva plan calls for a study of other wastewater systems, including a possible central sewer. Until then, ask whether a property relies on septic. Include a septic inspection in your due diligence.

Can I rent out a Captiva home?

Florida law generally bars local governments from banning vacation rentals or limiting how long they last. The exception is a rule that dates to June 1, 2011, or earlier. Association rules, such as those at South Seas, often set their own terms.

Sources

  1. Captiva, Florida (2020 Census population, geography, access), Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  2. CPA2026-00005 – Captiva Community Plan Changes (Lee Plan Goal 23), Lee County Department of Community Development (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Understanding the 50% Rule – Substantial Improvement & Substantial Damage, Lee County Department of Community Development (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Captiva Erosion Prevention District, CEPD (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Alison Hagerup Beach Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Turner Beach, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Library Branch Locations (Captiva Memorial Library), Lee County Library System (read 2026-09-24)
  8. South Seas, South Seas (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Hurricane Re-Entry Passes (Sanibel and Captiva), City of Sanibel (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Island Water Association, Island Water Association (read 2026-09-24)
  11. About LCEC (service area), LCEC (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Tolls (LeeWay) – Lee County Standard Toll Fares, Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Sanibel Causeway, Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Bike or Hike on the Shared Use Path, City of Sanibel (read 2026-09-24)
  15. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (read 2026-09-24)
  16. HealthPark Medical Center, Lee Health (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Evacuation (zones, clearance times, evacuation transportation), Lee County Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  18. General Exemption Information, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Student Enrollment Plan 2026-2027, School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Florida Statutes 509.032 (vacation rentals), Florida Legislature (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Disaster and Flood Related Frequently Asked Questions (NFIP waiting period and limits), Village of Estero (read 2026-09-24)
  22. New Residents' Guide, Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Frequently Asked Questions, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference or "Portability", Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  25. 10% Assessment Limitation Frequently Asked Questions, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Florida's Property Tax System, Lee County Tax Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Real Estate Property Taxes, Lee County Tax Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Sales and Use Tax, Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for Calendar Year 2026 (DR-15DSS), Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Constitution of the State of Florida, Article VII, Section 5 (estate, inheritance and income taxes), The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  31. School Zones, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  32. School Grades, Florida Department of Education (read 2026-09-24)
  33. 2025-2026 School Grades Report (posted July 1, 2026), The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Charter Schools, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.