North Captiva Island, located off the Gulf Coast of Florida, is a tropical paradise known for its secluded beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush vegetation. It’s a popular destination for holidaymakers looking for a little piece of heaven. The island is home to many vacation rentals, including Tortuga Paradise’s Green Tortuga and Tortuga Sunset properties.
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian hit North Captiva, making it the first landfall of two Category 4/5 hurricanes in American history. Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage to the island. Homes and infrastructure were destroyed, and the island’s residents and businesses were left to pick up the pieces. The community of North Captiva has come together to begin to rebuild and restore the island to its former glory. Today, while the island is in the process of being meticulously restored; the serene beaches, lush vegetation, and crystal clear waters are again beginning to draw visitors from all over the world.
Damage and Recovery Efforts
Hurricane Ian brought heavy winds and rain to North Captiva, causing significant damage to the island. In its wake, many of the island’s buildings were severely damaged, and debris was scattered everywhere. The island’s infrastructure, including power lines, also sustained damage. North Captiva Island was left in a state of disarray. It was a daunting task even to begin the process of rebuilding.
However, the residents and businesses of North Captiva were determined to rebuild. The island’s residents, in the days following the storm, formed the “North Captiva Strong” movement. They designed t-shirts and cookbooks, which they sold to raise money for the recovery efforts. Local boat captains and boat owners formed the “North Captiva Navy” to bring people and essentials to the island. The island’s residents also voted to donate their entire island access fund to help those in need. The resilient spirit of the island’s community has really shone through, and a concerted effort is underway to restore the island to its former beauty. Residents, contractors, and volunteers are working tirelessly to clear debris and make repairs. The island’s power has been restored, and essential services have been brought back online.
As the people of Upper Captiva banded together to rebuild and recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ian, they received vital aid from the county government. Lee County officials worked tirelessly to ensure that the necessary supplies such as water, gasoline, and medical equipment reached the island. The Lee County Electric Cooperative, with the help of line workers from across the country, worked around the clock to restore power to the island. The process is still underway and it has been challenging because only boats can access the island, making the transportation of building materials and equipment difficult and slow. Removing debris from the island is still ongoing.
North Captiva Strong by Jeffrey Fox
North Captiva Strong:
Upper Captiva Island (aka, North Captiva Island)is a speck, a 1.37 square mile bit of beaches and flora seven miles from the Florida mainland, out in the Gulf of Mexico. There is no bridge to Upper Captiva, and it is not easy to find. But Hurrian Ian found Upper Captiva, as did Ian’s satanic forehear,
Hurricane Charley. These two brutal storms were preceded by Hurricane 6 which created Upper Captiva in October 1921.
Imagine. The Gulf of Mexico is 617,000 sq. miles. There are 8,436 miles of Florida Coastline. Yet, the only place in American history to be the first landfall for two Category 4⁄5 hurricanes is Upper Captiva.
Tiny Upper Captiva, 800 or so acres of tropical flora, glistening beaches, gopher tortoises, and loving and lovely homeowners, workers, and friends.
There are no cars on Upper Captiva. No store, Starbucks, motels, resident police, post office, and no zip code.
All Upper Captiva has is courage, generosity, and grit.
Upper Captiva is part of Lee County. In ordinary times, Lee County provides Upper Captiva with occasional mosquito control, flyovers, and superb ice and snow removal. These are not ordinary times.
Hurricane Ian pounded UC with 155+ mph winds, waterfalls of rain, and mountains of seawater. Ian devastated Pine Island, Matlacha, and Fort Myers Beach, destroying homes, bridges, and boats, knocking out the grid, and killing people. Upper Captiva knew they would be the last priority for Lee County. They understood fellow Floridians should come first. The homeowners and residents of UC were on their own. No complaints. No fretting, No Boo-hoo-hoo.
The people came together. They united and helped each other. They collaborated, watched over neighbors’ empty houses, boarded and targeted others’ damaged walls and roofs, shared generators, and scarce gasoline and propane. They shared stores of water, tools, batteries, and hundreds of bags of ice; anything and everything they had that another needed.
One, or more homeowners, with generator-powered water offered showers to anyone. Bring your own towels. A self-described barbeque master grilled hot dogs and hamburgers freely hosting forty, fifty, and sixty residents and workers every noon. Bring your own napkins. One donated ice. Take a bag, leave a bag for another.
Upper Captiva replaced talk with action. UC homeowners prioritized getting money, their money, into the pockets of people whose island jobs, and in many cases, mainland houses, were washed away. Upfront money. No questions. No receipts, No contracts. No red tape.
People with means gave more than they should. People with lesser means gave more than they could.
Alas, in times of catastrophe, there are the immoral, the malign, and those without honor. The runaways, the profiteers, the price gougers, the takers. But be it known that one Calusa God, a serious God, the Fierce Spirit of weather saw all…and doesn’t forgive.
The good and great people of UC began at dawn to clear the island’s quaint seashell lanes, by hand, with small tools. The air throbbed with chainsaws and generators and air hammers. The people never quit; they paused work at dusk.
In days, UC designed “North Captiva Strong” t-shirts. They announced the forthcoming publication of a North Captiva Strong Cookbook, composed of local island recipes. UC began selling shirts, caps, and cookbooks to friends of the island throughout the world.
In days, UC’s selfless, fearless local boat captains and boat owners, big and small, formed the North Captiva Navy. The Navy immediately brought people and essentials to the island. The Navy asked for nothing. No gouging. No extortion. Simply, saints and Samaritans.
In days, designers from California and Nantucket created wonderful logos and graphics for the Navy’s flag, shirts, and cookbooks.
In days, homeowners and friends filled trailers and pickup trucks with gasoline, tarps, gloves, tools, tape, propane, engine oil, grease, trash bags, rubber boots, scotch, vodka, and Courvoisier and Benjamins.
In days, owners drove from Texas, Maine, Michigan, Connecticut, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Atlanta, St Louis, and Pennsylvania. They drove all day and night. They met the North Captiva Navy at random marinas, open, closed, and destroyed.
The Upper Captiva Civic Association membership overwhelmingly voted to donate its entire Island Access fund to help all. Lee County officials shipped in quantities of water, gasoline, and medical supplies. Lil Mo, a huge mystery
barge, used during the Vietnam War, loaded with donations from Publix Stores and other generous organizations, magically loomed out of the mist of Pine Island Sound and unloaded at the air strip. Lee County Electric Cooperative, bolstered by line works from all over the USA, worked 24 hours a day to bring power back to UC. Governor DeSantis and his teams did the astonishing.
All money raised by UC, every cent, stays on the island, for workers and the needy. Every penny!
North Captiva Stron baby! North Captiva Strong!
And when the next Ian, Charley, or Lucifer wants to hit our little spec of paradise, hear this: Take your wind and surge and shove it. Upper Captivians are stronger than you.
North Captiva is ever Strong.
Jeffrey Fox, Coral Circle, UC
With attribution to Luca Fox
Current Status of the Island
North Captiva Island is open for business and welcoming visitors once again. When guests arrive, one of the first things they’ll notice on North Captiva Island is the ongoing clean-up efforts. The community has been working tirelessly to remove debris from the streets and beaches, and this process is still ongoing. Despite this, the island is safe to visit, and more and more waste is always being removed. The island’s residents and community have been working around the clock to ensure that the island is ready for visitors. The beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
The natural beauty of North Captiva Island has always been one of its greatest draws. Despite the damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the island remains a paradisiacal haven for visitors. In the aftermath of the storm, many were concerned about the state of the beaches and the surrounding wildlife, but what has emerged is a renewed appreciation for the island’s delicate ecosystem. The powerful winds and waves of the hurricane acted as a deep clean for the beaches. The island’s flora and fauna, too, have adapted to the changing conditions and are thriving in the wake of the storm. It is a reminder that despite the destruction caused by Mother Nature, the island and its inhabitants maintain a cyclical relationship with nature, one that sees them weathering the storms and emerging more robust and resilient. The island will be more beautiful than ever, and visitors can take comfort in knowing they are experiencing a unique and authentic part of the natural world.
The Beauty of North Captiva Island
North Captiva Island, located off the coast of southwest Florida, is a hidden gem that has undergone a remarkable transformation and has a rich history, dating back to the 1800s when it was used for fishing and hunting. The island was later developed into a residential and vacation community. Still, its development has faced many challenges from Mother Nature. In 2004, Hurricane Charley struck the island, causing significant damage to the area. Many of the island’s properties were uninhabitable and needed extensive repairs. However, this unfortunate event presented a unique opportunity for the island to be reborn. Today echoes of the past ring true, and we see the island’s resilient community shine through once again.
North Captiva Island is a nature lover’s dream, boasting miles of unspoiled beaches, lush mangrove forests, and sparkling turquoise waters. The island’s natural surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for various outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. One of the island’s most striking features is its wildlife. On the island, there is a huge diversity of bird species, including pelicans, egrets, and ospreys, as well as bottlenose dolphins and manatees that can often be seen swimming in the surrounding waters.
Tortuga Paradise is also open for business. Our properties, Green Tortuga and Tortuga Sunset are available again for holiday rentals. The properties sustained minimal damage and have now been repaired; The beaches are beginning to look ready for swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking. The crystal-clear waters are a sight to behold, and visitors can see a wide variety of marine life, including dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles. Tortuga Paradise offers a wide range of activities and tours to help visitors make the most of their stay. We are more than happy to recommend guides and help plan activities.
Despite the challenges that the island has faced, the resilience and determination of its people have always been unshakable. They have stood strong in the face of adversity and have always come out stronger on the other side. The island’s residents and businesses continue to rebuild and recover, and they are once again welcoming visitors to come and experience the island’s natural beauty. Today, North Captiva is again a paradise under restoration, two of the island’s four restaurants, Mangos and Over The Water, are back open, and we are eternally grateful for everyone’s efforts and thankful for every worker who is helping put it back together our little island, piece by piece, street by street. North Captiva Island will always be ever strong.
If you would like to support the recovery efforts, you can buy either an Island Cookbook or a North Captiva Strong shirt, proceeds go directly to supporting the continued cleanup of North Captiva.